Page 36 of Sully
“And that’s why Burgundy wines have that earthy undertone,” she concluded with a small hiccup, gesturing with her half-empty glass.Her name was Elise, and she’d warmed up considerably after I’d complimented the subtle wine bottle and roses design inked along her collarbone.Might also have been the vodka shots I got her to do.Until she started chasing them with the wine.Womanreallyliked to drink.
“Fascinating,” Sully drawled, catching my eye with a look that said he knew exactly what I was doing and was enjoying the show.He also squeezed my knee gently under the table.
I winked at him before turning my attention to the bartender I’d convinced to join us on his break.He was teaching Tonio how to make some complicated cocktail.My father -- and God, that word still felt strange in my head -- was watching with surprising interest, his sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular forearms, one with a tattoo winding from his wrist up into his shirt.
“Hey, Jason.See if you can find some Crown Royal.Bring shot glasses.”
“Sure.”He hurried off to retrieve the requested whisky.I was being careful, but I wasn’t one to waste a good party and was a firm believer that any party was a good party.If you were bad enough.So, while I was most definitely drinking, I was trying to stick mostly to my beer.But Crown Royal, I could drink the shit out of.I might get wasted, but I wouldn’t get hung over.Perfect!
Once Jason came back, I poured everyone a shot.“All right,” I announced.“Everyone takes a glass.”
“What’s the occasion?”Sully asked with a grin.Of course my man was willing to play along.
“I thought a game of ‘Never Have I Ever’ would be a fab way to spend the night with strangers.”
Jason nearly choked on his drink.“Seriously?That’s a college frat party game.”
“And it’s perfect for getting to know new people,” I insisted.“Or for discovering a person’s tells.”I shot a pointed glance at Tonio, who merely raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“I’m game,” Sully said with a grin.He sat back in his chair, his suit jacket long gone.He’d rolled up his sleeves too.Muscular, vein-roped arms, and tattoos creeping up his arms in various designs…Yummy!The man was sexy as fuck.And if I hadn’t offered the woman so much to drink -- she still was licking her lips and looked like she was just itching to grab Sully’s forearm and rub her face against it -- I’d claw her fucking eyes out.But any flirting she was doing was one-sided, and she was wasted.Even if Sully was interested, nothing was happening tonight.And I could hardly fault the woman.What can I say?Play hard, pay hard.
“Excellent!I’ll start.”I raised my glass.“Never have I ever… been arrested.”And downed my shot.
Sully immediately took a drink, as did the line cook and, surprisingly, Elise.She hiccupped.Then giggled.Tonio, however, merely smiled.
“Really?”I couldn’t hide my surprise.“Not once?”
“Being arrested requires making mistakes,” he replied smoothly.“I prefer not to make those kinds of mistakes.”
“Your turn, boss.”The bartender poured another round to those of us who were empty.Everyone seemed much more comfortable now that we’d all had a few drinks.Even Tonio.
“Never have I ever…” Tonio paused, considering, “hustled someone at pool.”
I grinned, sucking back a second shot.He’d clearly been paying attention to the stories Sully had shared about how we met.The game continued, rounds of increasingly outrageous and ridiculous confessions punctuated by laughter and the clink of glasses.
With each new round of drinks, I made sure Tonio’s glass was fuller than mine, casually topping him up whenever I refreshed my own.I’d perfected the art of pretending to drink more than I actually was, taking small sips while making it look like generous swallows.
“Bring us those little things from before,” I told Jason, referring to the dish we’d been trying out.I slipped him an extra hundred-dollar bill, watching his eyes widen.“And whatever other special stuff you guys keep hidden from the regular customers.”
The staff had fully embraced our impromptu party, bringing out dishes and drinks that weren’t on the menu.
Everyone continued to drink, including Tonio, who was showing the first subtle signs of the alcohol’s effect.Not drunk by any means, but perhaps the edge of his control was beginning to soften.
Sully watched me with knowing eyes, amusement dancing in their blue depths.He leaned close, his breath warm against my ear.“Having fun?”he murmured.
“Juuuust getting started,” I whispered back, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw before turning back to the group.
As the evening progressed, I orchestrated increasingly elaborate toasts, each requiring everyone to drink.Some were silly.As I got buzzed myself, they became more heartfelt.
Tonio matched each toast without complaint, though his dark eyes grew increasingly observant, watching me with a calculation that made me wonder if he was onto my scheme.Still, he didn’t call me out, instead playing along with surprising good humor.
The bartender returned with a tray of colorful shots that smoked slightly at the tops.
“Dragon’s Breath,” he announced proudly.“My own creation.Not on any menu.”
“Christ, I’m too old to drink like this anymore,” Tonio muttered, but he took the drink.
“Perfect for another toast!”I declared, grabbing one and waiting for everyone else to do the same.
