Since you asked me to kiss what appears to be a god in a leather coat. “I got this,” I replied instead. “I just need some more liquid courage. And it’s my birthday. I shouldn’t even have to ask, right?”
His gaze was knowing. “Yeah, yeah.” He lifted his hand for the waiter—a male who’d been eyeing Rick with interest all night. They were totally going to fuck later. “My too-sober friend here needs a round of shots.”
“Tequila?” the cute waiter—Drew—suggested.
“Perfect,” Rick replied, looking him over. “Definitely perfect.”
Drew smiled, his hazel eyes gleaming with interest. “Be back in a moment.”
“I hope so.”
Brittany scowled as Drew disappeared. “How do you always do that?” she demanded, sounding disgruntled. “Like, he’s totally going home with you tonight, and you’ve barely said anything to each other outside of ordering drinks.”
Rick shrugged. “The power of a glance, sweetheart.” He winked at her. “Learn how to use your best assets, and maybe you’ll perform better.”
She grabbed her breasts. “Trust me, I’m using them. This top couldn’t be any lower cut.”
He eyed her substantial cleavage. “Sometimes revealing less is more. Take Claire Bear. That graphic T-shirt is clingy, showing off the curves without displaying them for the world. And she’s grabbed the attention of several men tonight.”
“Because she’s blonde,” Brittany said, gesturing to my long hair as if it were my only asset.
“She’s also gorgeous,” Amie added. “And tall, with those killer legs.”
“That she’s exposed beautifully in that skirt,” Rick agreed.
My cheeks warmed. “Guys, I understand it’s my birthday, but this is starting to get weird. Are you all hitting on me right now? Because I gotta say, none of you are my type.”
“I’m totally your type,” Rick argued. “You just can’t handle my D.”
I scoffed at that. “Yeah, that’s the reason.”
Another wink, this one for me just as our drinks arrived. “Another round, if you don’t mind,” Rick said before Drew had finished distributing the glasses. “Actually, two.”
“On it.” Drew was apparently more than happy to continue serving our table—exclusively.
Amie was right.
Rick had a magic touch, or look, or something, because this always seemed to happen when we went out.
He clinked his glass against mine, a devious smile flirting with his lips, and I shot the liquid into the back of my throat. It burned so good. I may have just turned the legal age to drink, but this was not my first time in a bar. Most of the clubs near Ohio State University’s campus were eighteen plus, and several of them didn’t card.
Two more rounds later, a warm, fuzzy feeling settled over me again, easing me back into a comfortable state, one where my reservations dwindled. Mr. Hottie still sat at the bar, not talking to anyone.
Hmm.
Okay. I could do this.
Just walk up to him, flirt a little. How hard could it be?
“Just a kiss, right?” I asked, taking a sip of the water Drew had brought for me.
“Preferably with tongue,” Rick replied. “But you do you, boo.”
I nodded. “I got this.”
“Damn right you do.” He grinned. “Go get him, Claire Bear.”
I swallowed some more water and stood, testing my heels.