“Hey, Bianca. Damn girl, you are smoking tonight. Does your dad know you’re out looking like that?” I let out a laugh and do several poses showing off my gold dress that scoops low in the front and shows off a generous amount of cleavage, but I feel like the long sleeves balance it out. I give a careful little spin because the skirt is on the shorter side and I don’t feel like flashing anyone, at least yet anyway.
“What this old thing?” He just rolls his eyes at me and shakes his head, giving me a deep chuckle. “You better not say a word to him, Jake.” I take my finger and poke him in the chest. “I mean it.”
Jake Aguilar is the protective older brother that I never had or wanted.
If my brother was a bit of a man-whore.
Not that I judge.
I’ve known him since he started working for my father’s construction company years ago. He started out as a kid doing all the shit jobs nobody else wanted to do and now he runs one of the teams. He’s also probably my dad’s best friend.
“I won’t say a word, I swear.” He pretends to lock his lips and throw away the key.
I perch my ass on the stool next to him and look over his shoulder. “Are you here with anyone tonight or are you just going to be leaving with someone?” I ask raising my brow. Jake is hot and always seems to have a gaggle of women around him. He’s not quite as hot as Carson, but—ugh, why am I thinking about that jerk?
Anyways, what I’m trying to get across is, if the thought of kissing Jake didn’t make me want to throw up in my mouth a little, I would totally hit that, but since it does, he’s out of luck. Because of said hotness, he’s never hurting for companyof the female persuasion and he revels in it. Not that he takes advantage of the women. They all know the score, much like the men that I go home with occasionally. We’re both no strings attached kind of people.
“Nah, I’m just here for a quick drink tonight. I’ll be heading home soon. Alone.”
“What? I don’t believe it. Are you not feeling well or something? Do you need a ride to the hospital?”
“You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“I’ve heard.” I flash him one of my sassiest smiles. “But really, what’s wrong?”
“Jesus, am I really that bad? You think I can’t go out even one night without picking up a woman?”
“I mean, I’m sure you can but I’ve never seen it.”
He shakes his head and gives out a sigh. “Yeah well, I’m turning over a new leaf.”
I eye him skeptically. “Really? And why is that?”
“I’m tired of the whole scene. It’s turning into more trouble than it’s worth. Besides, don’t you ever think about finding someone you can spend more than one night with? Maybe settle down?”
I shrug and answer truthfully. “Not really, I’m just not made like that. I’m too busy between work, painting, friends, Dad, Mom—”
“Yeah, I heard your mom was being a real pain in the—” I give him a sharp look making him reconsider his words. “—foot. A real pain in the foot.” I’m sure Dad’s filled him in on the fact that my mom has recently decided to move to Seattle. The woman can be a bit much, but hey, she’s my mom.
“Well, she’s moving here so he better get used to it.” Just then I feel an arm wrap around my waist and a vodka soda plops down on the bar next to me. “Thanks Jenna,” I say giving her asqueeze before I pick up my drink and take a few gulps. “Have you met Jake?”
“I don’t believe we’ve met. Hi, I’m Jenna.” She sticks out her hand and leans forward just enough to flash her cleavage at Jake which doesn’t surprise me one bit. Like I said, he’s hot. Whatdoessurprise me is the fact that Jake doesn’t take the bait. His eyes don’t stray from her face, like, at all. Huh, maybe he really is out of the game.
“Nice to meet you, Jenna.”
Immediately sensing that he’s not interested, her smile turns from predatory to sweet. “You too.” Grabbing my arm she turns back to me excitedly, “C’mon, knock that back. I want to dance.”
Taking another few gulps until my drink is almost gone, I look back to Jake. “You wanna join us?”
“Nah, I think I’m gonna head home.” He takes a couple of bills out of his wallet and tosses them on the bar before getting up and giving my arm a squeeze. “It was good seeing you. Have a good night. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“That looks like it’s going to be a long list if what you’re saying about changing your wicked ways is true,” I call after him. Not even bothering to turn around, the only signal he gives that he’s heard me at all is the lifting of his hand in a half-assed wave.
Five minutes later we’re out on the dance floor, swaying to a rock cover ofKings and Queens. I move my body to the sounds and work on releasing the day’s stress. Closing my eyes, I sway my hips to the beat.
We spend the next few songs moving to the music until I feel a little bead of sweat move down my back. Gross. I lean into Jenna’s ear and have to shout over the band. “I’m going to get another drink!” She just smiles and nods, continuing to gyrate her hips while holding her hands above her head and letting her body roll seductively.
I head over to the bar and lean against it until the bartender gets to me. I’m ranked expert level when it comes to high heels but I’ve already been standing in them all day at work and the strappy five-inch heels currently on my feet are even taller and thinner than my work ones. My feet are starting to ache but that’s the price I have to pay to give my calves some shape and my ass a lift.