Page 109 of Lucky Mother Pucker

Longing hits me square in the chest. It’s been a couple of days since we’ve seen each other— since the night I massaged him and we almost kissed again.

He’s been busy with school and hockey, and I’ve been busy with both of my jobs, so we haven’t run into each other.

I know it’s for the best. We shouldn’t be around each other because we have this undeniable attraction, and lately, it seems like every time we’re together, we almost cross the line from friends to something more.

But the other part of me doesn’t care about that. That part of me misses him and wants him so bad.

As we make our way to the front of the bar, I notice a few guys staring at me.

I glance down at my shirt, wondering if I have a stain or something, but there’s nothing. And then I realize that they’re checking me out.

My face is hot. I’m not used to this. The last time guys openly checked me out like this was when I worked at the strip club. As uncomfortable as it made me, I expected it.

But this is different. I’m just out living my life, having a night out with my friends, and guys are noticing me.

“Nice costume,” a tall blond guy says.

I offer a shy smile. “Thanks.”

His gaze follows me as we walk to the bar. As we wait in line for a bartender so we can order drinks, another group of girls walks up next to us.

“Anna! Hey!” One of them pulls Anna into a hug.

Anna introduces us to her friend, Danielle. She’s a tall, pretty blonde who’s wearing a pink babydoll dress and platform heels with her hair in pigtails.

“Danielle was in my organic chemistry lab,” Anna says.

Danielle introduces us to her friends. I notice they’re all dressed in cute, tight dresses and platform heels.

“We’re the Spice Girls,” Danielle says.

A bartender walks up and drops off a tray of shots in front of us. “From the guys at the end of the bar,” he says.

We all glance over and see a group of guys looking over, smiling at us. A tall guy with blond hair raises his beer glass up at us and winks.

Anna and Danielle chuckle and wave at him. Then they hand out the shots to all of us. “Bottoms up, ladies,” Danielle says.

I wince at how the tequila burns my throat.

Briar giggles. “Not a big drinker, huh?”

I shake my head and smile shyly. “No, but I want to have fun tonight. Let loose a little.”

She orders a round of sex on the beaches for us, then hands me a drink. She taps her glass against mine. “To letting loose.”

We toast, and I sip the drink, grateful that the fruit flavor covers up the alcohol taste.

I’m chatting with Briar for a minute before one of her friends comes up and hugs her, pulling her away. I stand back and happily sip my drink, enjoying being an observer in this loud and crowded bar. So this is what it’s like to be a normal twenty-something. Enjoying a few drinks, hanging out with friends, having a fun night out.

“So are any of your brother’s teammates single?” Danielle asks Anna.

Anna chuckles. “Half the team is unattached.” Anna wiggles her eyebrows. “Who are you interested in?”

“Leo,” Danielle says with a knowing smile.

I cough on a sip of my drink.

“God, he’s so hot,” Danielle says. “Please tell me he’s not seeing anyone.”