Page 21 of Penalty Kick

“Y-y-yes,” she stuttered. Damnit, she needed to get her head on straight. Swallowing hard and steeling her emotions, she continued. “We're going to keep this pretty simple tonight. It’s busy, so a lot will be going on, but instead of dividing the orders based on bar versus restaurant like Sax and I normally would, we’re dividing it between hard and soft.”

As soon as she said it out loud, she realized how dirty that sounded. She had not intended for her instructions to be laced with innuendo. Dash raised his eyebrows, a knowing smirk tugging at his mouth. A deliciously dirty smirk. One that made her want to kiss him all over again.

“Drinks. Mind out of the gutter, Dash. Sax will handle all the hard liquor, mixed drinks, and draught beer. I trust you can operate a bottle opener, so you will have bottled beer and soft drinks. The only mixed drink that you’re going to need to know how to make is the Tricky Licky.”

“The Tricky Licky?” he repeated, that smirk now a full-on grin.

“Bunz’s signature shot. You’ve seen me make them; you just don’t realize that’s what they are. They are the ones I make whenever someone orders a birthday shot.” Talia could see the wheels turning in Dash’s mind as he nodded slowly, racking his brain to remember what went into said drink. “A Tricky Licky is equal parts peach schnapps, raspberry vodka, and limoncello—layered in that order. It’s served in those sugar rimmed shot glasses.”

“These?” he asked, reaching below the bar and grabbing one.

“Yes. You’ll actually need two, because the drink is served in pairs.”

Grabbing a second glass, he placed it next to the first, twisting around to find the required liquors. After carefully pouring them into the glasses, he gave her a nod, looking very proud of himself.

“Pay close attention, because this is where this can get a little…tricky. Pun intended. One of those is for the recipient—most often the birthday girl. The other is for the person of her choice, who is often the server, but since you are our celebrity guest tonight, it very well could be you who ends up doing this. That person then places the shot between the recipient's legs, right up against her crotch. Or his—men do order this from time to time. Placing their hands behind their back, they then lower their head, licking off the sugar, then wrapping their mouth around the glass, tilting their head back and downing the shot.”

Heat rose up Talia’s cheeks as she finished the explanation. The look Dash was giving her was all kinds of naughty, making that fizzy feeling return, this time with something more. A tingle. And a desire to know if that was the same expression that would be on his face if he were the one between her legs.

“As if I were licking…” Dash stopped suddenly, his gaze flicking to her left.

Felicity.

Talia had forgotten she was still sitting there. She’d been so focused on trying to keep a straight face, getting Dash up to speed before Devlin and Link started up trivia, that the whole world around her had seemed to melt away. Dash must have forgotten as well. Until now, when they were both very aware that her new stepmother—his big boss—was right there, watching them as if they were actors on a stage.

“You’ve made the shot, so now you just need to practice taking it,” Felicity said, a playfulness to her voice. “You can use Talia.”

“I don’t—” Talia started.

“My pleasure.”

A half second later, Dash had rounded the bar again, placing himself in front of her. Their gazes locked, and the intensity in his eyes was like nothing Talia had ever seen. It was full of fire and something else she couldn’t name, but there was also a warmth to it, letting her know she could trust him. Licking her lips, she nodded, unsure of what else to do. She wanted this—she just didn’t want to admit that she did.

Sinking down, Dash placed his hands behind his back. Talia’s heart jackhammered against her chest, her skin feeling like it was on fire. Was this really happening? Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Felicity slip out of her chair, a curt but knowing nod all she gave Talia as she walked away.

Oh…my…God…

The coolness of the shot glass against her crotch caught her off guard. Almost as much as the feel of Dash’s face against her thighs as he licked the rim of the glass. The tingle she felt earlier crept lower and lower, settling at her core. There was no doubt about it—she was turned on. Really, really turned on. And the night was just beginning. With the way Dash was looking, paired with whatever flirting she knew he had at the ready, it was going to be a hell of a night. She just hoped her vibrator was prepared for the workout it was going to get.

Dash shifted, his nose making contact right where she wanted, sending a jolt through her. It didn’t last very long though, as he threw his head back, downing the contents of the glass. Talia let out a sigh—from either relief or anguish, she wasn’t sure—willing herself to relax.

“Oh, Tricky Lickys,” Liam said.

“My first one,” Dash answered, standing back up to his full height. “I hope to get to experience it again.”

Oh fuck. Did he really just say that? To the guy who was like her brother no less. Only Dash. Liam didn’t seem fazed by it though. Swiveling around in her chair, she took in the rest of the patrons around them. They all seemed to be going about their meal, like she hadn’t just experienced the most sensual event of her life. In a bar. With Dash.

“I came over to grab our usual, but let me take a pair of Tricky Lickys as well.”

“Usual?” Dash asked, finding his place back behind the bar.

“Liam drinks O’Hara’s; it’s the black handle with the cream-colored logo. You can pour Liam’s, or have Sax do it, since she’ll handle those for the rest of the night. Avery drinks white wine. I usually give her the one in the dark green bottle that is behind you.”

“On it,” Dash replied with a nod.

A moment later Dash had Liam’s order ready to go. Impressed by how well he’d handled the order, she sat back, allowing herself to relax. If this is how the night was going to go, then this could actually be fun.

“Who is ready for trivia?” Devlin’s voice called out over the sound system. “Reminder, tonight is a fundraiser, so things are a little different. Please see Kat at the hostess stand to make your donation and get your answer sheets. Also, we’re raffling off different items throughout the evening, including some signed Atlanta Rising merch, so don’t forget to buy your tickets. Kat can help you with that as well.”