AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Don't." I glare at her and place enough bills on the table to cover our food and a generous tip for the server.
She gives me a sly smile. "You actually want something real with that girl." She shakes her head. "No way will she go for a guy like you. She's innocent and inexperienced. I see it in her eyes. Your too much of a man whore for her."
The statement is like a slap in the face. I scoff and straighten my shirt, trying to keep my anger in check. I'm on the island as Antonio's guest, so I want to avoid a scene. "Don't ever presume to know what Cassidy wants or doesn't want."
The woman laughs and gazes at me intensely. "Whatever. There are plenty of men who want me." She saunters away and calls over her shoulder, "You'll be back to your old ways in no time."
The words hang in the air, but I shake them away.
I walk out of the pub and dial Cassidy. No answer. Fuck. I text her asking where she is and tell her we need to talk.
This is new. Chasing a woman. Women pursue me, not the other way around. I shake my head as I walk down the boardwalk toward the beach house.
Cassidy is affecting me in a way no woman ever has.
After checking at the beach house and looking around town, I can’t find her. Clearly, she doesn't want to be found, and I'm not about to call her back-to-back like some desperate loser—someone I never thought I'd be.
I return to the beach house, grab my work laptop, and head to the pub to finish work.
"What will it be?" The bartender asks me as I sit at the bar. She leans over at me with a hungry look in her eyes. I've seen the look a thousand times.
"Just a beer. Thanks." I open my laptop and start checking emails, and the woman moves closer to me until her arm brushes against mine.
"You look lonely." She tosses her hair, and I can't help but notice how beautiful she is, but she doesn't hold a candle to Cassidy. "My name's Cindi. Care for some company tonight?"
I shake my head. "No, thanks." I open up a document and start typing away.
"What's your name?" she persists, unwilling to give up.
I consider giving her a fake name, but I’m not in the mood to play games. "Ivan," I respond, keeping my eyes on the screen.
She places the glass next to me. I move it down a bit, so it’s not so close to my computer.
Cindi sits beside me, her skirt hiking up her thigh. "So, Ivan," she says in a low sultry voice. "What brings you here? You don't seem like the type to be out by himself."
I glance at her briefly before returning to my work. "Shouldn't you be behind the bar working?"
"You don't want to talk? That's okay. I can do all the talking," she laughs, her laughter light and airy. "It's a slow night here. We won't be interrupted."
I sigh and look around the bar at the other patrons. A few couples laugh and talk in booths, and a group of friends are at the bar. The music is low, and it adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
"Are you ever going to talk, or are you just going to ignore me all night?" Cindi teases, her voice light and playful.
"I'm working," I reply irritated, my eyes still on the laptop screen.
She reaches out and places her hand on my knee, her long, manicured nails lightly brushing against my skin. "Come on. I’m sure you can take a break for a few minutes."
I turn to look at her. Full lips, long glossy hair, and a petite frame. The old me would close my laptop, go to the stock room, and fuck her. I still carry condoms in my wallet and can easily have a good time with the perky little barkeep.
"No," my voice firm. "Go back to work or find another guy to fuck."
Her mouth hangs open for a moment, unused to rejection. She stands up, her face red, and for a moment, I think she will slap me or throw my beer in my face. I'm accustomed to both.
Cindi says, "You're an arrogant asshole, Ivan." Then she turns on her heels and stalks off.
The other customers turn to look at me, but I shake my head and get back to work. She's got a nerve calling me arrogant, considering her behavior.
Since I can’t talk to Cassidy, I dive into my work and sip my beer. I love working. Whenever my brothers and I get into it, I work. Work is my safe place. It helps me unwind. Call me a masochist.
