Tate scoffed at his boyfriend’s arrogant comment and shook his head. “Don’t worry, Jackson. I definitely put Logan in his place at home. Frequently.”
Logan smirked, though there was no mistaking the affection in his voice when he spoke. “And you do it oh so well.”
“Don’t you forget it.” Tate gave Logan a flirty grin before shifting his gaze back to Jackson. “Bushmills, neat?”
Jackson nodded. “That would be great. Thank you.”
As Tate poured his drink, Jackson glanced around the place, searching for Wes. As he did so, he couldn’t help but compare the contemporary, modern design of The Popped Cherry, which catered more toward corporate clientele, to Clay’s simple and modest bar. The two establishments were night and day in comparison, and as much as Jackson enjoyed this place, there was something about Kincaid’s that made him feel as though he fit in and belonged there.
It was a ridiculous notion considering his brothers’ cool reception had made him feel more like an outsider than someone they were eager to establish any kind of a relationship with. No, it was Tara who’d made him feel welcome and accepted from the first moment they’d met, in a way that had eluded him for most of his life. She was the one supporting his efforts to connect with his siblings, not because she expected something in return but because she genuinely cared about the Kincaid brothers and wanted to be sure they didn’t miss out on the opportunity to get to know Jackson.
For a man who’d experienced very little kindness and caring throughout his life, her compassion and understanding toward the situation, and with him, was something he cherished. It remained to be seen whether it had been a smart or stupid decision on his part to agree to accompany Tara to Clay’s house tomorrow afternoon for her graduation party. He had no idea what kind of reception to expect, but he wanted this time with his brothers badly enough to risk their wrath by showing up.
Tate set his glass of whiskey on the counter, and Jackson pulled a twenty out of his wallet to pay for the drink. “Have either of you seen Wes?” he asked the two men.
Logan nodded to the right of Jackson. “He’s right over there, doing what he does best.”
Jackson didn’t have to turn around to know that Wes was most likely surrounded by a selection of attentive, willing, beautiful females. The man was a shameless flirt who enjoyed women. Unfortunately for the ladies he hooked up with, he was also a notorious heartbreaker and didn’t do serious relationships.
A wry grin tugged up the corner of Jackson’s mouth. “Are panties hitting the floor?”
Logan chuckled. “Not yet, but he definitely has a few of them heading in that direction.”
“Then I’d better go and save him from himself.” Jackson picked up his drink and nodded to each of the men. “You two have a good evening.”
He walked toward where Logan had indicated, and sure enough, Wes was in his element, surrounded by three perky blondes who were all vying for his attention and hanging on every word he spoke. The man was too damn good-looking for his own well-being, with that bad-boy air about him that had every woman believing she’d be the one to tame him. Yeah, good luck with that.
Wes caught sight of Jackson as he approached, but since Jackson had no desire to make idle conversation with any of those women, he strolled toward a high-top table that a couple had just vacated and claimed it for himself. He slid onto one of the barstools and waited for Romeo to come and join him. As he sat there, the cell phone in his pocket vibrated, and he pulled it out to see who’d texted him.
Tara: I just want to make sure that we’re still on for tomorrow?
Just seeing her name put a stupid smile on his face. Damn, it had been a long time since any woman had given him a genuine reason to feel lighthearted and happy, which happened every time he’d talked or texted with Tara since their donut date two nights ago.
They’d spent over two hours chatting on the phone last night after she’d gotten off of work—surprisingly, she’d called him—conversing mostly about him and his job as an architect since she didn’t like to talk about herself. He would have liked to have learned more about her and that past she was so vague about, but he knew how difficult it was to let someone in, to open up and reveal painful things when you weren’t ready. He hoped she’d eventually realize that she could trust him. It was shocking to him that he could feel so much for her so quickly.
He texted back, keeping things light
and fun. Which part of tomorrow are you referring to? The party or the sinning?
She quickly replied. You can’t have one without the other.
He chuckled, enjoying her sassy retort. Well, technically you can, but since I’m not willing to forego the sinning, I’ll be right on time to pick you up for the party.
Good. There was a break in the text, then those three bubbles appeared that told him another comment was on its way. I’m really looking forward to seeing you.
There was something intimate about the words despite them being so casual. Something that made his heart beat a little faster because it meant she’d missed him. Though they’d only known each other a little over a week and a half, he knew they were both feeling more than just a basic attraction. He was so drawn to Tara, the connection he felt when he was with her was like nothing else he’d ever experienced with a woman, and he didn’t want to take it, or her, for granted.
He typed a response. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, too.
He figured she was at work, because she didn’t text back, and he hated that a part of him was disappointed that her attention had been diverted elsewhere. Grinning to himself, he decided to leave her a surprise text for when she checked her phone later in the evening. A little something for her to look forward to tomorrow night after the party, when they were finally alone and he had her all to himself.
Sin number four . . . driving my cock into you hard and deep while watching you pinch your nipples and finger your pussy until we both come.
Yeah, that ought to give her a nice, sexy fantasy to think about.
A few minutes later, Wes took the seat across from Jackson and set his drink on the table. “Hey, Mr. Unsociable. I could have introduced you to a sure thing back there.”
“Thanks, but I’m not interested.” He was way more discriminate than his friend, and always had been. Then again, right now there was only one woman who piqued his attention, and that was Tara. He didn’t see that ending anytime soon . . . as long as Tara maintained equal interest in him.