“It’ll be fine,” Kipp responded, already standing outside the passenger-side window. “Do what you have to do and get out.”
“You’ll do great.” Zach said, encouragingly.
“Easy for y’all to say, you don’t have to act like some slut.” I joined Kipp outside, pulled on the jeans presently riding up my crack. “I haven’t worn these pants since high school.”
It was nearly impossible to breathe, and that was definitely a good thing, since it forced me to suck in my stomach, which became necessary considering the black lace skintight shirt that stopped just below my breasts. The choice of clothing hadn’t been my idea.
“Just be happy you still fit into them,” Kipp stated matter-of-factly. “Most women would be pleased by that.”
“Well, if these pants split open,” I stepped away from the truck and approached the bar, “I’ll send you to hell myself.”
“I think I’m already there,” Kipp whispered, so soft that if I hadn’t been paying attention, I wouldn’t have heard him.
I parted my lips to respond when the bouncer said, “Identification?” I glanced away from Kipp to find a burly fellow with a shaved head and dark goatee.
“Right.” I handed the bouncer my driver’s license, but discomfort filled me. What had Kipp meant? Did the funk he’d been in lately haunt him that much?
The bouncer looked over the identification for only a quick second before handing it back. “Go on in.”
“Thanks.” I stuffed my license into the back pocket of my jeans and stepped past him as I strode into the bar. Loud country music blared through the speakers while drunken women, who undoubtedly fit the description of cougars, paraded around the dance floor.
God, I hope I don’t look like one of them. Who was I kidding, I had a big red flashing sign over my head declaring, “I’m easy”. I needed to get this over with and quick. I never picked up random guys and certainly never did the seducing woman bit. Kipp seemed so confident in me, but I suspected he’d soon learn that support was misplaced.
“Cole’s over at the bar,” Kipp said.
I glanced to my left to see Cole seated at a table directly in front of the bar. Luckily, the Coyotes weren’t dancing on top and I couldn’t have been more grateful. At least the crowd wouldn’t watch me. I took a big, deep, brave breath, pushed all insecurity from my mind and put a little zing into my step as I approached the bar.
Once there, I leaned against the wooden table and the bartender ran her cloth along the top to clean up a spilled drink. “What’s your sin for tonight, sugar?”
“Two shots of tequila.” Alcohol would save me from the embarrassing display.
The bartender grinned as she grabbed two shot glasses and placed them in front of me. “A rough night?”
I nodded. “Like rug
ged terrain.”
She smiled, headed down toward the far end of the bar and grabbed a bottle of tequila while a man chatted her up. She returned and poured the shots. “Hope your night gets better, luv. Consider these on the house.” She gestured to the man she’d been talking to. “Boss’s treat.”
I followed her gaze to see the man, in his early forties, handsome if an older guy was my thing, which it wasn’t. I remembered my manners and held up the first shot in thanks. He tipped his cowboy hat and grinned.
“Told you the look works.” Kipp laughed self-righteously.
Not about to give fuel to his maddening statement, I downed the shot to soothe my tension. Of course the look worked, I looked like a complete slut. What man wouldn’t approach me in this outfit? Anyone with a dick would know I was a sure thing. I grimaced as the shot burned down my throat, but scooped up the next one and drank it back.
“Might want to take it easy on those.” Kipp pressed his back against the bar and leaned his arms up on the railing.
I nearly laughed at how comfortable he looked there. If people were aware while they were getting their drink on they were also in the presence of a ghost, I bet most of them would run out of here screaming for their lives. “I’ll drink as many as I damn well please,” I retorted. “Go away.”
“I hope that wasn’t meant for me?” a smooth voice said from beside me as a warm arm brushed against mine.
I glanced next to me to find a simple dream of a man. A stylish cut framed his face and his brown eyes twinkled with interest at me. “Hello there,” he said with pure intent to make me his for the night.
Kipp stepped away from the bar, moving in behind the man, and he looked at me. “He’s with Cole, so be nice to him.”
“Hi yourself,” I responded, flicking my hair back over my shoulder.
The man ran his gaze along my now-bare shoulder, across to my breasts and down my stomach, where he licked his lips and looked back at my eyes. “I’m Mark.”