Order (Tattoos and Ties 2)

The guy she was with, who was dressed as a Dallas Maverick basketball player, was also grinning at him, and he happily stuck out a hand toward the man. “I’m Alec Pierce.”

“Jack,” the guy said, cocking a head toward Wonder Woman. “I’m Eva’s husband.”

Ah, Eva. Yup, maybe he knew that. She was one of Janice’s friends. They worked together in Janice’s division. Eva’s hand came up when Alec released Jack’s handshake. “We haven’t officially met. I’m Eva Covington.”

“I’m Alec.”

“I know. Janice talks about you all the time. You’re being nominated for a federal judge seat, right?” Eva asked, turning her head between Alec and her husband as though filling him in on the big news.

Alec’s happy slipped a notch, and his grin faltered as the bartender placed his drink in front of him. “That, I unfortunately am.” He grabbed the glass, taking a hearty swallow.

“He’s part of the Pierce family. His father is a congressman, right?” Eva continued, letting her husband in on all his dirty little family secrets. Any remnants of the grin he’d held for the last hour fell away.

“Unfortunately, that’s the case,” he said, mimicking his last words with an exaggerated nod. Luckily, a hand came to rest on his shoulder before running down the length of his arm. He turned, again lifting the glass to find Janice had come to stand beside him.

“You’re having a good time.”

The smile instantly slid back in place. “I am. Officially met Eva and Jack here.”

“Well, that’s good.” Janice laughed and shared a look with Eva that Alec interrupted to mean “Men, what do we do with them,” before she turned to the side, revealing the sombrero wearing Spanish hottie behind her. “I want you to meet my neighbor, Sean Romero.”

A tipsy Alec must be a friendly guy because he stuck his hand straight out again as the room wobbled just a bit at his full body turn. The dizziness was a little unexpected. It might be in everyone’s best interest for him to switch to water. A drunk Alec hated clothing, and there wasn’t much more to remove from the one-piece bodysuit. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too. You seem to have a knack for getting the bartender’s attention. Can you get me a glass of pinot noir?” The handsome guy lifted an almost empty wine glass in Alec’s direction by way of a salute.

“Sure, I can. Hang on.” Alec turned back to the bartender who still happened to be in front of Jack.

“I heard. I’m pouring now.” The glass was instantly handed to Alec who carefully extended it to Sean. “You need anything?”

“Probably a glass of water.” The turning might be too much, the dizzy feeling increased substantially.

“You need anything?” the bartender called out to Janice.

“No, I’m good.” She raised a hand to the bartender, but spoke to Alec. “I’ve got to get back to the door. My guests are starting to leave. I just wanted you two to meet. Sean is a stockbroker and my next door neighbor—I said that already. You both had dates that were no-shows.” She looked like she let the obvious, not-a-secret-at-all cat out of the bag. “Sorry. See? I’ve had too much to drink already. I’ve said too much, but I think you two have a lot in common, and I’m ducking away before I say how much I’d love for you two to date.” This time her oversharing was purposeful going by the faux surprised look she gave, and Eva laughed as she practically jumped off her seat.

“We’re going too,” she said, grabbing her purse.

“It was nice to meet you,” Jack said, again sticking out his hand to shake Alec’s.

Janice ducked away with Eva and Jack following, and Alec shook his head at her silliness. When he got bumped, he realized he was taking prime real estate away from other guests trying to get to the bar. Alec grabbed his glass of water and started to step away, bumping straight into Sean who had moved in closer.

The movement may have been natural, but the stance was purposeful, something a solid player would do, one that Alec himself had probably done in another time of his life. The wine sloshing out of Sean’s glass did nothing to dampen the sexy let’s-fuck grin aimed right at him. Sean was Alec’s height and build, handsome in that forbidden, sinful way with all his well-groomed dark good looks. Alec had always had a weakness for dark-haired guys, and Sean was the cream of that crop. Texas sure had a way of growing some hot-ass men. No doubt the guy could probably burn up his bed, and if Alec were single, they wouldn’t be standing there wasting time.

“Sorry,” Alec said, slipping to the side to give them room when Sean didn’t move. He’d gotten so close he could smell his Clive Christian cologne. Oh hell, this Sean was damn good at the instant seduction. Alec had always had a preference for that particular brand. That dark sultry gaze followed him, and Sean did little more than turn, not moving a step out of the walkway to the bar. He was suave and smooth; again thoughts of his own past came to mind. Suddenly, Alec regretted drinking so much. His playful happy had sent the wrong vibe, and he quickly blurted out, “I have a boyfriend.”