Seduce Me (Austin Singles 1)

Note to self: Pick up batteries for BOB on the way home. Rechargeable ones.

Glancing over to Tucker, I smiled. He stared at me. Almost as if challenging me to question his ownership of a bar. I didn’t want to act like a bitch around Tucker, but it was almost as if it was expected of me by him. Plus, it pissed me off that he treated me like an outcast.

I shrugged and casually said, “Huh.”

His head pulled back. “What does that mean—huh?”

With a smirk, I answered, “I’m surprised with all the girlfriends you filter through that you have time to commit to something so … long term and serious.”

His eyes turned dark, and heat pooled in my lower stomach. Leaning in closer to me, he spit out, “Committing was never my problem. That’s all on you. Remember?”

My lust quickly turned to anger. Heat swept over my body as I tightened my fists.

“Besides, I’m not the one out tonight hunting for another quick fuck. Or were the exact words a ‘hard drink and a harder dick’? But that’s what you do best, right, Charlie? Fuck ’em and then leave without so much as uttering a word. Take what you want and screw what’s left behind.” Tucker challenged me to a stare-off when he finished his almost silent tirade in the bar that he owned.

My heart raced. This was not where I was going to finally have this out with him. For years I had wanted to talk to him about that night and explain why I left like I did. Tucker refused to take my calls, and my texts went unanswered. After seven months of trying, I called it. I wasn’t going to beg the bastard to listen to me.

“Jesus H. Christ, Tucker. It was years ago. If you remember, I did try talk

ing to you, and you ignored me. So, you and your dick need to get over it.”

Standing, he placed his hands on the table and leaned in closer to me. Hell, you could put me in front of a bunch of old men who could take me down with their experience and knowledge and I’m not the least bit afraid of them. But have Tucker lean over and look into my eyes and I was a complete mess.

“Oh, I am over it. And over you.”

“Good!” I spat at him.

“Good!”

I shot him the finger. “Good plus a million.”

He pinched his eyebrows together. “What are we in, grade school? And this, coming from a woman who holds multiple degrees and is now being touted by major newspapers around the country as being one of the richest women in America. Kind of sad. Probably why you’re still single. Maybe I’ll give the Times a call and let them know why that is.”

Standing, I went to hit him when Terri grabbed my arm.

“Oh, for shit’s sake. Would the two you just stop?” Terri said as she looked between us.

Tilting my head, I gave him a look that dared him to keep going. He took the challenge and won.

“I’ll let you go, Pumpkin, but since I’m providing that hard drink, I’ll leave you to your mission so you can find that harder dick you need to forget all about your shitty day.”

“You’re the biggest asshole I’ve ever met!” I hated that my voice cracked, and he noticed it. I thought he would let me have the last word, but when I narrowed my eyes at him, he proved me wrong again.

“And you’re the biggest bitch.”

Terri stood. “Tucker, maybe you should keep greeting your guests.”

Giving her a tight smile, he nodded in agreement then walked away.

I let out a gruff laugh and sat. “He really thinks he has the business sense to run a bar?” I blurted it out, but I knew Tucker did. With a sigh, I took a drink of my beer and scanned the place. I knew a good thing when I saw it … and this was a good thing. My heart rate was through the roof. Damn, why did I let him do that to me?

Terri chuckled. “Well, he does have a master’s in business, so I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”

My heart stopped.

Snapping my head back to Terri, I asked, “What did you just say?”

“Uh … about Tucker having a business degree?”