He raised both hands in surrender. “Alright, man.”
I drank my beer again, my blood boiling at the ridiculous insinuation. A man like me didn’t know love. The closest I’d ever come to it was the way I felt about my mother. I was too young to remember her vividly, but I knew how it felt to be loved by someone—even if it didn’t last long. I loved her in return, which was why I murdered the man who threw her in a dumpster. But I’d never come close to feeling anything in the stratosphere of romantic love. My life was about money, killing, and fucking.
That’s it.
A brunette approached me at the bar, a pretty woman who would normally floor me. Long hair, a nice bust, and legs that stretched for days, she was perfect. And she had a beer in her hand, which she set right in front of me. “I was going to have the bartender send you a beer, but I wanted to bring it myself—because I definitely want to buy you a drink.” Confident, she smiled at me like a woman who understood her self-worth. She wasn’t shy or coy; she was just the way Vanessa was. After being with Vanessa, I’d come to realize I had a type.
I liked a strong and confident woman.
“I’m Elise.” She extended her hand.
I shook it. “B.”
“B?” she asked.
“Yeah. It’s easier to remember that way.”
She kept up her smile. “I hope you aren’t involved with anyone, because I’d like to be involved with you.”
Forward and aggressive, she was a little too much. “No, I’m not. You’re a very beautiful woman and I appreciate the drink, but now isn’t the best time for me.” I turned her down right away without really thinking about what I was doing. I was horny as fuck and tired of sleeping alone, but my brain registered her as off-limits.
“That’s too bad.” She took the rejection with dignity. “Hopefully, the timing is better next time.” She drifted away and returned to her friends in a booth.
I drank her beer even though I’d been craving something strong since my first bottle.
Max stared at me.
I felt his stare and let it continue until it couldn’t be ignored. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why do you keep staring at me?”
“Because you’ve lost your mind.”
I set down my beer and turned to him.
“What was wrong with her?”
“Nothing.”
“Exactly,” he said. “And you shot her down.”
“So? I don’t fuck everything that moves.”
“Bullshit. Yes, you do.”
“She wasn’t my type. Too aggressive.”
Max laughed out loud like I’d made a ridiculous joke.
“What?” I asked, dead serious.
“You only said no because of Vanessa. Let’s not bullshit here. You only want her, and by definition, that means you love the woman. Because a man is only monogamous if he’s in love with his lady.”
“I’m not in love with her,” I repeated, saying it with more conviction than before.
“You just said you haven’t gotten laid all week. Vanessa is five hours away. You could be fucking that woman right now, but you’re sitting here talking to me. If Vanessa really means nothing to you, then walk over there and prove me wrong.”
I took a long drink of my beer before I got off the stool. “Fine, asshole.” I left my money on the table to pay for my drinks before I walked away. I moved to her table and looked down at her. “Looks like I have some free time, after all.”
She smiled then scooted over. “Great. Now you can buy me a drink.”
The bar closed, so we were forced to leave and move to the parking lot. Patches of snow were everywhere, and an intense chill was in the air. She was wrapped in a sweater, and I was in my leather jacket.
“So…you want to come over?” She hooked her arm through mine. “My apartment is close by.”
I’d spent the evening talking to her while she ran her hand up my thigh. She got dangerously close to my dick, telling me I was going to score when the night was over. It didn’t get me hard the way Vanessa did. All Vanessa had to do was tuck her hair behind her ear, and I was harder than a rock. “Sure.”
She grabbed my hand and scribbled the address on my palm. “Just in case we get lost.”
I walked her to her car, feeling the dread sink further and further into my chest. Deep down inside, I knew I didn’t want this. I was only trying to prove something, to Max as well as myself.
The sex would be mediocre—at least for me. I wouldn’t want to sleep over, so I’d have to leave in the middle of the night. And what if Vanessa called me? She probably wouldn’t, but I didn’t want to miss her call if she did. Even if this woman were lying beside me, I would still answer.