“Quite a lot. He’s got mad skills behind a bar, and in bed, and outside of it. And he steals kisses with so much style.”
I came out from behind the bar, heading to her. Tess scooted so far back in the round chair that she nearly fell off. I caught her ass in my hands, pulling her toward me until we collided.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“I want to kiss you.”
“But I thought this cocktail thingy was supposed to distract you.” She pointed with her chin to the glass on the counter.
I pressed my fingers on the top of her ass cheeks, wanting to rid her of the thick fabric, to feel her bare skin.
“That was before you admitted to liking that I steal kisses.”
“I don’t know what you mean. I was talking about the bartender.”
A deep sound reverberated in my throat.
“Was that a growl? Oh my God, you’re jealous of yourself?”
Yes, I was jealous of myself. I was losing my mind.
She grinned, right until the moment I kissed her.
She rested her hands on my shoulders, her legs dangling around mine. She tasted like oranges and tequila, and I wanted to kiss her all night long. I explored her mouth until she pressed her entire body against mine, craving contact just as much as I did. I pulled her even closer on the edge of the chair, spreading her thighs wide. She grinned again when I pulled back, closing her eyes and humming.
“This was one for the books,” she whispered. “I think it’s even in the top three kisses.”
I laughed. Only Tess. “You have a top?”
She opened her eyes lazily, still keeping me trapped between her thighs.
“Oh yeah. I started counting when you gave me the first one, then sort of lost track after today. But this one was definitely among the best.”
I opened my mouth to dig deeper into that statement, but Tess’s phone rang on the counter, interrupting us.
“Oh, Laney’s here. That doorbell really isn’t working.”
She slid down the chair, heading toward the entrance. I followed her, lost in thought. One stood out, though: I wanted to give her the best kisses she’d ever had. The best everything she’d ever had.
Laney became one of my favorite people within fifteen minutes of meeting her. At first glance, she seemed soft-spoken, what with her blonde wavy hair and round eyes, but she managed to check on and then scold my grandmother for not going to the hospital in a way that made her cower a little.
“You’re lucky to have such a caring grandson,” she finished, prescribing something for inflammation.
“But it wasn’t hurting too much,” Gran protested. She’d only reluctantly given up on the chess game.
“You were lucky, but you could have torn a ligament without noticing. I’ve been in many surgeries caused by exactly this behavior.”
Gran sighed. “Thank you for coming at such short notice. I really appreciate it. How much do I owe you?”
Laney smiled. “Absolutely nothing. Tess is family.”
My grandmother looked between me and Tess, then Laney.
“Then stay for a drink, Laney,” Gran said.
“I suppose I can do that. But just one.”
We all moved to the bar area, and after fixing everyone drinks, I excused myself, wanting to check the doorbell before I forgot.