Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

He quickly poured the beers and margaritas for the new patrons. He knew the bar would only pick up for the rest of the night. The tiki bar by the pool was a spot everyone wanted to get a drink.

Wyatt kept an eye on Cassie. He made sure to fill her drink as often as he could, even at the expense of other patrons. He didn't need the tips, so it didn't really bother him too much. Besides, the smile she gave him every time he came near lit up the night. That was more than enough tip for him.

Even though he'd done this routine a thousand times, tonight felt fresh. She gave him butterflies in the pit of his stomach every time he caught her looking at him.

It was probably just his imagination. He hadn't worked this bar in a while, preferring the lobby bar with air conditioning. It had been a while since he'd picked up a date working the tiki bar. Any bar really. He'd lost his taste for random women the past few months.

But she was different. She was something new. That was it. That was where the excitement came from. He just hadn't done this pickup routine for a while.

Or maybe, it was her smile. The way she played with the straps on her dress like she didn't know what to do with them. Perhaps it was the way she grinned and joked with him, unsure of herself but trying anyway.

It was flattering in the most sincere way possible.

An hour later, she was still sitting at his bar. She'd had more drinks, and although he started watering them down, she was no longer tipsy.

She was drunk.

“You are cut off,” he told her when she slurred his name when he approached.

“I never drink this much,” she confided. “You just make them so tasty.”

“Well, no more for you.” He poured a glass of water and handed it to her. “Drink this.”

“I thought I was cut off.” She looked at him with those big brown eyes, not wanting to get in trouble.

“Just from sex on the beach,” he told her. He nudged the glass. “Drink the water.”

“Can I have sex on the beach later?” She grinned at him and giggled.

“We'll see,” he replied. He wasn't sure she'd want another fruity drink after this. How had she gotten so drunk? He'd barely given her three light drinks over the hour.

He silently chastised himself for not paying better attention. He'd been enjoying their flirty banter and making her smile. He didn't want her to be hung over in the morning.

He refilled her water glass. “Drink this one, too.”

She nodded and dutifully began to drink the water. He hurried over to pour some more beers for another customer. When he came back, the water glass was empty, but she was starting to sway on her chair.

“Here,” she said, sliding a napkin across the bar. She slipped off the bar-stool and caught herself with a nervous giggle. “For when you get off. If you want to get off. If you know what I mean.”

He looked down at the napkin and saw a room number. Seven-thirty-two. It was seared into his brain without even thinking.

But she was drunk. Some nights that might have been acceptable. But not with her. He wanted to see her sober. If she was this smart and funny while drunk, he could only imagine how amazing the sex would be sober. He didn't want drunk Cassie.

“You're drunk,” he said gently, sliding the napkin back to her.

It was the wrong thing to do. Her face crumpled and tears formed in her eyes.

“Oh god. I screwed it up,” she whimpered. Her whole body went from excited to dejected.

Wyatt felt like the world's biggest idiot. He was usually much better at this.

“No, Cassie. It's not like that.” He reached out and took her hand. “I really would like to. I just think you should have less alcohol in you.”

She sniffled and tried to hide wiping a tear off her cheek. “You don't have to sugar coat it. It's fine. I suck.”

She turned and started to leave. He had really screwed this one up.

Wyatt hopped over the bar and stood in front of her. She bumped directly into him and looked up, utterly surprised to see him suddenly there. He put his hands on her shoulders.