Sandcastle Kisses (The Kisses 5)

“Anytime, Izzy,” he said with a wink. “But I'm going to need more whipped cream.”

Several of the guests laughed, getting in on the naughty drinks and starting to make up their own to keep us busy. I could have sworn they started looking up drinks on their phones just so that they could ask for them and have us shout them across the bar at one another.

“Izzy, can you get me a Redheaded Slut?”

“Sure, but I need to give these guys some Blue Balls first.” That one got a nice chuckle from my male audience.

“Screaming Orgasm and Between the Sheets. And the Slow, Comfortable Screw are ready.” Noah managed to keep a straight face, which was better than I was doing.

“Sit on My Face, Panty Dropper and a Gin Tonic,” I called out, glad for the normal drink. The patrons all turned and looked at Logan as he picked up his non-dirty named drink.

“What? I like Gin and Tonics,” he said with a laugh.

It was getting later into the night, and things finally started to slow down again. The TV held most of the crowd's attention. A huge whiteboard displayed a chart with everyone's names in a tournament bracket. It hung on the wall behind the couch, and the various teams were yelling and cheering on their teammates and friends. Unfortunately for me, “Sam” had decided not to play and didn't have his name on the board.

“You want to tell me what 'Sam's' real name is?” I asked Noah as we tucked empty bottles into a very full trashcan. It was all top-shelf liquor, and I didn't even want to think about how much money had been drunk by the party-goers.

“That would be cheating,” Noah said. “And as much as I would like to save you from a date with him, I am not a cheater.”

I leaned back against the wall. Noah's black shirt fit him perfectly. It accented his muscled arms and chest and made the blue in his eyes pop, even in the neon lights. I wished for a moment that it was his name I was trying to learn. If it was a date with him that was the penalty, it would be worth losing the money.

Chapter 3

“Noah, have you seen Dean?” “Sam” said, running up to the bar. “Paul's being an ass and harassing the caterers. I need a little backup.”

I glanced at the empty stairs. “He had to take a guest out to throw up. I thought he'd be back by now,” I answered.

Noah was already walking out of the bar, anger flashing in his eyes. I felt a shiver run through me. I was glad I wasn't the one he was headed toward with that expression on his face.

I followed “Sam” and Noah upstairs and into the foyer with the main stairs to the rest of the house. Paul had his meaty fist wrapped around Lana's slender arm, and she looked terrified.

“Please,” she said, her voice shaking as she tried to stay calm. “I need to go back downstairs and...”

“Paul, I told you to lay off her.” “Sam” growled, pulling Paul off the girl. Paul stumbled into the wall, obviously drunk. Free from his grasp, Lana twisted away from him and toward the front door, escaping to freedom.

“Get off of me,” Paul slurred, throwing a punch that “Sam” easily ducked. I could see why he wanted backup. Paul wasn't going down without a fight.

“Come on, Paul. I think you've had enough,” Noah said. He put himself on the other side of Paul so that he and “Sam” could each take an arm. “It's time for you to go take a rest.”

Paul took a couple of cooperative steps before he saw me. I swallowed hard and wanted to run. The greasy feeling of his eyes on me told me that I should have followed Lana out. I should have stayed at the bar.

“How about you boys let her put me to bed? She looks ready for me,” Paul leered, and I felt like I needed a shower.

“Nope, you get us. Owen's got a nice room all ready for you upstairs. The lady isn't interested,” “Sam” said, taking his arm.

“Shut up, Robbie. Nobody asked you,” Paul snapped, pulling his arm away. I met “Sam's” eyes as we both registered the name. “Sam”, or rather Robbie's face fell. This wasn't how I wanted to win the bet.

“Thanks, man.” Robbie sighed and shrugged his shoulders at me and continued to try to coax Paul up the stairs.

“No.” Paul stopped in his tracks, his suit hanging in unattractive folds. He had spilled something on his shirt. “She needs to earn the tip I gave her. Besides, she wants it. Just look at her.”

I couldn't stop the heat from rising from my stomach to my cheeks. The insult to my honor burned. My fist balled up but my feet refused to move. I wanted to slug his pasty little head in.

Noah stepped in front of Paul, blocking his path to me. Noah was somehow bigger, more intimidating than he had been down in the bar. He leaned forward and whispered something in Paul's ear, something that made the older man go even paler. Paul's round chin bobbed as he swallowed nervously.

“Now, go upstairs with Robbie,” Noah growled. Robbie took Paul's arm, guiding him to the stairs I was unfortunately standing next to. I wanted to step away from him, but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was afraid of him. So, I stood my ground.

As the drunk man came closer, he reached out his grubby mitt and squeezed my chest. I gasped and stepped back, but Noah's fist was on Paul's cheek faster than I could raise my hand to slap him. Paul sprawled out on the floor and held his palm to his cheek, shock in his eyes.