The Two Week Stand (Sizzling Beach 1)

“Nothing. You’re just cute, is all. But not donkey cute.”

“Thanks, I think.” She chuckles.

I watch her as she finishes the rest of her drink, draining the glass. I’ve got to give her props; she sure can drink her liquor. Although she is kind of cheating, as it’s a cocktail.

“So, do you only drink cocktails, or can you handle the hard stuff?” I ask her.

“Asks the man who’s drinking beer.”

“Touché.”

“So, are you only a beer drinker? Or do you fancy joining me in a shot?” There’s a wicked gleam in her eyes. A challenge.

And I know I said I wasn’t drinking anything else after this beer, but I also know that one shot won’t kill me, and I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.

“What’s your poison?”

A gorgeous smile slides on her lips, and fuck, do I want to kiss her. But I won’t.

Not tonight anyway.

Tomorrow though, all bets are off.

“You choose.”

I turn to the bartender. “Two shots of Fireball, please.”

“Make it four shots,” she says.

Okay, two shots won’t kill me. I won’t get drunk. Well, not before her anyway. She’s already halfway to wasted, and I’m a big guy. She’s fucking tiny. Couple of shots, and she’ll be done.

three

West

I was wrong. Four shots and another Long Island iced tea later, and she doesn’t appear to want to stop drinking even though she’s at the point of drunk where terrible decisions usually ensue.

I’m definitely feeling the buzz of the liquor. Fortunately, it’s not enough that I can’t see her back to her villa safely. Because there is no way she’s getting back there alone without getting into trouble along the way.

Honestly, I think she’d have a hard time finding her way out of the bar at this point.

But I have to say, I am impressed at her ability to hold alcohol. For such a small person, she sure can put it away. And I only know what she drank in the bar. I have no clue what she drank before she got here.

“Another drink, barman,” she slurs, lifting her hand up. Her other hand is supporting her head, elbow somehow managing to stay put.

Catching his eye, I shake my head.

“No more. I’m cutting you off.”

She juts out her lower lip, pouting, and I have the urge to bite it. “I thought you were fun, Westy.”

“Westy? Please don’t ever call me that again. And I’m tons of fun. But you’re wasted, and the only thing you need to be drinking now is water.”

“Water’s boring.”

“It’s what will save you from feeling like you’re dying in the morning.”

The bartender helpfully puts down a bottle of water on the bar in front of us.

I thank him and pop the cap on the bottle. I hold it out to her. “Down this. You’ll thank me tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to thank you tomorrow. I want another cocktail.”

“Down this, and we can talk about another drink.”

She stares at me again. Granted, her eyes are glazed and off focus, but they’re still absolutely fucking stunning.

“Fine,” she grumps and takes the open bottle from me. She drinks half of it straight down.

“All of it,” I tell her when she pulls the bottle away from her mouth. Putting my hand to the bottom of the bottle, I guide it back up to her lips.

“You’re really bossy, you know.”

She has no idea.

“Stop complaining and finish the drink.”

She sticks her tongue out at me, but she finishes the water. “Happy?” she says, putting the empty bottle down on the bar.

“Yep.”

I actually am, and I don’t mean from getting her to drink the water. I’ve had a lot of fun with her tonight. I’ve laughed a fuck of a lot. She’s a funny drunk. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed the company of a woman who I’m not actively fucking or knowing that I will be at the end of the night.

Although I plan on broaching the fucking thing with her tomorrow. When she’s sobered up.

“Now, I get to have another drink.”

“Bar’s closing,” I lie.

She looks around. The bar has filled up since she arrived earlier, and everyone is still sitting at tables.

“People are still here.”

“They’ll be leaving in a minute. We should go now to avoid the rush.”

“But you promised me another drink!” she whines.

“And you can have one when you get back to your villa.”

“I have none left. I drank everything in the minibar and the fucking free champagne they left.”

“You’re complaining about free champagne?”

She frowns. “No, the champagne was decent. It was supposed to be a gift for the newlyweds for our fucking honeymoon.”

Oh. Shit.

I knew she was here alone and had an ex. But I didn’t know she was here on her honeymoon, alone.

No wonder she’s hammered.

“You can have a drink at my villa. My minibar is stocked.”

“You haven’t got fucking honeymoon champagne, have you?”

“Nope. Like I said, no girlfriend or wife.”