Page 149 of The Masks She Wore

?Jack leaned over the counter, looking me over slowly, leaving trails of heat along my skin before his eyes found mine again.

?I offered a warm smile. “Hey yourself.”

?“Shots,” the bartender announced before immediately leaving.

?Viv shoved in on my other side, reaching for her shot just as Jack grabbed mine.

?I looked over at him.

?“Hey!” Viv bit. “That’s her drink. Get your own.”

?Jack pushed it back and slammed the shot glass down, his tongue flitting over his lips, causing my stomach to flutter. “I’ll buy her another,” he said casually.

?Viv appeared between us, glaring at him. “You better. We don’t do freebies.”

?Jack straightened, turning to her. “But you’ll take them?”

?Viv lifted her chin, and I couldn’t help but smile. “We’re women, of course we will.”

?She turned to me, and I quickly wiped the smile from my face. “The audacity of some men. Can you believe it?”

?I shrugged, glancing back to Jack as he held up a hand, calling for another without saying a word. “He’s kinda hot.”

?Jack rose a brow. And I couldseethe unsaid word floating between us.Kinda?

?It was an effort to hold in the smile.

?Viv rolled her eyes. “It’s early, Rae, don’t let the first guy get into your head, okay? We’re here to party.”

?It’d be fun though; to pretend Jack and I were strangers. To play that little game. “Whatever,” I told her. “We’re here to danceandhave fun. Drink your drinks and I’ll drink mine.”

?Jack pushed over another shot, and I reached for it, knowing he would have had the bartender pour an alcohol free one just for me. I downed the water in one gulp and set it on the bar. “Thanks…?”

?“Just call me Jay.”

?I held out my hand. “Rae.”

?Viv looked between us and then sighed. “Damn, that’s actually cute.” Her eyes fell to our hands as he lifted my knuckles to his lips.

?My heart soared at the small gesture, but just before his lips touched my skin, she ripped my hand out of his and held it up for me to see. “Is that agoddamn ring?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Are you fucking engaged? That thing is huge!”

?My eyes flicked back to Jack who was now glaring daggers at Viv for interrupting his little move. “Yeah,” I answered, turning back to her. “I’m engaged but it’s open,” I told her, wanting to keep playing this little impromptu game we had started. “He respects the things I like.”

?Viv frowned and found my eyes. “Or he knows he can’t satisfy you,” she commented. “Or maybe your thing isn’t everyone’s thing.” She dropped my hand. “Does he know about your toys?”

?Jack pushed away from the counter and adjusted his shirt. “Yes,” I said quickly. “We have fun, open is just our thing, now, take another shot and let’s dance,” I tried, ordering one more shot for her. “Please?”

?She studied me carefully before her expression shifted. “Yeah. I’m happy for you. What’s his name, when will I meet him?”

?Jokes on her, I suppose. The bartender quickly came over, poured one more drink, and ran off to the other side of the bar to attend to those on the other side.

?I handed the shot to her and smiled. “Ben and soon,” I answered, watching as she threw it back.

?I smiled brightly as she shuddered and slammed the glass on the bar. “Let’s go!” she all but screamed.

?I laughed and let her take my hand, but not before meeting Jack’s eyes and giving him a wink. Please let us role play. God, I suddenly wanted to role play more than I wanted anything else in the world.

?But I let her pull me to the middle of the crowded room and we began dancing despite my want. This was about getting information, not about rekindling our sex-life. We could do that later when I was more appropriately ready for it. Right now, it was too soon, I think. I felt like I should still be in mourning for what they had taken from me, but honestly, it had been hard walking away from him after feeling his tongue suck me dry.

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