Page 23 of Fate

I flush with heat, remembering just how good those fingers were against other areas of my skin. “Oh, God.” I bite my lip and glanceaway.

“Already calling out to God, Sweetcheeks? It’s a little early in the evening. The festivities haven’t even begun yet.” He brings my good hand up to his lips. His stare is mesmerizing as he places a soft, purposeful kiss to the top of each fingertip.

I swallow the dry lump of regrets I’ve had for the past few years. The ones scratching their way up my throat since I spotted him tonight. I’m at a loss. I have no idea what the hell to do or say. He’s got me utterly speechless and so turned on I can hardly see straight. I haven’t allowed any man to flick this switch inside me in years, and all Carson has to do is sit across from me at a table for two in a busy pub, kiss my hand, and I’m jelly.

“What the hell has gotten into me?” I whisper under my breath.

“Nothing as far as I can tell. But that’s going to change tonight.”

The waiter stops by and sets down the shots before shooting off to other thirsty patrons.

“Drink up, buttercup. You’re going to need the liquid courage.” He hands me a tequila shot and a lime wedge. “To what could be.” He lifts the glass between thumb and forefinger, the shot looking positively miniscule in his largehand.

I dumbly follow along with his movements and shoot it back. The liquor provides the scalding sensation I need to continue sitting here and not run away like a scared kitten.

Carson lifts the second shot. I grab mine and follow his lead. The willing marionette.

This time he changes his toast. “To what is meant to be.” His words are laced with promises I’m not sure either of us are ready tokeep.

Nonetheless, I once again follow his lead. He raises his hand and holds up four fingers to someone behindme.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I tilt my head, bite my lip, and narrow mygaze.

He grins huge at what I’m sure he sees as a familiar gesture.

“If that’s what it takes.”

The waiter places four more shots on the table. “Food’s coming soon,” he says and is off like a rocket to the next table grappling for his attention.

“What it takes for what?” I lift the third shot, already feeling the burn of alcohol in my gut from the first two on an empty stomach. Each drop of liquor is slowly spreading out through my limbs, making me feel looser and more relaxed. Mostly just making me feel. For the first time in a long time I feel good. Alive.

Then again, the feeling could be attributed to the man smiling like a loon across fromme.

“To get back in you.” He lifts the shot and tosses it back. I follow him, not exactly understanding what hesaid.

“Wait… What?” I blink several times. The room is starting to blur a bit around the edges. The music is pounding out a rhythmic beat, and I sway in time to it in myseat.

Carson licks his lips, and I’m fascinated by the small movement. I want nothing more than to put my lips on his and taste the tequila directly from his tongue. God, those were some good times. Drinking and fucking. But that was all before the accident. Before I lost the body he loved. Before I lost myself.

“You are so beautiful, Kathleen.” He smiles and drops his chin into hishand.

“I miss you.” I admit it under the influence of the alcoholic truth serum I just shot back times three.

He grins. “You don’t have to miss me.” His tone is coated inlust.

“Why is that?” I pick up the last shot. Where is that waiter, anyway? I need more of this awesomeness.

“Because you’ve always had me.” He lifts the glass and shoots itback.

I do the same, searching his eyes for even a hint of bullshit. I findnone.

“Fuck.” I swallow around the feelings that bubble up, not knowing how to deal with them in my inebriated state.

“That’s the plan, Sweetcheeks.” One strong eyebrow rises. “I plan to fuck you all nightlong.”

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