Page 50 of Missing Pieces

I jump back from Easton but don’t make it too far. One of his hands is planted firmly on my hip. The other in the middle of my back. I glance over at Trace slightly embarrassed, but the smile on his face makes me smile in return.

Easton moves his hand from my hip and holds it out to Trace, “Then give me your office keys man so I can properly greet my woman.”

Little butterflies float around my stomach and dance around my heart from him calling me his woman. A feeling I suddenly feel I could get very used to.

Trace rolls his eyes and turns to his wife as they talk about their days. Easton turns back toward the bar, swiveling me around with him, as he orders me a beer. I look him over. I cannot get over how hot he is. His jeans have grease stains on them and I can smell the faint smell of motor oil clinging to him. His white shirt is clean, so I can assume he at least changed that. His hair is messily pushed back behind his ears, the ends curling up just above his shoulders. I study his hands he has resting on the bar, his nails are dirty, his fingers rough. I find myself reaching for his hands. He looks over at me as he grabs mine. I get lost in his eyes. He looks at me in a way I’ve never seen before. Like he’s found his way. Like this is exactly where he wants to be. His hand moves up to my face and he grazes his thumb across my lip. He starts to say something, but we’re interrupted by our beers being served.

“Cheers, to the most beautiful girl in the bar,” he says, holding up his beer to me.

I knock mine against his just as Trace interrupts, “Dude, you shouldn’t make a toast to my girl in front of your girl. Everyone in this town knows Ivy’s the prettiest girl in three counties.” He looks to me. “No offense Harper.”

I put my hands up. “None taken.”

“Oh shut up Trace. I mighta been the prettiest but then Harper showed up and I am pretty sure she took over.”

Ivy grabs me by the arm and drags me to a table. “We don’t need to be around those men right now. Pretty sure they’re gonna go at it over us.”

Sure enough, I can see them arguing and joking around. “Well, I think we could say the same thing. We both have Greek Gods. I’m sure all the girls will be fawning over them later.”

Ivy snorts and points to a group of young girls that barely look old enough to drink. “I think it’s already started. This will be good. Watch and learn.”

Two girls walk over to Trace and Easton and start flirting. One of them is flipping her very fake blonde hair between her fingers and giggling. We watch for about two minutes and then Ivy struts over and lays her hands on Trace’s chest. I can sort of make out what she’s saying, something about how he should choose her, and they should compete so he can pick. Easton sits next to them cracking up. And his smile makes me smile.

I must have missed something while I was gazing at Easton because suddenly Ivy is wrapped around Trace making out with him and the two girls start retreating. Then one of them stops and decides that since her moves didn’t work on Trace, she would move on to Easton. Oh hell no!

I fly out of my chair and make my way back to the bar. Easton is leaning back with his elbows on the bar. He’s trying to play it cool. I can tell by that stupid smirk on his face. His eyes meet mine over the girl’s shoulder. He looks back to blonde bimbo and gives her that panty-dropping grin that melts me.

He did not just do that.

I walk right up to the girl, “Can I help you with something?”

She looks me up and down and I swear she snarls at me. “Um, do I know you?”

“I was wondering what you were doing talking to Easton over here?” I ask, arms crossed over my chest.

“We were just getting to know each other. Do you have a problem with that?” She widens her eyes at me like it’s some sign to leave them the fuck alone.

I glare at her. “Maybe I do have a problem with that.”

I can see Easton looking back and forth between us. He bites the side of his thumb trying to cover up his grin.

Two can play this game.

I look back over at the girl. “Nevermind, I changed my mind. He seems like a douche.”

I walk away and make it all of three steps before I hear a bar stool scrape the ground and his arms wrap around me from behind.

“Not so fast, Edy. I liked seeing you get all riled up like that.”

I turn around and he smashes his lips into mine. “I think I like you better than her,” he growls.

I push off him slightly. “You think?”

His lips come back to mine and he groans into my ear, “Oh baby I know. And I plan to show you just how much later.”

He pulls me back to his bar stool, depositing me between his legs. The blonde is still standing there with her mouth open like she can’t believe what just happened. So, I go in for the kill. “You know if you keep your mouth open like that I’m sure you can find another man around here to fill it.”

Her face turns bright red and she runs off to her friends. Easton gives me a throaty laugh and holds me tighter to his chest. Ivy and Trace are almost on the floor laughing.

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