Page 9 of Tamed By You

“Yeah, she is,” a deep voice says. Jack stands beside Ria and slides around her slim waist, and she turns, pressing a kiss to his lips and I smile.

“Well done, action man. You outdid yourself with the ring,” I say leaning over to give him a hug. Jack is hands down one of the best men I know. She got one of the good ones, and I couldn't be happier for them both.

“Oh, stop it, you two, or I'm gonna start crying and the party has only just started,” Gabby says, fanning her face and then hugging both of them.

I hear a wolf whistle and glance over my shoulder. Behind me stands the man I was hoping to avoid.

“Damn, Ali Cat, you're looking hot,” a low husky voice declares from behind me. He steps in front of me, and I roll my eyes, not entertaining his comment, avoiding looking at him as he presses a kiss to my cheek bringing my fingertips to my face, I wipe away his touch.

“Gabby, beautiful as always,” he says, giving her a quick hug and a kiss to the cheek. She falls into an easy chatter with Harry, so I excuse myself and head for the bar. I see Brad on myway and say hi before waving down the barman and ordering a Cosmo.

I feel Harry before I see him. His hot breath scatters over my neck and a firm body presses up against me, my skin prickling with goosebumps at the contact.

“Miss me.” His voice is low.

“To miss someone, you have to actually like them,” I mutter, still staring ahead, not entertaining him, but the way my heart skips a beat when he speaks and the scent of his cologne making me feel dizzy with need, would have me thinking I did indeed like him.

“Ouch, that almost hurt my feelings.”

I rummage around in my purse to avoid looking at him.

“Come on now, baby, you really gonna ignore me after what we did?”

I whip my head around to face him, looking into his midnight blue eyes and take a second to notice the dark stubble that decorates his perfectly sculpted jaw. My eyes dance over his body. He’s wearing dark navy suit pants and a white button up with the sleeves rolled to the elbow, and Jesus, he looks good.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. That night didn't happen, got it,” I grit.

“Whatever you say,” he leans in, his mouth grazing my ear, “but we both know I'll have you on your back again by the end of the night.”

“You never had me on my back.” I keep my voice low, looking round to make sure no one is listening.

“I thought that night didn't happen? Sounds like you've been replaying it over in your head Ali Cat. Happy to give you a repeat performance, with some bonus features included this time.”

I grind my teeth together so hard I’m surprised I don’t crack one. I don't want to draw attention to us or this conversation, or give it a way that, yes, he’s right. That night has replayed in mymind more times than I care to admit. Usually, I am a fuck them and dump them kinda girl, but he has been the hardest to forget.

The bartender places down a napkin and then my Cosmo on top and I lift it to my lips, taking a long sip.

“Don't talk to me for the rest of the evening, okay?” I push past him, feeling his eyes on my ass as I walk off in search of Gabby, Brad, Jack’s mom, anyone that isn’t Harry fucking Walker.

“Alice, over here.” My body tenses at the sound of that shrill voice. I plaster the best smile I can muster on my face and turn on my heel. Not really wanting to talk to her but anyone has to be better than entertaining Harry right now.

“Nancy, how are you?” I walk towards her and Gabby, who’s also been joined by Kate, who looks stunning in a black jumpsuit and her short bob styled in loose waves. Kate works as a bar manager at the guy's club and has become a close friend over the last year.

“I’m good. Well, look at you, you’re glowing.” I say to Nancy.

She smooths her hand over her growing bump, flashing her giant rock.

“Five months along now. Chris just couldn’t keep his hands off me and we fell straight away.”

“How lovely for you,” I say sarcastically, sipping on my Cosmo.

“Gabby here was just telling me all about the guy she’s been dating. He sounds like a keeper. When are you going to start dating to marry Alice? It’s about time now. Look, we’re all settling down.” She gestures round the room and if she wasn’t pregnant, I would be lunging for her. She’s so self-righteous and thinks she’s better than everyone, but she seems to forget we all came from the same place. None of us landed inTeenhood therapy groupbecause we had the white picket fence life with the Waltons for parents. Someone really needs to humble her ass and remind her of where she came from.

I give her my best toothy smile and say, “I’m just dating to get my pussy licked honestly, Nancy.”

Her face drops and her eyes widen. She’s known me since we were sixteen. I don’t know why she’s so shocked at my words; she knows I don’t give a shit.

Gabby chokes on her champagne and scolds me. “Ali, please.” She wipes her mouth, but I can see the smirk she's hiding. Gabby is the baby of the group, our good girl. Never puts a foot wrong girl, always keeps the peace girl and I love her for it, but I really wish she would stand up for herself and tell Nancy where to shove it, but she won’t, so I will.

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