Page 3 of Cupid's Curse

"I might check it out. It’s not like I have any plans," I chuckle at my own plight, masking my melancholy with laughter to stave off the tears that threaten to surface.

Glancing up, I catch the bartender staring at me; an unreadable twinkle in his eye that lets face it makes me hot between my thighs. I nod, giving off a flirtatious yet subtle grin as I twirl a strand of hair around my finger. He smiles wider, focusing on me while drying a beer mug, oblivious to the world around us. I don't know who he is, but I'm sure I'll find out sooner than later. His eyes alone are enough to get me fucking pregnant, so I already know I need to stay away from him.

One of the guys Luna was with when I arrived sidles back, asking her to dance. She gives me a worried look, hesitant to leave me alone, but I nod encouragingly for her to go have fun. I’ll be just fine here at the bar, surrounded by drinks and hot men all around me.

After far too many shots to keep track, the pressing urge to pee ambushes me. With Luna lost in a dance with another guy, I hop off the stool and weave through the crowd to the back of the bar, squinting against the relentless flashing lights.

Just as I’m about to push open the bathroom door, I collide with a tall stranger I’ve never encountered before. His striking green eyes pierce into mine, stealing my breath away. He towers over me, easily six feet tall, looking down into my bloodshot, drunken gaze, a dazzling grin lighting up his face as dimples deepen in his cheeks. His dark curls flop into his eyes, and with a quick, smooth Bieber motion—like a puppy shaking off water—he sweeps them aside, his stare intensifying as he steps closer, igniting a thrill in my chest.

"Wow, you’re stunning," he blurts out, unabashed in his flattery.

"Uh, thanks," I stammer, hiccuping mid-sentence.

My eyes wander over him—his black shirt clings to his torso, revealing powerful biceps adorned with ink that wraps around his arms and neck in intricate designs. I find myself tracing the curves and lines, imagining the treasures hiding beneath his clothing.

His gaze flicks down my body, lingering for a moment before he meets my eyes again with a knowing grin, a brow arched, and that irresistibly sexy set of dimples on display. I clear my throat, trying to recover, as if I weren’t just undressing him with my gaze.

"Nice ink," he says, gesturing to the tattoos peeking out from my top, covering the area just above my tits, the only skin I have exposed.

"Thanks, yours are great too," I reply, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear as heat floods my cheeks from his relentless gaze tracking from my feet to my eyes.

"What’s your name, pretty girl?" He asks, his tone playful, stirring something deep within me.

"Sky... Skylar," I stutter, momentarily forgetting my own name under the spell of his allure.

He nods and sensuously licks his lips, revealing a barbell piercing, which sends a rush of warmth pooling low.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he says smoothly, coaxing an involuntary smile from my lips.

"Thank you…?" I trail off, eagerly awaiting the revelation of his name.

"My bad, I’m—" he starts, but the escalating music drowns out the rest.

I don’t dare request a repeat. I simply nod and smile, moving closer to the bathroom door, caught in a daze until I find myself unexpectedly rising on my tiptoes and pressing my glossy lips to his. He kisses me back, momentarily stunned, before pulling away, shock etched across his striking features. A wave of embarrassment washes over me instantly.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—" Before he can finish the denial, I cut him off, shaking my head dismissively.

"Shit, my bad. I don’t know what I was thinking," I blurt, mortification flooding through me like a tidal wave.

Without waiting for his response, I rush past him and dive into the bathroom, locking myself in a stall, the heat of embarrassment coursing through me.

Fuck. This curse is no joke, and it’s fucking everything up. Besides, I'm not nearly drunk enough for this shit.

I'm not sure how long I end up hiding out in the bathroom stall, but by the time I dare show my face in the bar, the tall, handsome stranger is gone, and I'm able to breathe a sigh of relief as I make my way back to Luna and the gorgeous bartender with the same green eyes as the hottie I just fucking kissed.

"Where did you disappear to?" she asks, wiggling her perfect brows as if hinting at a hookup, to which I frantically shake my head no.

"Uh, the bathroom, yeah. I think I'm going to head out," I tell her, tossing a few crisp bills on the bar for my drinks, slipping my arms back into my jacket.

I'm not quite ready to brave the cold again, but I know I need to get out of here before I make another fool out of myself. I hug Luna and say my goodbyes, my eyes darting nervously around the sea of dancing people.

As I turn to walk away, I collide with a firm chest, feeling cold liquid soak through my white top as the sound of glass shatters as it hits the ground. Looking through fluttering lashes, I see the same guy I kissed standing in front of me, wearing the same drink that I am but with a smirk on his face while a look of horror washes over mine.

"So we meet again... I wouldn't peg you for such a clumsy person, Skylar," he teases, turning my cheeks bright red.

"My bad. I'm so sorry," I stammer, gripping my bike key extra tightly as if it's a magical trinket that'll take me to a faraway place—anywhere away from here.

Without waiting for another word to be spoken between us, I run out of the bar, saying fuck the cold because I just embarrassed myself for the second time tonight in front of the same man.

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