Page 2 of Unforgettable

I tip my head back in Reeve’s direction. “Just meeting someone.”

“Like a date?”

“Something a little less serious than a date,” I say cryptically.

“Ah.” He points a knowing finger at me. “What can I get you both? The usual? Actually…”

His voice trails off as he grabs two pints and holds one up to the beer tap. “A batch of the Audrey was just delivered earlier today, and they don’t call it the cider that smells like sex for nothing.”

I scrunch my face up in confusion. “Smells like sex?”

“Yes.” He chuckles. “Everybody knows about it, but we don’t stock it often.”

He flicks the tap and a stream of amber liquid flows down and into the glass. As it reaches halfway, Matteo effortlessly switches out the pints and alternates between the two until the glasses are full, the tap is flicked back, and they’re both resting on the bar. “Maybe it will help move things along for you two.”

“Are you saying I need help, Matteo?” Smiling, I look down at myself and back at him. “I’ve been told I’m a fine specimen of a man.”

He laughs, his eyes flickering between me and Reeve sitting behind me. “You might not need help, but I think your date does.”

I look over my shoulder and Reeve is sitting there wringing his hands together nervously. That unnamed feeling from earlier returns as I watch him try so hard to step out of his comfort zone.

Turning back to Matteo, I drag my wallet out of my pocket, pluck out a fifty, and slap it onto the bar. “Put whatever’s left toward the next one.”

He takes the cash and smiles at me fondly. “Good luck.”

Carefully, I pick up our drinks and head over to Reeve. As I get closer to the table, he raises his head, and his eyes slowly travel up and down my body. The flicker of interest gives me a confidence boost I don’t usually need.

Placing our drinks on the table, I take a seat, inching my chair just a little bit closer to him. “I hope you like cider.”

“I think I’ve moved to the wrong place if I don’t like cider.”

My ears perk up with interest. “Oh, so you’re new here.”

“It’s a long story, but I’m originally from Connecticut.”

He doesn’t say much more, and I respect the silence enough not to pry but don’t really know where to take the conversation from here. Just as I’m about to fill the silence, Reeve pipes in. “What about you? Are you from here?”

“I’m from Vermont, yeah,” I say casually. “Born and raised.”

“Ever left?”

The question hits too close to home. Too close to the fight I had with my dad this morning. “I do, occasionally. I love hopping around the country for different food and music festivals.”

When my answer is met with nothing but silence again, I’m almost certain the night is over before it’s really begun.

“I’m sorry,” Reeve says, and I wince at how often he feels the need to say those two words.

I place my hand over his forearm, stopping him. “No apology necessary. We can call it a night if you want to.”

His face falls, and I immediately backpedal, wanting that look of disappointment to disappear.

Without hesitation, I angle my body in his direction and lean forward until my mouth is lined up right next to his ear. Going in for the kill, so he knows exactly where I stand, I decide on another way to salvage the evening. He came here tonight for sex, and maybe that’s all I need to focus on.

“I don’t think you realize that you’re this gorgeous mix of sexy and adorable.” His breath hitches, and my dick stirs at the sound. “And I do very much want to end the night with me fucking you.” When he doesn’t say a thing, I add, “Is that okay?”

“Yes.” The word is all heat and air, and I can’t help but tilt my head enough for our eyes to meet. My gaze drops to the way his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat and back up in time to catch his tongue sliding between his lips.

It’s not exactly an invitation, but there’s something in the small motion that has me looking up at him, my eyes asking for permission.

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