Page 85 of Never Kiss and Tell

No. That’s a bad idea, too. I won’t want to stop and eventually, she’ll get sick of me.

Around three, Jake slides up to the bar.He’s got a hickey the size of my fist on his neck and dark circles under his eyes.

I nod at the hickey.

“She kick your ass?” I ask, chuckling while I dry off a couple glasses from the sink. It pisses me off to no end when there are water marks.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he retorts, polishing off the hair of the dog I slide him.

Fuck. I hadn’t realized Bailey left a hickey. I guess paybacks a bitch.

“Mine was fucking crazy. Started talking about having kids and shit.”

“I think you’re a great dad,” I taunt, earning me a scowl.

“What about you? Miranda have a good time?”

“Morgan,” I correct. “And no. She decided not to stay.”

Jake lowers his glass and eyes me suspiciously.

“Why?”

I shrug, wiping down the counter. Anything to keep myself busy.

“I don’t know. Said she wasn’t feeling it anymore.”

Jake cocks his head, watching me for a moment. I ignore him, making a couple fruity drinks for Marybeth.

Just then, Bailey walks into the bar. I know Bailey’s here because an electrifying tingle shoots up my spine. It’s fucking ridiculous, but I don’t know how to describe it other than Spider-Bailey senses.

Fuck, I want her again. It’s only been a couple hours since we made the deal and already, I feel like an addict withdrawing. She meets my gaze, her cheeks goingred and a small smile playing at her lips. Jake follows my gaze and Bailey quickly looks away.

“Fucking finally,” he murmurs under his breath. “You know, I made a bet with Lionel.”

“Bet on what?”

“When you’d finally fuck her. You’ve been running around like a bitch in heat since she got here.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I grimace, lowering my voice. Is it that fucking obvious? “It’s no one’s business what I do when I’m not here.”

Jake smirks, just like Dad had. “Yeah, and if you really want to keep it a secret, maybe don’t leave paintball sized hickeys on each other.”

I grit my teeth, running my hand over my mouth. I get a couple more orders and I make them in silence while Jake plays on his phone. Half the fucking city knows Bailey was in my bed last night. Why can’t people mind their own fucking business? It’s not like I proposed to the girl. She’s a brat, she’s spoiled, and she’s fucking annoying. Why would I?

She’s also fucking sweet as hell, has too good of a heart for her own good, and makes me want to talk to her for hours, but I’m not too far gone to go admitting these things, yet.

“Don’t tell Andi. I don’t want to listen to it.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Though, she might lose her shit if she finds out you’ve been having sleepovers with her best friend.”

Onesleepover. And never again. It’s been a long time since I shared a bed with someone and while I slept great, Bailey’s right. Those things breed feelings. No need to pretend this is something it’s not. Just sex can mean different things toeveryone, but for Bailey and I, that’s exactly what it is. Nothing more. Maybe a mutual respect for each other and the ability to be in the same room during the day, but none of that fucking relationship bullshit that everyone peddles nowadays. She’s not getting flowers from me on a random Tuesday and she won’t get fancy dates to Perini’s on a Friday night.

“She’ll live,” I murmur, shoving the twenty Jake tosses to me back at him.

“If you insist. I’ve got a job to do.” He peaks back at Bailey, who’s now helping a table of young guys that keep checking out her tits. Jake shakes his head and laughs before walking away. I didn’t realize I was gripping the glass in my hand so hard, but it snaps, making a noise loud enough to silence the whole room for a moment while I clean up the mess. Bailey’s eyes meet mine and the little shit has the audacity to chuckle.

Won’t be chuckling tonight when I make you come half a dozen times, I think wryly, tossing the broken glass in the trash.

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