Page 4 of Calling the Shots

And damn, it’s good.

Very, very good.

This man knows how to kiss, a shiver of pleasure rippling through me as he squeezes my ass. He slides a hand in the back pocket of my jeans and wetness floods my panties.

“How was that?” he murmurs against my lips and I smile, trying to catch my breath.

“Good. It was…good.”

“Okay, then.” He inches away slightly, cutting his eyes toward the corner. “She’s still looking over here, but she definitely bought it. Act natural.”

He kisses me again, lighter this time, then the bartender slides a drink in my direction. Mack takes that as his cue to scoot back and I reach for the drink, knowing my entire body’s flushed. The curse of fair skin, there’s absolutely no way to hide my feelings. I’m a freaking walking mood ring.

“Cheers.” Mack picks up his beer, clinking the bottle with my glass. I smile at him, happy I bested Jamie, at least for the time being. “Care to tell me what that was all about?”

CHAPTER2

MACK

I’ve known of Gracelyn for a long time. Her mom’s my neighbor and has been for the past decade, so of course I’ve seen her around.

But not like this.

Never like this.

Rosy cheeks, glossy lips, a nearly see-through white top and a slight tequila buzz. Her golden hair cascading over her shoulders in ringlets, wide blue eyes framed with thick lashes. She’s snack-sized, too, petite with curves for days.

Kissing her should feel wrong, on so many levels. She’s too young for me—shit, I met her before she could legally drink. Besides the whole next-door neighbor thing, she’s also friends with my best friend’s daughter.

His daughter.

Which probably makes me super creepy, I don’t know.

Except that’s not what this feels like at all.

Instead, that kiss a few moments ago felt natural. Like the universe set Gracelyn at this bar, her cute ass nestled in between my thighs, for a reason.

“So…” I lock eyes with her, a light pink flush creeping up her neck like a kudzu vine. “What was that?”

She takes a sip of her drink, those wide eyes darting around the room. Searching for Jamie, I assume.

“Long story, but the important detail here…” She leans in close, her face inches from mine. “The important thing to remember is Jamie Ware’s been my sworn mortal enemy since the fifth grade. I was on a first date tonight—it wasn’t going well, by the way—and the jerk bolted while I was in the restroom.”

She huffs out a quick breath, flipping her golden curls over her shoulder before forging on. “Jamie stalked me, wanting to meet my date. Because that’s the kind of asshole she is.”

“Ah. Your date bailed, so you needed a cover. Got it.” I swipe a hand over my jaw, surprised by the ripple of disappointment rolling through me.

“Yeah. Thanks for that. Put your beer on my tab. I owe you at least one.”

“Nah. I got it. Pretending to be your date wasn’t exactly a hardship.”

Her cheeks tinge a shade darker and she drops her eyes down to my mouth, then flicks them back up again quickly.

Damn.

Gracelyn’s all grown up and very much the kind of woman I go for. Soft curves and sass, with a tinkly laugh that sends all my blood rushing due south.

I should not get involved with her.

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