Page 4 of Milked

He leaned down and softly pressed his lips to mine before running his tongue along the seam of my mouth. “Open.”

When I let him in, his tongue explored my mouth, tasting himself.

Father pulled away, grabbed his drink, and took a sip before walking off.

“Now go seduce your Ryder.”

Chapter 2

Ryder

Iwasunabletotake my eyes off Finn, the owner’s stepson, headed my way, threading through the crowd with grace and ease, the result of being a model since back when he was in college. It was like the crowd parted just for him.

Finn was the epitome of beauty with his rich, wheat-colored hair, cropped short except for the longer waves on top. His lips were full, and his nose was perfectly straight, almost aristocratic, nestled between cheekbones that weren’t as high as mine, but his were perfect. If I hadn’t known he grew up here in Washington, I would’ve assumed he was British.

One hand was shoved into his dark khaki-colored slacks, and his other hand carried a tumbler with a splash ofPappy Van Winkle Reserve. I only knew that because I’d poured it for him and my boss, Mr. Porter.

Finn’s beauty always held me captive when he was near, but when he was close like he was now, leaning against the bar, keeping his green eyes pinned on mine, I struggled to breathe. If I could choose a man to be with, it would be Finn Larson, but he was way too out of my league.

I didn’t know Finn well enough to figure out his personality or what kind of person he was. He could’ve been a colossal prick, but damn, he sure was nice to look at.

I’d learned way back in high school that I was bisexual, but I’d never acted upon it, growing up in a small town out in the country. I discovered that when I started crushing on my best friend, Waylon. That would never have happened, so I’d just dated girls. When I came to Washington, DC, I’d planned to remedy that, but I didn’t quite know how to find a guy for me. Sure, there were gay bars and such, but that wasn’t really my thing. Regardless, something had to give because I was very much interested in discovering what it felt like to be with a man. Maybe I could use a dating app.

I wiped the bar, unable to take my eyes off Finn.

“Hel-lo! Are you going to get my order or not?” said an older woman of about sixty, trying to look thirty, with way too much work done on her face and wearing a dress she spilled out of.

I yanked my eyes away from Finn, ignoring his grin as I smiled brightly at the woman. “Apologies. What can I get you?”

She held up two manicured fingers, painted in fire engine red. “Two Negronis.”

“Coming right up.”

I quickly mixed equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth with ice before pouring it into two crystal tumblers. Next, I peeled two strips of orange peel, ran them along the rim of the glasses, twisted them, and put them into the drinks. I slid the glasses to the woman, who took them.

“It’s under Martha Carhart’s tab.”

I smiled and nodded. “Enjoy.”

Once she left, I rang up her credit card, feeling Finn’s stare at my back.

When I finished, I turned to find him smiling at me, slowly spinning his glass on the illuminated acrylic bar as the latest dance hit switched to something else. The DJ was decent, but I didn’t know half the songs he spun. Growing up in Nebraska, we had way too many country and classic rock stations.

“Hello, Finn. Are you doing okay? Can I get you something else?” I asked politely, trying to stay professional.

His grin turned crooked as he leaned forward. “I’m doing exceptionally well. Thank you for asking. I’d be even better if you tell me you’ll come to my birthday party next Saturday.”

I froze, and my heart stopped beating for a moment. Did I hear him right? Was he serious? That was the last thing I expected him to say. I’d only been working at Legends for three months, and while I got to know a lot of the staff, I barely knew the owner and Finn. The most I knew was they were both gorgeous in different ways. Knox seemed like a fair but firm employer.

I wiped down the counter again, relieved I got a little break from serving drinks. “Uhm, why me?”

He threw back his head and laughed, but the joke was over my head. “Most of the staff are invited.”

“I really appreciate the sentiment, but wouldn’t you rather have a party with your friends? I couldn’t imagine my birthday party filled with my parents’ co-workers.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough, but this is Father’s and my way of giving something back to the staff. My friends will be there, too, no doubt. It’ll be a massive party.”

I really wasn’t a party person, and I struggled to see myself going over there and not knowing anyone except a couple of employees there, but even then, we weren’t exactly friends. I used to love parties and hanging out with friends back in Briar, just outside of Omaha, but after what had happened… I isolated myself. It’d been better making friends with my roommates, but even then, I’d become a bit of an introvert.

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