Page 67 of Meet Me in the Valley
Nora.
I’ve always loved the way Tia told a story. Especially when she gets really into it. Her hands flail and her face runs through a million different expressions. You can’t help but lock in on what she’s saying.
I watch her across the room from the casino bar, sipping a gin and tonic as she has an intimate conversation with her sister. Hands flailing and all.
Seeing Nora this weekend was the plan. Seeing Nora tonight after the show was not. Tia was adamant about not seeking her out tonight, but fate clearly had other plans.
I wanted to give her privacy, a moment to reunite with her without me there. She resisted at first, but relented when I kissed her hard, reassuring her I’d be close by.
“Hi.”
A woman with fire-engine red hair and a petite figure slides onto the empty barstool next to me.
She’s pretty with a sweet smile, and her face seems clear of heavy makeup that seems to soften her edgy hair. She looks honest, a real straight shooter. Her short white dress and tiny veil on her head is a dead give away she’s getting married, if the sash draped around her with “bride” in gold letters didn’t make it obvious already.
“Hello. Congratulations, by the way,” I reply, nodding my chin to her sash.
“Thank you! He’s my high school sweetheart. I’m Alyssa, by the way. And my maid of honor over there?” She points to a woman a few barstools down in a royal blue dress and a pair of strappy heels that go up half the leg. Her impressive cleavage spills out of her dress—one wrong move and her tits will be on display for everyone to see. “Her name is Melody. She thinks you’re really hot. So do the rest of my bridesmaids.”
“Oh, well, that’s nice.”
“What’s your name?” Alyssa asks, taking large gulps of some bright blue slushy drink with a swirly straw.
I clear my throat. “Logan.”
Usually, I’d follow up this conversation by asking where the rest of her pretty friends are, and buy them a round of shots. Hell, if the bride herself came onto me with the whole, “I’m looking for one last hurrah before I marry and have sex with the same man for the rest of my life” spiel, I would have happily given her a night she’d never forget. I’d probably even make my rounds through the bridesmaids because the old me could never let them go without giving them some attention.
But the new Logan, the one who is falling hopelessly in love with his best friend, fends off women like this. Temptation in a tight fitting dress with a great rack is no match for me anymore.
“Melody! Girls! Come here!” Alyssa calls out to her friend.
“Alyssa? I’m spoken for.” The second those words leave my mouth, my chest swells with immense pride. It’s a foreign feeling, but I welcome it and let the happiness I feel wash over me.
Alyssa’s eyes bulge out as she takes deeper swigs from her blue drink. I swirl the ice in my tumbler, sneaking a glance at Tia who’s still in deep conversation with Nora.
Melody saunters over with the rest of their group, linking her arm through Alyssa’s while giving me a look over. She licks herlips with a glint in her eye. It’s actually cute to think she’s getting anywhere with me tonight.
Once upon a time, Melody. Once upon a time.
“Can I buy you a drink?” Melody drawls, attempting to step between my legs.
I close them shut, sitting taller on my stool.
“He’s spoken for, Mel. The hunt continues,” Alyssa mutters, and that makes me laugh.
Melody pouts dramatically, and all I can do is shrug my shoulders up and down. I haven’t turned down a lot of women in my life, but that felt fucking good.
“Well, I don’t see her anywhere,” Melody adds. She’s definitely tipsy, a slight slur to her words and to her movements. When I look over Melody’s shoulder, a smirk forms on my lips as I watch my wet dream of a woman make her way toward me.
Damn, she looks so good in that dress and those fuck-me heels. What’s even sexier is the smile on her face, filled with mischief.
My minx. Mine.
“Baby,” I rasp, pulling her into me the second she’s within my reach. I bury my hands in her hair, seeking her lips right away. I can’t get enough, nipping her bottom lip with my teeth as she sighs into my waiting mouth.
“Hi,” she murmurs against my lips, dipping her tongue with languid strokes.
Getting lost in the kiss, I hear a faint groan and a “let’s go” from either Alyssa or Melody. I don’t give a shit as long as they walk away from me and let me have my moment with my woman.
