Page 83 of Lucky Shot
“Fair,” he says.
“I did have a one-night stand once.”
He moves beside me, standing close as he rests one hip against the bar. I have his full attention and it’s heady.
“It was a cousin of a friend, so I wasn’t worried about him murdering me.”
“And did he get you off?”
“Yes. Although I wish he hadn’t.”
Nick’s brows lift.
“He lived with his parents.”
He laughs, the movement bringing his chest closer to mine. My skin buzzes with the contact.
“A tidbit he failed to tell me. The next morning, I got up to leave and stumbled right into his parents, who were excited to talk to me about my relationship with their son.” They must have assumed that if he was bringing me home, we were serious, and I guess I was too embarrassed to correct them. “I went along with it, smiling and trying to find my shoes so I could leave.”
Nick laughs harder.
“I was mortified. Especially when his mom said how happy she was to know her son was pleasing me so well in the bedroom.”
The man in front of me full on cackles. It’s such a good look for him, I continue, despite my humiliation.
“That’s when I swore off one-night stands forever and ever. I’m too much of a hazard risk to put myself in potentiallydangerous or embarrassing situations. The pancakes were good though.”
“You had breakfast with them?” He barks out another laugh before I’ve defended myself.
“His dad asked me, and I didn’t want to be rude!”
I join in, laughing at the memory and the happiness bubbling up in my chest now.
“You’re something, Red.” The taunting nickname sounds more like an endearment from him now.
“Galaxy! Ruby-Doo!”
Nick’s gaze lifts slowly from me and then he opens up his stance. Travis stands on a chair across the bar.
Nick tips his chin up and then looks back at me.
“You good? Want anything else from the bar.”
I hold up both hands, a drink in each. “I think I’m set.”
Nick leads me over to the guys. Travis jumps down from the chair, grinning.
“Double-fisting it. See?” he asks Nick. “My type.”
Nick looks at me as if to say,See, told you everyone thinks you’re Trav’s type.
“I might be your type, but you’re not mine,” I say, taking a sip of the mai tai.
His smile falls. The other guys go quiet. It feels like the entire bar is one big record scratch. The usual smirking, happy Travis looks downright crestfallen. Oops.
“Oh my god. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” I get flustered as the guys all explode with laughter. Danny is doubled over and Conrad’s whole body shakes with silent laughter.
Travis hangs his head, a small grin finally pulling at his mouth. “I thought we had something special, Ruby.”
