Page 19 of Sexploration

My eyes scan the bar as I take a drink from the longneck bottle. It’s my second beer, and I’m still not feeling the effects yet. I’m stiff as a board, my muscles tightened with nerves. As if my first night out as a single woman wasn’t intimidating enough, Parker bailed on me at the last minute. She made some lame excuse about needing to get up early tomorrow morning. But something smells like bullshit. That little heifer planned this. It was all a scheme to get me here alone with August. I’m standing on the edge, and my best friend is trying to push me over.

But man... what a glorious fall it would be.

My heart skips at the thought of August wearing nothing but a towel, his hair wet and skin glistening.

If you’d prefer to help take them off later tonight instead, just say the word.

His offer was almost enough for me to call the whole night off. I mean... the idea is to find someone to sleep with, right? And there’s a perfectly willing and insanely attractive man at home. But I let all those pesky worries and doubt drive me here, to a bar where I’ve sat for the past hour without so much as single prolonged glance from anyone.

If the point of this little experiment is to improve my self-confidence, it’s a total bust. I don’t know how to do this. The last time I was single, Tinder wasn’t even a thing. The rules are different now, and I’m too old, too jaded, to figure them out.

“You look like you could use something stronger than beer.” August chuckles as my eyes land on him, his smile making my stomach flip. “Wanna take a shot with me?”

I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself because no one has glanced my way, but the hottest guy in the room hasn’t taken his eyes off me all night. Women keep sizing me up as they pass by, jealous that I’m holding his attention.

August looks exceptionally sexy tonight too, his Henley hugging his muscular frame, the hunter green color bringing out the hint of green in his eyes. And I’ve caught myself fantasizing about running my hands through his perfect, thick hair more than once.

“That’s a great idea. I’ll grab us one.” I hop off the high-top chair. “Tequila okay?”

“I can get it, gorgeous.” August starts to stand, but I press a hand to his arm.

“No, I want to. Maybe if I walk the room, someone will try to speak to me.”

He sits back down, his lips curving into a frown. It doesn’t take a mind reader to know what that’s about. And I’d be lying if I said his jealousy didn’t give me a thrill. But he doesn’t have anything to worry about. This is more for show. My ego may be slightly bruised, but it’s not like there’s anyone here I’m interested in talking to, let alone sleeping with. Still... I’ve got to make it look like I’m at least going through the motions, giving it my best shot.

I lean against the wooden bar, waiting for the bartender to finish with the other customers. Apparently, this is the place to be on a Saturday night. It’s packed with people, from college students who are barely legal to grandparents and everything in between. The bar does have a cool vibe, all rustic and vintage—exposed brick, stained glass parlor lighting, and wood furnishings.

After a few minutes, the bartender stops in front of me, greeting me with a friendly smile. “What can I get for you?”

Holy shit, he’s good-looking. There’s something so sexy about a man with a salt and pepper beard, but this one has a charming smile with two adorable dimples to go with it. His dark chocolate gaze is intense, the crinkles around his eyes giving off a warming kindness.

“Four shots of the house tequila, please.”

“Sure thing. Can I see your ID?”

“Are you flirting with me?” I tease, digging my driver’s license out of my wristlet.

It’s been a while since anyone carded me. But then again, it’s not like I ever went out drinking, either. Tommy preferred to stay home, sitting in front of the TV, and he hated when I went out with friends. My phone would blow up with text messages all night, asking what time I was coming home.

He chuckles as I hand it to him, quickly checking the date before returning it to me. “Nah... I wouldn’t want to incur the wrath of your boyfriend over there.” He grabs four shot glasses and a bottle from under the bar, winking at me. “Though you might be worth it.”

Heat spreads across my cheeks to the tips of my ears as he tilts the neck of the bottle and pours each shot. “He’s not my boyfriend. Just a friend. Wingman, actually...”

Jesus, Josie, shut up.

“No shit?” His laughter is as deep as his voice. “Andhow’s that going?”

“Not so great,” I admit.

“Yeah. Hate to break it to you, darlin’, but yourwingmanover there is giving off major serial killer vibes any time anyone looks your way.” He gestures toward August with a nod of his head, placing a lime on each glass. “He’s trying to murder me with his eyes right now.”

I look back over my shoulder at August. Sure enough, his stare is locked on us, the murderous glare in his eyes causing my lady bits to quake.

Well, fuck.

The bartender scoots the tray toward me as I face him again, his mouth cocked in anI told you sosmile. “That’ll be twenty even, beautiful.” I hand him a twenty-dollar bill, and he leans in closer. “If you want to have some fun tonight, I’d lose the escort. Or...” he drawls, his stare moving across the bar as he pulls away again. “Just go home with him.”

I grab the tray and make my way back to August with a smile on my face, ignoring the tornado of anxiety happening in my stomach. A bit of liquid courage is a must. It might be the only way I can shut off my brain long enough to go through with this.

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