Page 8 of Color of Love

Taylor interrupted. “It’s Blake!”

Mierda! She knew they would push him on her sooner or later, but she couldn’t explain to them why she couldn’t go out with him, she didn’t want to reveal that he was her new client.

“He’s really not my type,” she replied.

“Sexy? That’s not your type?” Taylor countered.

“Like Beau you mean?” Justine shot back, her arrow hit its mark and Taylor glared at her.

“Whatever. Look, that’s what I wanted to speak to you both about. I’ve had an idea I wanted to run by you,” she started as Kayleigh came over with their drinks. She put them on the table gently, not spilling a drop and then bobbed at Taylor before leaving. Taylor pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I swear to Jesus if she curtsies at me again…”

“Your amazing idea?” Christy interrupted, distracting Taylor from her Kayleigh rage.

“Yes! What do you think about me hosting a Ladies’ Night here at the bar? But, like, a classy one, no strippers, more like speed dating and cocktails? There’s only a couple of bars in the area, and they don’t do this so mine would be the only bar around for miles that does. It’s a big point of difference.”

“That’s a great idea!” Christy enthused. Justine agreed.

“Yes, as long as you can guarantee plenty of sexy men then I’m definitely here for it!” Justine replied, matching Christy’s excitement. This was good news. Being able to trap gather all the sexy men in one room for her to work her way through to find Mr. Right? Perfecta!

“Amazing, well I need to get permission from Bob as he’s still a partowner, but I think he’ll be fine with it. To Ladies’ Night!” Taylor crowed and lifted her glass. They clinked and cheered.

They talked as they ate, listening to how wedding plans were going with Christy and Dean. When they finished their food, the crowds started drawing in, but Taylor stayed calm and let Kayleigh control the bar.

As Taylor and Christy bickered between themselves, Justine sipped her drink, her thoughts slipping back to the singles night. This would be perfect, maybe she would meet the man of her dreams there. She was getting more and more worried that she would end up alone. Also, she was sick of being a thirty-four-year-old virgin. Damn traditional values! Justine was an old romantic and had been saving herself for her future husband, but her loneliness was beginning to consume her.

She wanted to be touched, was desperate to experience the feelings and sensations that others felt when they were intimate with someone. She’d never even had a proper make-out session before. She was missing out on so much by trying to save it all for someone who hadn’t had the decency to present himself to her in a timely manner. She didn’t want to miss out any longer, listening to the way Christy talked about Dean and vice versa, seeing the way they looked at each other like no one else existed, it was killing her not to experience that.

Later that evening, Beau and Dean both came into the bar, having some bro time, which Justine thought was super cute. Dean smiled at Christy and Justine could practically feel the heat flaring between them.

That’s it! Her mind made up, she decided she was just going for it. She would still be looking for Mr. Right but now she was also looking for someone to become intimate with, Mr. Right Now. Excitement sizzled through her at the thought that soon she would meet the man she was going to give herself to. Only problem was, the first person who came to mind was someone she had no right thinking about so intimately.

*

The rest of the week flew by and before Justine knew it, she was at the Rusty Bucket with her friends on Sunday night. Taylor was pouring drinks and chatting to them in between serving customers. Christy and Dean were dancing on the small, makeshift dancefloor, and she and Beau were trading dating horror stories. Beau threw back his head and laughed, long and loud at her joke and as she stared at him, she wished she found him attractive.

He was stunning, there was no denying it: dark hair, high cheekbones, hard square jawline, and eyes that were so pretty and warm they could melt even the coldest of hearts. He checked off the majority of her key requirements: he was a businessman, smart, mature, emotionally available and definitely wanted a family. She and Beau could make beautiful babies, but he didn’t make her heart sing. They had even kissed recently; well, she had attacked him in another desperate attempt to avoid Blake noticing her. He had been a nice kisser, but she felt zero spark and alas it wasn’t meant to be. Beau laughed at another joke, and she spotted Taylor glaring over at him. Taylor was the other reason it wouldn’t work with Beau…

When Beau went to get some more drinks, she opened her purse, pulled out a mirror and began reapplying her lipstick. Over her compact she saw Blake enter the bar. He looked around, his eyes wide, pupils dilated, and with his brows pinched tightly, he was looking anxious.

When he spotted her, their eyes clashing, a frisson of heat stole through her. She hadn’t seen him or heard from him since their session. He continued to stare at her, and after a moment she looked away, not willing to play this game in public. She didn’t want to draw attention to their relationship, she didn’t want people knowing that she was treating him. It was private. If he wanted people to know then he could tell them, but she wouldn’t.

Her treacherous eyes returned to him as he approached the bar and sidled up next to Beau and she watched the two of them talking. The bar was too noisy to hear what they were saying but she held her breath, remembering how he’d attacked Beau only a few days ago. They talked for a few minutes; she tried to read their lips but to no avail. She could just wander over there, nonchalant as hell, and—eavesdrop? No, you don’t care what they’re saying!

They seemed to be having a pleasant conversation and then Blake stuck his hand out, Justine held her breath. After a pause, Beau clasped his outstretched hand, and they shook. Justine let out her breath in a whoosh as she relaxed, pleased they had cleared the air. She was proud of Blake for being the bigger man, it must have taken a lot for him to admit being in the wrong, which showed a level of maturity that was definitely not attractive to her, no, not at all. No, don’t go ticking qualities off the list, he’s not ever going to be considered as a candidate, he’s your client.

Beau clapped him on the back, spoke to him for a moment longer and then came back to Justine with their drinks. “He is one interesting guy, I would love to get to know him more,” he said.

“Oh, yeah?” she asked, curious about what was said between them, but trying to pretend she wasn’t.

“Come on, I know you wanna dance,” Beau said, changing the subject and taking her hand. She swallowed her disappointment when he didn’t say any more about Blake and pulled her onto the dancefloor next to Christy and Dean and a few other couples. The music changed into a slow, romantic song, but Beau just pulled her against him and they started to sway.

It was comfortable, she enjoyed the closeness and friendly affection. She relaxed and placed her head on his shoulder, knowing nothing was expected between them. As they swayed, moving in slow circles, she soon had a view of the bar, her eyes immediately seeking out Blake, but only so she could make sure he was okay and not feeling anxious.

When she found him, she was surprised to find he was already watching her. His eyes shining brightly, reflecting the neon lights from around the bar. He watched her intently as he sipped his drink, his tongue sliding along the rim of the glass. She fought a shiver and felt herself heating under his stare, vibrations traveling through her body and heat pooling low in her belly. Soon she was facing the other way and her attention turned back to Beau who continued chatting merrily about the renovations he was doing to the house he’d just bought from Christy.

As they continued moving in their slow circles, she got another view of the bar, and yelped as she spotted Blake watching her again. Beau looked down at her, concerned. She just pretended she had hiccupped. Dios, what is wrong with you, chica? It’s like you’ve never seen a man before! She tried to look over Beau’s shoulder at Blake, but he was so damn tall, and she was only wearing pumps.

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