Page 10 of The HalloQueen

“You know, I’ve heard some of the teenagers say things like, ‘that’s a future me problem’ and I think for now that will be my mantra.”

I waved over the bartender and we ordered another round of drinks, “so you have no plan?”

“Like I said, I just got out of a long relationship, I’m not sure what the future holds right now. How long were you and tall boy together?”

I snorted, “Uh, it was just a casual thing.”

“You do a lot of casual things?” He clenched his jaw as he swallowed down some scotch.

“I find there’s a time and place to blow off steam, plus it allows me to focus on my work without having to build in time to nurture a relationship,” I lied. I hadn’t done this in over a year either.

“Are you not interested in a relationship then?”

I smirked, “What are you asking me, Tommy?”

“Nothing,” his dark eyes sparkled, “I’m just pleased to be in the court of the HalloQueen.” He gave me an exaggerated bowing motion with his hands and I laughed.

“Tommy?”

“Yes,mon coeur.”

I looked over his shoulder and saw Trae looking directly at me, “Would you be opposed to kissing me?”

He barked out a shocked laugh, “Quoi?”

I leaned against my hand and subtly nodded toward Shannon and Trae, “They’re looking at us. Would you mind horribly if I kissed you? It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about that, belle, if anything, I’m worried we won’t be able to get enough of each other and you were just here breaking my heart by saying things like you only do casual.”

I grinned, “I didn’t say I only do casual, I just mostly do casual.”

He returned my smile and put his hand on his cheek to block his mouth from Shannon and Trae, “Are they still looking?”

I took a sip of my cider and nodded, “mmmhmmm.”

Thomas reached over and grabbed my stool, pulling it towards him with alarming ease and I turned my body to face him while he sandwiched my thick legs between his muscular ones. For someone so lean he apparently had a lot of hidden muscle. I saw the corded veins in his forearms twitching as he ran his hands up and down my thighs, reaching precariously close to the hem of my short skirt.

“Come here,ma cher.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

He laughed once again, eyes sparkling, “Chérie,at this point if you choose to not kiss me, you will hurt mine.”

I blushed. Who was this guy? “That was charming,” I said softly and he leaned into me, holding the side of my neck with his large hand.

He shrugged and smiled again, “I’m French, remember?”

“How could I forget when you keep calling me…” I spaced, looking into his dark eyes, “Uh…”

“Mon coeur.”

I tilted my head, “and what does that mean exactly?” I reached over and placed one of my hands on his leg.

“You can’t tell?” He was close enough that I could feel my body being pulled into the energy of him.

“Maybe I just want you to say it?”

His smile turned sensual and against my lips, he whispered, “my heart.”

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