Page 5 of Platinum Love: A BWWM Romance

“Sure, Harper, right?” I take her phone, feeling Hunter’s eyes on me.

“Yes.” Harper smiles as the three pose with Hunter in the middle. The mahogany wood and activity behind them made for the perfect backdrop.

“All right I’ll take a few. Then it’s back to work for me.” I glance over to ensure Mario is back. Then I glance down at the iPhone screen. “One…two…three….”

Hunter has my full attention. A slight pout of her lips. The sexy glance over her shoulder. The naughty grip on her bottom lip. Then a Valentine’s Day kiss is blown over her fingertips, and I swear it’s floating in my direction.

I take a few more, hoping to capture the other ladies adequately. I pass Harper’s phone back mumbling my parting words. I need distance from the concentration of raw sexiness and the lure of Hunter.

“Mario I’m heading out for my break.”

“Cool. I got it under control.”

I nod and glance back once more to find Hunter’s steamy eyes. I pause at the end of the counter, throwing back a shot to smother the dangerous feelings. Desire, lust, love are not in my vocabulary, and I’m not at risk of succumbing to cupid’s antics.

Love isn’t something I run from or run to, because I don’t think I’ve yet experienced real love. Yeah, I’ve had girlfriends, but nothing or no one so special I wanted to wake up next to forever.

But tonight the shot of tequila mixed with the tempting glossy red lips have me thinking what if. Which is a dangerous scenario when paired with alcohol, and months without sex. It’s hard to fit it in with Zoe tied to my leg. And to be honest, I can’t just pick up a girl and think nothing of it knowing I’m raising a little girl.

For months, I kept calling myself a single uncle. But after over a year of Zoe and I, the truth is, I’m a single father, and I want to do my sister proud. And that means I can’t have women coming and going in my daughter’s life.

I glance up at the sky as I step out into the cool night air, hoping it is the equivalent of a cold showers to shock my over imaginative mind into understanding that nothing about Hunter and Ben goes together.

She’s rich. I’m struggling. She’s gorgeous. And I can hold my own, in all departments. But her “fun time” vibes are what I would have sought before the accident, before I became a father, before I had my life turned upside down by my Zoe Bear. And my life has no room for fun time, rich, absolutely drop dead gorgeous women, especially not Hunter Preston.

Chapter 3

Hunter

I wait on the barstool while Charlee and Harper went inside. Ben ran like someone set his feet on fire and I’ve lost count of how many of these delicious chocolate strawberry drinks I’ve had. The fact that I can’t hear my daddy’s ultimate ringing in my head makes me order one more.

Mario fulfills my request with his eyes glued to my breast. I snap my fingers.

“Eyes up Mario.” He places the drink on a napkin scurrying off to the other end of the bar.

“What is it with men staring like they’ve never seen boobs before?” I ask no one, in particular, sipping my drink.

I glance out over the crowd in S&J. I appreciate the relaxed yet professional vibe. The waiters dressed in white shirts and black bottoms. The staff is attentive and managed to create an upscale environment with excellent international food in the courtyard and signature drinks. Tonight the usual jazz music is replaced by smooth R&B coming from a live band in the lounge.

I finished the drink turning back to the bar ready to request another when my eyes land on Ben. I wouldn’t peg him as my type. I’m all for black love, and I’ve never dated anyone but black men. But he makes me curious.

For all of my intentional flirting, he is the consummate professional. His eyes never lingered too long. He never crosses the line. And maybe it’s the vodka, but right now it makes Ben hot in my book. His dirty blonde hair, light brown eyes, and kind smile mixed with liquid courage made me curl a finger in his direction, beckoning him over.

I’ve noticed him for months, but now I’m a single woman.

“What is this heaven in a glass called?”

“Love Buzz.” He smiles and either I’m drunk or my heart’s racing.

“Ben, tell me about yourself.” I pass him my glass. “Are you from here?”

“Yes and no. I was raised here until Bergstrom closed. Then my family bounced around following my father in the Air Force.” He places a fresh drink in front of me, leaning on the edge of the bar.

“Do you have family here?” I ask.

“Yes. What about you? Are you from here?”

“I am. I was born and raised in Austin.” I glance over the rim of the glass, which is common knowledge for true Austinites. My name and my family are known by all. I take another long drink, trying to keep my father’s voice at bay.

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