Page 24 of Prove You Wrong

‘Fuck,’ I mutter and stare out into the dark night. My moment of self-care is definitely over.

Chapter 10

Nate

Iwatch Ella's hips swivel as she walks away. Forcing myself to lean on the bar, arms firmly crossed, I stop myself from following her. From pulling her back. I keep my voice as cool as I can, like I'm not literally bursting at the seams to rail her into next week. My balls are aching for release; I've been rock solid since the moment she walked back in.

Once she disappears through the door, I finally let myself follow and bolt the lock.

Did that just happen? The sweet taste in my mouth and the throbbing of my cock tells me it was real.

Without a thought to the rest of my closing-up duties, I lumber up to the flat above the bar, flicking the last light off as I go. I’ll sort whatever is left in the morning.

In the shower, the water pelts me, and I scrub at my face, trying to shake my daze off. I can't stop replaying the look on her face when she finally relinquished control to me, when she came undone at my touch. The feel of her sweet, tight pussy clenching on my fingers. The sound of my name on her lips. Jesus, shit.

My dick gives me another nudge. Fisting my hand along my length, it only takes a few pumps and I blow my load, the rush of the shower raining down with me.

She’d had me rapt all evening. All. Fucking. Week. Despite my brazen attempts to rile her— teasing her, peacocking—she was unruffled. Yes, she’d flirted with me, but only a little. I was disappointed, thinking she’d left with her friend, maybe never to be seen again; I had no idea she’d stroll back into the bar and take what she wanted. What she needed.

I remember that craving for release.

Been there, done that. I’ve buried myself in a hundred nameless women trying to lose myself, find myself, distract myself.

The look in her eyes told me what she was seeking. And I was fucking delighted to be the one to help her in her quest. My stomach roils at the thought of her going to someone else to give her what she needs and I shake off the notion as quickly as it arrived.

Messing with her this evening was the most fun I’ve had in a while. I loved winding her up, making her blush. Almost as much as I loved making her come undone. She’s got me more awakened than I’ve felt in a long time.

I’m annoyed with myself for not getting her number. I’m so out of practice for this kind of situation. Somehow, I remembered to tell her my name. But a way to get in contact with her? Fail.

A foreign feeling passes through me. Is it hope? Would she make a return visit? Reconsider her no-dating rule? After all, rules are made to be broken.

***

‘So, I’m away for barely a week and you’ve instigated a cocktail menu?’ My brother, Scott, is standing in the kitchenette off the back of the bar, holding the sheet of paper I’d scribbled notes on.

The cocktail menu idea wasn’t just a line to chat up Ella, although that was a happy coincidence.

‘Thought it was worth a trial.’ I shrug.

I’ve got an inkling it’s a good idea but, if I’m too keen, it’ll put him off. There’s a chance he won’t like it because he didn’t think of it himself, grumpy bastard. And sometimes I wonder if he still doesn’t fully trust my judgement. Either way, I’m playing it cool.

He studies the sheet again. The list of spirits and mixers, the pricing, my notes on the time they took to make, the profit margins. I did a thorough job, mainly to try and get Ella out of my head.

‘Absolutely. Any other brain waves I should be aware of?’ Scott empties the dregs of the ice tray into the sink with a clatter and bangs it down on the stainless steel. ‘You’re not gonna try and get me to do a theme night again?’

This guy is no fun. ‘No, but the charity quiz has had a lot of interest. Hopefully, we can raise a lot of money.’ I scan his face, which looks less pinched than usual. ‘Did you have a good time off?’ My brother looks rested from his week away, or at least, reinvigorated.

‘Busy but great. Raging Halloween party at Dave’s. Absolutely mental.’ He shakes his head as if lost in a memory. ‘Made me feel old, to be honest.’

I raise my eyebrows in a knowing way.

‘And then it was awesome meeting up with the lads from uni for a couple of nights,’ he continues. ‘Thanks for holding the fort.’

‘Any time, as long as I’m not on call.’

‘When are you next scheduled?’

‘This afternoon I’ve agreed to be part of a relay ride, taking something up north.’

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