Page 23 of Trash Talk
“What’ll it be, Shorty?” The nickname throws me. He hasn’t called me that in ages. We’ve strictly stuck to Ruby and Knox or Kendall and Teller. What is he up to?
“Patrón.” He nods and turns to pour our shots.
“You know that guy?” Mike asks me. There’s almost a jealous twinge in his voice. Easy tiger, we just met. And even if I’m planning to take him to my bed tonight, it doesn’t mean he’ll still be there tomorrow. Which entitles him to exactly zero percent of my business.
“Y’all must be tourists. Everyone in Willow Creek knows each other, but yeah. Knox owns this place. And we were neighbors once upon a time.” I hear Knox snort a laugh, so I know he heard. We used to be much more than that. But, God, it’s so hard to explain our convoluted history to myself, let alone a one-night stand. So, I keep it simple. It’s not like Knox really cares if I downplay our history; we haven’t been friends for years. It’s better this way; easier. When I let my guard down, I start remembering the good times, and I can’t allow that. Knox isn’t someone I can trust. I’ll get hurt again. I’m not putting all the blame on him. We both hurt each other, but we’ve moved on. It’s for the best.
I pick up my shot glass and clink it to Mike’s, “Yassou.” The cool liquid burns my throat. It feels good. I’m almost there. I just need one more, and the rest of the night will be easy breezy. The timing couldn’t be better. We’ve got about fifteen minutes ‘til last call. I can empty my very full bladder (beer always makes me pee a lot), order my shot and take home that hottie with the body (bonus points for Barry witnessing my grand exit). I hop off my stool and walk a semi-straight line to the bathroom. I may use the wall for support a bit, don’t judge.
After I wash up, I pull out my phone to check the time. Where did the last twelve minutes go? There weren’t that many people in line. I’ve been in here longer than I thought; I guess I really did have to pee. Eyes glued to my screen; I exit the restroom directly into the wall. Huh, someone remodeled this hallway super quick.
Skatá. That’s not a wall. That’s a broad, muscly chest. A perfect, tan, toned, ink-covered chest to be specific, and it’s just as glorious as the last time I felt it. I inhale his familiar scent but stop myself before letting out an embarrassing sigh, then snap my head back to meet his gaze. He’s smirking. How long did I have my forehead between Knox’s perfect pecs? God, I hate that he has the upper hand. He has really nice hands. Long, strong fingers, prominent veins. What the hell is wrong with me? Snap out of it, Rubes.
I push his hands off my arms and lean back against the actual wall. There’s not a lot of room in this hallway because he’s taking up the majority of it with his hulking frame. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. He’s not that big. Maybe 6’2”, around 200 pounds. Still, Hulk-sized compared to me. Is this hall shrinking?
“Can I help you with somethin’, Knox?” My southern accent gets super thick when I’ve been drinking, even to my own ears.
“Loaded question, Shorty.” God, I hate that sparkle in his eyes. The way they crinkle at the corners. The way he drinks me in. Two seconds flat and I’m drowning in a sea of chocolate. Brain 100% mush. I hate that I still find him so damn attractive. Even after all this time, he still gets to me.
“Don’t call me that. My name is Ruby.” I push off the wall and turn to go, but he grabs my arm and holds me in place.
“Where’re you goin’, Ruby?”
“Um, to get a drink,” my voice raises at the end, and it almost sounds like a question. He shakes his head at me.
“Afraid I can’t allow that.”
“What the hell are you talkin’ about, Knox? This is a bar. Y’all serve drinks. I oughtta know; I just ordered some. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go get one more before last call.” I yank my arm free, but he’s quick. I forgot how fast he moves. He spins and blocks my path.
“Can’t serve you, Ruby.”
“That’s fine. Jemma’s behind the bar, she can serve me, and you won’t have to waste any more of your precious time with me this evening.” I tried to push past him, but he isn’t having it. He puts both hands on the wall on either side of my face; effectively blocking me in.
“You misunderstood; no one will be serving you because you’ve had enough.”
My drunk brain takes that as a challenge. I hadn’t had nearly enough to erase Pimp & Ho Ken and Barbie from my mind. “I’m getting another drink, poútsa, and there isn’t anything you can do to stop me.”
This time I do manage to sneak under his arm, but I don’t get far. He grabs my face, pushes me against the wall and before I know it his mouth is on mine. I fight it at first, but, hell, his lips are so soft and they’re applying the perfect amount of pressure. It’s so damn nice; I can’t help myself. I sigh and his tongue sneaks in and starts exploring. I haven’t been kissed like this in forever. What started so sweetly, turned dirty in an instant.
Next thing I know, both of our tongues and teeth and hands are joining in the party and I have one leg hiked so far up on his hip my other foot isn’t even touching the ground anymore. His hardening length is hitting me in just the right spot. Causing us both to moan. His chest vibrates against mine and does things to my nipples. Sexy, hard, zippy things that go straight to my mouní. God, how could I have forgotten how well he kisses? I miss being handled by a man who knows what he’s doing. Then it ends as abruptly as it started. He breaks away, breathing hard, and sets me back down on the ground. When my eyes search his face, he looks stunned. Turned on. And maybe a little sad. He quickly schools his features into a smirk and whispers,“you just missed last call.” Then that smarmy bastard walks backward into his office and shuts the door.
I’m left standing there with my jaw on the floor until Emma magically appears beside me to announce that our Uber is here. My senses finally return, “where are the boys?”
“They left. I think you’ve had enough excitement for one evening. Let’s go home.” Thankful, I grab her arm and let her lead me out.
“Wait. I didn’t pay my tab.”
“Knox took care of it. And I tipped Jem. We’re all good.”
“Okay.” I don’t have any fight left in me. We slide into the back seat of a small white car. What the hell just happened in there? We were arguing one minute and making out the next. And it was hot. I’m so confused. Hating him is so much easier than what I’m feeling now. I clamp those feelings down and shut my eyes tight. Deep breaths. My mind is swirling. I almost laugh. I had completely forgotten about Barry until just now. I bet he saw the whole thing. A giggle slips out and Em wraps me in a side hug.
“I’m gonna let you have a minute to think about shit. But we will be discussing this evening’s events very soon.” I nod against her shoulder. Thankful my best friend knows me so well. My thoughts and emotions are all over the place, I can’t make sense of them right now (that could have something to do with the tequila too though). How can I hate someone and want them so badly at the same time?
How far would I have let him go? I stop myself there because I’m certain I wouldn’t like the answer. I can’t allow myself to feel for Knox again. But I also can’t deny how hot that was. My fingertips brush against my swollen lips as I immerse myself in memory. God, I was seconds away from unzipping his pants and doing some very naughty things, in a very public place. I need to get laid; I haven’t had sex in months. That’s all this is. My hormones are out of whack. As soon as I get some vitamin D, I’ll be just fine. Feeling better, I allow my mind to drift. Man, I’m sleepy.
“Love you, Rubes.”
‘Love you, too,’ I say. Or think I say. I’m already asleep. Drifting through memories. Dreaming an old dream that part of me wishes would stop. And the other part of me wants to know what would’ve happened if we’d never stopped.
