He laughed to himself.
Too many grownup thoughts, man. Why don’t you focus on finding some entertainment for the evening?
James spun in his seat again and studied the crowd. Erin and Leonard still occupied a table, and everything about them seemed cranked to eleven. Their movements tight. Their smiles stretched too wide. Erin’s eyes constantly flickered back to see if James was watching. It all seemed a little ridiculous.
Keeping his eyes on the crowd, he promised himself he wouldn’t let her catch him watching in return. Hell, he didn’t even feel the urge to look and that was a huge weight lifted off his soul. Like he’d been dragging an anchor around since July and finally figured out all he had to do was put the damn thing down.
If that didn’t call for a celebration, he didn’t know what did.
He’d find some beautiful, willing woman to spend the night with, drinking and fucking. It didn’t take long for his gaze to settle on a table near the band with two women laughing and joking and having so much fun…just watching them made him smile.
They were alive, bursting with energy and happiness. An undeniable urge to be part of that planted itself in his belly. He drowned the thought with a drink and watched them, trying to decide which one he was most interested in.
It was hard to make out features in the dim light of the bar, but his gaze fell on the brunette with the head of curls. He kept catching glimpses of her profile, her soft cheeks pulled up in laughter, her long eyelashes fluttering as she talked. The curve of her magnificent breasts putting the fabric of her T-shirt to the test.
That was the one. Her friend could join in if she wanted, but James wanted the brunette.
She tossed her hair and looked over her shoulder.
James froze. Then he shook his head and settled himself back into his seat. Because the gorgeous brunette with the contagious smile was none other than Ellie Charles.
Chapter Eight
Ellie
The band was on fire. Elle’s toes tapped and head bopped in time to the music. With a toss of her hair and a smile on her face, she picked up her margarita and finished what was left in one, long swallow. Margaritas held a special place in her heart and she always wound up drinking more than her fair share. They were just too tasty!
“This was such a good idea!” Ellie refilled her glass with the pitcher and threw a smile at Tessa.
“Of course it was a good idea. Who could say no to margaritas at Hurricane’s on a Tuesday?”
“Well, I should say no to margaritas at Hurricane’s on a Tuesday. Four a.m. comes very early.” Ellie shook her head and tried to look sad.
“Oh, come on. You work every day. Every. Damn. Day. And you’re only twenty-three! You can’t expect yourself to stay home every night just because you were freakishly responsible enough to start your own business. Every now and then, you gotta live, my friend. Gotta let yourself be free!”
Tessa had a point. Ever since she’d finally gathered enough self-confidence to kick Parasite Steve out of the apartment, Ellie had allowed her life to wither until all that remained was work, worry about the bills, and going to bed early so she could work and pay the bills.
Her failed online dating adventures had been an attempt to break out of the rut, but clearly, they weren’t getting her anywhere. Maybe what she needed were more nights out with Tessa. More chances to let down her hair and remember what it meant to have fun.
“I’ve been thinking.” Tessa scooted her chair closer to Ellie’s and leaned forward. “What if you actually did take James Moore up on his offer?” She scrunched her eyebrows together, shrugged, and bit her lip, looking as if she was trying to apologize for what she’d just suggested.
“What? Why? What happened to me being worth the real deal? To not letting someone else take advantage of me?” Ellie took a sip of her drink and laughed, the alcohol going straight to her head. She would have to slow down because rut or not, four-thirty did come really early.
“That’s what I’ve been thinking about. Maybe it’s the other way around.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe he wouldn’t be taking advantage of you. Maybe you’d be taking advantage of him.”
That didn't make any sense and Ellie had no qualms about letting Tessa know what she thought. “So, pretending I'm in love with him and getting all tangled up in a relationship would be me taking advantage of him? I don’t see it.”
“Think about it. You’d get to go out. Have some fun. Make out with the guy you’ve had the hots for since eighth grade.”
Ellie’s eyebrows jumped to her hairline. “I have not!” She totally did and she knew Tessa knew. She had not-so-secretly fawned over James for years.
“Don’t even try to lie to me.” Tessa raised her glass and took a drink. “I know all your secrets.”
Ellie considered the suggestion. “He is really hot.”
“And he has lots of money to take you all kinds of fun places.”
“And I don’t have to get involved emotionally. Just enjoy the ride.”
Tessa grinned. “Plus, now that he’s all dark and broody, he’s got that whole dangerous vibe going for him. Motorcycles and muscles and MMA?” Tessa licked the salt from the rim of her glass. “The ride you’d enjoy would totally be worth it.”
Ellie was about to agree, her mind tracing over those delicious tattoos on his arms, wondering if they connected on his sure to be magnificent chest and back, when a deep voice came from behind her. “It’s all true, you know.”
Both Tessa and Ellie whirled, stunned into silence at the sight of James Moore standing right behind them, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his jeans hugging his slim hips, and
