“But I’ve never done that. Ever. What if it goes wrong and I end up an emotional wreck?”I throw back. Quinn places her empty Martini glass on the table a little too forcefully.

“That is why you don’t get emotions involved. It’s just sex, no strings attached,” she replies. Could I ever do that? Have one night of sex and not get attached? I don’t know. I feel like a hussy just considering it.

“You could always get Kyler to make your hot, steamy dream a reality,” she adds, mischief written all over her porcelain-like features.

“Are you ever going to let me live that down?” I hiss, giving her a pointed look.

“No,” she grins. “Because he just walked through the door and he’s walking towards our table.”

Oh. Crap.

“Good evening, ladies.” His deep voice meets my ears and I fight the urge to shiver. I squeeze my eyes shut. He’s standing next to me. I can feel it, the warmth radiating from his muscular form.

I open my eyes and slowly turn my gaze to him, plastering on a fake smile.

“Good evening, Mr. Knight,” I greet sweetly. He’s about to say something when Jarred arrives back at our table with some drinks in hand.

“One ‘Screaming Orgasm’,” Jarred announces, placing my cocktail in front of me. Kyler lifts an eyebrow, his mouth pulling up at the side, and I duck my head to hide my blush. Jarred has impeccable timing. Bless his heart, I think to myself. Quinn giggles and Jarred looks at her quizzically, placing her Martini on the table alongside his whiskey. He looks up and finds Kyler staring at me. “Uh, sorry, I didn’t realize you were expecting company, Cass,” Jarred says. Kyler turns to face Jarred and sticks his hand out.

“Kyler Knight,” he greets. “Forgive me. I hope I’m not intruding. I saw Cassey and Quinn and decided to come say hello.” Jarred shakes his hand, puffing out his chest a little more.

“Jarred Blake. It’s nice to meet you,” he replies, somewhat stiffly. “Join us for a drink.” I shift in my seat at Jarred’s request. I can almost smell the testosterone bouncing between the two of them. It’s ridiculous.

“Thank you,” Kyler replies. “But I have a date.” Oh, thank God.

“Well, it was nice seeing you Mr. Knight,” I intercede a little too eagerly. “Better not keep your date waiting.” I chance a look at Kyler’s face. Did he just frown? If he did, it’s no longer there. In fact, he has no expression whatsoever.

“Have a good night,” he responds tightly, all traces of humor gone. “Oh I plan to,” I quip. I look away and find Quinn staring at me like I crawled of a block of cheese. Her eyes are big and I’m guessing it’s because I just totally sassed my new boss. Kyler walks away and I visibly sag on my barstool. I close my eyes and take the biggest gulp of my cocktail that this stupidly small straw will allow. When my eyes open again, Quinn is still staring at me.

“What?” I ask, shrugging my shoulders.

My annoyance is obvious and I wish I did a better job of hiding my feelings.

“What was that all about?”

“What was what about?” I retort quickly. I’m evading. That much is obvious. But the truth is, I don’t know what just happened.

Quinn snorts and rolls her eyes at me, clearly exasperated with my attempts at avoiding her interrogation.

“Whatever,” she mumbles. She starts whispering something in Jarred’s ear and follows it with a slow, seductive lick down his neck. I can’t turn away from their display of intimate affection. It’s so out of place here, in this public bar, but they don’t seem to care.

I feel a pang of jealousy blossom in my chest, watching the way Jarred’s fingers hold Quinn’s waist, and the way her eyes light up when he smiles at her. I want that. The tender embraces, heated gazes, secret smiles, whispered promises. I want all of it.

A throat clears next to me, and I’m not sure if I jump higher or if Quinn does. I was so busy watching her get lost in Jarred that I got lost in them. I look up and see a tall, muscular guy standing next to our table. His midnight black hair that matches Jarred’s is cut short and styled so that it stands up on the top. I can’t see his whole face but his profile is confirmation that it’s perfect.

“Drew!” Jarred exclaims. He places Quinn in his seat and hugs the guy who I now know is Drew. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he asks excitedly. He reminds me of a kid who’s just woken up to a room full of presents on Christmas morning.

“You think mom would’ve let me live if I missed their anniversary?” Drew replies, chuckling. He pulls away from Jarred and holds him away at arm’s length.

“You look good, little brother,” he praises. Jarred beams at the term of endearment, and then turns to introduce Quinn. “Drew,” he says, wrapping his arm around Quinn’s hips. “This is Quinn Avery. Quinn, this is my older brother, Drew.” Quinn stands taller and seems to sober in an instant. Her hand stretches out, looking every bit as demure as the expression on her face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says. I’m sure there’s a quiver in her voice but she hides it well. For the first time since I’ve known her, she looks nervous. Drew takes her hand and smiles at her. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Jarred bristles, his eyes hard. There’s a silent message exchange between the two brothers and Drew drops Quinn’s hand quickly. Jarred might as well whip it out and cock his leg up against Quinn.That would be less territorial than the look he just gave his brother. When Drew turns to fix his gaze on me Jarred visibly relaxes and so does Quinn. What is up with them tonight? “This is Cassey,” Jarred gestures towards me. His hand flies up over-enthusiastically and it’s obvious he’s trying to direct his brother’s attention anywhere that’s not Quinn. Drew’s face is as perfect as I suspected. He looks exactly like the type of guy I would date.

A safe choice. Not like Kyler. Quinn chuckles and I realize I’m staring, quite rudely, I might add.

“Nice to meet you too, Cassey.” Drew smiles, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. I wait for the butterflies to take flight in my belly. Nothing. Drew’s eyes rove my body but the warm, tingling sensation I expect to come with it is noticeably absent. But when Kyler looks at you… I shake away my thoughts.

“You too, Drew.” I reply politely.

“Can I get you a drink?” he asks.

I’ve already had two cocktails but I decide what the hell. “Sure,” I reply. “I’ll take a Martini. Dirty.”

Am I flirting with him? So what if I am. I’m single and even if having a onenight stand is not on my agenda tonight, nothing is stopping me from having a good time with a hot, available man. Drew cocks an eyebrow, like he was just thinking the exact same thing. “I’ll be right back.”

I look at Quinn and Jarred, who both look slightly uncomfortable. When Quinn’s eyes meet mine, something unfamiliar sparks to life and I frown. There’s something very strange going on.

Jarred clears his throat, dragging my attention away from what I see in Quinn’s panicky eyes.

“Can I get you anything else, baby?” Jarred asks. Quinn shakes her head quietly, something I’ve never seen her do. Jarred gets up and follows behind Drew, heading towards the bar situated in the middle of the big space. “Are you okay, Quinny?”




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