Bliss Series Boxed Set: The Whole Damn Harem (28 page)

I turn back to the bar and hold my arm up to signal Zach to bring me another beer. A quick nod, a flick of his wrist and another ice-cold bottle of Bud is sliding along the bar toward me. Spinning around on my stool, I lean back against the bar and set myself up to watch the show that Kate and her dad date are about to provide.

Before she sits down, she removes her black cropped jacket and exposes her porcelain skinned shoulders. She sits up higher in her chair when she sees me staring at her, pushing her shoulders back in a defiant pose, and making it obvious that she’s trying hard not to let my presence affect her. I love the fact that I’m getting to her. I don’t know why, but I like seeing her being as affected by me as I am. I’m about to get up to go say a friendly hello and make this night a hell of a lot more interesting when Zach comes around the bar and sits next to me.

“How was your gig, bro?” he asks, taking a drink of his own beer.

“Same old story. Mother-in-law to be had too much wine and went all grabby hands on me. Managed to escape with my junk uninjured and intact.” I smile, but don’t take my eyes off Kate.

Beautiful, feisty Kate looks hot as hell right now. She’s wearing a bright red dress with a plunging v neckline which dips halfway down her stomach, giving every man in the room an awesome view of her cleavage. And God, those tits look like they’d be the perfect handful. I can just imagine pushing my hard body against hers and wrapping my arms around her, cupping them as she leans back into me. Then spinning her around and taking her rose red nipples into my mouth as she moans sexily. Holy shit, down boy! I only hope that dress of hers is stuck to her like glue or else she’s going to give her sugar daddy a heart attack. If that’s the plan, someone needs to tell her that you’re supposed to wait until after the wedding for that.

“Bro, you’re being obvious,” Zach says, bumping my shoulder.

“I know, and she knows I’m looking.” I look over at him and wink.

“She’s with a date, man. That’s not your usual style.” I frown when I realize he’s right, I don’t go after the unavailable or unattainable, but Kate...well, I’m not sure what she is. Definitely not unavailable; that night a few months ago proved that. Unattainable? To me, she’s a perfect ten. I’d definitely be punching above my weight with her. I’d be the one walking around like a cocky S.O.B if Kate were mine.

“I know that, but look at him. He’s old enough to be her dad. It’s like watching a train wreck about to happen.” I chuckle as she looks at me again and starts blushing. Even from across the bar, there is no mistaking the redness creeping up her cheeks. It’s cute as all hell, and my mind wanders, imagining other situations where I could make her blush.

My cock starts to harden as I blatantly check her out. The dress gathers at her waist before falling into a short, fitted skirt, leaving plenty of flawless skin exposed as my gaze travels down to the sexiest pair of black heels I have ever seen. God, if I were half-mast before, I’m full speed ahead now with images of Kate spread out in front of me, her red hair fanned across my pillow, and wearing nothing but those heels and a sultry smile.

“Zan, you either need to get laid, or go home. Or both. Seriously, getting a boner in the middle of a bar while staring at a total stranger is not a good look” he says with a chuckle.

I groan, turning around to save myself from the torture that is my new favorite redhead’s disaster date.

“You’re telling me.” I down the rest of my beer before standing up from the stool. “Might be best if I leave you to it. See you at home then?”

“Should do, unless I get a better offer of course,” he adds with a wink. That man is never short of offers.

“All good. Keep an eye on her for me,” I ask, tilting my head toward Kate.

“Sure. So you already know her?”

“Yeah, Mac’s best friend.”

“Ah, I see. She the one you told me about?” Zach asks, shooting a glance in Kate’s direction.

“Yeah, man. That’s her.”

“Damn. And you’re sure you aren’t gonna go there? From where I’m standing, she’s smoking hot, and you’re more than well aware of that fact.”

“She was drunk. She’s not the type of girl to have a one night stand,” I explain.

“All good then. I’ll watch out for her. Hell, she’s so hot I’d watch her anyway.”

I growl under my breath, earning a chuckle from Zach. “Thanks. Be good, or if you can’t be good, be as bad as I am.” I pat him on the back as I take one last look at Kate before shaking my head and walking out the door.

I must text Mac and find out what the deal is with Kate. She doesn’t come across as the type of woman who’s looking for a sugar daddy, which makes her date even more of a crack up. And she definitely noticed me; that blush all but gave her away.

As I walk out the door into the warm night air, I find myself wanting to find out more about the enigma who is Kate McGuinness. And I’d also give anything to see her in those heels again, preferably naked.

Kate

I knew coming to 42
^nd
Street Bar would be a mistake.

Roger had seemed nice enough on his profile, and the messages we’d exchanged were interesting enough, but the moment I’d met him outside and realized that he was at least ten years older than he said, I knew this would be yet another Kate dating disaster.

I’m starting to think I need to write a book about how not to date in Chicago. Seriously, I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of character, but lately my judgment has been seriously impaired. Scratch that, seriously off fucking kilter.

Mac and Daniel acting like a pair of loved up teenagers has made yearning for my own happily ever after increase tenfold, so last week I took the plunge and decided to sign up to an internet dating website. In fact, when I’d told Mac about it one lazy Sunday afternoon, she was so on board with it that she’d grabbed my laptop and we sat on the couch together, writing and rewriting my dating profile.

First, the “Tell us about yourself” section.

My name is Kate, and I’m a 24 year old hairdresser born and bred in Chicago.

I’m looking for my happily ever after, and after searching the kingdom far and wide, I’ve decided to give internet dating a shot.

I’m a 5 ft. 1 natural redhead with great style and a wicked sense of humor. I like to socialize and meet new people, and I’m always up for new experiences.

I’m looking for a man between 23-30 years of age with a great job, strong family ties, and who likes to have fun and try new things like me.

No photo, No reply.

Then we’d needed to upload a photo. After searching through all of my social media accounts, Mac and I had finally agreed on a photo taken of me a few months ago showing my profile from the back, with my hair blown out in a 50’s pin up girl style. My face was hidden in the photo which is what I’d wanted. I’d be mortified if anyone recognized me on the site.

Internet dating is still a social no-man’s-land, but it’s more acceptable these days, no longer seen as a last ditch attempt to find somebody, anybody to love you. I see it as a new and different way to meet people who you may not have otherwise come into contact with. Your lives may not have been destined to cross paths, so it’s almost a way of bypassing destiny and taking a chance.

And that’s what this is for me, taking a chance at finding my Mr. Perfect. There is someone for everyone, and I’m anxious to find mine. Not because I’m getting old or anything, God, I’m only twenty-four. It’s more about feeling left out, or worse still, feeling like the third wheel with Mac and Daniel. I need my partner, my other half. I know he’s out there somewhere. He has to be.

My mother is frequently reminding me that I need a man to take care of me. “A worthwhile man who treats you like the princess you are.” I kind of wish I hadn’t had the whole ‘happily ever after’ idea drilled into me from a young age. All the stories are the same; the knight in shining armor sweeps the princess off her feet and they ride off into the sunset. My brothers did it with their wives, and my father did it with my mom. That leaves me as the only single person left in my family.

So back to my dating profile, I’d needed to choose a username. Something non personal, not easily identifiable, and of course, something to garner attention....well, the type of attention I’m looking for. Mac had grabbed the laptop from me and giggled as she entered a name and pushed submit before I could even say yes or no.

With a huge gulp of my wine, I’d looked at my profile and choked as I saw my name.

But sure enough, within minutes I’d had my first ‘kiss’ from an anonymous admirer.

An hour later, I’d received four photos of various erect and multi-sized cocks. After giggling like middle schoolers in sex education class, I’d updated my profile.

P.S. No cock pictures or requests for naked photos from me. I’m sure you’re more than happy with your penis and are excited to show it around to strangers, but I’m looking for a person who doesn’t just think with their trouser snake, pork sword, or purple-headed womb ferret. Thanks all the same.

When Daniel arrived with three pizzas under his arm, Mac had taken great pleasure in pulling him over to the computer and showing him our achievement for the day. Shaking his head, he’d quietly chuckled before turning serious. “Just be careful, and make sure we know where you are and who you’re with.”

I like Daniel. He’s like my new big brother, and he’s made Mac the happiest I’ve ever seen her in our whole fifteen-year friendship.

Okay, back to my current date with Roger.

When we meet, he sheepishly apologizes for lying about his age, explaining that he didn’t think I’d give him a chance if I knew he was twenty years older than me. Too fucking right I wouldn’t have! But because we are both here now anyway, I agree to have a quick drink with him.

What a mistake that is!

Once we get inside and find a table, he sits down opposite me, not stopping to pull out my chair, or offering to take my coat when I slip it off. Then he proceeds to order a glass of cider. Freaking cider! Unfortunately that wasn’t my first sign that this date is going to be a one-time deal.

Then, with a niggling feeling I’m being watched, I scan the room to find a set of familiar dark blue eyes staring at me. Knowing that I’m looking good, and not wanting to show how embarrassed I am, I push my shoulders back and keep my attention on my date, and not on the sexy, brooding, simply perfect specimen of a man across the bar who won’t take his eyes off me.

But as much as I try, I can’t concentrate. Five minutes of listening to Roger tell me about himself and I know that this date is a lost cause.

What I’ve found out about the aging Roger is that not only is he old enough to be my father, he’s also an accountant who works for City Hall, a job he’s had since he left college in the 80’s. He’s also never been out of the country, still lives down the road from his parents, and likes to play chess in his spare time. He’s never had a speeding ticket, never been arrested, and his hair looks like a toupee on crack. I’m a hairdresser, so I always check out people’s hair, and this monstrosity on his head...he’s swished it to the left side of his face, and has so much product in it...I'm scared to strike a match near him for fear of setting him alight.

When he starts to discuss the merits of chess with me, I decide to chance a look toward Zander, my cheeks flaming as he catches me looking at him. Damn, he’s looking hot. He’s wearing a pair of black slacks that hug him in all the right places, and a white wife beater underneath an open dark blue dress shirt that makes his eyes look like the bluest of oceans that you just want to dive naked into.

I haven’t seen or talked to him since the night I was drunk and tried to seduce him. He’d saved me from a guy I’d been dancing with in this very bar. The guy started to come on very strong, very quickly, and when he wouldn’t take no for an answer, getting forceful with his hand pushing under my skirt, Zander stepped in, punched him in the face, then grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bar.

As soon as he’d hailed a cab and ushered me inside, he gave the driver my address and wrapped his arms around me as I cried into his shirt. My body shook violently as the reality of the moment suddenly hit home. He’d rubbed his hand up and down my arm, kissing my head and murmuring words that to this day I can’t remember, but I do know he calmed me down and made me feel safe. It was exactly what I’d needed in that moment, a moment that has forever been etched into my brain.

But me, being drunk, stupid, and totally enamored with my knight in shining armor, pushed my luck as soon as we were inside my apartment and went to kiss him. He’d met my lips with enthusiasm, and the kiss was like one of those that you read about in romance novels. Our tongues tangled together, and our lips meshed as if we were made for each other. Fireworks were exploding around us, the world stopped, and it felt like all of my dreams had come true in that one kiss. But when I pulled back and asked him if he wanted to spend the night with me, he froze. He’d stared at me for what seemed like forever before shaking his head and leading me down the hallway to find my bedroom, telling me to get into bed. He’d returned with a large glass of water and two Advil, kissed me goodbye on the forehead, then turned to leave before I could conjure up a response. Minutes later, I’d blacked out.

Tonight is the first time I’ve seen him since that night, and as the memory of my embarrassing behavior comes flooding back to me, I have to look away as a blush takes over my face. It’s still just as mortifying now as it was the morning after. I haven’t even told Mac about what happened. That was the night she freaked out and ended up at Daniel’s apartment before running out on him again in the middle of the night.

“Ah, Kate, I think I better go. It’s getting close to 10 p.m., and I need to get home to feed my cat, Mr. Buttons.”

And there it is. The final nail in the date’s coffin.

“Absolutely Roger, thanks for having a drink with me. I’ll be okay getting home, you just worry about getting home to Mr. Buttons,” I say, masking the huge relief I’m feeling at not having to explain how I won’t be seeing Roger the Accountant again.