Chapter 14
Tuck
Following the signs posted, we walk down another staircase to reach the floor. A few men are dressed like us, but most of the clientele went all out: guys in white jackets with gold tassels and lapels; women in princess costumes- some skimpy, some floor length with big skirts. As for the men in towels, I salute them for their bravery.]
“Oh my God, Snow White is here” comes from Deacon as a woman rises from one of the couches. She’s wearing a yellow miniskirt, white thigh–high stockings, red heels, and a headband. Straightening her mask, she makes her way over and asks Deacon if he’d like to dance.]]
Uh….” he says, throat bobbing. “I’m here for a birthday. God, you’re so pretty…“[]
“Go on; we’ll be fine,” I say and nudge him her way. Deacon is the shy one and sometimes needs a push.[]
“Why didn’t she ask me?” Jasper asks, frowning as they disappear on the dance floor.]
“Come on, pretty boy, there’s plenty of women for you. Let’s get some drinks.” We head to the bar.
A woman slams into me, her chest colliding against my arm. She’d been in a rush, and the impact sends her reeling. I catch her before she falls and tug her up to my chest. “Whoa there. You okay, sweetheart?“]
Breathing heavily, she raises her face, a glittery white mask covering her upper cheeks and most of her forehead. Her eyes capture mine, and I linger on the striking aquamarine color, the irises outlined in thick black.
Petite with her hair in a haphazard updo, she’s wearing a floor–length white dress. There’s a tiara on her head attached to a veil. “Great costume, Princess Bride,” I say after glancing at her name tag.
She jerks away. “It’s not a costume, and I do not want to have sex with you! Pervert! Get away from me!“]
I drop her arm like it’s hot, and she storms off, weaving as she clutches a bottle of tequila.
“Excuse me! I was trying to help!” I call back, brushing at the liquor she spilled on me. “And I didn’t want to have sex with you!“]
A few people around us who saw the incident chuckle. She flips me off over her shoulder as she stumbles around the people on the dance floor, then disappears into the throng. The audacity. Women adore me.
Jasper Laughs. “Making friends already, huh? Maybe you’ve lost your golden touch at thirty–five. Damn, you’re almost forty!” He legit looks horrified.[]
Tive years away, asshole.”
He gets his “I have a great idear face. “Remember how you and Ronan used to make bets?”
“Him” Ronan was our former quarterback before Jasper–and my best friend. A few years ago, he retired after a career–ending injury and moved to Texas. Now he’s married, and I miss the hell out of him. In our younger days, we’d make bets about who could get the most girls at a bar. I won 99 percent of the time–I can be darming when I want–and I may have bragged about that winning streak to Jasper.
He raises an eyebrow. “We should continue the tradition. I bet you can’t get Princess Bride into you. If you can’t, then I’m going for it. I do love brunettes.“] “Good luck Shrs rude and short“]
Tuck Avery sady dates tall girls,” he says mockingly, then slaps cash down on the bar. “This is yours‘ if you can do it.“[]
“A dollar, Impressive. []
He gives me a sunny look. “It isn’t about the money Is your competitive streak. You, my friend, love a challenge.” “Nope. Not Interested.” I shove my hands through my wavy golden brown hair. Longer than usual, it falls around my shoulders. Since training camp started, I haven’t made the time to get it cut. Now we’ve started the season, and it’s the last thing on my mind:[]
Jasjer bands over one of his extrs ir ties, and I put it in a low bun behind the bar are plata black ball caps. I pay for one and turn the cap backward and slip it over my head I check my appearance in the mirror behind the bar, rubbing the heavy dark scruff on my face I’ve let grow, Mechanic?[]
You want to do Que but Say it. Jasper ways, bringing me back. He heats his fists on the bar, “Do it, do it, do it“]
“Stop acting like a moron.”
“Ah, you’re scared you don’t have what it takes! First you wouldn’t wear the towel, now you’re running from an itty bitty challenge. You’re old as dirt! Live each day as your Last, man–hat’s my motto. You might die tomorrow, am I right?)
Maybe I pretend interest at the people in the pool []
Chapter 14
“Carpe diem, Tuck! Seize the day–and the princess!”
“Dammit. Why are you such a prick? Game on, quarterback,” I say with exasperation as I roll my eyes. Why not? What else is there to do?]
He pumps his hips. “Yes, yes, yes, my man is gonna try for the end zone! A true player in action!“[]
People turn to look at us, and I chuckle. “You’re a child.“[]
He raises his glass. “To Princess Bride and football!” We clink our Dom bottles together.[]
Deacon comes back to slam shots with us, then takes off to check out the BDSM dungeon with Snow White. Several women stop to chat with us, and I feign interest as my gaze searches for Princess Bride.[]
A few minutes later, she ambles off the dance floor, her updo completely down. A strobe light flashes on her, and it’s hard to tell if she’s attractive with the mask, but the dim light shows creamy pale skin and plump rosebud lips.[]
Excitement buzzes over me as I gaze at her. My competitive streak is ready. Plus, no one calls me a pervert and gets away with it. She will worship at the throne of Tuck tonight. I’m not sure how, but I’ll play it by ear.[]
A tall man in a towel follows her. I ignore him, focusing on her as I smile at her wobbly approach, meeting her eyes with my best smoldering look. She ignores me, plops down on the seat next to me, and then bursts into tears.
- rs.
Well, this is unexpected–but it could work.[]
