Hot Holidays

CHAPTER 3: Adrian

CHAPTER 3: Adrian

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Adrian made his way across the club, his eyes never leaving Ellie. She looked gorgeous. Her hair was pulled up in some sort of messy bun that his fingers itched to undo. He wanted to watch those silky, soft tresses tumble down over her breasts—preferably, her naked breasts.

He knew the moment she saw him. Not only because the other woman forced Ellie’s head his way, but because her eyes widened in surprise before she chugged her drink. Normally, he wouldn’t take that as a good sign, but her eyes had also taken a quick trip down his body. She wanted him even though she’d pretend she didn’t.

“Ellie.” He stopped at the table and then turned his attention to the other woman. “Alison?” They’d never met but this had to be Ellie’s friend who he’d spoken with on Christmas during the car ride to Ellie’s parents’ house.

“Adrian.” Alison pushed out the chair between her and Ellie. “It’s so great to actually meet you in person. Join us.”

“I’m sure he’s busy,” said Ellie.

“Not at all.” He started to sit.

“That’s Harker’s chair.” Ellie grabbed it, trying to push it back by the table but Alison clung to the other side.

“Harker’s not here,” said Alison.

Adrian stepped back as the two played tug-o-war with the chair for a second before it slid toward Alison and almost knocked her off her seat.

“Sit.” Alison shoved it toward him.

Ellie glared at her friend, but Adrian ignored her, sitting and sliding the chair a little closer to Ellie as he scooted it up by the table.

“May I buy you ladies a drink?” Their glasses were full, but it was always polite to offer.

“I’m good,” said Ellie.

“You are that,” he muttered.

“Shots,” said Alison. “Let’s do shots.”

“Ah...sure.” He waved at the waitress.

“I don’t want a shot,” said Ellie.

“Too bad. You need one.” Alison turned to the waitress. “Bring us three shots of tequila.”

“I’m not getting plastered just because you want to,” said Ellie.

The waitress hesitated.

“Okay.” Alison’s eyes gleamed. “We’ll play a game.”

“What kind of game?” Ellie watched her friend like a rabbit watched a snake.

“You have to drink a shot every time you’re mean to Adrian.”

“I like this game,” he mumbled around his beer.

“I’m not mean to him.”

“Ha. Still lying I see.” This time he didn’t mumble.

“I’m not lying, and I’m not mean to you.” Ellie elbowed him in the arm.

“You are too,” said Alison.

“And you’re mean to Harker.”

“She is that.” The man who’d been at the table with the two women earlier pulled out a chair on the other side of Alison and sat.

“I’m not mean to you. Sticking up for myself is not the same as what she does.” Alison sent Ellie a smug look.

Adrian looked at Harker. The man was as amused as he was, and the other guy was definitely interested in Alison so tonight was perfect. “I’m Adrian and she’s very mean to me.” He held out his hand and the other man shook it.

“Harker.”

“How many shots?” asked the waitress, growing impatient.

“Bring a shot glass, a bottle of Jose 1800, limes and salt.” Harker handed her his credit card.

“We don’t sell by the bottle.”

“You do to me.” Harker pointed over her shoulder where a dark-haired guy in a suit was talking to a table of women. “Verify it with your manager.”

“Okay.” The waitress left.

“Now, let’s establish the rules for this game,” said Harker.

“Ellie drinks every time she’s mean to Adrian,” said Alison.

“And Alison drinks whenever she’s mean to you,” said Ellie.

“I’m not...”

Harker touched Alison’s lips. “Shut up for one second, okay?”

Adrian winced. His sisters would’ve bitten off the man’s finger and torn out his eyes for that, but Alison just bristled, slapping Harker’s hand away.

“I’ll presume there’ll be some contention over what’s classified as mean so we’ll vote.” Harker’s eyes met Adrian’s with a clear message. If they worked together, they’d always win because the women were working against each other.

“Sounds good to me.” He tipped his head slightly, letting the other man know that he understood.

“And when do you two drink?” asked Ellie.

“When we’re mean to the two of you.” It seemed simple to him and perfect because he had no intention of being mean to Ellie.

“That’s not fair. You’re never mean to me because you want to get me back into your....” Ellie stopped, her face heating.

“No reason to hide it. I think we all know what’s on the table.” Harker’s dark gaze drifted to Alison, but she didn’t even notice.

The waitress came back and put the shot glass, limes, salt and full bottle of tequila on the table. She handed Harker his credit card.

“Keep our other drinks full too.” Harker gave her a couple of bills and at least one of them was a hundred.

“Yes, sir.” She strolled away.

Alison opened the tequila, poured it into the glass and slid it to Ellie. “Drink. You were mean to Adrian.”

“I was not.”

“You were,” he whispered none too quietly.

“When?”

“As soon as I walked over to your table.”

“I wasn’t mean.” Ellie glanced at Harker. “I didn’t want Alison to give away your seat.” She smiled softly and Adrian was pretty sure she was batted her eyelashes. “So, it was actually Alison who was mean to you.” She slid the shot across the table to her frenemy.

Adrian wasn’t letting her get out of this so easily. “She didn’t even say hi. I hadn’t seen her since I drove her all the way to her parents’ house on Christmas and she couldn’t even say hi to me.”

“Is that true?” asked Harker.

Ellie’s mouth opened and then shut. Even she knew she’d lost this one, but she wasn’t going down without a fight. “Yes, but only because I didn’t want him to take your seat.”

“That wasn’t mean,” said Harker.

Ellie smiled but Adrian sent the guy a look that said – what the f**k? They were supposed to be on the same team.

“It was rude.” Harker pushed the glass toward Ellie and picked up the bottle. “And that’s two drinks.”

“Still want to save his seat?” Alison burst out laughing.

“Okay, but he”—Ellie pointed at Adrian—“drinks whenever he’s cocky.”

“Now, wait one moment.” That was a dangerous rule. He was always cocky.

“That’s the only way I’m playing.” Elle gave him a challenging look.

“Don’t be a p***y,” said Harker. “You can’t be that arrogant.”

Adrian shrugged. “Obviously, you don’t know me very well, but I’ll play. I like tequila.”