Page 2 of Her Paramedic (Men in Uniforms #3)

If he’d thought she was beautiful from afar, she was stunning when the women joined them.

When they were all introduced, her eyes were the first thing that drew him in.

They were the brightest honey brown set against cinnamon skin.

They portrayed a false look of innocence because Slate could see the mischievousness behind them.

She had curves for days, ones he wouldn’t mind getting lost exploring.

It was a physical attraction at its finest, and as she’d watched him play a few games against his friends, he knew it wasn’t one-sided. He let her peruse him, take him in with no indication that he knew she was doing so because he wanted her to, wanted to watch her unfiltered reaction to him.

She surprised him when she decided to play with him, and even more when she beat him. Not to toot his own horn, but pool was a game where he seldom lost to anyone, and if someone was lucky enough to win once, there was rarely a second time. That was until he played her.

“Talia,” Slate started, getting her attention. She and Alivia, as she was introduced, who was sitting beside her, both turned their attention to him. “Who taught you to play pool?”

“My dad. I’ve been playing with him since I was a little girl,” she responded with a fond smile.

“He taught you well.”

“Too well, if you ask him. He’s like you; he seldom loses unless we play each other. Not saying I beat him every time, but when I do, he takes the credit for teaching me.” She laughed lightly, and Slate enjoyed the sound.

“What brought you to the sports bar tonight?” he questioned, to keep the conversation going.

“It was Zuri’s idea. She got to choose and wanted to go there. I think she said something about their happy hour,” she responded.

“So, Slate, you’re an EMT, right?” Alivia asked before he could carry on his conversation with Talia.

“I’m a paramedic.”

“Same thing,” she replied.

Slate took a drink of the water in front of him. He planned on driving home when they left and decided not to drink anymore for the night.

“They aren’t, but I don’t expect you to know the difference.” He probably shouldn’t have said it, and he definitely shouldn’t have let it slip out in the tone he did, but he was only matching hers. “What do you do, Alivia?”

“I work in Corporate America.”

Slate didn’t respond, taking another drink of his water as he caught a part of Killian’s conversation with Journee. His cousin had moved down to sit beside her a couple of minutes ago, and he knew him well enough to know that he wouldn’t leave town without getting her number.

“About that haircut,” he stated, his attention returning to Talia.

“Whenever you need one, let me know.”

“And if I’m bypassing the haircut?” he asked, his eyes locking onto hers.

She bit her bottom lip briefly before a smile blossomed across her face. “Let me know.”

He could feel someone staring a hole through him, and he didn’t have to look at her to know it was Alivia. Slate wasn’t sure what he’d done to get on her bad side, but it was clear from his small interaction with her that she didn’t like him.

If he didn’t know any better, he would have suspected they were dating, but surely Talia wouldn’t have reciprocated his flirting while they were playing pool if she were dating someone.

Her answer to the question he’d asked in so many words a moment ago wouldn’t have been yes if she were. At least, not in front of Alivia.

“You good, Alivia?” Ace, who was to his right, asked.

“I’m fine.”

“You need some more water?” Ace then inquired.

Alivia seemed to be the tipsiest of the group, but Gram and Jax hadn’t been too far behind her. The other two had sobered up once they’d gotten some food and hadn’t drunk anymore. Alivia had a few drinks when they arrived and just recently transitioned to water.

“No, I’m fine,” she responded.

Slate wasn’t sure she was; she’d drunk quite a bit, and the water and food had not started doing their job, but it wasn’t his concern. She was a grown woman, and if she said she was okay because she wanted to be stubborn, then who was he to press her?

He turned his attention to Talia as he leaned back in his seat. She was sliding the water she’d gotten from their server a couple of minutes ago in front of Alivia and taking the almost empty glass the other woman had. It seemed she didn’t believe her friend’s words either.

The next hour was spent with him talking to Talia, and Alivia interrupted every chance she got. It didn’t last long, Ace redirecting her attention each time, and Slate would have to thank him for being a good wingman.

When they were outside and everyone got ready to go their separate ways, he gently grabbed Talia’s wrist to stop her.

She looked up at him, and Slate found himself staring into those gorgeous eyes.

He was sure they both knew what he wanted, but before he could open his mouth and ask, Alivia approached, pulling Talia.

“Tal, I think I’m going to be sick,” she stated.

Talia broke eye contact with him and turned her attention to Alivia. “You drank too much, and I told you about mixing liquors,” she sighed. “Come on, let’s get you home,” she stated as she ushered the other woman away. She looked over her shoulder at him. “I’ll get it from Axel.”

Slate nodded and watched as they went to join the other women.

When they were all in the vehicle, he said goodbye to the other men and slid into his car.

He could have stayed in the city for the night, but the drive home wouldn’t take him long, and even though he was off the following day, he needed to meet someone in the morning.

Leaving without Talia’s number wasn’t ideal, but she said she’d get his from Axel, and Slate had enough patience to wait for her to reach out to him.