Page 9 of Kiss of Deceit

“Don’t want to be tired for my first day tomorrow,” I said with a shrug. “See you all later.”

I strode to the exit, the cool air hitting my face as I stepped outside. As I walked back to the condo, I forced myself to think of the new job I was starting instead of the man who just gave me one of the best fucking orgasms of my life.

CHAPTER FIVE

kole

“How was she?”

I glanced over my shoulder at Adella, shooting her a glare as she smirked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She laughed. “Come on. The new girl came out of the hall two minutes after you, and you haven’t moved. Have a little problem?”

I gritted my teeth, her taunting getting to me more than it should—because she was fucking right. I’d been standing with my hips pressed against the counter because my dick was still hard as a fucking rock, and even with jeans on it was painfully obvious. I could still taste her, and having her panties in my pocket was not helping at all.

“Thought you didn’t mess with the newbies?” Adella murmured, coming up next to me and leaning her forearms on the bar.

“I don’t.”

She scoffed. “Cut the bullshit. I know you, Kole.”

I slowly turned my head to look at her, a frown on my lips as I tried figuring out what she was thinking. She pushed her black, curly hair out of her face before making another drink forthe guy standing in front of us. Her red tank top showcased the sleeve of tattoos on her left arm, and even though she was over a foot shorter than me, everyone in town learned she wasn’t one to mess with. She’d lived more than two years, and her flawless brown skin and pretty smile had men coming into the bar just to have a chance with her.

But she didn’t sleep around much; she was as much of a loner as I was, which was probably why we worked well together. She and I had also slept together in the past which was why I wasn’t sure where her head was when she clearly knew I did something with another woman. We were never together as a couple; sex was just a way to pass the time in this fucking place. She was well aware that I didn’t expect anything from her, and vice versa.

“She’s pretty,” Adella stated, glancing at me. “The girl youdidn’tdo anything with.”

No—she was fucking gorgeous. The second she walked into my bar, I couldn’t tear my eyes from her. She seemed shy at first, hiding behind her long brown hair. But when I watched her interact with others it was quickly apparent that even if she looked uncomfortable, she was observant. Her brown eyes scrutinized everyone around her before she said a word. She was shorter than me, maybe around five foot five, and when we were in the pantry I learned her oversized sweater was hiding a body that I’d sin just to taste again.

And I didn’t even know her damn name. Which was probably a good thing since she clearly wanted nothing to do with me. I didn’t miss her hesitation when I told her to take off her clothes. I nearly left right there until she stripped off her sweater. The tension rippled from her after she came. Whatever was going on with her, she didn’t want to have sex. It was better this way anyway. Adella was right, I didn’t like dealing with the interns that came to this town. But for her? I’d consider going back on my word again.

“Can we get another round of beers?”

My eyes cut to the guy standing in front of me, a scowl etched on my face when I met his gaze. This was the guy who was flirting with the girl at the table when they first came in. I almost thought they were together until I noticed she purposely kept her distance from him when he kept trying to scoot his chair closer to her.

The guy looked taken aback by my reaction and ran a hand through his hair. “Um, never mind?—”

“Don’t worry about him,” Adella cut in, setting new beer mugs on the counter. “Kole gets cranky when he’s hungry.”

My lips lifted in a half smirk, keeping my eyes on the guy in front of me. “Oh, I already ate. Fucking delicious.”

He frowned, not understanding my words, but I didn’t give a shit. He made it known to everyone that he liked the girl, but I was the one between her legs. Realization slammed into me, and my grin fell from my face as I flexed my hands. Fuck me. I should not care about any of this. Like all the other new people here, she would be gone in a year. None of them belonged here—her included.

“I’m going to restock,” I muttered, spinning around and grabbing the empty liquor bottles. I needed to focus on anything other than the mystery girl.

“See you tomorrow,”Adella said as I locked the back door of the bar.

It was nearly three in the morning, and we closed more than a half hour ago. I was ready to fall into bed and pretend tonight didn’t happen. It would be better than wondering if she was ever going to show up at my bar again.

“You have the day shift tomorrow,” I reminded her as she stepped off the curb to cross the street. She lived in an apartment above the coffee shop, making it a whole two-minute walk home for her.

She chuckled. “I’ve had the Monday shift for years, Kole. I don’t think I’ll forget.”

With a wave, she turned her back to me, singing to herself as she walked away. I zipped up my jacket, heading the other way. It was so cold that I could see my breath, but after living here for five years, I was used to it. I hurried down the sidewalk, ready to take a hot shower. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I stumbled over my next step when my fingers closed on her lace panties. My dick twitched as my mind went back to when I was on my knees in the pantry.

“Oh my fuck,” I grumbled, pissing myself off. She was just a woman. I sucked in a deep breath.

A woman I couldn’t get out of my damn head.