Before I can say anything, Mandy holds up her glass, interrupting us. “A Vodka and lemonade will be good.”

Tripp smiles at me and starts backing away. “One Vodka Lemonade and Miller Lite coming right up.” She spins on her heels and walks away, and I can’t help but to feel my stomach sink.

The idea of her waiting on me and some chick makes me feel oddly sick to my stomach. I barely like her waiting on me. It just doesn’t feel right. I like to be the one waiting on her . . . always.

I make light talk with Mandy, trying not to lead her on too much, while waiting for Tripp to return with our drinks. I look over to see her and Harley discussing something at the bar as Harley glances our way, but I can’t really get a read on Harley’s expression. She usually looks irritated, so it’s hard to tell.

Harley slides two drinks across the bar and then Tripp quickly grabs them and starts making her way back to us.

I have the urge to go to her and snatch the drinks before she can serve us, but she gives me that look. The one that will surly make me lose control and rip her clothes off in a corner somewhere if I fight her on it for too long.

“It’s on the house, along with your first beer too, Alex, and don’t even think about trying to fight it.” She sets the drinks down. “I’m going to close out my tabs and I’ll be ready soon.”

She begins to walk away, but I stop her. There’s no way I’m leaving this bar without paying. She knows how much I hate that. “I’m paying for the drinks and I’ll fight it all I fucking want. That’s what I do.” I pull out a twenty and two tens, and then hand them to her. “I don’t want any change either. You two split it.”

She tries protesting, but I send her on her way with a slap to the ass. She glowers at me, before walking away and yanking her apron off.

Mandy stands up and gives me an uncomfortable look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that you had a girlfriend. I knew you were too gorgeous to be single.” She holds up her drink. “Thanks for the drink. I can pay you back if you’d like.”

I smile up at her and reach for my beer. “She’s my best friend.” I take a swig. “And it’s not a problem.”

She hesitates for a moment before speaking again. “It looks a lot to me like something more is going on.”

“There isn’t,” I reply simply.

Looking me up and down, she reaches into her bag and pulls out a pen. “Well I have some friends over there.” She points over to a table close by, occupied by three girls that suck at hiding their girly chatter and excitement for their girl, Mandy. “And I’m pretty sure you’re about to leave anyways. Can I give you my number?”

I tell her like it is, just like I do all the other women. “I know this sounds shitty, but I’m more of a one night type of guy. I’m just not looking for anything else. So if you’re okay with just having a good time . . .” I tilt back my beer before setting it down in front of me. “Then you can leave your number. I’m not trying to get mixed up in anything that I’m not ready for.”

She bites her bottom lip in thought, before reaching for a napkin and scribbling down her number. She slides it across the table with a grin. “I’d take anything I could get from a guy like you. Sometimes that’s all us women need.” She stands up straight and starts backing away. “Call me anytime . . . Alex.”

I grab her number and nod my head as she turns and walks away, joining her table of girlfriends. Then, I turn back to my drink and quickly finish it off before checking on Tripp to see if she’s ready.

She grabs my arm and starts pulling me toward the door so fast that she almost trips on the way out. “I need to get out of here, Alex. What the hell was Dax thinking?”

I shrug while holding the door open for her. “Told you he’s an idiot. I never lie to you, babe.”

She laughs under her breath, but doesn’t look back at me. “Sticking with the M’s, I see.”

“Only this week.”

I open my truck door for her, but she just looks at me and lets out a frustrated breath. She looks as if she has something to say, but stops herself. I don’t like her doing that.

“Say it, Tripp.” Grabbing the top of the truck, I pin her against it and look into her eyes, waiting for her to speak.

Nothing. She just shakes her head and smiles weakly. “I’m just tired and frustrated. I want to give Dax a piece of my mind.” Maneuvering her way past my arm, she jumps into my truck and shuts the door. Moments later she pokes her head out the window. “Any day now, Carter,” she says teasingly.

Tell me about it . . .

I SIT IN MY ROOM for a bit, playing my guitar. It’s close to midnight and Tripp and Lucas have been downstairs, drinking and laughing it up. A part of me wants to join in, but the other part is too exhausted to pretend that I don’t want to have my way with her.

That’s all I’ve been able to think about since moving in the other day . . . and the more time I spend with her, the more the desire seems to grow. If only I could get it out of my system. I just need one damn night with her.

I look up when I hear a little giggle come from the doorway of my room. Tripp is standing there in a pair of small cotton shorts and a tank top. I can see her nipples pressing against the thin fabric of her shirt, and my cock instantly twitches in excitement. What I wouldn’t give to suck them into my mouth and bite them.

“Come downstairs, Stud.” She tilts her head in thought and grips onto the doorframe. “You’ve been up here for the last hour, alone. Have a little fun. Come on.”

Setting down my guitar, I smile as she runs into my room and jumps onto my lap. “You have no idea how happy I am to have you here. It’s all I’ve been able to think about for days.”

Standing up, I pick her up with me and toss her over my shoulder. She slaps my ass, only causing me to want her more. “Let’s have some fun then. I owe you for making you wait so long.”

I keep her over my shoulder while making my way down the stairs. As soon as we enter the kitchen, Lucas cheers and holds up a shot for us to join him.

“There he is. Finally come down to play?”

I arch an eyebrow while setting Tripp down beside me. “I guess so. This really hot chick said I have to. So . . .” I grab one of the shots and hold it up. “Let the fun begin.”

An hour later, we’re all pretty buzzed and talking about the most random shit in the world.

When I look over at Lucas, I find him looking at me as if he’s trying to figure something out. “What?” I ask while throwing my second dart.

Lucas grins before tilting back another shot. “I was just thinking about something.” He nods his head toward Tripp as she sits up from her tanning bed, oblivious to us watching her from across the room. “Have you two ever kissed?”

I pause from throwing my last dart. “Yeah.” I throw it hard at the dartboard. “She was my first kiss.”

Lucas is silent for a second before continuing. “Ever think about fucking her?”

“Are you fucking serious?” I turn to him, my eyes heated. “What the hell are you getting at, Lucas?”

“I want to see you two fuck,” he says without hesitation. “It’s just always something that I’ve wanted to experience with Tripp, but I want it to be with someone that she feels comfortable with. You two have been friends for a long time. There’s no one she trusts more than you.”

I take a long drink of my beer, my heart racing at the thought of me being inside Tripp. “Is this a damn joke?”

“Is what a joke?”

We both look beside us to see Tripp standing there in her bikini, looking so damn beautiful that it’s hard to breathe. How the hell am I supposed to look at her the same after what Lucas has just asked?

Fuck me . . .

“Nothing,” I mutter. “Just Lucas talking some crazy shit that will never happen.”