Pinned Up (Pinned Up Trilogy) (4 page)

“Since you put it that way, how can I resist? Let me wash up real quick, just in case I get lucky. Hey, why don’t you call that photographer friend of yours? He’s a bit on the serious side, but definitely fun to look at.” Kade asks as if he did nothing to crawl under my skin this morning.

Is he serious? “After the stunt you pulled earlier today? I don’t think so, brat.”

“You called me a perv! I may be horny 24 hours a day, only prefer to discuss sexual topics, and a complete whore at times, but that really doesn’t make me a perv. It makes me fun and sexually generous. A perv is an old dirty man who tries to lure kids into a van. I’m not a perv.” He states in a decorous manner.

“Yes, you are a perv even though you don’t try to kidnap kids. If you shut up, I’ll call Dillon to see if he’s available to meet us. I’ll do anything to stop you from rambling.” How is it that Kade finds ways of being so cute, yet so obnoxious at the same time? It’s definitely a talent he’s mastered.

“Sounds good. By the way, Em…I called dibs on Dillon.” Kade winks at her and heads to his room to get ready.

Emme rolls her eyes at Kade’s back and chooses to ignore him. Something is definitely wrong with her if she’s holding back her threats. She’s like a tomb, completely sealed off. Only she knows what’s going on with her life. She discusses school, work, and on a rare occasion, guys she dates. Other than that, she’s a mystery. She never converses about her family, past, or future aspirations. I guess some people just prefer to keep to themselves. I would inquire about her foul mood, but she always turns psycho when she’s questioned. I decide to treat her to a few shots tonight. Maybe, that will get her spirit up.

We agree to take a taxi instead of driving downtown. A lot of alcohol will be consumed and no one is willing to be the unlucky bastard to remain sober and be the designated driver. As the three of us enter the sports bar, we immediately spot some people leaving a booth located in the center of the right wall. The bar has wood paneling throughout its walls and looks a bit run down. On a positive side, it has about fifteen plasma TVs. The walls are covered with sports memorabilia and the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement. I feel slightly overdressed. We were supposed to go to a more upscale lounge, but since we were indecisive, we ended up at the nearest hole in the wall bar. Dehydration will make you do that; pick a crappy bar out of pure desperation for alcohol. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but for some reason, I feel restless.

The bar is ridiculously packed for a Monday. Slowly, it hits me, the Giants vs. Cardinals game is tonight. How could I forget? They need to win game seven to head to the World Series. It’s destiny, I was meant to be here and watch the game. Immediately, my mood lightens. As the waitress approaches our table, we instantaneously blurt out our orders. Screw the menu. Talk about desperate.

I remember to text Dillon of our change of plans and give him our current location. The service is slow and the waitress seems irritated. She’s a pretty girl with burgundy hair and fake boobs, but has a look of disappointment written all over her face. Eventually, we get our beers. After Emme finishes her first drink, she finally relaxes. Kade and Emme begin with their usual banter. Talk about night and day. Kade is blunt, obnoxious, charismatic, and completely lovable. Emme is serious, uptight, focused, and intense. Sometimes, I wonder how the three of us are so inseparable. Among our small circle, I’m more like the referee, always trying to keep Kade and Emme from killing each other. With their focus on the game, the tension within us is relaxed. I love it.

“Oh. My. God. Don’t turn around, but Josh and his fine self just entered the bar. Honey child, he looks mighty tasty. Yum! And he’s with Dillon. Fuck yeah! Our night just got interesting.” Kade smirks and waves them over to our booth. I freeze.

What the hell is Josh doing here? Why do I care? Why am I acting like a stupid teenage girl with butterflies in her stomach? I’m a bad ass bitch, I’ve got this! So, why are my knees getting weak? Thank God I’m sitting down. What the hell? Get yourself together, Nina!

Dillon and Josh approach our booth. Before they have a seat, guys who are sitting at the bar recognize Josh and call out his name. He smiles and gives a lazy nod to acknowledge them, but doesn’t approach them. Dillon and Josh focus their attention on us; Kade introduces the guys to Emme and scoots her to the end of the booth. She positions herself to lean against the wall. Kade sits in the middle and pats the seat next to him so that Dillon can sit. I’m across the table from the trio and realize I need to move over. As I’m relocating as close to the wall as possible, Josh sits next to me and grabs my left arm in an attempt to have me be right next to him. His touch sends an electric piercing throughout my body. Immediately, I want more of his physical contact.
Behave, Nina!

I feel my heart skip a beat. The whole weekend I did my best to keep him out of my mind and now, there’s no escaping him. It doesn’t help any that he has such a strong presence. As we sit side by side, I can’t help but inhale his clean, fresh, delicious scent. I wouldn’t mind getting high on him for hours.

Josh directs his interest solely to me. “Hey, lovely lady...I hope you don’t mind me tagging along with Dillon. He knows I’m a baseball fan and thought I would enjoy getting out for a while.”

Wow. His honey colored eyes with specks of green are mesmerizing.
Fuckin’ shit, Nina…stop drooling!

“Are you kidding me?” Kade interrupts. “The more the merrier!”

Josh maintains a lazy smile that barely reaches his left eye. It’s absolutely adorable. “Thanks.” He doesn’t lose his focus on me. “It’s nice seeing you again. I had a chance to look at the proofs from Friday’s photo shoot. They look amazing.” Is that admiration I hear behind his words?

“Thank you. I can’t wait to see them.” I glare at Dillon who immediately looks away.

“Hey, do you always go to the gym I saw you at yesterday? It’s really nice, very upscale. It’s pretty cool of you to hang out with your mom.” Kade’s eagerness to find information about Josh is shameless, but I’m thankful.

“Actually, that gym is included in my mom’s home owner’s association. She’s never stepped foot inside until yesterday. Since she recently retired, I want her to get out of her condo and become more active, maybe even meet new people. I was giving her a tour.” Josh replies unperturbed to the insinuation that he might be a momma’s boy.

“Your mom is retired? Wow! She looks amazing and definitely too young to be retired. So, what about you? Do you live around here? If you do, we should all get together the next few days to watch the final games. After the Giants win tonight, it’s a given, they’ll be headed to the World Series again.” Kade smiles and winks at me as Josh places an order of Patrón double shots and a second round of beers for all of us. Is it just me or did the waitress’s boobs get bigger and her shirt get lower?

Josh truly is sexy. I love how he just took charge and ordered the drinks without asking. Some might think it’s rude, but I find it refreshing for someone to take the lead, usually that’s my role. The disappointment on the waitress has vanished and a predatory look with raw lust has replaced her expression. The waitress is now batting her eyes and pouting her lips as her tits keep getting closer to Josh. He ignores her desperate moves. He looks at me and asks if I’d like a chaser to go with the Patrón. I shake my head. No chaser for me.

I should chase her ass away from Josh. The nerve of her! She doesn’t know if I’m with him and is blatantly giving her rotten goodies out with a double coupon. What the fuck? How rude. I don’t know why her messy actions are bothering me, they just are. I don’t know anything about him. Get a grip, Nina! You’re just horny, that’s all. These over the top feelings will soon go away.

I take a moment to observe him as he’s speaking to the waitress and taking off his coat.

My, my, my…his chest and arms are muscular. An athletic build, not too bulky, built just right. His skin is lightly tanned, complimenting his spellbinding hazel eyes. He has a vein that pops out from his forearm to his right hand. His hands look rugged, but clean cut…very manly. I wonder what line of work he’s in. He has a straight nose and a masculine jaw structure that has the sexy five o’clock shadow. I notice him clench his jaw as the waitress leaves. God, I can’t stop craving him! His luscious lips are begging to be sucked on. My mouth begins to go dry as my lips fiend to caress the stubble on his face back and forth. I wonder how he would taste if I worked my tongue from his neck down to his—

“Nina! Snap out of it, girl! Are you listening? Josh said he’s down to hang out. Are you? How’s your work schedule this week?” Kade questions me in a serious manner as if he’s not dying to put me on blast for drooling over Josh.

I keep cool. “No overtime for me this week. So, I’m good, count me in. I’m glad everyone is so sure the Giants are winning tonight. With such enthusiasm, of course I’m down to keep the party going.” As if on cue, the waitress shows up with our tequila shots. Since when is she trying to be employee of the month? She’s smiling and focusing completely on Josh. Wow. This girl is determined to catch his attention.

We each grab our shot glass and lime wedge. Josh thanks the waitress and dismisses her politely. Before leaving, she makes it a point to let him know her name is Nicole, and that if he needs anything, she’ll only be too glad to oblige.

Whore.

Nicole walks away, swaying her hips as if she has an itch in her butt crack.

As soon as whore number one leaves, whore number two walks by our booth and says, “Hey, Josh! Long time no see. I’ve missed you. Don’t be such a stranger, kay?” She winks at him and then slides her hand from his shoulder to his arm as she leaves our area.
What the fuck?
I can sense Josh’s discomfort, but since he chooses to ignore her, we do too.

The trio across from Josh and I lick the webbed part of their hand between the thumb and index finger and add salt. I turn to my left to find Josh staring at me. I hear Kade doing a countdown to take the double shot of Patrón. At the count of three, while still keeping my eyes locked with Josh’s, we take our shots. It goes down smooth. No need for the lime with salt or a chaser. I slowly lick my lips; I’m ready for another one. I can’t help but smile. Josh is staring at my mouth with a look of…hunger.

Chapter 3 (Josh)

World Series

Look at that mouth, those perfectly shaped full lips. I got a hard on just by watching her take the shot. Nina’s beautiful and sexy. I’ve fucked plenty and never gave them a second thought. What is it about this girl? Why did she cross my mind all weekend? That gunk she had on her face the first time I met her along with the standoffish attitude she gave me has me intrigued. Well, she’s cornered now. I’m not letting her escape until I’m able to take a sneak peak past her guard.

“Wow. No flinching, no gagging, no chaser. You took it to the head like a pro. You’re pretty hardcore.” I point out jokingly.

“Just a little.” She smiles and shows off her perfect white teeth.

I notice Dillon and Nina’s friends are focused on the game. I decide to test the water. I question Nina about her work, family, and hobbies, the usual line up of questions, nothing too intrusive. Her answers are extremely vague. Her guard is shielded by heavy armory that I won’t be able to get through anytime soon.

A challenge. I’m up for that.

The rest of the evening goes by at high-speed. We continue to drink, enjoy each other’s company, and get more comfortable with inquisitions. Oddly enough, the only time tension arises is when the waitress arrives.

“Josh, what do you do for a living?” Kade asks. All of a sudden, all eyes are on me and everyone except for Dillon is hanging on my every word.

“I’m a contractor and own a construction company. My focus is on ecological construction of buildings that are beneficial or non-harmful to the environment, efficiency of resources is a main priority to my business.” I manage to reply even though I’m completely side tracked.
Damn. I can’t stop staring at Nina’s lips. I just wanna taste them! Man…snap the fuck out of it.

Kade seems genuinely impressed. “So, you’re in an eco-friendly trade. Cool! I never would have pegged you as a tree hugger. But it’s awesome of you to try to preserve the world some people trash on a daily basis.”

I wonder what Nina would do if I were to bite her lip and pull her hair?

“Wait. What? A tree hugger?” I laugh. “That’s a first. I’ve been called many names, but tree hugger has never been one of them. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I’m sure my Cheesecake can give you plenty of compliments.” Kade says under his breath as he does his best to contain a chuckle from spurting out. I choose to ignore the comment, but an evil grin plants itself on my face.

“You seem young to own a construction company. How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking? By the way, I’m 26, Cheesecake and Em are 25. Cheesecake is a Gemini who actually celebrated the fifth annual anniversary of her 21st birthday. Of course, you already know Dillon is 35.”