The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories (316 page)

Eva put a hand on her narrow hip. “You don’t want to die a V, do you? What would be worse than that?”

“That would really suck,” Karma admitted. “Okay, one more try, but if I don’t get lucky I’m not going to be upset.”

“Fair enough. Let’s go back on the dance floor. Maybe we’ll see someone you consider fuckable.”

“Maybe...”

They made their way back to the dance floor. Karma had her eagle eyes roaming, but nothing caught her attention. She wasn’t sure if it was from the mood change or there just really wasn’t anyone there for her. Probably a little of both.

Suddenly, a hand was placed on her waist from behind, startling her. Spinning around, she looked up at a tall, lanky guy. His blond hair was long and greasy. He had small narrow eyes, a hawk nose, and a face covered in acne. He looked like a crack addict—just her luck.

Karma pushed his hand away. “I don’t think so.”

He raised his hands up in surrender, his head bobbing up and down to the music as he slithered closer to her.

Was this guy for real? Karma glanced over at Eva, who had her hand over her mouth trying to conceal her laughter.

Shaking her head no, Karma pushed the guy away. He quickly moved onto another chick.
Gross.
She was desperate to lose her virginity, but not
that
desperate.

Sometime during the evening Karma lost sight of Eva.
Where are you? I want to get the hell out of this place.

Finally, after ten minutes, her phone vibrated.
I’m a little busy.

Karma looked down at her phone, her mouth open. Did she mean what Karma thought she meant?
Tell me you’re kidding!

Nope. Can you hang around for an hour or so?

Not like I have a choice, you’re my ride.
Karma sighed. Figured she came to get laid, and Eva was the one to get lucky. But really, why should she be surprised?

Keep looking...Bye

Karma groaned and threw her phone back into her purse. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed. Instead, she pushed her way to the bar and ordered another drink; might as well since the night was a bust. It was hot and clammy and the air smelled like a mixture of a thousand cheap colognes. She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the headache that was pounding through her brain. She was exhausted and damp with sweat.

With one look all that changed.

––––––––

W
hile Jax wiped down the counter, he flicked his eyes up as someone approached, and a hint of a smile crossed his face. The hot chick from earlier was at the bar. She was looking down, not paying attention, her dark hair shimmering with the strobe lights. He wanted her to look up so he could see those amazing silver eyes that made it hard for him to speak. He’d been hoping he would see her again. Hell, more than hoping. It was the only reason he agreed to take Lacy’s place while she was on break.

“Shot of vodka.” She looked up, and a hint of recognition flashed in her eyes. He was thrilled that she remembered him. How pathetic was that?

She studied him for a moment, and he wondered what was going through her mind. Finally she spoke. “Hey, what are you doing back here? I thought you were the muscle.”

His lip twitched, but he didn’t actually smile. He’d trained himself not to smile too much while at work. A friendly bouncer didn’t work quite as well as the tough-guy attitude. “I remember you,” he said.

“And I remember you—the man who doesn’t smile.” She grinned, and it lit up her whole face. He liked that he was the reason that caused the smile.

“I’m just covering for Lacey while she’s on break.” He slung the towel over his shoulder and poured her drink. She didn’t look like a hard alcohol girl. More like some sort of fruity drink with an umbrella. Yet another reminder that looks could be deceiving.

“Oh.”

He slid the shot across the counter. “Rough night?” He cast his eyes down toward the shot glass.

The bar had started to thin out, but the music was still loud. So it was hard to hear her over the noise.

“Kinda.” A frown crossed her pretty face.

“What’s bothering you?” He leaned in closer to hear her better.

“Really? Spilling my guts to a bartender? That’s a little cliché, isn’t it?”

“Stand-in bartender,” he reminded her, keeping a straight face.

“Fine.” She sighed, her full lips parting. “I came here to have my first one-night stand and I’ve only been hit on by losers. So I’m going to have to go home empty-handed.”

Well, that clearly was not what he was expecting to hear. He tried to keep a straight face, but half of his mouth wouldn’t cooperate and turned into a lopsided grin. He’d never make it as a shrink, or apparently as a bartender either. He wished Lacey would get back so he could talk to the girl more. “I guess that
is
a problem.”

“Glad to see you’ve got a sense of humor,” she said wryly.

Someone called him for a drink, and reluctantly, he grabbed a beer bottle and opened the cap. He really didn’t want to leave her, especially not after that confession. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” He stood watching her for a moment.

She nodded, swirled the drink in her hand before throwing back her head and downing the shot. Jax was mesmerized by her long slender neck and had to pull his eyes back to her face.

“I’ll be waiting.” She smiled as she set the glass back down.

Jesus, that girl was going to give him a heart attack. She looked so sweet and innocent with those wide eyes, and then she dropped the bomb about having a one-night stand. At least, she said
first
one-night stand. Barflies were not appealing to him, to say the least.

He hated the thought of her going home with any of the jerks at the club. He might have to do something about that, if she’d have him. It was the honorable thing to do, right?

Jax hurried through his tasks and made his way back to her as quickly as possible. Thankfully, she was still standing there watching him. Was that a hint of interest he detected? Damn, he hoped so. Perhaps tonight would be his lucky night. He could use it after all that had gone wrong lately. He wasn’t a fan of one-night stands, but he’d had a few in his younger days.

“Another?” He held up the bottle of vodka.

“One more, but add cranberry to it this time. I’m starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.”

“Good idea. Sure you don’t want water or a soda?” He definitely didn’t want her wasted. She shook her head, so he poured the drink and went light on the vodka.

“Thanks.” She looked at the drink but didn’t touch it.

He leaned forward so his head was close to hers and had to keep himself from reaching out and touching her hair. He wondered what she smelled like, but the smoke from the bar was too overwhelming. “What’s your name?”

“Didn’t you see it on the ID?”

“Nah, I just look at the pictures and the birthday.”

“I’ll tell you, but don’t laugh.”

“I won’t laugh. Why would I laugh?” She was so cute when she squirmed.
I mean come on, the name can’t be that bad.

Sighing, she said, “Karma.”

“Karma,” he repeated. “I like that. It’s unique.”

“That’s one way to look at it. Or ridiculous is a better way, my way, of looking at it. You haven’t even heard my last name yet.”

“Tell me.”

“Points.” She rolled her eyes.

What the hell? Who would name their child Karma Points? But he wasn’t about to mess it up by laughing. “It’s not ridiculous, it’s kinda cute. I’m Jax. Well, Jackson, but everyone calls me Jax.”

“Jax, it’s very nice to meet you.” Her smile made his pulse quicken. He had to get to know this girl better. Unfortunately, he was still on the clock. And it was never good to look too eager.

“Likewise. Well, Karma, I have to take care of customers, but if you can wait twenty minutes, I’d love to finish this conversation when Lacey returns from her break.”

“I’d like that.” Karma grinned and picked up her drink.

A few minutes later out of the corner of his eye he saw her walk away, and his heart sank. Did he blow his chance? He’d really tried to keep a straight face but maybe he didn’t pull it off as well as he thought. Damn, he wished Lacey would get back from her break. He glanced at his watch; it seemed like time was dragging. He
really
didn’t want her to slip away. Although what the hell was he thinking? Did he really want to have a one-night stand with someone like her? Short answer...hell, yeah! After his last disaster of a relationship, he needed to get back out there. He still got pissed thinking about Sarah. That bitch had been two-timing him for months, and he had no idea until he went to surprise her one night and caught her with her legs in the air being pounded by some skinny dweeb.
What the fuck
? Jax shook his head as if he could shake the horrifying image away. That girl really messed him up.
What a fucking joke
.

Someone tapped on the bar, bringing him back to reality. “Sorry,” he mumbled under his breath and made his way to the guy who came regularly to drown his sorrows over the loss of his girl.

“Hey, man, I think you’ve had enough for tonight,” Jax said carefully. If the woman he loved had been killed by cancer, he would probably do the same thing Marc was doing—drowning his grief in a bottle. However, they had a responsibility to cut people off when needed.

“Just give me the drink, Jax. I’m not driving.”

“Fine, but it’s the last one. We’ll be closing soon anyway.”

He shrugged and didn’t argue, thankfully. Jax couldn’t imagine having to kick the poor guy out.

Jax scanned the club, looking for Karma, but she wasn’t in sight. Maybe she’d already left. Oh well, maybe it was for the best. He wasn’t quite sure he was up for someone new. Yet once again he looked around, hoping to see her. Who was he kidding? He was ready when he first locked eyes with her. It had been a long time since a girl had sparked that much interest in him so quickly.

Jax poured the drink and went back to Marc. “I hope someday you don’t need to come back here.”

“I doubt it,” Marc said sadly. “I feel like she’s here with me. You know?”

“Yeah, I know,” Jax said, unable to meet his eyes. There were times he swore his dad was looking over his shoulder, or he could smell his aftershave. Death
sucked
. And no matter how hard you wished for the person to come back it wasn’t going to happen. He could still recall the image of his father lying in the huge mahogany casket in his uniform. They had tried to paint over the burnt flesh, but it was still obvious even to a child. To this day he could still smell the lingering odor of burnt flesh.

Jax shook off the memory. “Sorry, man. Alexis was the best.”

“Emphasis on was,” Marc said and gulped down the drink. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “If you find the one, hold on as tight as you can, man, because it can be gone in an instant.”

Jax had to look away; the tears in the guy’s eyes made him uncomfortable.

“If I ever find her, I’ll do just that,” Jax said and turned his attention to the next customer.

––––––––

W
hile Jax was busy with customers, Karma stumbled to the bathroom and rinsed out her mouth with the travel-size mouthwash in her purse, sprayed on her favorite perfume, and checked her make-up. Her eyes were a little red-rimmed from drinking too much. Now she wished she hadn’t had quite so much. Her heart fluttered at the thought of going home with that sexy beast. But she didn’t want to get too far ahead of herself. This was where things tended to go haywire.

Maybe he wasn’t even interested. Seriously, that would be her luck. She needed to find a four-leaf clover or something because it was just absurd at this point. Maybe even carry around a rabbit’s foot. Her luck had to change at some point.
Didn’t it?
Unless she really was cursed...

Stop it,
Karma scolded herself. He seemed interested enough, and he said they could finish the conversation later. That was a positive sign, wasn’t it? Damn, she wished she wasn’t so awkward with guys. She’d read countless magazines on reading the signs of attraction, but damned if she could figure it out. However, he
did
smile at her—kinda.

Karma pulled out her phone and sent Eva a text.
I think I found one. And he’s hot as hell; like scorching hot.

OMG really? What’s he look like?

Yeah really, and remember the bouncer?

Vaguely.

How could you forget that beef cake? Try to recall black hair, pale blue eyes, and muscular chest.

You know I’m not into guys who spend too much time in the gym. I’m more of the skinny emo kinda girl.

Karma looked at the phone and laughed.
Well, I’ll let you know either way. Just in case I need a ride home.

Good luck.

Thanks. Knowing me I’ll need it.

Her pulse quickened at the thought of getting naked with Jax. Hopefully, he didn’t think she was too chubby. Whatever, she’d probably never see him again. Christ, she’d never had sex before, what if she was horrible? What if she did it wrong? Okay, panic attack setting in.
Deep breaths
. She needed to pull herself together. She recalled what her therapist said: think of something else and take deep calming breaths.

She tried to think of the beach and calming waves, but her mind kept drifting back to his beautiful face.
Okay, not helping
. She needed to focus on something else.

His name was kind of odd—Jax.
Inhale and exhale.

She took another deep breath before her mind wandered again.
The name fit him though.

A few more breaths and she was back in control. She could do this. After all, this was what she’d wanted for years. Karma scrubbed her hands all the way up to her elbows in the sink and wished she could take a shower. She probably smelled like ass from being in the club for so long. Her only consolation was that Jax had to smell the same.

“Tonight, I will lose my virginity,” Karma said out loud.