The Playboy's Crush By Deborah A. Olaleye

THIRTEEN

Shane kissed her long and hard after he pulled the car to a stop at the venue where Lara had informed him the reunion dinner with her friends would be celebrated.

He wished the night wouldn't end and he could have her in his embrace again. He knew the feeling was mutual as Lara caressed the side of his face gently with her hand.

Her feather-light touches on his skin sent heat cascading through him as if running down an electric current.

"Do you still want to go to that dinner?" His voice was low and husky as he murmured against her lips.

Their lips puckered as he briefly touched his lips to hers.

She smiled against his face, their noses teasing each other. "You wish." She pulled back from him.

"Thanks for today, Shane. I had a wonderful time at lunch."

The few hours they had spent together during the day had been an insightful and memorable experience for Lara. She had been plunged into a world of wild ecstasy, merriment, and luxury she had never known existed.

"I'm glad you did."

"I will get going now. Thanks for the ride."

"You are welcome, darling. Call me when you get home."

"Sure. Drive safely," she told him, pushing the door open to get out of the car.

She closed the door and waved at him, urging him to go on first. She watched as he pulled the car out onto the road, swerved, and drove off into the distance, a sigh escaping her lips in contentment.

She turned towards the bar and walked in. There were several dining spaces in the bar, fully packed with people with different interests who were patronizing the bar tonight. She perused the faces in the bar to locate the space that her friends had reserved.

She bit down on a smile as she spotted Kyle energetically waving at her to draw her attention to her over the din.

She weaved her way towards everyone gathered around the large table, filled with liquors, beers, whiskeys, and drinks for each as it suited their taste.

There were unfamiliar faces, and those Lara had an indistinct recognition of.

She had been an introvert throughout her days through high school and college, given the burden she coupled with getting through her studies, as her mom had wished.

Her presence was announced to everyone gathered as she approached. "Look who's here, fellas!" Kyle chimed loudly over the din in the bar.

"Wow! Lara?" One of the men sitting across from Kyle gasped in disbelief.

Lara furrowed her brows while she tried to recall where she had known him. He looked familiar.
She smiled slightly at him and waved. "Hi."

They all took turns exchanging greetings and reconnecting. The evening thinned into darkness, with conversations flowing as effortlessly as the drinks were being drunk.

Lara huddled between Kyle and Meredith, listening in on the conversations instead. She politely refused an offer to be poured a drink by the guy sitting beside Joe.

"I can't hold my liquor well. I will stick to non-alcoholic drinks," she informed him with a half-smile.

They exchanged banter and laughed as they recalled their experiences in school.

"What about you, Lara?" The guy asked, angling his chin in her direction as he raised his cup to his mouth. He took a sip and held it half-raised; his gaze on her was intent as he waited for her to reply. He had introduced himself as Marcus.