Sweet Addiction: A Meet/Cute Romantic Comedy

Chapter 10

Joey and I arrived at The Tavern at eight thirty p.m. after I spent over an hour debating what to wear. I've settled on my cream summer dress that hugs my curves in the most sinfully way possible. It bunches in the front, accentuating my cleavage, and falls just above my knees. Paired with my matching heels, and feeling my garter cling to my thighs, I feel secretly sexy. My hands shake as we step through the door, Joey leading the way through the packed bar. I have no idea why I'm so nervous. I've already had sex with the guy. And now I know for sure he enjoyed it as much as I did and doesn't regret it. But for some reason, my heart is pounding in my ears and my stomach is clenched tight. Come on, Dylan. You can do this. He wants you and you sure as hell want him.

I follow Joey to the bar where Juls is perched on a stool, messing with her phone. With no members of the Chicago man candy club in sight, I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Finally. Holy hell, Dylan. That dress. Shit, that might actually kill him." She grins wickedly and runs her eyes down my body.

I twirl quickly as Joey whistles. "You bitches annoy me with your hot little figures," he grumbles, motioning for the bartender.

"Joey is buying because he's a shithead who steals phones out of people's hands," I say as Juls hops down from her stool.

"Excellent. I love it when Joey is a shithead. White Zinfandel for me, JoJo."

He glares at her and then at me.

"Don't you dare look at me like that. Telling Reese I wanted to have his babies. You're lucky I'm only making you buy us drinks." I cock my head to the side and stare him down.

"Ha! Oh, my God. You would have the prettiest babies," Juls squeals.

"I know, right?" he echoes.

I roll my eyes. "You're both mental."

Juls grabs my hand and tugs me through the crowd, stopping at an empty tall table. My eyes scan the room as I settle on my stool. I quickly tap my fingers on the table and bite the inside of my cheek.

"You're nervous," she states as my eyes meet hers across the table.

"I don't know, maybe this is a bad idea."

She arches her brow at me.

"I feel like I'm trying too hard. I mean, I'm wearing a fucking garter under this for Christ's sake."

"So am I. High-five, sweets." I can't help but giggle at her naughty enthusiasm as I humor her and slap her hand. Of course, Juls is wearing a garter. Between the two of us, I'm sure we've accumulated one of every item in Agent Provocateur.

Joey returns moments later with our drinks. "Well, in case Billy is a no show, Ty the bartender is available for my licking."

I grab my drink and take a sip as Juls snickers. "What is going on with Billy? Have you spoken to him since the wedding?" I ask.

He takes a sip of his beer before answering. "He's texted me a few times. You know me though, always gotta have one waiting for me in the wings." He's being evasive. Joey is never evasive.

"I love how you think that answer is going to satisfy us. And since when are you tight lipped about your hook ups?" I say as Juls nods in agreement.

"Seriously, JoJo, who the hell do you think you're talking to here? I happen to know from a very well hung, reliable source that you and Billy saw each other last night. And pretty much every night since the wedding."

"Ian told you that? Christ, he is whipped. Your pussy must be like some fucking nirvana or some shit."

My mouth drops open as Juls smiles and shrugs playfully. "Oh, is that right? I thought you weren't sure how you felt about him and his curved penis?"

He looks quickly around the room and takes a sip of his beer. "It's growing on me."

"I bet it is, on you and in you," Juls barks and we fall into a fit of giggles as her phone lights up. "Ooohhh, they're here," she squeals excitedly.

My back goes rigid and my pulse begins to race. As if my body is somehow wired to his, I look up at the doorway just as he walks through behind Ian. I listen to my heavy breathing as he moves like liquid through the crowd of people. Eyes dark and hooded in the amber glow of the bar, hair perfectly messed up, making my fingers ache to touch. And that sexy as hell mouth that is glistening as if he just licked it. Good God, he is glorious to look at. Needing the liquid courage, I down my drink and earn myself a wide-eyed look from Joey as the men walk toward our table.

"Hey, babe," Juls says as Ian wraps his arms around her back. He smothers her in quick kisses as she moans softly against him.

"Dylan, Joey, it's nice to see you both," Ian says.

I raise my glass at him as Joey does the same, my eyes locking on to Reese. He walks around the table, his gaze never leaving mine as he comes and stands next to my stool.

"Hi." His voice is low and soft as his hand rests on my lower back, claiming me in front of everyone. Yes, that's right. I'm with him. Move along, ladies.

"Hi, yourself." I turn my body and cross one leg over the other, the hem of my dress rising up on my thigh and quickly catching his attention. I admire him while he admires my legs. He's looking as hot as ever in a dress shirt and tie, which is partially loosened, and regarding me sweetly, with soft eyes and parted lips.

"You look..." he runs a hand through his hair and I smile, his eyes slowly scanning my body. "...I like your dress. A lot."

"Thanks. Wait till you see what's under it."

Stepping closer to me so his leg is brushing against mine, he slowly trails his hand up my thigh under the table and stops at the metal clips of my garter. His neck pulses as he swallows and slides his hand back out, pulling down my dress.

"Per your request," I say as his lip curls up in the corner.