Chapter Eighteen
Eric watched Jen as she leaned over her notes, all spread out in front of her on the loveseat. All week she had been working on a marketing plan for the pub, and from what he could see, it was a damned good one.
To bring in some of the younger crowd, he’d throw a themed party every Friday night. The first one was going to be 80’s since it would be relatively easy to put together and, according to her research, had been trending up recently in interest.
Eric chuckled to himself at the idea that the decade of his childhood was trending. Still, it seemed like a good plan.
They would have a nominal cover charge to start with and then sink each week’s profits back into the following week. That way they could slowly increase the cover charge as well. By her calculations, after a few months, the cover would more than pay for these elaborate themed parties while the excess made in drink sales would be pure profit.
Eric leaned against the doorframe from his office as he smiled at her. The week had been perfect, both personally and professionally.
It was strange for him to even think, but for the first time in a long time, he was happy, and it was all because of the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.
Eric made his over and paused behind her. Jen had been so busy she hadn’t even noticed his presence. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her middle as he kissed her neck.
Jen let out a soft sigh and leaned back against him. “Hello to you, too.”
He could hear the smile in her voice as he pulled back and stared down at her. “I think we’re ready to go.”
Jen wrinkled her nose. “Are we really going to do this tonight? Seems like we’re asking for trouble.”
Eric couldn’t really disagree. Bringing Tommy and Patrick together at the same place with alcohol didn’t seem like a good plan, but adding Crystal to the mix seemed like a terrible idea.
He shrugged. “We said we would.”
Jen sighed and closed the pad before slipping it behind the bar.
“All right,” she groaned. “Let me just get changed.”
Eric sat in the spot she’d just vacated and waited as she went to the bathroom to change. It hadn’t been more than ten minutes before he heard the click of her heels on the tiled floor. He turned around and nearly swallowed his tongue.
Jen was wearing thigh-high black high-heeled boots and some sort of shimmery dress that seemed to float as she walked. His cock grew hard in seconds
“Maybe we should just stay home,” Eric rumbled.
A corner of Jen’s mouth twitched into a smile. “I thought you said we should meet up with your friends.” She innocently walked forward.
Eric met her halfway before taking her into his arms. “Fuck my friends.”
He closed the distance between them as he pressed his mouth to her. Jen leaned into him and then pulled away after a moment.
“Not happening, buster,” she whispered. “I didn’t get dressed up for nothing.”
Eric grumbled as she headed to the front door, him not far behind.
* * *
The bike ride to the bar had been a little colder than she would have liked, but seeing Eric’s face as she stepped out had been more than worth it. Not to mention the hungry way he followed her with his gaze around the bar.
It was somewhat strange being in a bar other than the Bad Omen, but it didn’t hurt to check out what some other places were doing.
Their eyes locked once again. Her cheeks grew heated as her center grew even more slick with need. She knew he felt the same given the way he occasionally shifted the way he stood.
“So,” Tommy said, and sidled up to her as she watched Crystal dance on the floor with a few women. Patrick had taken to brooding in the corner silently. “Have you talked with your friend?”
Jennifer glanced over to him. She had talked with Candice. More than a few times recently. She could tell something was going on, but when it came to what had happened that night, her friend had been strangely quiet.
“Which friend?” she said.
Jennifer smiled when he frowned slightly. Although Tommy could be smug, she really did like him. He was easy to chat with, and despite playing around with Crystal, he seemed like a good guy.
Her eyes couldn’t help but find the other woman who kept glancing over at them from time to time. It was hard for Jennifer not to feel sorry for her. She knew her new friend was hurting. If only Crystal would give Patrick a chance. She was just sure they would be good together.
“Candice,” Tommy said, cutting into her thoughts.
“We talk all the time,” Jennifer said, and took a drink of her tequila sunrise.
Tommy sighed. “She won’t call me back.”
This time it was Jennifer’s turn to frown. That didn’t sound like her friend. It was clear the two had chemistry.
“Maybe she’s been busy,” Jennifer said.
Tommy shook his head. For a moment she almost felt sorry for him until Crystal came over.
“What are you two talking about?” she said, and draped an arm over his shoulders.
Jennifer raised a brow. “I think you have your answer,” she said, looking pointedly at Tommy. “I’m going to the restroom.”
She made her way to the other side of the room to the bathrooms. It was only luck they weren’t crowded, and she was able to get in and out.
When she stepped into the hall, Jennifer yelped as strong arms wrapped around her middle.
“You’re killing me,” Eric mumbled against her ear.
Already, Jennifer could feel the shape of him against her ass. She moaned and rubbed back against him, certain the alcohol was fueling her lack of inhibition.
She turned around in his arms and kissed him with all the lust she’d been feeling all night. Their tongues twisted together, and she pressed her self even more into him.
After a moment Eric broke away suddenly, looking around in all directions.
Jennifer frowned. “Wha—”
Eric pulled her toward the back door and out into the cold night air. It didn’t stay cold though. As soon as the door was closed, he had her pushed up against the side of the building. The rough brick scraped against her back as he kissed her hard.
Jennifer lifted a leg, eager to feel him against her. His rough hot hand pulled her thigh tighter against him, pressing her wet heat against his hard cock.
“Fuck,” Eric grunted as he scraped his mouth along her neck. “I need to be inside you.”
Jennifer had never been so turned on before. It didn’t matter where they were, she wanted him inside her as well.
“Fuck me,” she moaned.
Eric stilled as he looked down at her, pure animal hunger in his eyes. “Turn around.”
Jennifer flushed as she turned around, surprised she even complied.
Cool air hit her ass as he raised up her dress. The small black lace thong did nothing to stave off the cold. Eric’s rough hands ran over her now bare skin.
“So fucking beautiful,” he groaned.
Jennifer glanced over her shoulder as she heard the distinct sound of his zipper, just in time to watch him as he slammed hard into her wet pussy. Jolts of pleasure shot from her center to the rest of her body.
“Fuck, baby,” Eric grunted. “You’re so fucking wet for me already.”
He slapped hard inside of her. Her insides clenched with each thrust, and it didn’t matter that they were outside in the cold, fucking behind a building. Everything about it turned her on.
“Because I wanted you,” Jennifer moaned.
Eric grunted as he fucked her harder, gripping her hips with his strong hands. Her whole body shook as he slammed into her.
Pressure built in her center, the beginning of a climax desperate for release. Each new thrust only added to the sensation. It threatened to explode any second.
“Come for me, baby,” Eric grunted.
As if on command, Jennifer came hard around him. His cock continued pumping deep inside of her for several seconds before Eric shouted his own release.
She shuddered as he pulled out at the cold emptiness filling the space. She shivered hard and was surprised when his warm arms wrapped around her.
“You’re freezing,” Eric whispered. “Let’s get you inside.”
Eric could feel how cold her skin was and knew it had been a bad idea to take her outside. Still, seeing her bent over made him hard all over again. Maybe he’d traded one addiction for another.
Fuck, he needed to get her out of there before he tried to fuck her again. The next time he wanted to make sure to take her slowly and in his own bed.
They quietly stepped through the back door. Several women waiting for the bathroom snickered as they entered.
Eric grunted. He didn’t doubt that Jen and his rumpled clothes and flushed faces made it totally obvious what they’d been doing.
Jen turned her face toward his chest, likely to hide the blush she was now sporting. Eric wrapped his arms farther around her as they stepped back into the bar. The dance floor was now filling up.
He waved over to Patrick as they made their way over.
“We’re going to get out of here,” Eric said when they were close.
Patrick nodded, his eyes on Tommy and Crystal as they danced. “I’m going in a few as well. No reason to stay.”
Eric nodded. He hated to see his friend this way, but tonight was no different than any other night. If Pat wanted Crystal, he was going to have to make it happen in his own way.
They made their way toward the front of the bar and were just outside when he heard his name.
“Eric, man, what’s happening?”
Eric took a deep breath and frowned as his old friend Dave made his way over.
“Almost didn’t recognize you sober,” Dave joked, and playfully tapped his arm.
Dave always had been a bit of a prick. It was likely why Eric didn’t see much of him these days.
“Don’t think I’ve seen you since the funeral,” the other man said, only slightly more somber. “Glad to see you getting out.”
Dave’s gaze shifted over to Jen, and Eric’s stomach clenched.
The other man stuck out his hand. “Hey, sorry about that. My name is Dave.”
Jen pulled away from Eric’s side just a little. “Jennifer.” She smiled.
Dave’s eyes widened, and Eric pulled her back into his side.
“Well, we’re ju—” he began.
“Holy shit,” Dave said. “For a minute, I honestly thought she was Carol. She’s a dead ringer.” He snorted loudly. “Guess that’s the wrong word for it.” He playfully tapped Eric’s arm again. “Looks like you won the lottery twice. The two of them could be sisters.”
Jen stiffened next to Eric and stepped away. “I’m going to wait by the bike,” she said quietly.
Eric watched as she walked away before turning to glare at Dave. “You never did know when to shut your fucking mouth,” he ground out. He left the idiot standing there in surprise and hurried to Jen’s side.
He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but stopped when she held up a hand.
“I’m cold. Just take me home.”
Eric watched as she shivered and nodded, wondering if she shivered from the cold or from what was said.
They climbed onto the bike in silence, right before they roared off into the night.