Chapter Ten
Jasper
Fucking hell. It wasn’t my intention to tell Fannin I’d be fucking her tonight when I invited her here. Not my intention, but it couldn’t be helped. The moment I saw her step out of the car I knew. The shoes, the legs, the silky white top that bared the dip of her stomach and clung to the tips of her breasts, the smart leather jacket, and that wild as hell hair. I knew. I can’t wait to have that hair on my naked skin. Wrapped around my fist, spread across my pillow. The thought has me mentally going through the list of bartenders I could call in.
With a whisky board in hand, I turn back to the ladies. Fannin is watching me. Sexy as ever without even trying. I grin, knowing exactly what she’s thinking about because it’s the same thing running through my mind. Us. Naked. Tangled in sheets. Shelby leans in and starts animatedly breaking the spell we seem to be under. When Fannin throws back her head and laughs, I glance over at Shelby wondering what she could have said. She winks at me and beckons me over.
“Jasper. Tell her that she should wear white to the wedding,” Shelby orders as I hand her a glass of the warmed honey whisky from the tray.
“Is that kind of thing frowned upon?” I truly don’t know.
“Not only would Bethany stroke out, but so would my stepmother. I was given a list of colors to stay away from.” Fannin rolls her eyes before they land back on me. The want in them flashing hot once again. Taking the glass I hand her, our fingers brush, linger, reluctantly retreat. It’s absolute foreplay.
“A list? Girl, those bitches are all crazy.”
Fannin turns her attention back to her friend.
“Right? I can’t wear lavender because that’s what the bridesmaids are wearing. I can’t wear any blue because mothers of the bride and groom are wearing it, and no red because it will clash in the family pictures.”
I’m trying to figure out if she’s serious when Shelby’s head all but explodes.
“Nuh uh. You see? You have two days to figure it out. Wear white. You won’t clash at all.” She shakes her head in disgust and goes to sip but a thought must strike her. “What does your daddy have to say about all this?” I’m actually curious of this myself “I mean, you’re his only child. He must have an opinion.”
Fannin toys with a cocktail napkin. “I’m not really sure. He did call me after the announcement and tell me I didn’t have to come. That he was sorry about the position I’d been put in. But that’s about it.” She shrugs. “He was never fond of Adam, so I’m not sure how he feels about any of it, honestly.” My eyes trained on her face, I can see that it bothers her. It’s going to be hard for me to be kind to any of these arseholes at the wedding for treating Fannin so poorly.
“If you ask me, nobody has said anything about it because they all know it’s wrong. They’re wrong. Heifers,” Shelby huffs. I adore this woman. She’s a fierce friend and exactly what Fannin needs, if what I know of her family is anything to go by.
“Will you be at the wedding, Shelby?” I’m hoping that she will be—we may need backup.
“No. Even though they invited the whole damn company, I refuse to go. They did my girl dirty and I won’t support all that noise. Nope.”
Fannin smiles at her friend. “You’re the best shit ever, you know that?” she says as she bumps Shelby’s shoulder with her own.
“Oh, I know.” Smiling at the two of them I turn and grab a glass, opening up the tap on the huge whisky cask and filling the tumbler all the while watching Fannin in the mirror that runs along the bar. I’ve known her for days, not enough of them. And yet part of me feels as if I’ve known her always. I want to know her better. Still watching her, I sip the batch I tapped tonight for the first time. As I savor the smooth flavor, Theo comes up behind me, blocking my view of Fannin, and slaps my back.
“Hey, mate. Whatcha staring at over here, eh?”
Gesturing with my glass to the stunning image in the mirror, that wild hair of hers, the elegant column of her neck as she throws her head back and laughs, “Fannin.”
“Ahhh, that’s her then?” He whistles between his teeth. “I can see the appeal. Introduce us.” Theo slaps my back again and walks to stand in front of Fannin and Shelby, waiting for me. Taking another sip, I join them.
“Ladies, this is the manager of the Iron Flask, Theo Carre. Theo this beauty here is Fannin McGuire and her gorgeous friend is Shelby Mends. I believe you’ve had the pleasure of speaking to both of them earlier today.” I watch as my oldest friend clasps Shelby’s hand and then Fannin’s. Holding hers between his two larger and saying something that I can’t hear but that makes her smile shyly.
Shoving him playfully, I go to stand at the side of Fannin’s seat, caging her in with one hand on the bar and the other on the back of her seat. “What did I tell you? Reputation.”
“Oh, that’s rich coming from you, king of the kilt over here. Watch out for him, Fannin. He’ll seduce you with whisky and that plaid skirt of his,” Theo throws back.
“Cheeky fucker. King of the kilt?” I grumble with absolute zero heat. “Go manage something, why don’t ya?”
He laughs, “I’m actually getting ready to go through all the things you ladies sent over after our conference call. Brilliant ideas.”
“Oh good. I hope that they’re what the owner and your team are looking for. I love spending time in here—it’s really helped with my brainstorming,” Fannin tells him, Shelby nodding in agreement.
“The owner will love it, not that it matters since I’m in charge here.” He winks at them. “It’s been a pleasure, ladies. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Drinks are all on Jasper.” He gives a little wave and makes his way to the offices.
“He seems really nice.”
“Aye, he’s a good one. We’ve been friends since we were just wee lads actually. Went to secondary school together, what you all call high school, and then to uni.” I still have her caged in, the smell of her wrapping itself around me. Something sweet and floral with a hint of spice. It’s all Fannin.
“Did he move here with you?” Shelby asks as she taps on her phone.
“No, he had been here for a year or two before I came. He helped to set this whole place up. It’s his baby.”
“And the owner clearly trusts him,” Fannin adds.
“Aye.”
“Excuse me, I have to take this.” Shelby slides off the stool and weaves her way to the restrooms.
“So, is that what you’re trying to do? Seduce me with whisky and a plaid skirt?” With the glass to her smiling lips, she looks at me through lowered lashes.
“Oh, you’ll know when I’m seducing you, love.” I take a step closer, closing the space between us, forcing her to sit back in her seat. “You’ll feel it in every inch of this gorgeous body.” Ignoring the room and all the people in it, I run my nose along her jaw, stopping to whisper into her hair. “I won’t need whisky and the only skirt that I’ll be getting into is yours.”