Chapter 2
THE FIRST SHOT still burned in Ashley’s throat when she swallowed the second, in one gulp.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Mitch asked.
Damn sexy Mitch Harrison, Navy SEAL, and therapist cheater.
Sounded stupid but she honestly felt like he’d cheated on her in a really weird way. She wasn’t sure what was worse, her ex being invited to the wedding, her father arriving in the morning, or sitting next to the man that had invaded her dreams for the last three months.
“Hell yes, I’m sure.”
Mitch slid a Cosmo across the bar. Thus far, two shots, one beer, now on to the good stuff. Yeah, this was a night that would lead to an epic hangover.
“Do me a favor and drink a glass of water before you start on that.” Mitch’s voice took on a fatherly tone, but he was right.
“Good idea.” She took the tall glass of clear liquid he offered, chugging it. “And would you indulge me in a second kindness?”
“This will be the third one, actually.”
She lowered her chin, narrowing her eyes, glaring.
“But who’s counting,” he said with a smile.
“Christ, he has really nice lips.”
“Who does?” He cocked his head, shoving another glass of water in her hand.
Okay, hydration was good. “Did I really say that out loud?”
Mr. Sexy-kissable lips nodded.
She shrugged. “If Derek comes over here, make sure I don’t toss my drink in his face, or punch him.”
“I guess I can’t blame you for holding a grudge that long. But remind me never to piss you off.”
“Too late,” she mumbled, sipping her Cosmo, the pinkish liquid swirling in her gut, warning her that food was a necessity.
Even if she’d probably throw it up in the middle of night. She did not hold her liquor well.
“You cheated on me,” she stammered.
He laughed. “I did what? How is that possible if I never dated you.”
“It’s no different than trying out a new hairdresser or dentist, or if you had someone else slice open that knee of yours.” The words tumbled out of her mouth, and she could barely understand them, figuring she slurred them like a squirrel scrambling across the road in extra slow motion.
“I see your point,” he said, with a voice that made her insides burn hot.
Or maybe that was the alcohol.
“Why is Derek here? Most everyone else is Navy, not Army.”
“Believe it or not, he’s engaged to Suzie’s cousin, Valerie.” Ashley lifted her hand, seeing ten fingers, as she pointed across the room. “The three of us lived together when I was dating Derek. He went from me, to her, and she has no problem posing naked for photos, if you like that sort of thing.” She lifted her heel off the stool, and slid down, her ankle twisting over.
“Whoa.” Mitch grabbed her by the waist, holding her steady.
“I never wear heels. Besides making me six feet tall…” she tapped her temple, trying to remember the other reason. Whatever the reason, it sat on the tip of her tongue, mocking her. “I need food.”
“Sit down.” He helped her back onto the seat, waving the bartender over. “Mind helping me out and getting someone to fix us a tray of food. A little of everything.”
“Not a problem.”
Wow. Snaps his fingers and people wait on him. She’ll have to try that. Only, she wouldn’t remember in the morning. “Oh shit,” she muttered, making blurry eye contact with Derek. He might have smiled, though it could have been a frown. No way to tell since a fuzzy montage of five of him slithered in her direction.
Mitch took the drink from her hand.
“Hey.”
“Just doing the favor you asked.” He slipped his fingers between hers, holding a little too tight. “Do I need to tie your other hand behind your back?”
“No.” She swallowed the tiny burp tickling the back of her throat. “I’ll behave. I promise.” She stiffened her spine, crossing her ankles, and took a huge breath, letting it out slowly.
“Mitch, it’s been a while,” Derek said. His outstretched hand trembled.
Or maybe it was her blurred vision.
“It has.” Mitch sipped his beer.
“Ashley, you look lovely as ever.” He dared to lean in, expecting to kiss her cheek.
She poked him in the chest, leaning back. “Don’t think those lips are coming anywhere near me.”
Derek frowned. “You’ve been drinking.”
“Buzz off,” she said, reaching for her drink, half expecting Mitch to cut her off at the pass, but he didn’t. Instead he rested his hand on her thigh, just where her skin met her skirt, sending goosebumps to places drunk girls shouldn’t think about.
“You’ve really hurt Valerie. She wouldn’t even come over here and say hello,” Derek said, planting his hands on his hips. “This isn’t about us.”
“I’m not going to be a bridesmaid at your wedding. I’ve already explained why. If she wants to be mad at me, that’s on her.”
Mitch squeezed her thigh gently.
“Being drunk and bitter isn’t very becoming of you.” Derek shook his head like a disappointed father or something. “All over something that happened almost five years ago.”
Jerk.
Of course, the movement made her head spin. She took a large gulp of her drink. “That’s where you’re wrong.” She nailed her index finger right in the center of his chest. “I’m not upset over that anymore. But I am pissed you cheated on her and more so that she doesn’t see you’ll do it again.”
“Shhhhh. Keep your voice down,” Derek said, glancing over his shoulder. “Valerie has forgiven me for that, but her parents don’t know, and there is no reason to upset them for something that happened two years ago.”
“She might not be so forgiving if she knew who you fucked.” Swearing wasn’t something she did often. She heard enough colorful language at her job; she didn’t need to hear it coming out of her own mouth.
It looked as though Derek narrowed his eyes to tiny slits. He could have closed them for a brief moment.
She downed the rest of her drink, giving up on keeping her dignity. When she agreed to be the maid of honor, she’d been told Derek and Valerie wouldn’t be attending. Suzie had laid that bomb on her earlier in the day, saying she had no idea they’d changed their plans at the last minute.
Ashley had no reason not to believe Suzie when she’d told her that Valerie had called her aunt instead of Suzie, informing her of the change. Of course, Valerie was also mad that Suzie decided to have just one maid of honor, no other bridesmaids. Valerie thought, as family, she’d take the role, but sometimes a friendship bond is thicker than family.
“Don’t go there,” Derek said, with real venom dripping from his dark tone.
“I have half a mind to tell her, and the only reason I’m not is because she asked me not to, but if she ever does, I’ll let the cat out of the bag.”
“You’re a real bitch, you know that?”
“Don’t talk to her that way,” Mitch said, puffing out his chest. “I’d appreciate it if you’d apologize.”
Derek laughed. “No offense, but you don’t know the history here and—”
“I know enough. Let’s not forget I was there when her father landed his fist right on the tip of that nose. Might want to see a new plastic surgeon to try to fix that.”
It dawned on her that until three months ago, he had no idea she was the daughter of Commander Joshua Riggs. And by the look on Derek’s triple faces, he’d just figured that out too.
“You two deserve each other,” Derek muttered, turning on his heels.
“I thought he’d never leave,” she muttered, setting her glass on the table, but missed and it crash-landed on the tile floor.
Thank God it was plastic.
“He’s a bigger dick than I remember,” Mitch said.
“But he has a tiny one.” She held up her pinky. “And I’m not being a bitch. Not much girth and only about—”
Mitch covered her mouth with the palm of his hand. “I don’t want to know.”
She belched. And not the good kind where it was a simple taste of the decadent food one had just enjoyed.
Nope. This was more of the vile kind.
“I think we should get you out of here, okay?” He looped his arm around her waist.
Rocking on her heels, she realized he was a good two inches taller, which meant she didn’t feel like a giant.
Nice.
Belch.
“I don’t feel so good,” she muttered.
“Where’s your room?” he asked. If she were sober, the heat rippling across her skin would be a good thing.
Only that heat was more of a clammy, I’m going to be sick, kind of heat. “I should have warned you I had two gin and tonics before we made our way in your direction.”
“Yeah, that would have been good information to have.”
She handed him her key card. “I’m on the second floor. Last door on the right. I can’t remember the number.”
“I’ll get you to your room safe and sound.” His strong hand gripped her side, and she hoped that was his thumb dancing circles against her hip. Probably a figment of her imagination, but it felt good either way.
Soothing.
“Are you going to take advantage of me?” Christ. Now she sounded like a hot, desperate mess.
“I never take advantage of anyone. When we’re together, you’ll be sober, and it will be because you want to, not for any other reason.”
The elevator moved a little too much. She held her stomach, hoping she’d make it into her room, and he’d be long gone.
This would go down as her second biggest mistake.
Derek and his pictures had been the first.
“You sound quite sure you’re going to get me into bed.”
He laughed. “Since you’re really drunk and won’t remember this in the morning, I’ll be blunt.” She felt his warm lips on her cheek as the door popped open. “I’m going to make love to you like no one else ever has, and you’re going to want more.”
“No time like the present.” She flung herself forward toward the bed but miscalculated and landed on the floor with a loud thud. “Shit, that hurt.” Before she could even rub her ass, he had her sitting on the bed, taking her shoes off. “So, the sailor has decided to take me up on my offer to let him take—”
“Not tonight.”
“Awe, why not?” she asked, taking her bare foot, trying to maneuver it between his legs, only she wasn’t sure which set of legs were his and which were her eyes playing tricks on her. “Don’t you like…” If one could feel their face grow pale, it would start with skin burning, then cold sweat dripping from the hairline. “I’m gonna be sick.” She shoved him aside as she stumbled to the bathroom, collapsing in front of the toilet.
Shortly after that, the world went black.