Tits and ass were cued up as promised at the dive bar Friday night. I was horny as hell and looking to hook up. But the mixed scents of stale beer, sweat, and vomit just made me want to leave. Too bad it was the only place within a reasonable distance of school and the closest thing to outside entertainment we could get.

I perched with a wall at my back, a fresh drink in my hand, and eyed my prey for the night. In the dim light, I thought about how long it had been since I’d fucked. Going to university in the states, I’d lost some of my anonymity. As the unlucky son of a senator, I had to have rules.

One, I didn’t do girlfriends for fear of the backlash from press—or any dolt with a cell phone, if things went south.

Two, I kept things casual, giving away very little of myself, and never stayed around any woman for long. Even my best friend, who stood next to me, didn’t know what my father did for a living.

Three, I was careful who I hooked up with, considering rules one and two.

Breaking my thoughts, two girls who looked like they had lubed up to fit into their dresses started to pass, but then stopped in front of us.

With grins the size of California and sprayed-on tans to match, the dark-haired one said, “Tade.”

She eyed me up and down, then slowed at my fly before meeting my eyes again. I gave her a two-finger salute and a half smile.

Then she looked over at my best friend. “Gavin.” He gave a quick nod before her gaze found mine again. With a wink she said, “Catch you guys later.”

I tipped my head up, knowing full well I wasn’t going there again. Instead, I found my mark on the far side of the bar.

Once we were alone again, Gavin asked, “Who’s the blonde you’ve been staring at all night?”

My eyes shifted from the blonde who held all my attention and back to my best mate, who sported a smirk at having caught me watching her. She was stunning. Her strawberry-colored lips contrasted sharply with her porcelain skin. I was mesmerized by her cleavage—intoxicating to look at but deadly to the heart. It was barely revealed, yet I was captivated by it.

“I don’t know her,” I said simply.

In the nearly four years I’d spent at McClain, a small private honors college on a stretch of remote eastern shore of Maryland, I’d never seen her before.

“Me either,” Gavin said.

According to him, some local high schools had larger student populations than our school.

“Maybe she’s a local.”

Though I didn’t get the vibe she was. But it was odd that our paths hadn’t crossed, and I would remember a face like hers.

“Why don’t you go talk to her before she thinks you’re some creepy stalker, or you can take on Cruella for the night?” He laughed at his joke about the girl who had just spoken to us.

I tipped the beer I’d been nursing all night to my lips and took a long swallow. “Mind your business, Gav.”

He chuckled. “No fucking way some chick has you caught up and you haven’t even said one word to her. This is fucking priceless. In three and a half years, no one’s had you this wound up.”

I might have been coiled tight because my dick was uncomfortably hard at an odd angle in my pants. Any more pressure and I might just burst.

The blonde with streaks of pink in her hair was the reason I was all worked up. The problem was she didn’t appear the type for a one-night shag. And that was all I had to offer.

“Dude, just bag and tag her like we’ve done thousands of times before, or do seconds with someone else. Fuck your rule for one night.” He laughed again, thinking he was pretty funny with his mix of words.

It was never a good idea to tap the same piece twice if you wanted to ensure no misunderstandings. My five-year plan was all mapped out and a girlfriend wasn’t on my list of goals. We’d just returned from winter break and I had one more semester before I attended Harvard Law School, dad’s alma mater.

“Earth to Tade?”

I heard him speak but I’d just caught the eye of Pretty in Pink. She sat at the bar with a light spotlighting her like a beacon. Her blue eyes twinkled, the color of the sky during my early morning practice sessions on the Chesapeake Bay. She was striking in every way. Unfortunately for me, the eye contact was gone as fast as it came. She hadn’t done the usual double take.

“Tade.”

I still didn’t answer, just tilted the tumbler to my lips and continued to nurse my drink. I tried not to get drunk. Don’t shame the family, one mantra my father had said to me in light of his bid for presidency.

The blonde went against every rule I had. It was best to stay away.

“What the fuck man, just go for it,” Gavin badgered me.

The buzz that had come from finishing the beer sooner than I planned rushed to the surface.

As I watched, her lips curved in a wide smile and she laughed the kind of laugh that was genuine and carefree. She was oblivious to the guys checking her out. Her dress only hinted at curves, and didn’t advertise like those of her friends. All signs pointed to her not being quick-bang material. The friend who stood next to her with a blue dress that hugged her like static cling was likely an easy lay.

“I can’t.” I mumbled the words, giving in to reluctance.

“Why not?” Gavin asked.

Two guys approached her group and my stomach dropped. Quickly, her friends were led away, breaking up their trio, and a sigh escaped me.

Gavin was saying something like there is your opening, but I was already moving, against the tide and my better judgment. I had to talk to her; otherwise she’d invade my dreams. My hope was that she wouldn’t be able to hold a conversation, or better yet she’d give me the come fuck me eyes letting me know that the shy act was just a game.

At the bar, I sidled up next to her but didn’t speak. The smell that drifted to me was like wild strawberries on a summer day, which only made my dick harden more. Hell, the walk over had been awkward as I tried to conceal the wood in my pants with my drink and a well-placed hand.

Quickly, I set my empty glass on the bar and shoved it away a little to the left while no one was looking. The bartender finally came over and asked what I wanted. “Guinness,” was my reply. A glance over to Pretty in Pink let me catch her placing her empty drink down at the same time. To her, I asked, “Would you like another?”

Her eyes widened and I knew it was because of the phrasing I’d acquired from my time abroad.

I took a minute and waited to hear her voice. What would it sound like? Shards of glass, rich like dark chocolate, or—?

“No. One’s my limit, but thanks for asking.”

Damn, she sounded like warm honey drizzled over a toasted bagel with melted butter, a weakness of mine.

She turned away, not giving me a second glance. I wasn’t conceited, but I wasn’t used to getting a dismissive response. An arched brow from the bartender had me waving him away. He set off to get my draft, while I stood wondering what to do next. I was totally out of my element. It didn’t bode well for me, as her actions only intrigued me more.

I was saved when her brunette friend came back and tripped, splashing my back with cold liquid. I wasn’t soaked, but it would leave a wet spot. Hands swiped at my back as a voice reminiscent of Minnie Mouse apologized profusely.

“I’m sooo sorry,” the brunette slurred. When I turned, her eyes widened. Unlike her friend, the brunette’s reaction was the one I was used to getting. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but you are so beau-beauti-beautiful.”

It was too late for me to stop the smug smile. Pretty in Pink rolled her eyes and turned away from me after handing napkins to her friend. Strike two. Why had I given the brunette the smirk? Probably because it had been my go-to action with girls like her, the ones Gavin liked to so eloquently put it, bag and tag for the night.

“Sweetheart, let me help you.” Gavin, the best wingman ever, had arrived. Most likely, he’d witnessed the debacle and come to my rescue. I would thank him later.

The brunette turned her wide grin in his direction before it returned to me at the same time the bartender set the Guinness in front of me.

“I’m reeaallyy soorry.” Gavin caught her tilting before she face planted on the dirty floor. She continued to apologize to me, patting me dry with a handful of napkins. “Can I do anything to make it up to you?”

She gave me an opening. “How about you convince your friend here to dance with me, yeah?” It wasn’t my best move, but I would take what I could get. No guy wanted to be shot down, including me. Gavin gave me a glance, so I quickly added, “And you dance with my friend here.”

Pretty in Pink turned around and gave her friend a scathing glare. Still giggling, the brunette waved us off while she said, “Give us a minute.”

I nodded, taking my Guinness, and walked away to give them some privacy. Pretty in Pink was facing our direction, which afforded me a view of her glare at her friend. She added in wildly gesturing hands and then a bonus eye roll for good measure.

“This is too easy,” Gavin commented.

“She’s drunk. You’re not going there, are you?”

Before he could answer, the brunette turned around and waved us back. She winked at Gavin and strode off with him in tow to the small dance floor. The mass of movement tempted me as music poured from speakers near them.

Pink stood with her arms folded over her chest like it was a burden to dance with me. Pride finally won and I said, “Don’t bother, yeah. I really wouldn’t want to put you through so much trouble.”

Down my throat went my fresh drink and I slapped the empty glass with a fifty on the wooden bar counter to pay my tab. I didn’t wait for change. I strode past Pink, not bothering with another glance in her direction.