Free All For You (Boys of the South) by Marquita Valentine, The 12 NAs of Christmas Page A

the music, and then takes another
shot.
    We’re at
Cunningham’s, down in Charlotte, and putting our fake ID’s
to good use.
    I take a shot and
wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, belatedly wondering how we’ll
get home. Cabs don’t go all the way to Forrestville, do they?
    “Seriously.”
Julia makes a face. “He made a promise? What is he—the
mailman or a politician?”
    “West does deliver,”
I drunkenly giggle. “Over and over. So, mailman?”
    Julia snorts. “I
caught him with Charlie once while they were going at it on her deck.
She sounded like a cat in heat. But his rear end. Dear God, you could
bounce a quarter off his ass.”
    My face falls, the
nice buzz I had going dashed by the cold reality that the guy I’ve
been sleeping with used to sleep with my biggest enemy.
    Julia slams a hand
over her mouth, and then crosses her finger over her heart. “No
more. Swear.”
    “Think his ass
could survive a backhoe bouncing off it?”
    “I have no
idea what that is, but if it’s heavy equipment doing serious
damage, I’m all about it.” She holds up another glass.
“Cheers?”
    I take the last shot
I plan to drink tonight and clink it against hers. “Cheers.”
    “Oh!”
Julia’s eyes light up like she’s just had the best idea
ever. “You can go as my date Friday night.”
    “Worst idea
ever,” I gasp as the liquor burns a new path down my throat.
“I’ll look pathetic.”
    “We’ll
look fabulous.”
    “You’ll
look fabulous and I’ll admire from afar, like way far at home.”
    “Not listening
to that kind of talk.” Julia stands up, waving a twenty in the
general direction of the bartender. “SHOTS!”
    Oh dear Lord. She’s going to get us kicked out.
    “I think
you’re friend might have had too much to drink.”
    I turn, finding a
really hot guy in the barstool beside me. He’s dressed for
work, like he’s a banker or something. His tie is loose around
his neck, but his light brown hair is still office approved.
    “You think?”
    “I’m
Mason Stone, by the way, and you are?”
    “McKenzie.”
    “Just
McKenzie?”
    “Walsh.
McKenzie Walsh.”
    “Nice. So,
McKenzie Walsh, can I buy you a drink?” I laugh as the
bartender makes Julia sit and gives her shots of water instead. But
Julia, bless her heart, is too drunk to notice.
    “Wow, that’s
smooth,” she exclaims, and I smother a giggle.
    “It’s
why I come here when I’m in town,” Mason says dryly.
    I smile at him. “You
seem like a really nice guy, but—”
    He sucks in air
through his teeth. “Ouch. Nice and a but in the same breath.” He places a hand on his muscular chest.
“You wound me.”
    I can’t help
but keep grinning. “I think you’ll be okay. There are
about a dozen women just waiting to take my place.”
    “Yeah, but
none of them will be you.” Smirking at something over my
shoulder, he lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it. “Maybe
another time.”
    “Mmm-hmm,”
I say noncommittally as Mason leaves.
    I turn to Julia,
only to find West, his eyes flashing with anger, and his mouth drawn
tight.

    ***   ***   ***

    West
    “We’re
leaving,” I growl, taking her hand.
    Instead of
protesting or pulling away, she follows me outside. Once there,
however, she snatches her hand away, and starts walking in the
opposite direction.
    “Where do you
think you’re going?”
    “To find
Julia.”
    “She’s
with Parker.”
    “That makes me
feel sooo much better,” she says, and then whirls around. “What are
you doing here?”
    “I could ask
the same of you.” I rake my gaze down her, taking in her red
boots, black miniskirt, and halter-top. She shivers. “Here.”
I wrap my coat around her.
    “So you’re
not going to go all caveman on me, drag me into the nearest alley,
and then screw me against the wall?”
    I give her a wicked
smile. “The thought had crossed my mind.”
    “Guess the
thrill wears off once you’ve already done everything and then
some with someone else,”