Free Kept: An Erotic Anthology by Holly Roberts, Leia Shaw, Cari Silverwood, Sorcha Black, Angela Castle, C. L. Scholey

boyfriend, not long after they became engaged, the jerk constantly made snide remarks about Ash’s weight and size. 'Buffalo,’ 'hippo,' and 'Goodyear blimp' were among the nicer comments she caught. Lillian giggled and batted her fake eye-lashes at him, encouraging his continuous torment while rubbing her perfect, size two body and implanted breasts up against him.
    Yup, Lillian and Frank were made for each other, both are utter assholes. The sooner she got them married off, and out of her hair the better.
    Right now, with her happy buzz swirling in her head, Ash didn’t give a flying shit about anything.
    “Well, isn’t that lovely?" Jillian drummed her blood red nails along the bar top. "So good of you to be happy for Lillian finding such a wonderful man. Such a shame not everyone will be that lucky.”
    The jab didn’t go unnoticed, but Ash chose to ignore the stinging implication.
    Jillian moved in closer and lowered her voice, and Ash stopped herself from pinching her nose closed. Damn, she needed one of those toxic hazmat suits to protect her from the stink of the perfume her stepmother drenched herself in.
    “Ashlyn, I know you don’t really want to be here, and no one really wants you here, so why don’t you give us what we need to make this wedding a success? We don’t have to see each other till tomorrow night at Lillian’s bachelorette party. I’m sure it’s the only fine, male ass you’ll ever get to view up close and personal.”
    Being forced to watch a bunch of beefed-up, male, show ponies prance around on stage in a male revue show wasn’t her idea of fun, but she promised her father she would be the sensible one and also the voice of reason for the wedding party.
    Her gaze drifted to the hunk of a bartender, who caught her glance and raised his baby blue eyes, smiled and winked.
    Ash sighed, grabbed her purse and pulled out the pre-loaded, credit card she prepared before she left home.
    “Dad’s already paid for Lillian’s dress and shoes. There’s six grand on this card for any other wedding expenses, so don’t blow it all. I won’t give you any more, and neither will dad.”
    Jillian snatched the card. Ash knew no ‘thank you’ would be forthcoming.
    “You know, you should try and loosen up once in a while." Jillian tucked the card into her clutch purse. "You’re in Vegas. Have some fun. I’d tell you to get laid, but then what real man in their right mind would want your fat ass.”
    Jillian pivoted on her four inch heels, and stalked away.
    Ash sank back onto the bar stool. Damn, she needed another drink, or the urge to break down into tears.
    “Honey, no wonder you’re drinkin'. Do you want another?”
    “Gawd, yes, please. I suppose you heard her charming remarks.”
    “Vegas is the place for fun, yes. I know several real men who would worship your wonderful ass.”
    Ash burst out laughing. He turned her mood right around. “Several huh?”
    His perfectly symmetrical lips curved up in a secret smile. “One of my good friends would jump at the chance to meet you, honey. All sugar and sweetness. My friend's a big man and prefers his women soft and curvy.”
    Ash’s jaw dropped, gawking at him. “Are you a matchmaker or a bartender?”
    “Would you believe matchmaker first, bartender second? I can give you something strong and sweet to make you purr all night long.”
    Wowzers , was she hallucinating, or was this guy was trying to set her up? Yeah, she was way drunker than she realized.
    C’mon, out of your shell, Ash. I’m in Vegas, live a little. I can go back to being a boring, mild-mannered accountant when I go home .
    She leaned over and licked her lips. “Strong and sweet, mmm… I like the sound of it.”
    “Good. I’ll get you another drink, and something else.” He winked again.
    She watched him slide a small, strange looking cell phone from his pocket, and press a few buttons before holding it to his ear. He spoke in a strange, melodic language she had