Free Head Above Water (Nightshade MC Book 4) by Shannon Flagg

warned,” Monroe said with a chuckle. “Actually, drunk doesn't sound so bad.” He grabbed the glasses, filled them most of the way with the tequila. “Tell me something else about you.”
    She reached for one of the glasses, picked it up and tossed it back. “I didn't see a movie or television until I was ten years old.”
    “What?”
    “My grandmother raised me. She thought that television and movies were tools of the devil. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Probably why I watch so much now, trying to make up for lost time or whatever.” Drea set her glass down.
    “What was the first thing that you watched?”
    “Scooby Doo,” she replied with a small smile. “I remember being amazed and scared at the same time.”
    “Scooby was cool,” Monroe agreed. “You want another drink?”
    “Please,” she replied. “So, you want to put a movie on? You can choose.”
    “What if I choose something you hate?”
    “I'm pretty sure that I don't own any movies that I hate, Monroe. That would be a little silly, wouldn't it?”
    “Maybe,” he agreed. Her movie collection was extensive, not as extensive as his, but he was impressed. Once again he'd found something they had in common; there were no less than a dozen titles that they had in common. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Drea pour herself another drink. She must not have realized that he could see her, because her expression had changed. Monroe selected a movie, put it in and returned to the couch.
    It wasn't his imagination that she moved closer to him when he sat down, Monroe chalked it up to the tequila. He was behind her by at least two healthy drinks. “I'm going to grab a beer, if that's okay.”
    “Only if you grab me one,” she told him. “You know where the kitchen is.”
    The ease that they settled into watching the movie and drinking came as a bit of a surprise to Monroe. The foul mood he'd carried on his way over was gone, and he hadn't even noticed the change. There was a change in Drea as well; some of the tough-as-nails persona she usually showed was gone. There was something almost vulnerable about her.
    “I can't remember the last time I was this drunk,” Drea admitted as she leaned back against the couch. “It's nice, though.”
    “Yeah, it is.” Monroe could clearly remember the last time that he'd been this drunk. He'd spent too much time drunk after Maggie.
    “I've got to say, I'm a little surprised and disappointed.”
    “Why is that?” He turned his head to face her. She was a little farther gone than he'd thought, he could see it in her eyes, but she was smiling. For the first time since he'd met her, her hair was down. It was longer than he'd thought, thick, dark and wavy. The urge to touch it struck him as hard as the image of him grabbing a handful as he kissed her.
    “I thought that you'd be all over me by now,” she replied without hesitation. “But if we fell into the friend zone or whatever it's called, that's cool, too. I have a good time with you.”
    Monroe had fought the urge to kiss her several times since he'd arrived. “I have a good time with you, Drea.”
    “But...”
    “There's no but,” Monroe assured her. “You're beautiful. I'd be crazy not to want you.”
    “So, why aren't we fornicating by now?”
    “You certainly are direct, aren't you?”
    “In certain situations, direct is the best option. The only option, really. Plus, tequila gives me balls.” She reached out, laid her hand on his leg.
    It was as clear an invitation as could be. Monroe felt his cock stiffen at the thought of being with her, on her and in her. “We're drunk.”
    “No shit, Sherlock,” she said with a smirk. “And while I appreciate that you're trying to be a gentleman, I'm very aware of what I'm saying and of what I want. I don't beg, though, I won't beg. If you don't want the same thing, no harm done.” Drea removed her hand, got to her feet.
    Monroe realized she was steadier on her feet than he'd thought she