Free That First Kiss by J. C. Valentine Page B

crowded room, reminding herself that she was only searching for Tate because she had an early morning ahead of her and she didn’t want to be out all night—a lie she told herself so she didn’t have to admit how pathetic she was. When her hunt came up empty, she shifted in her seat, hunching in on herself as thoughts of him in a darkened corner, or maybe a restroom stall, wrapped around another woman, plagued her. Her foot began a rapid tempo under the table, the clicking of its heel barely audible over the loud, thumping music that pierced her ear like a sharp dagger. Being at a club wasn’t nearly as fun or glamorous when you were sober.
                  She stopped abruptly when a shadow fell over the table. A mixture of elation and relief washed over her. Expecting to find Tate, Piper lifted her eyes, a hopeful smile curling her lips. Her face fell as she took in the sight of the man standing before her. He was easily taller than Tate, tanned skin peeking out from beneath shirt sleeves that were rolled to the elbow, and the smile he offered her was warm and inviting. Piper could almost imagine being content to look at him all day.
    But he wasn’t Tate.
    “I couldn’t help noticing you over here, all alone. Can I buy you a drink?” His deep, smoky voice penetrated the cacophony with ease.
    Piper glanced around the dance floor and over the patrons lining the bar, but still no sign of Tate. She knew it was a waste of time an d effort to entertain this stranger, but she had to remind herself that she couldn’t let her life idle away while she pined after a man who clearly didn’t want her.
    She motioned to the cushioned seat beside her. “Sure.”
    The stranger grinned widely, as if he had just overcome a huge obstacle, and slipped into the seat. “I’m Thomas,” he said, offering her his hand.
    Piper shook it. “Piper.”
    He pointed to her drink. “What are you having?”
    Piper looked down at the half-empty glass clamped between her palms, debating on whether it was a good idea or not to have any more alcohol. Not a very big drinker, she was already feeling its strange effects. Her limbs felt oddly heavy, yet light, as if they might float away, and this was only her second drink of the evening. Except for the night she celebrated her new job with her friends, when the goal had been to get completely wasted; she wasn’t much for hard liquor, so the drinks were hitting her pretty hard. But what was one more?
    She was preparing to throw caution to the wind when her thoughts traveled to Tate, as they always did, and reminded her of her responsibilities.
    “I’ll just have water, thanks.”
    Thomas raised a thick brow. “Water? You do realize you’re in a club, right?”
    Piper nodded glumly. “I’m a designated driver tonight,” she told him.
    Sitting back, he eyed her, a slow smile tipping the corners of his full mouth. “It’s not often you come across someone willing to sacrifice their night in exchange for someone else’s fun,” he said, eying her appreciatively. “Water it is.” Holding up a beefy arm, he waved over a member of the wait staff.
    “What can I get for you , hon?” the young blonde waitress asked with a sultry smile as she approached the table and crouched down in order to hear over the music. Her eyes skimmed over Thomas with open desire, and then traveled over to Piper, clearly determining that she wasn’t any competition.
    Piper was used to dismissal. She was under no illusions that she was gorgeous or even beautiful. She was plain, with straight, dull hair that couldn’t decide if it wanted to be red or blonde, so it settled someplace in between. Her eyes were a boring shade of brown and freckles dotted her nose and cheeks. Even her figure, a little too thick and round, couldn’t compare to the model thin women society demanded, but despite all that, men still seemed interested so it couldn’t be all bad. Maybe the view she had of herself was just warped,