Free Alluring Ties by Skye Turner Page A

wiggles her brows at me and sticks her tongue out. Laughing, I chance a look over my shoulder. Yeah, he’s looking. He sees me catch him and he shrugs and smiles. I smile back.
    He’s a regular here too and we’ve chatted a time or two, but nothing has ever come of it. He’s tall and thick with muscle and a friend of mine said he was a cop here in town when I subtly asked. His thick, dark blond hair is short, but a little wavy and it almost looks like he gets it highlighted. He’s very nice on the eyes and the couple of times we’ve spoken he was pleasant.
    Lexi calls my name and I turn to look at her. Her eyes are lit up with alcohol and she’s smirking at me. I know that look. “So, are you going to go talk to him, E?”
    Laughing, I ask her, “Why do you care? Why don’t you find a hottie of your own to pass some time with tonight? I will if you will.”
    Her face clouds for a second and then she smiles at me. “I’m good. I don’t need or want that. I’m going to have another drink, while you go talk to Officer Hottie over there, and then I’m going home to curl up with my Nora Roberts book.”
    “Why are you staying while I talk to him?” I joke with her.
    Reaching over and tapping my nose with her finger, she chuckles. “Because, I know you. You won’t do it. You’ll come home with me and we’ll curl up like boring old people on the couch.” She shakes her head no. “Nope, that ain’t happening. That man has been ogling you for a month now and I see you checking him out. I’m going home and you are going to at least talk to,” she wiggles her brows “or better yet, bring that fine specimen home to have a good time. You deserve it, Erik.”
    Bradi has been listening to the conversation and puts in her two cents. “Or better yet, you get him to come home with you, Erik, and Lex, you join in on that. How long has it been since you’ve had sex?”
    I choke and Lexi looks at Bradi like she’s insane, which we already know she is. Surprisingly, she can still shock us after all this time.
    Lexi catches her breath. “What, Bradi?! Oh my God, like Erik would have sex with me! You need to put whatever the hell you’re drinking down.” Bradi laughs. Lexi continues. “And you know exactly how long it’s been since I’ve had sex.” She blushes.
    Bradi checks her nails and rolls her eyes at Lexi. “Smut books and B.O.B. don’t count. I mean a flesh and blood penis.”
    I start coughing from holding in my laughter. Micah walks up and catches the last part. He shakes his head and kisses the top of Bradi’s wet curls. “Baby, really? Stop bugging Lexi about her sex life. Or, lack of one.” He smirks as she sputters trying to hold in her laughter.
    “Why the hell are y’all so worried about my sex life? I’m good. Really. And Erik, either you go talk to Officer Hottie, or I’m sending Bradi over there. You know you don’t want that!” She chuckles at her idea.
    Bradi’s eyes light up and Micah looks at me with mirth in his eyes. “You definitely don’t want that! Go talk to him. I’ll get Lex home.” Bradi pouts at him and he swats her backside. She leans into his chest and his arms come around her reflexively.
    Lexi raises her brows at me once more. “What’s it going to be, E?” Then she smiles as she looks over my shoulder. Her teeth show and she says, “Nevermind then.”
    I turn as I see all three of my best friends smiling at me with shit-eating grins. My eyes meet brown eyes and I see slight stubble on a chiseled chin. “Hey, y’all,” he says.
    Bradi laughs out loud and Lexi kicks her under the table, but it doesn’t stop her from talking. “Hey, Officer Hottie. How are you on this fine evening? You know our gorgeous friend Erik, right?”
    Micah turns to try to cover his laughing and Lexi buries her face in her hands as she laughs. Bradi just smiles the devilish Bradi smile. I turn and shrug. He says, “I do, yes. Hey, Erik.”
    Chuckling under my breath and tapping