Page 40 of Whiskey & Honey
“Will do.”
Just as I turn to walk away I hear Ash call my name. “Hey, will you check on Piper? I think she’s upset or something. Maybe one too many shots, I’m not sure.”
“Was Dominguez here? Did he say something to her?” I feel the heat rising in me at the thought of that asshole upsetting Piper. Again.
“Whoa there, cowboy. Literally. He was here but it was fine. She’s just been really quiet and seems pretty down about something. Maybe you can just talk to her or something. I’ve got to go. Taylor can’t handle this by himself.”
“Sure. Oh, what does her costume look like? So I can find her?”
A very evil smile takes over my far-from-angelic sister’s face. “Oh you’ll know when you see her.”
That’s all she offers as she walks away laughing. It’s actually more of a cackle than a laugh. She should have dressed as Cruella de Vil. Shaking my head, I start out on my quest to find Piper and the guys. The moment I spot her I stop dead in my tracks.
Holy fuck.
My sister is equally my favorite and least favorite person right now. When we agreed to these costumes Piper was supposed to be dressed as a princess. In my mind she was going to be dressed in some sort of big poufy pink monstrosity of a costume. Hair piled high with a crown or something on her head. Of course, she’d look jaw dropping and exactly as a princess should. Maybe a little sexy in the cleavage department but that was about it.
What stands before me is far from that. She’s a princess, only instead of inspired by Cinderella she’s a modern version of Princess Leia. Golden bikini Leia. A princess that my dick obviously approves of.
Giving myself this undetected moment, only this moment, to take her in. I swear on whatever anyone wants me to swear on that as soon as I take in this beauty in front of me from head to toe I’ll go back to seeing my friend. Myplatonic friend. Screw it, I’m starting from the bottom and working my way up to those eyes.
Her long skirt just skims the floor as she stands there. It sits low on her hips, so that her perfect belly button draws my attention to a part of her body that suddenly causes my mouth to go dry. I visibly gulp as it becomes evident that Piper is not only an avid runner but must also spend a lot of time doing crunches. Mindlessly taking a drink of my beer, my gaze finds the swell of her breasts. Nestled in what some would call a bathing suit top, a top that should only be worn in private, I am stunned stupid. It’s a top that should only be seen behind closed doors and finding its way to the floor. My floor.
I may be a good guy, but I am a man in the end. And a liar since I basically told my sister not less than five minutes ago that I wasn’t a boob man. Which is technically true. I’m a woman man. I like women and don’t find myself attracted to one body part. Even with Piper this holds true, I’m a fan of the entire Piper Lawrence package. My dreaming self is to blame for the boob part.
Now that I’ve said boob in my head enough to make these jeans extra tight below my holster, I need to refocus. Forcing my gaze from the distractions at chest level, I linger for a brief moment at the clavicle. How does this woman make a collar bone sexy? I’m not sure, but she does.
When my eyes finally reach her beautiful face, my breath catches. Her lips are plump, like she’s been biting them, or even kissing someone, as she wraps them around the tiny straw in her glass. The thought of the latter option for their plumpness makes my blood boil. Her cheeks are flushed and I think Ashton is right. She seems to be a little more than tipsy and a lot more than distracted or unhappy. Looking down into the glass of amber liquid, she doesn’t seem to be aware of my recent assessment of her. Just as I’m about to turn back for the bar to grab her a glass of water in case it’s the former, she looks up and catches my eyes.
I swear time stops for a fraction of a second. Suddenly the music is gone and the voices are a dull hum. The only noise I hear clearly is the blood pulsing in my ears.
Then a smile takes over Piper’s face and all I can think of doing is taking her out of here and kissing her until those lips are swollen from mine. I return the smile instead and walk toward her.
“Princess.”
“Ben.” Her voice is raspy as she sighs my name. That voice that is always honey sweet wraps itself around my insides and tugs.
“Well that is certainly some outfit you have there. I wasn’t expecting this princess.”
Rolling her eyes at me as she sets her glass on a nearby table, she laughs. “Neither was I. Your sister is a bitch. But I love her and didn’t have a backup plan. So, here I am. Princess fucking Leia. It’s awful, isn’t it?”
She begins to pat away lint from her skirt that doesn’t exist, fidgeting enough that I begin to worry that top will not contain her assets.
“It’s something, but it most definitely is not awful. You look a little tipsy there, Princess. You want a water?”
Furrowing her brow, she isn’t given an opportunity to respond before Jameson slaps me on the back and loudly exclaims how hot Piper looks. It’s my turn to shoot him a look through a furrowed brow. I can tell the moment my dislike of his comment registers because he slowly removes his hand from the spot on my shoulder where his hand landed.
“Sorry, Pipe. But you really do look hot. Where ya been, man? You missed some hot chicks tonight.”
“Excuse me, guys, I’m going to the restroom,” Piper grits out between her teeth before scurrying away.
Interesting response to a simple comment. Very interesting. Her reaction isn’t lost on me, or Jameson for that matter.
“What’s her problem? She’s been like that all night. The only time I’ve seen her look like she’s having any fun was just now with you two talking. I thought you agreed to only be friends?”
“We did. We are. I think she’s just uncomfortable in that outfit. Where are Landon and Owen?”
“They took off already. Twins.”