Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)(28)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“You haven’t even started packing yet?”

“No. I thought I’d have some time after work.”

An unreadable expression crossed his face. “A sundress for the rehearsal dinner is probably good. Maybe something a bit dressier for the wedding, but only if you have it. I gave you no warning.” He pulled in next to Macon’s car outside of my place. “We could stop somewhere if you need to shop. My treat.”

“Gee, Colin. I’d love to have you buy me clothes because I don’t have anything acceptable to wear.” I rolled my eyes as I got out of the car.

“I didn’t mean it that way.” He came up behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder. “I only mean I’d be happy to get you something new. It’s harder for girls. Guys can get away with a blazer for almost any occasion.”

“Sure, sure.”

A few minutes later Colin sat on my bed while I searched through the dresses in my closet. It was funny having him in my room, like I was letting him into a more personal side of my life. I’d imagined his first time in my room would involve him in my bed, not just on it, but hopefully his second visit would involve the former.

“How’s this?” I pulled out a simple, strapless, navy blue dress that cut up a little on one leg. It was classic yet a little sexy. I’d worn it to my sorority formal.

“Looks great to me. But I know you’d look good in anything.”

“Does it meet your standards?” I said with exaggerated sarcasm.

“Come on. Does a guy offering to buy you a dress upset you that much?”

“No.” I quickly selected a simple pink spaghetti strap sundress to put on for the rehearsal dinner. “It bothers me when it’s done for the reason it was offered.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” He looked so pitiful I decided to let him off the hook. My insecurities and my nerves about the wedding weekend were just as much to blame.

“I know.” I sat back down next to him.

“Good.” He cupped my face with his hand and left a light kiss on my lips. “Have I told how glad I am that you’re coming with me?”

“Only every night this week.”

He’d called every night before bed. I liked the sweet gesture.

“Well, I am.”

“I get that, but I need to change.”

“Oh. Do you want me to wait outside?” He started to get up.

“That’s probably best.” It felt weird to worry about changing in front of a guy I was dating. Usually, he’d have already seen me naked.

“All right.” He kissed my cheek before leaving.

I quickly changed into a strapless bra—the black one that made me look like I had cle**age. I pulled out some casual clothes and hesitated when it came time for the pajamas. My initial thought was to pick out a cute cami and shorts set, but I was going to be spending the weekend in a hotel room with Colin. He wasn’t moving fast, but wearing something sexy to move him in the right direction couldn’t hurt. On the surface, he wanted it too, what with pulling me on his lap one night, and nearly removing my panties the next. I just wished I knew what was holding him back. The whole point of a fling was to have lots of sex. If we didn’t start having it, I was going to have to begin classifying our relationship as something else entirely. I shook off the thought. I wasn’t getting serious with Colin.

I didn’t own much sexy lingerie that could double as nighttime attire, but I had a little satin nightie I’d never had the excuse to wear. It was black and really, really short. I may not have been blessed in the bust department, but I was given a nice set of legs. I learned early on that they were my best weapon—I mean, asset, when it came to getting a guy’s attention.

I tossed the tiny piece of fabric into my suitcase along with my other clothes. I kept my navy dress on its hanger. I wanted to throw in a less revealing PJ option, but I didn’t let myself. When push came to shove, I’d chicken out that way.

“You ready?” Colin stood up from the love seat he was sitting on when I walked out of my room. He took my dress and the handle of my suitcase from me.

“Yeah. I think so.”

He checked out my outfit and smiled. “You look great.”

“Thanks.” I glanced down at my dress. The bra was doing its job.

“Bye, guys!” I called out as I walked to the door.

“Have fun,” Brody called from his room.

Macon walked out of his. “Be good kids. And Colin?”

“Yes?” Colin asked with an annoyed sigh.

“Treat her well.”

“I plan on it.” He turned to the door.

I gave Macon a hug. “Way to threaten him.”

“I told him to treat you well. There was no threat.”

“It was implicit.”

“If a guy is threatened at the thought of treating you well, you shouldn’t be dating him.”

“I’m not threatened by it.”

Oops. I’d thought Colin was already out of earshot.

“Let’s go.” I walked out, shooting Macon a glare on our way out the door.

Colin stowed my bags in the back, and we got on the road.

“I’m sorry about Macon.”

“I get that the guy cares about you, but what does he have against me?”

“Nothing. He’s rooting for you.”

“Really? He doesn’t act that way.”

“He is. He set me up on a blind date from hell just to make his point.”

“Wait, he’s the one who set you up with that married couple?”

“No. God no. That was all me being stupid. He just told a guy at the shop I liked everything I can’t stand.”

“Two bad dates? I guess it made me look good in comparison.”

Didn’t I know it. “Maybe a little.”

He laughed. “I’m okay with it since it worked in my favor, but I hope you won’t need to go on any more disaster dates to realize I’m worth your time.”

“To realize it? You make it sound like a fact.”

“It is. I am completely worth your time.” His hand settled on my leg again. He kept it on top of the fabric of my dress, but if he moved it at all, it would be inching up my bare thigh.

Did he have any idea what that did to me? How much I wanted him to move his hand higher? “How many hours is this drive?”

“About three.”

“Oh, that’s not too bad.”

“Not at all. Especially not with good company.”