Now I’m floored. I didn’t know things were quite that serious between them. I’m not sure I’m ready for a world in which I might walk in on Sam and Cindy getting hot and heavy. Cindy thrives on being professional, even more so than is warranted most of the time, so surely she would never subject me to that. “I’m happy for you,” I say honestly. “Cindy is a hell of a woman, and I know I don’t have to threaten you to treat her right.”
Before he can answer, the bartender arrives with my check. “Here ya go, sugar.” She leans closer to me, rubbing a tit against my hand. I see Sam smirking from the corner of my eye. He’s enjoying this far too much. Most of the women he’s seen throw themselves at me over the years are horny socialites; the eager bartender is something a bit new. “I get off at midnight. Why don’t I meet you somewhere?”
I sign the check as quickly as I can, leaving her a hefty tip. Hell, I’d double it just to get her to leave me alone. “Er…I don’t think so.” When she still doesn’t look discouraged I throw out, “I’ve got a girlfriend.”
She leans closer, running a hand over my chest. “Doesn’t matter to me, sugar. I have a boyfriend, too. We have an open relationship, so it’s all good. If your girlfriend looks anything like you do, then bring her along. I’m not shy, and I have no problem sharing.” I push abruptly back from the bar, causing her hand to fall away. Holy fuck, she’s staring at my crotch now as if trying to imagine the size of my cock. Yeah, baby, keep looking because I have no interest whatsoever in what you’ve got to offer.
I grab Sam’s arm and usher him toward the door, weaving slightly on my feet. The alcohol I’ve consumed is hitting me hard, but I’m ready to get the hell out of here. “Fuck,” I roar as we make it to the sidewalk. “That bitch was crazy!”
“Oh, come on,” Sam laughs, looking like the whole incident was hilarious. “I seem to recall you and Aidan having some interesting…gatherings over the years. That girl was probably tame compared to what you two have done.”
I find myself doing something that happens rarely: feeling embarrassed. Sam has been my driver forever, so of course he’s picked me up on some of my drunken evenings. I’ve been far from a monk over the years and one-night stands were always my preferred way to fuck. Aidan and I had on occasion shared a woman…or several. It’s not something I did on a regular basis, but it happened; more so in the immediate years after Cassie than in the last several. I finally settled more into exclusive fucking such as with Laurie. One woman for a few months at a time. As I gained money and power, it became more beneficial to have a woman by my side at social gatherings. It kept the Moniques of the world at bay and provided the added benefit of the illusion of stability to those in the business world. Although a lot of them fuck around, they still tend to look down on those who present themselves as nothing but playboys.
“Leave me alone,” I say as I start to walk away. I can hear him laughing behind me and know he’ll follow me all the way back to the apartment. After walking in silence for a few minutes he says, “You’re pretty drunk, aren’t you?”
I whirl around, which is a big mistake with this much booze sloshing around in my stomach, and almost fall off the sidewalk. Sam quickly grabs my arm, halting my progress. “Thanks for stating the obvious,” I slur. I don’t know what happened, but I didn’t feel nearly this drunk when I was throwing them back in the bar. It’s as if the fresh air has caused the bourbon to go straight to my head. Hell, if Sam weren’t here, I would probably be in a ditch somewhere or worse yet…at Bartender Girl’s mercy. “Why am I so fucking drunk?” I ask myself, but Sam answers anyway.
“I believe because you drank a large amount of liquor in a small amount of time. Just a guess…”
“You know, I hate you sometimes,” I snap as I turn to wobble on. Where in the hell is my apartment? I feel like I’ve been walking around for hours. As I turn another corner, Sam pulls my arm in a different direction.
“We’ve already walked in this circle three times. Wouldn’t you like to actually go home now?” he asks dryly.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I try to stare him down but keep blinking as my eyes blur. “Why didn’t you stop me? I’m dying here, if you haven’t noticed.”
“I was doing it for Lia,” he says from behind me. “I thought the air might help sober you up some, but I don’t think it’s working. We need to move on to just letting you pass out in the bed.”
I feel a wave of emotion hit me at the mention of Lia’s name. What if she’s pregnant? Wasn’t she telling me before I stomped out that she could still get rid of the baby? I try to recall our exact conversation, but the words are fuzzy and truthfully, after her first few words, I heard nothing in my head but pregnant. “I have to talk to her; I have to see her…now.” I pick up my pace, finally recognizing my building in the distance.
Behind me, I hear Sam say, “Slow down, you’re going to bust your…” Just as I trip over a fucking flowerpot in front of the building and go sprawling on my ass. “Dammit, Luc, I told you.” He huffs to a stop next to me with his hands on his hips. He shakes his head in resignation and extends a hand down to me. “You’re not hurt, are you?”
“Only my pride,” I mumble as I get to my feet. In truth, the jarring and unexpected tumble hurt like hell. I’m too old to be falling down drunk; that much is perfectly clear to me. Thankfully, Sam has my door and elevator codes, so I let him handle it. I feel the slight urge to puke as the elevator rises to the top floor. I bolt from the small space as it stops. Sam opens the front door and motions me in.
“Do you need anything else tonight, Luc?” he asks, still looking far too amused at my expense. Maybe I would have been better off in a ditch somewhere, after all. At least then, I wouldn’t know the person laughing at me.
“No, thanks for the help,” I say as I close the door. Fucking good riddance. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen so many of Sam’s teeth. I’ve never hated a smile that much.
I walk slowly toward the bedroom, wondering what I’ll say to Lia, when I notice the light on in the living room. I turn that way and find her huddled in the corner of the couch, sound asleep. She’s curled up tight, as if cold…or upset. She looks impossibly young and beautiful in simple yoga pants and a T-shirt. Lia is a natural beauty. She looks gorgeous makeup-free with her hair in a simple ponytail. She needs no artificial enhancers.