“You know I’ll take a naked swim with you later if you want. All you have to do is ask, babe.”

She slams her empty water glass down next to her and scrunches her nose at me. “My dirty little Alex.” She touches my nose and laughs. “I might actually consider that for once. I’m that hot.”

Well fuck me, Tripp . . .

I push my slightly hard dick down and lift a brow at her. She rarely teases me back. I like this Tripp.

Quickly turning away, she disappears to help some douche a few stools over from me. When she walks away to grab what he wants, I see the little dick lean over the bar, checking her ass out the entire walk to the cooler. My whole body heats and I unconsciously slam my beer back, finishing the whole bottle with a clenched fist. My urge to protect her is kicking in, becoming strong . . . really fucking strong.

I don’t know what the hell is up with me today, but I’m freaking out more than usual. First it was with Ace and now this douche. I really need to get a fucking grip. She’s my best friend not my fucking girlfriend, yet I can’t stop the jealousy as he eyes her up and down, like he wants to see what’s under that little dress of hers. I want to be the only one to strip her of those little dresses she wears.

Fuck me . . .

Ignoring the dude’s attempt to talk to her, she walks back over to me and leans down on the bar with a smile. “I seriously love being behind the bar. I really don’t think I can handle being a waitress after this. This is amazing and I barely looked at the clock once. Plus . . . the tips are so much better.”

“Well I’m sure Dax would be happy to give you anything you ask him for,” I say, before grabbing the new beer as she sets it down in front of me, clenching my jaw at the dick that is now watching her talk to me. Yeah, you better turn the fuck away. “I think your waitressing days are over. You’re killing it behind the bar, Firecracker.”

“Tripp!” Harley rushes over and grabs Tripp by the waist, then leans her head against her arm for a second. “Holy shit-balls it’s busy as hell today.” She looks up at Tripp to check her out. “Are you good? You’re not going to run into the back and hide in a corner like that Leslie chick did last week, are you? I can’t have that shit.”

“I’m good,” Tripp says with a huge grin. “I’m loving it behind the bar. I’m not going anywhere.” She looks up at the clock. “Or maybe I am. My shift is almost over.”

Harley rolls her eyes. “Fine . . . I guess I’ll deal with Mandy for the next two hours, but if she whines I’m punching her in the damn tit.” She reaches for a beer and pops the top off, talking as she walks over to replace some older guy’s drink. “See you guys at Ace’s tonight? I better. I need my girl there. So don’t even think about standing me up. I know if Alex goes . . . you’ll go. So Alex, you’re going.”

I arch my brows as she gives me the evil eye, trying to intimidate me. “That shit don’t work on me like it may with Ace.” I smirk while taking a swig of my beer. “But our asses will be there anyway.”

I turn to Tripp and pull her face close to mine with a charming smile. “Want to go to a party with me tonight?” I smile bigger as she grins. “There’s supposed to be this really hot guy there that likes to dance. He’s going to need a smoking hot babe to dance with. Just sayin . . .”

Tripp’s face turns red as she pulls her bottom lip into her sweet little mouth. There’s my sexy little firecracker. “I suppose . . . I mean . . . I guess I have nothing better to do. Why not.”

“You can’t say no to me. Just admit it,” I say with confidence, flashing my dimples her way.

“And that’s exactly why I hate you sometimes, Alex Carter.” She pushes my shoulder and stands up straight. “Give me ten minutes to clean up and close out. Mandy just walked through the door.”

“I’ll wait for you.” I wink and hold up my beer. “Let the party begin. Tonight is going to be a night to remember.”

TRIPP AND I SPENT THE last four hours playing pool, darts, and watching TV, while talking about our day to kill time before the party. This might make me sound like a pussy, but I could never get tired of listening to her talk. She’s the only chick that has been able to keep my attention for longer than ten minutes, so I let her talk about her day of bartending for the first time. I love being the first person she tells things to. That’s exactly why we’re as close as we are.

“What do you think about this dress?”

I look up at the sound of Tripp’s voice to see her body hugged tight in this little black dress that ends just below her perfectly round ass. Her sculpted legs look even longer with those sexy little stilettos that she’s sporting, and I can’t help but want to back her up against a wall and slip between her legs. Screw the party. We can have our own little personal one right here in the living room.

This is nothing like the dresses she usually wears, and fuck me, I can’t handle her like this. I’m about to lose my mind with the next little breath she takes.

“So . . .” she asks. “Is this dress okay? I’ve never worn it before. It’s been in my closet for ages.”

“It’s perfect,” I whisper, trying to catch my breath. “You make that dress look hot. Really fucking hot.”

She shakes her head and walks over, stopping a few inches in front of me. “You mean the dress makes me look hot. I guess I agree,” she says with a cute little wink.

“I meant what I said, Tripp. I always mean what I say to you.” I grab her hip and squeeze while looking her up and down. I hear a small gasp from her as I lean in and run my nose along her neck, taking in her sweet scent. “You smell so fucking good.”

I pull away and release her hip. I have to before I lose it and take her right here. “I’m driving.”

She hesitates for a second, as if she’s trying to find air to speak. “Good . . .” She smiles as I guide her to the door. “Then everyone can give us funny looks when we pull up in the grass. I look forward to it every time.”

“You love it.” I tease. “After you.” I hold the door open and hold her hand up, helping her down the porch steps. “I don’t want you twisting an ankle or some shit in those heels. I’m not saying I wouldn’t carry your ass the whole night, but it may not be as fun for you that way.”