Roll For Initiative

9. Cassie

D amnit! I should really start keeping a spare pair of panties in my car because right now I am drenched.

What the fuck was that.

Why did I lean toward him? It was as if the connection between us was pulling me toward him like I had no control of my body.

I could feel the sparks dancing between us when his lips were barely an inch from mine.

I couldn’t even breathe.

But then he fucking ruined it by kissing my forehead.

I can’t believe he would let it get that far then turn chicken shit! And that excuse.

What.

The. Fuck.

“Just messing around, my ass!” I mutter to myself.

I flag down the bartender.

"Shot of 1800 chilled, please."

I finally take a moment to breathe and relax because my body is starting to hurt from how tightly I was wound.

A body slides up next to me at the bar, and assuming it is Lucian, I go to swat at him, but my wrist is grabbed with a little more firmness than I was expecting.

“Go away, Lu...” I stammer off as I turn and look into the most haunting green eyes I have ever seen.

The man standing next to me, holding my wrist, is definitely not Lucian.

He flashes me a perfect smile.

“Nope, not Lu, I’m Alec.” He brings my hand to his lips, and my skin tingles from his kiss.

“And your name is?”

I must look like an idiot.

“Cassie.” That’s all I can get out.

“Is it short for Cassandra?” He asks.

“Mhm.

I’m named after my great-grandmother.

She died before I was born.

But my mom said when I was born, I was the spitting image of her as a baby, so they named me after her.” What the fuck Cassie, shut up.

He doesn’t want to know about your dead great-grandmother.

Why do you word vomit when there is a cute guy near you? OK, to be fair, this guy was more than cute.

Alec was hot! He was at least 6 foot 2, jet black hair, and his eyes were like a seafoam green with emerald flecks.

I don’t think I have ever seen eyes that color.

They were stunning.

“It’s a beautiful name.

Suitable for such a beautiful woman.

Can I buy you a drink?” He has still yet to let go of my hand.

And for some reason, I don’t seem to care right now.

Between the up in the air interest from Theo and the very, very confusing shit that just happened with Lucian, I am enjoying this stranger’s company.

“Thank you.

I.” The bartender cuts me off by setting down my shot.

“I already ordered one but thank you.”

He pulls me closer to whisper in my ear.

“What’s a beautiful woman like yourself doing at the bar alone? Isn’t that your boyfriend?” His sultry voice has me biting my lip to trap the moan.

He gestures his head back toward the table where Lucian is and releases my hand when he locks eyes with Lucian.

Oh fuck, Lucian looks pissed.

“Lucian? No, he is not my boyfriend.

We are best friends, though.

He is actually my dungeon master.”

“Ah, so you do play D better get going before your food gets cold.” He spares Lucian one more glance before tipping his drink to me.

“Maybe we can grab a drink soon.

Nice meeting you.” I barely get the sentences out as I am dragged back toward our table.

Well, that was fucking embarrassing.

“Lucian! What the hell was that? Since when are you so rude?” I slide back into the booth, so irritated that I have lost my appetite.

“I was saving you, Cassandra.” He says my name, and it oozes sarcasm, mocking how Alec said it.

“Guys like him are nothing but trouble.

You are too sweet and innocent to get wrapped up with a guy like him.

I won’t allow that to happen.” I can’t help but internally laugh at that last part.

“Ok, number one, Who the fuck are you to tell me who I can and can’t be with.

Number two, we literally were just talking about D&D and how they do game nights here once a week.

Trivia and that sort of shit.

It wasn’t like we were talking about getting a room or anything.

That was so embarrassing how you behaved.

Like a fucking neanderthal.”

Lucian scoffs and begins to eat his burger.

Our server returns and I order another Patrón margarita with an extra shot.

I glance back toward the bar, and Alec is still there.

His eyes find mine, and he lifts his glass and tips his head.

Maybe breaking things off with Theo will be for the best.

Obviously, the relationship isn’t going anywhere, and Alec does seem fun.

I’ll know after this weekend.