The Infamous Ellen James(19)

His skin on my skin.

This man makes chill bumps appear all over my body. The more drinks I get in me, the more my vagina is starting to call the shots. This night is either going to end really badly or really well. I don't want Trent as a one-night stand though. I find myself wanting more than that.

How can I already want more than that when I've known the guy for all of a few days?

These are the incessant thoughts that are racing through my brain. I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that I'm digging Trent Hamilton—a lot—and I barely know the guy. He's turning me into a flaky, emotional, involuntary vagina-clenching, constant nipple-hardening mess.

Amy taps my shoulder and sits on the bar stool next to mine. "Well, I'm here and it only took an extra hour to finish charting."

"I was wondering when you were going to get here!" I grab her shoulders and give her a quick hug.

"Uh huh. Suuuuuure ya were." She gives me a pointed look before nodding her head in Trent's direction.

I discreetly roll my eyes. "Stop being so damn ornery."

"Well hello there, Dr. Hamilton. Fancy seeing you here. I hope you're keeping my best girl entertained." Amy puts her arm around my shoulder and smiles sweetly in Trent's direction.

Trent's blue eyes are completely mesmerizing, and I find myself zoning out of their conversation as he engages Amy in a discussion about our drive over here. This man, this too-hot-for-my-own-good man, has me grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. I can tell he's aware that I'm gawking at him, but I just can't seem to pull my eyes away. I'm blaming the alcohol.

Yes, blame the alcohol. That seems like a damn good plan.

Amy, Trent, and I continue to enjoy a few beers and several laughs. He seems to find our stories and sarcastic banter back and forth amusing. Trent is the complete opposite of my ex-fiancé John and I find myself loving…I mean…really liking him.

The alcohol. Keep blaming the alcohol.

John was a complete douchebag when it came to Amy and me spending time together. Eye rolling and annoyed sighs were common occurrences whenever we graced him with our sometimes rowdy presence. I'm sure there are times when Amy and I can be quite overwhelming, but John never seemed to enjoy us together. Ever.

Sometimes I wonder how I was ever able to get past how much of an asshole he could be at times. I think it was the quiet moments, the moments we spent together in the privacy of our old apartment. The moments when he wasn't such a dick and actually showed glimmers of being kind, caring, and most of all, loving. Those moments were what kept me invested in our relationship and able to move past the times where he would rather appear uptight and cold than risk people seeing him carefree and letting loose.

And speak of the devil.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Amy interjects a little too loudly. She's glaring toward the front of the bar as John strolls in with a few of his buddies.

"It's okay, Am. Just ignore him," I say as I peek over my shoulder. Of course John is going to start coming to this bar. He never showed any interest in grabbing a drink with Amy and me after work when we were actually a couple. I wonder what caused him to lower his standards and slum it at Murphy's tonight. And for the first time in a long time, I find myself not even really caring about John. Trent is looking at both Amy and me inquisitively, and I decide I need to lighten the mood a little.

"We're here to enjoy ourselves so let's do just that. Shots?!" I look eagerly at them.

Amy smiles at me "Anything for you, sweet cheeks. You in for some shots, Trent? "

"Let's do it, ladies. Hey, Johnny! Bring three shots of Patron, salt, and a few lime wedges."

Trent is obviously game with our plans of getting a little shitfaced tonight, and I love the fact that he chose tequila as his shot of choice. Tonight, we will most likely be cabbing it home. After we down our first tequila shot of the night, I can slowly feel myself relaxing into oblivion.

"I'm gonna go play some tunes on the jukebox. Any suggestions?" I get up from my barstool and pull a few singles from my purse.

Amy shakes her head. "You all right?"

"Yeah, I'm good. I just want to hear something else besides Lynard Skynard and Kid Rock."

Amy laughs loud enough for the entire bar to hear. "Yes! Please save us from awful rock music selections! And no country or my ears will start to bleed!"

Trent smiles at me and motions with his finger for me to step closer to him. On shaky legs, I walk towards him and stand between his jean-clad thighs. His breath is warm on my skin and his smile feels like home.

The alcohol. Keep blaming the alcohol, Elle…

"I forgot to tell you something, Elle."

I'm looking back at him, softly questioning him with my eyes.