Chapter 20

For the second time that night, Keira went into the ladies’ room to try and calm down. She tried to think rationally. The fact was, they were both drunk and trying to push each other’s buttons. It was typical stupid human behavior, the grown-up version of a little boy who yanks a little girl’s hair because he likes her. She took a few deep breaths and opened the door to find Jon leaning aloofly against the wall in the hallway, waiting for her. He wasn’t smiling.

She crossed to him and put her face very close to his. “Just because you think everyone wants you does not mean I do. Don’t forget, I’ve already had you. And just because women everywhere fall all over you, don’t expect me to.” She raised her hands to shove against his chest, but he caught her wrists and pulled her closer, tipping his head so his mouth was against her ear.

“Why don’t you kiss me, then try and tell me you don’t want me.” he whispered.

Every nerve in her body was on edge. She was tempted, but she knew it would be impossible to stop with just a kiss. Not only was it the wrong time and place, it was something she didn’t think should ever happen. She forced herself to take a step back from him. “We should go back to the table.”

He released her wrists, and she unintentionally glanced down and saw the evidence of his arousal. Before she could stop herself, she cocked an eyebrow at him and said, “At least we’ve established that you still want me.”

He gave her a cocky grin. “I never said I didn’t.” He brushed past her, heading for the table. She blew out a deep breath and followed, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

When they got back to the table, Keira sat down primly and cleared her throat. “Sorry about that,” she said to Molly and Richie. Jon just sat down and nodded at them with a smirk on his face.

“Did you guys kiss and make up?” Richie asked, as if he was speaking to two small children.

Jon shrugged. “I tried.” Keira shot him a look of death.

“So are we still playing the question game, or what?” said Jon.

“I don’t think so. You guys kind of hijacked that game,” replied Richie. “Let’s play something else.”

“Like what?”

“Truth or dare?” suggested Molly. “Spin the bottle?”

Keira rolled her eyes. “Molly, are we in junior high again? How about Seven Minutes in Heaven, or Twister?” Directing her gaze at Jon, she added, “Or maybe Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board?”

Jon just shook his head, laughing. She was frustrated that in spite of her best efforts, he wasn’t getting riled up. In fact, the bitchier she acted, the more amused he seemed to get. It was infuriating.

Molly gave her a blank look. “Hey, I happen to like all those games. Why are you being so grouchy? Don’t take your sexual frustration out on me.”

Jon and Richie put their hands over their mouths to try and hide their laughter. To everyone’s surprise, Keira started laughing too, and some of the tension seemed to leave her shoulders. “You’re right. Not about the sexual frustration thing, but I am being grouchy. We’re here to have a good time.”

After a minute Jon suggested, “How about some karaoke?”

Everyone stared at him. “Don’t you get sick of singing?” Keira asked.

“I didn’t say I was gonna sing. I think you ladies should sing for us.” Jon said, looking to Richie for backup.

Richie nodded. “Now that’s the best idea I’ve heard all night. Aside from the sink thing, I mean,” he added.

Molly and Keira looked at each other. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d done karaoke after having a few drinks, but this was a little different. Molly jumped up. “I’m going to get us a couple more drinks first,” she announced.

“No, no, no! No more drinks!” Keira protested, but Molly was already halfway to the bar. When she returned, she was balancing two glasses of wine, a beer for Jon, and water for Richie. Setting them down on the table, she walked over to the DJ booth and returned with a thick 3-ring binder: the list of karaoke song choices.

Keira found herself drinking the wine, even though she knew she’d had more than enough already. She flipped through the pages of the binder with Molly. Jon stood up. “I’m going outside for a smoke. You want to come, Rich?” Richie nodded, standing, and they both headed outside.

Once they were alone, Molly burst out, “The White House? Who do you think he had sex with in the White House, one of the Bush twins?”

For the second time that night, Keira had to spit her mouthful of wine into a napkin. “I think they’re a little young for him, but who knows?” she said, laughing. “I don’t think many women are immune to his charms. For all we know it might have been one of the First Ladies.”

Molly guffawed. “Maybe while Bill was in the Oval Office with Monica, Jon was in the master bedroom with Hillary.”

Keira couldn’t stop laughing. “I wouldn’t put it past him.” Then she felt guilty. “Honestly, though, I’m kidding. I don’t think he’s that sleazy. But he is a rock star, so what do I know?”

“Rock star? Whatever happened to ‘he’s just Jon’?”

Keira shrugged, suddenly wanting to change the subject. “Let’s figure out what we’re going to sing for these boys.”