Fair Play Read Online Free Page A

me from the other end of the bar as I enter. I sit opposite the two businessmen, whose eyes are now glued on me. In a few seconds, the bartender will have to give them dinner napkins to catch all the drool that’s running down their chins.
    Not that I have anything against older men. I just have a thing against guys, who aren’t wealthy and well-connected. And these guys scream of middle-management. From their Hagger suits to their Supercuts haircuts. I bet they’re even wearing Old Spice cologne.
    I order a Maker’s Mark neat and the bartender looks a little surprised.
    “Haven’t you ever served a girl a whiskey before?” I ask.
    He shakes his head. “Not someone who looks like you.”
    “Really, and just what do I look like?” I probe.
    He crosses his ample arms over his broad chest and looks me up and down. “You look like that new Princess they’ve got in England. What’s her name?”
    “Are you talking about Kate Middleton?”
    He snaps then points at me. “That’s the one. You look just like her. And you kind of have that princess vibe. Like you’re too good to even be sitting here.”
    I’m not sure if he’s given me a compliment or a slam, maybe a little of both. But I’m not in the mood to analyze it. “Just give me the drink.”
    He nods, pours the Maker’s Mark then places it on the bar in front of me.
    I take a sip of the whiskey and it burns my throat a little on the way down. But it’s strong and I immediately feel the effects.
    When I glance down at the end of the bar, the business men are both still eyeing me as they engage in what seems to be small talk. I take another sip of my drink and this time it feels smooth going down my throat. I’m definitely starting to feel comfortably numb.
    “So,” the bartender says. “Here alone?”
    “Not for long,” I reply as I glance at my Parmigiani watch. “Evan should be here soon.”
    “Your husband?” the bartender asks although I’m not sure why he cares. Maybe he’s bored since the place is dead.
    “Not that it’s any of your business but I’m not married.”
    He nods as if he’s not surprised by my response. “I was right. You are a princess.”
    “And what is that supposed to mean?” I’m now a little angry with the guy because that was clearly not meant to be a compliment.
    He leans in close to me and stares into my eyes. He’s a good looking guy in a brutish sort of way. He looks like he fights in his spare time. Or maybe he’s a bartender to support his boxing.
    His big blue eyes blaze into me, as if he’s looking right through me. It’s unsettling but also has my curiosity piqued. And I have to admit, it’s pretty hot.
    “It means that no guy is ever going to be good enough for you.”
    I laugh. “That’s not true.” He’s obviously never seen Aaron Donovan.
    His eyes are now filled with amusement as he continues to size me up. “And just how long have you been stringing poor Evan along?”
    “You don’t know anything about me and Evan,” I snap back.
    “Hit a nerve, did I?” he says playfully and it pisses me off that he’s now grinning.
    “You’re a real asshole, you know that?”
    “I can be,” he says. “I’m just having a little fun with you.”
    “Evan’s not my boyfriend,” I say and I’m not even sure why.
    “Does he know that?” The bartender’s expression is now a bit more serious and I don’t like it.
    “I don’t think he has any illusions that we’re a couple if that’s what you’re worried about.”
    “Is Evan a massive guy with short blond hair?” the bartender asks. His attention is now focused on the entrance of the bar, which is behind me.
    “Yeah, why?”
    The bartender shakes his head. “Princess, you’re in trouble. That guy just looked at you like he owns you and he gave me a look like he wanted to kill me for talking to you. You may not know it yet but that guy thinks you’re his.”
    Before I can say anything else, the bartender walks to the other end of