Page 56 of Hard Ruck

“I’ll pick you up at six,” he said. “Wear something warm.”

“Are we going to the beach again?” I asked. The weather had cooled off quickly, making it a bit chilly for sitting outside, even with a roaring fire.

“Not this time, but I’m not telling you where I’m taking you,” he said. “Trust me, you’ll have fun. And after that, we can talk about further treatment.” He dipped his chin towards his groin and smiled.

“I’ll see you later.” I patted his shoulder and stepped away, leaving him with his hands still over his bulging tent. If this was my last day here, ever, at least it went out on an interesting note. I’d be thinking about him for the rest of the day. And how it would feel to ride his cock.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chelsea

“Who didyou have to bribe for these seats?” I sat on the aisle, nothing between me and the stage but a metre or so of leg room.

Atlas grinned. “I didn’t have to bribe anyone. I’m friends with the saxophonist, Jasper Wells. He lives a few doors down from me.”

Given Jasper lived in the more opulent part of Dusk Bay, their houses probably weren’t that close together. By ‘house,’ I mean ‘huge house near the bay.’ My brother lived up there too, in the house his boyfriend inherited from his late father.

“Of course you are,” I said. “I didn’t realise you were an Ice Blue Roses fan.”

“From way back,” he said. “Since before they were big. Jasper and I practically grew up together. Funny how we both ended up here in the same city.” His lips twisted to the side, clearly still not impressed at ending up with the Smashers.

“That is funny,” I agreed. “Did it make coming here any easier?”

“Some,” he said with a vague half-shrug. “He’s the one who introduced me to Daze. I guess you could say the rest is history.”

I cocked my head at him. “Did you ever think of saying no to her?”

“Not really. I like to live dangerously.” He demonstrated that by dipping his hand into my tub of popcorn.

“People have lost body parts doing that,” I said.

He grinned and shoved the popcorn into his mouth. “No idea what you’re talking about. I’m as pure as hell. As innocent as anyone else here in Dusk Bay.”

“I don’t think that’s saying much, considering.” Innocent and Dusk Bay didn’t go together very well. Or at all.

“You wouldn’t really hurt me for stealing your popcorn, would you?” he asked. “You might find my hands useful.” He placed one of them on my thigh.

“I’ll think about it.” I leaned over and stole a handful of his popcorn. Smiling at him with my eyes, I shoved it into my mouth.

“I think that makes us even,” he said.

“I think so,” I agreed. “But keep your hands out of my popcorn.” I shook a finger at him.

“Or what?” he asked. “Do I seem like the kind of guy who follows the rules?” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“To some extent,” I said slowly. “You wouldn’t be a professional rugby player if you couldn’t follow the rulessomeof the time.”

He made a face. “Okay, you got me. Sometimes I follow rules. Off the field though, that’s a different story.”

“You’ll have to tell me some time,” I said. The seats around us were filling quickly, and the arena was getting louder. I wanted to ask what he did for Daze, but that would have to wait until after the concert.

“Hey, dickhead.”

I whipped my head around to see Jasper Wells had stopped beside us. He offered Atlas a fist bump.

“Hey, asshole.” Atlas leaned past me to bump fists with the saxophone player. “Shouldn’t you be warming up?”

Jasper ignored him and turned his gaze to me. “Did you lose a bet? That’s the only reason I can think of for a woman to go out with a reprobate like Atlas Underwood here.” He smiled and gave me a wink.

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