Page 23 of Wild Stars

When I realize what I’ve done, he looks at me, then at my hand as he slowly pulls it away.I watch as he flexes his palm, his weight shifting closer to me, nearly boxing me in.

“I mean, I don’t need to, like, hire a person, at a sex club like a...I mean I—” God, I sound like an idiot.

Mateo laughs, and the sound is like smooth, top shelf bourbon.

Not that I’d know what that tastes like, but it’s what I imagine.

Everything about this man reeks ofsophistication.

“Can’t write a song about a good fuck if you haven’t experienced it,” he says, flashing me with a wicked grin.

I don’t know why I word vomit the worst fucking response ever.I blame it on the martinis.

“Oh and you have?”I bite.

Matty chuckles darkly.“I’m not legally allowed to tell you,” he says smoothly.“Besides, I’m not paying for your lap dances.You’re going to have to work for it on your own, kid.”

I purse my lips as a fresh flood of irritation spreads like wildfire.

I can pay for my own lap dance, thank you very much, Matty!

“But the clientele here are more than...suitable.For your needs, I think.”

His dark gaze catches mine for a moment as he leans in closer to me.

So close, his breath on my neck is warm, and I can smell his cologne.It smells like sex and chocolate, and makes my mouth fucking water.

What does he know aboutmyneeds?

He doesn’t know shit about me.

“A little tip?”he breathes, and my gaze falls to his perfect, pouty lips.

I think all the sugar has rotted my brain.My gaze flashes up to his as I await his words like candy.

“Sure...”I swallow, my mouth going dry.

“If you want someone to want you, Dare, you have to want yourself.Know what you bring to the table, kid.Then make them fucking beg for it.”

Stupidly, I whine in defeat.“I have no clue what I bring to the table,” I say like an idiot.“Except maybe rice crispy treats.Those are nice...”

Matty smirks.“Then maybe you should find out.”He coughs, his voice like an echo in the cavernous space.

And before I can protest, he scoots out of the car, leaving me in the darkness.

And at that moment, I’ve never wanted to impress anyone the way I want to impress Mateo Starr.

Fake it ‘til you make it, right?

CHAPTER8

Mateo

“It’s so...”Geo swallows, shifting a little closer to me.

“Relaxing?”I taunt as I elbow him, finding a bit of solace in his reaction.

“I was going to say...bright,” he snarks, crossing his arms as a waitress in a white and blue angel uniform squeezes past us.

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