Page 20 of Puck Lust

Sam elbows me while the guys talk with their new groupies. He leans toward me, dropping his voice. “What’s up? You look pissed off.”

I shrug and drain the rest of my beer. “Nah. I’m fine. Gonna get another drink.”

I let go of the bottle and walk over to the bar. One of the bartenders smiles at me. “What can I get you, Mr. Larson?”

“Macallan. Make it a double,” I say, forcing a smile.

“You’ve got it.” She disappears and I drum my fingers on the wooden bar, a deep sigh shuddering my shoulders.

“Excuse me,” a deep voice says. “I just wanted to say that I’m rooting for you guys this weekend.”

I turn to look at the person intruding on my inner battle, ready to cut him loose before he can get started when his dark eyes bore into me.

“I’m a big fan,” he continues, his voice dripping with suggestion. “I was hoping to buy you a drink.”

“You’re a little late,” I say, picking up the glass the bartender just put in front of me.

He shrugs, unruffled. “That just means I’ll have to wait for you to finish it so I can order you another one.”

“And do I give off the vibe that I want company right now?” I ask.

“I think if you give me a few minutes, the answer to thatquestion will most definitely be yes.” His bitable lips curl into a knowing grin, exposing perfect teeth. Dark hair, just the right length to fist and tug, falls forward over his searing gaze, his stubbled chin sexy as fuck.

I tip the shot glass back and finish the drink in one gulp.

He points at the now-empty glass. “So you either want to get rid of me fast,” he says, moving closer. “Or you’re curious enough to keep me here for another drink. Which is it?”

A half-smirk tilts my lips. “Half the fun is guessing, yeah?”

“As long as the other half makes me right.”

Tingles tickle the skin on the back of my neck, almost like a warning. I turn my gaze away from the guy for a split second, until it meets VK’s. Livvie is back, crawling all over him but his focus is on me.

His eyes look curious, but more than that, I see pity in his stare.

And I fucking hate that more than anything.

I yank my focus back. I need to get a grip, for Christ’s sake. Pining after a straight guy isn’t a good look. He’s got his Playboy bunny girlfriend to keep his dick occupied.

I need to find someone to keepmydick warm.

“Are you ready?” the guy asks me, a knowing look on his face.

“For a drink?”

“For anything.” The guy moves closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “And everything.”

My heart hammers in my chest.

And I tell myself that if I just close my eyes, he can be anyone.

EIGHT

carter

I half-listento the guys talking, my real focus is on Jack over at the bar. He’s standing close to that guy. My eyes narrow slightly. After all the booze he’s sucked back during the first set, I don’t know how the hell he’s still upright.

“That’d be great,” Masterson says. “I’d love to help.” He nudges me. “What about you, VK? You got time in your schedule to help the kids?”

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