Page 16 of Savage Lust

“That was rude.” I tried to bite back the comment. I was intruding on his world, but it didn’t give him the right to act like he could tell me what to do.

“Was it?” He said unbothered, from behind me.

I could feel him there, though he didn’t touch me. The prickling awareness radiated all around me, clanging like warning bells. I’d flirted with guys before, but it hadn’t felt like this. Would I flirt with Cam or just melt at his feet like the groupies that hovered all around the clubhouse?

“It was.” I doubled down, focused on my annoyance to ignore the attraction.

I took another swig of tequila. It would have been better with some orange slices, maybe even a lime, but the burn down my throat strengthened me. The warmth of my buzz chased away anything else and left me strong enough to turn to face him.

“You sure that’s what you’re into?”

Jester was handsome, tattoos and all. Sure, he didn’t quite compare to Cam, but...

“I could be.”

He leaned closer, so that his goatee tickled against my ear. “If you want to get a little kinky…that’s one thing, darlin. But that shit?” He slipped his hand up until it wrapped around my throat. He didn’t squeeze, but his meaning was clear.

Trembling, more from his touch than anything, I met his blue gaze.

“I didn’t think so.” He grinned and let go. “But I bet you’d look hot all tied up in that throne of his.”

I blinked twice and chased him back the way he had come.

“Wait, what? A throne?”

His laugh was easy and warm, something I hadn’t expected. “He’s very proud of it.”

“Holy shit.” I took another sip and shook my head. “You’re right. Not for me.”

He spun, walking backwards, his brow raised and, for the first time for me, an easy smile on his face. “Believe me, darlin, I know. That’s why I intervened.”

I twisted my lips and narrowed my gaze. “So that’s what the asshole vibe is all about. You’re looking out for me.”

He stopped at the doorway. “I haven’t been a dick to you.”

Not entirely true. “But…” I let that trail off without agreeing.

With a flustered sigh, he rubbed a hand over his mouth.

“You don’t like me. I get it.” The tequila hampered my ability to staunch the flow of words. “I show up out of nowhere, mess up everything you’ve got going on. I’m sorry. Really, I am. I want to be here even less than you want me here.”

“Stop.” He looked down at his feet and mumbled something about too much, but I missed it. “Let me show you something.”

He started up the stairs, when I didn’t immediately follow, he glanced over his shoulder. “Should I be offended that you’ll go into a dead-end hallway with Jester, but not up a flight of stairs with me?”

I looked back to where Jester was cutting up with several others, including Dylan. “He’s nice.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Cam spat and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.

Both amused and curious enough, I followed him.

seven

Cam

The rooftop of the clubhouse was my safe place. I didn’t have to pretend here. All around us, the party spread out into the parking lot and beyond. The band was back on stage, lights and rigging were an explosion of color on the desert.

But nothing as shocking to the system as the woman who walked out onto the roof with me.

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