Page 21 of Uncharted Desires
“I’m sure.”
Actually, I’m not, but the bouncer should recognize me by now. Granted, as a freeloader that uses Sawyer’s name to get in every time, but still.
Our turn comes, and before I can open my mouth, Xander puts his hand on his waist, pops his hip, flashes the bouncer a grin, and deadpans, “Hello, Sir. How are you this lovely evening? We’re with the FBI—Federal Bureau of Intercourse—here to talk to Mr. Sawyer Matthews. Our intelligence tells us he’s been engaging in some dangerous Pussy Destroying activities, and, well, the FBI just can’t let him get away with it.”
My eyes grow so large they’re about to fall out of their sockets and my blood turns to lava. I shoot Xander a murderous side-eye, not daring to move a muscle. The bouncer takes off his sunglasses, sizes Xander up and down, and then—
What the actual fuck?
He burst out laughing, and without even asking for our names, removes the tape and lets us through.
Xander shoots him a wink, and then—oh my fucking God—he says, “Thank you, citizen Boo. Your cooperation will not go unrewarded.”
Holding my breath, I grab his wrist and drag him inside before the bouncer snaps out of whatever stroke he’s having.Again.
“What the fuck?” I bark through my teeth the second I push open the lead-heavy door.
Xander doesn’t sound remorseful at all. “What? You said he knows you. Besides—” Words get stuck in his throat and he stops moving abruptly as his eyes grow as huge as mine while he was giving his tirade. “Woohoooah.”
I laugh. He’s impossible to stay mad at. “Yeah. This place will do that to you.”
I have to physically drag him to the bar area, his head snapping left and right, taking in the lavish interiors and equally lavish, albeit half-naked, people filling it. “Come on. Don’t make a scene.”
We’re halfway to the bar when I spot Sawyer pouring liquor from an unnaturally tall bottle.
I swallow and do my best to chase away the memories of our roof trip as they start popping up one by one. It’s not until we reach him that I notice he looks like he’s been hit by a train.There are dark shadows under his eyes, his hair in disarray, and it seems like he hasn’t shaved for at least two days.
“Welcome,” he says to Xander, who’s still busy ogling the people around.
Only then does Xander notice him. “Hell, man,” he says in a whisper loud enough for everyone around to hear. “How do you get any work done around here?”
Sawyer snickers and leans over the bar top. “I’m not gonna lie. It was hard to zone out the shenanigans at first.”
His tone is casual as ever, but his appearance gives away the fact he probably hasn’t slept in a while. My brows furrow and I’m just about to ask what’s going on, when Sawyer addresses Xander again, ignoring me altogether. “What can I get you?”
Xander scratches the back of his head. “Actually, I’m good. I’ve been trying to cut back on—”
“It’s on the house.”
“Oh. Well, in that case, red wine would be great.”
Sawyer nods, heavy lids falling and rising in a painful-looking blink. “Coming right up,” he says to Xander and walks away to the liquor shelf without giving me a single glance.
“What’s behind all those doors?” Xander whispers in my ear before I can dwell on Sawyer's antics.
“That’s where they keep naked people; tied up and hanging from the ceiling.”
Xander’s eyes grow comically large, and I chuckle. “Relax. It’s pretty much more of the same, only… more intense.”
“More thanthis?”
“There you go,” Sawyers' voice surprises me and I turn back to the bar. He places a wineglass in front of Xander before sliding what looks like a vodka tonic in my direction.
My heart skips a beat.
“Would it be cool if I,” Xander leans over the bar top and lowers his voice to the failure of a whisper again, “take a look around?”
Sawyer shoots him a wink. “Have at it.”
