Page 14 of Bullseye
Damn, she smells way too good. Not flowery or prissy—but more tangy, like faint cinnamon and exotic spices. And it’s an incredibly subtle scent. Which means to smell it, I have to lean in really close to her. Which I’ve been doing, all damn night…
“So? Really no crazy initiation for Steel Knights?” she asks.
“Really not.”
“Whoa. That’s a relief. Some of the stuff these clubs make the women do…”
Grinding my teeth, I nod. “Yeah, I know.” I hate how so many clubs consider women second-class citizens, or worse, disposable property.
She lets her hand holding the dart rest at her side, while she looks me dead in the eyes. “And for the record, I wouldn’t do those things. I’ve been invited to pledge for other clubs, and I’ve always said no.”
“I’m glad you did.” And I’m freaking glad she’s here, but I can’t admit that to either of us.
“Me too.”
While she lines up her shot and shoots, I walk away a couple of yards, taking another glug from my bottle, trying to cool off. Being too close to her is like touching the sun, but I don’t dare step away more than a few feet. If I do, Seth, or someone else, will come swooping in.
No, I can’t have her. But I’m going to make damn sure no one else can have her, either.
Shit. I am acting like one spoiled bastard. But, looking at those strong, toned arms, flat belly, and high, tight butt… I can’t help myself.
“All right, Bullseye, beat that one.”
Spinning away from the board, she faces me. Staring into those hypnotic eyes, all I want is to run her out of here, put her on the back of my bike, and rush her home. But I can’t. This “relationship” has to stay in Hoppa’s Taphouse.
“What?” She tilts her head.
“Nothing.” Shit. Caught in the middle of a fantasy.
She holds out the dart to me, but rather than taking it, I place my hand on hers, covering her hand completely. With the tiniest guttural gasp, she looks up into my eyes. I can tell by her wide eyes she’s shocked. But she doesn’t move. Allowing myself just a glimpse downward, I can see her nipples harden underneath that sexy purple tank top.
Damn.
Ever so slowly, I slide my hand down hers, until, grasping the dart and spinning my hand, I pluck it away from her. She doesn’t break eye contact or flinch. I was right. This woman is hot shit.
Clearing my throat, I walk over and ready myself in front of the board. I talk as I throw. “The only thing we ask of our prospects is the grunt work. Cleaning, inventory, stockroom, and for the guys who can do it, fixing and maintaining the bikes.”
Clamping her hands on her hips, she grins at me. “I think you’ll find I can fix a bike as well as any guy here.” Releasing her hips, she holds her hands out to the sides, showcasing the clubhouse like she’s a game show hostess. “Probably better.”
“Really?” Raising an eyebrow and cocking my head, I question her. “Where’d you learn how?”
Shaking her head, she chuckles. “Nope. Not your turn for a question.”
“Got it. But still, that’s freaking impressive.” This girl is just one hot surprise after another.
“Damned straight.”
“Well then, wait here.” Dashing to the bar and back, I approach her with another two rounds. “I think that deserves a toast.”
Taking a shot glass from me, she holds hers up, and we clink glasses. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Harry look over from behind the bar, but then he turns his attention back to his phone.
Okay, time for me to show her what I’m made of. Leaving the shot glasses on our table, I walk back to the board and throw another three darts. Damn. One bullseye after another. My aim just gets better and better, or maybe the tequila is just making it look like it…
Either way, considering Mikey and Tony are on the loose, and I’ve been stressing over them since yesterday, this is turning out to be a pretty fine evening. Speaking of fine… watching Seneca shimmy away from the table and pull the darts out of the board, I can tell she’s also looser than she was before. Her normally sexy-but-calculated walk is now freer and flat-out sexual. Smiling at me on her way to set up for her shot, I can see her eyes are glassy.
We have been drinking for a couple of hours straight, and in that time, we’ve put back quite a few beers eachanda bunch of shots. It’s certainly not enough to make me drunk, but probably enough to make her start to feel it.
Huh. Just to be safe, maybe I’ll take her to the diner for breakfast before she goes home. Not because it’s a date or anything, just because I want to make sure she doesn’t drive drunk.
