Page 144 of Chasing Lyric
“Rawrr… asshole, asshole,”Polly shrieks loud enough to echo off the glass backsplash.
The surrounding conversation screeches to a halt, heads swivel toward us, and I can already hear Chase mutter an apology across the room to this mystery guy.
Rory doubles over in laughter, wiping her eyes as she turns toward the stranger, clearly not bothered by the attention. Her gaze slides down his chest with zero shame. He is attractive. Too attractive.And Rory?She’s taking inventory like she’s shopping for trouble.
“Looks like Polly’s got your number,” Rory quips, lifting one perfectly arched brow.
Polly, clearly not done with his commentary, leans forward again.“Rawrr… love her, love her.”
The guy’s eyes flick to Rory, slow and deliberate, and the room seems to hold its breath.
“Every woman needs an asshole at least once in her life,” he says, his voice rough silk. “You game?”
A sharp snort bursts from me before I can stop it. I turn back to the cutting board to hide my grin, letting the blade thunk softly against the wood.
Rory, hand on her hip, doesn’t miss a beat. “I think I’ll pass. And maybe leave the bird alone before I find your asshole. And I swear, you won’t like what happens to it.” She turns back to me, mouthingOh my Godso theatrically that I almost choke on my own laughter.
He starts to move past us, but not before throwing a parting shot over his shoulder. “Offer stands if you change your mind, gorgeous. Name’s Soren. I’m in town for a while…” He takes a breath. “And I’ll let you do anything you want to my asshole.”
Rory snorts out a laugh, rolling her eyes. “I bet you would.”
Soren.
The name clangs in my head. Chase mentioned him once, briefly, something about a guy with his own private investigation business. The same fake job he used as a cover while lying to me. I blink, trying to process it, but Soren is already pulling a sleek black business card from his jacket and handing it to Rory. Her cheeks go pink as she accepts it, brushing her fingers over the embossed logo.
“Don’t wait too long to call me.”
“Rawrr… watch out, watch out.”
I slap my hand on the counter. “Polly! Zip it!”
But Soren is already walking off, boots heavy against the floor, his woodsy aftershave lingering in the air like the tail end of a storm. Once he disappears into the crowd, Rory and I both burst out laughing like teenagers at a sleepover.
“He was hot, Rores. Sounds like a kinky bastard, but hot,” I whisper.
She scoffs, though a little too hard to be convincing. “Was he? Didn’t notice.”
I turn to face her fully, grinning. “Oh, come on. He was totally into you. You should put yourself out there.”
Rory shakes her head with mock horror. “No. Thank. You.” But she slips the card into her purse anyway, her fingers lingering for a second too long.
Before I can tease her further, Dax strolls by, as casual as ever, plucking a cube of cheese off a tray. A tall brunette hanging off his arm, boobs leading the way into the room like they’ve got their own spotlight.
Rory’s eyes widen, and I brace myself. This night is far from over. I swat at his hand, making him wink at me.
“Dax, stop! These are for the guests.”
He scoffs. “Am Inota guest in your home, Lyri?”
I groan, rolling my eyes. “More like a piece of the furniture, you’re here that often.”
“Yes, a piece of furniture you love and adore, but anyway, Miss Hostess, don’t be so rude. Andy here is your guest.” He gestures to the bimbo on his arm, whom I’ve never met before.
She grimaces. “Ahh, it’s Candy,” the bimbo corrects.
Rory narrows her eyes at me as Dax leads her over to the drinks station. “I don’t know what women see in Dax Malone.”
“Dax is freaking gorgeous. He’s got the body of a god, and he’s charming when he wants to be,” I defend him, somehow the little weasel has gotten under my skin, and I feel like I have to protect the asshole. Because he’s Chase’s best friend, and now he’s also become one of mine.
