Page 70 of The Second Deal

Ittakes a long, strobe- and bass-filled moment beforeAdrianslips an arm across my back, gripping me to him so tightly.Hisvoice is gruff in my ear. “Youshould’ve told me.Youshould’ve fuckingstayed.”

“It’snothing that concerned you—”

“Areyou out of your fucking mind?” he says loudly.Headsturn in my periphery. “YouthinkIwould’ve wanted you to go through that alone?”

Mybrows furrow asIgape at him. “It’smy choice.”

“AndIwould’ve supported you.”Hesearches my face. “Nomatter what,Steph.Iwould’ve been there if you’d just let me.”

Scanningthe bar and a second empty margarita glass, huggingAdrianto reassure him that things are okay,Ihave to remind myself we’re supposed to be on a real first date and not hashing out our pre-existing relationship woes.It’shard, though, when the guy just won’t let up.

Adriantakes a long pull from his drink.Afterhe sets the glass down, his hands travel to my hips to make them swing with his.Myarms come up around his shoulders, hands resting behind his neck, letting him direct my body with his.

A“Despacito” remix thrums through the atmosphere, making me groan and complain if it’s still popular.Adrianassures me it still is.

“Tellme something,Dree,”Istart. “Whatis it you actually like about me?Notno superficial bullshit, either.”

Ifthere’s a way to permanently smack the smirk off his face,Iwant to know about it.

Hishands aren’t overly suggestive, for once. “Ilike that you’re a ride-or-die kind of person.Thatyou’re smart and fuckin’ fierce and go for what you want.Thatyou’re an incredible musician and always trying to improve.Ilove that you love being a tia and went above and beyond for la princesita whenKriscouldn’t be here.”Hisgaze flares. “Thatyou love me and my brother to a fault.”

“Inever said thatIlove you,”Iinsist. “Notlike that.”

Hebends to my ear. “Youdon’t have to.”

Hislips graze the corner of my mouth.Thecontact jolts my flesh andIyank myself away, escaping to a blank space of wall to justbreathe.

Iwatch him a few feet away sipping on his rum and coke while keeping a careful eye on me.WhenI’massured he's staying put,Itake a deep breath and close my eyes.

Thewall is cool and smooth on my back; a sad attempt at cooling the fire burning beneath my skin.Tequilaand lime and salt coat my tongue, and it makes me want to keep drinking the night away, maybe untilIletAdrianwhisk me away to a hotel room to spend another night together in total bliss inside our own bubble.

Myarm hurts a little when my skin prickles from cold air blowing directly on me.

Hecould be mine.

WhenIopen my eyes,Adrianis still in the same spot surveying the dance floor.Colorfullights revolve over the floor and shine on something that makes me double take to make sureI’mnot seeing a snake or some shit in a fucking club, even though that wouldn’t surprise me—we’ve had snakes get into the house a time or two before.

Ifollow the lights, lingering on a chicken foot and a hoof.

Mybrows knit together and follow the taloned claw and glistening hoof up legs attached toAdriansipping on his drink.

Chapter25

Nothing’s Over

–Day/Four

Breathingin sharply,Ishake my head and blink a few times.God,Ihope there’s nothing extra in my fucking margaritas becauseIcannothandleAdrianhaving a chicken foot and a hoof for feet right now.

JustwhatIneed: for my date to beSanAntonio’sdancing devil.

Refocusing,Adrian’sfeet are normal and he’s still wearing hisVans.

Hecatches me staring and sets his drink down before sauntering over.

Thewarmth of his body heats my front as he posts his arm above my shoulder on the wall, drawing closer.

Ihesitate, looking away and making his mouth land on the hollow of my ear.Butthat doesn’t stop him from kissing up and down my neck.

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