Page 109 of See Me

A chorus of yesses follows and I walk behind the bar. After getting everyone’s drinks made and passed out, I set two shot glasses out in front of me and grab a bottle of tequila. I look to Luca and raise a brow in question, the bottle poised to pour the drinks.

“Did you ever ask the boss if we could drink on the job?”

He walks over and leans one elbow on the bar in front of me. “He saidlet the redhead do whatever she wants.”

“Interesting. I wonder what changed his mind.” I pour the shots and slide one over to him.

He rubs his chin and smirks. “Said she had him by the balls.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “You’re lucky I haven’t taken this shot yet or you’d be wearing it.” I hold my glass up for him to cheers and we both take a shot, the burn in my throat not coming close to the heat radiating between us.

I turn back to my clan and they are all silent, staring. Alex actually fans himself with a napkin.

I clear my throat and grab a towel to wipe the bar. “Anyone need anything?”

“You literally just gave us drinks,” Jen says, holding up her glass.

“Right. Ha. Yeah.”

Luca straightens up and slaps the bar. “Hey, guys, let me show you the gym.” Jace looks relieved to be able to walk away from the crowd and Luca gives me a look that saysgo ahead with your girl talk.

Alex leans halfway over the bar to watch them walk away. “I just know that man fucks like a rockstar.”

Cassie and I both say, “Yeah.”

We exchange one silent glance and erupt in giggles and high fives.

The bar fills quickly. Luca leaves the boys and soon we are slinging drinks and bar food, along with Benny manning the register. The girls wander up to the bar for more drinks.

Cassie tilts her head to Luca at the end of the bar. “How’s it going with him? Besides the rockstar sex stuff.”

I lean over the bar, chin resting on my fist. “I don’t know. We’re having fun for sure. Sometimes he looks at me like there’s more there. And I used to want to have that conversation, but I sort of don’t want to burst the bubble. He seemed like he wanted to have a talk the other night…”

“But?” Jess draws the word out.

“But I kinda told him I didn’t want to talk and I’d rather choke on his cock.”

Cassie smiles, Jess’s mouth drops open, and Ashley slams her hand on the bar and laughs.

“Atta girl.” Ashley holds her hand up for a high five. “Don’t let ‘em trap you. It’s better to just have your fun and discard when you’re done.”

“Is that really all you ever want? C’mon Ash,” Jess says and elbows her side.

Cassie tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Yeah, don’t you want to fall in love and be swept away someday by the man of your dreams?”

“Aren’t you sick of the dating game, Smash? It’s exhausting,” Jen says.

Ashley looks between all of us. “I’ve had love… I want a housekeeper.” We all exchange wide-eyed looks at her admission. She clears her throat when she realizes she just gave it away. “Have you all been captivated by the cock? It’s like you're hypnotized. Just because some hot, muscly, tattooed hunk of man can lay it down and make your toes curl, doesn’t mean you should roll over and be willing to get all—”

“Married?” We all look over to Luca who’s gripping his phone so hard I’m surprised I can’t hear the screen cracking.

I walk over. “What’s going on?”

“I’m gonna strangle him.”

He hands me his phone, and I peruse a text exchange between Luca, Enzo, and their cousin Evie, who Enzo is in Vegas to watch over while she works an MMA tournament. The first thing I see is a picture of Enzo with a bouquet of roses and a bowtie around his head.

Luca:

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