Page 60 of Caged Heat

“So, um, how are you doing?” he asked, starting the car.

“Good. Great.” I cleared my throat. Why was I making this so hard? “How about you? Do you like the ER?”

“God, no. Hate it, actually.” He chuckled, peering over at me for a second. “You were the best thing about it.”

My cheeks heated. Geez. I was blushing. “Oh, how so?”

“Because it gave me the chance to see you again. I thought…I mean, last time. Things were going good, and then. I dunno. It felt like you flipped. Did I read it wrong?”

My throat dried up. I wasn’t used to guys putting me on the spot. Mostly because I didn’t give them long enough to do it, but also because the guys I slept with were only interested in getting to know my body, not me.

“You weren’t wrong.”

“Then what—shit. It’s packed.” Bottle Grounds came into view, the street packed with cars.

“Turn there; you can park in the employee lot.”

I helped navigate him to the back, and we found a spot. The conversation dropped, and I prayed he wouldn’t bring it up. I let him in the back door, and we made our way to the bar. Music blared the second we exited the hallway, and bodies filled the space. Taking his hand, I pulled him over to the bar and stepped behind it.

“What do you want?” I shouted, glancing over my shoulder.

His gaze jumped up to mine, and I smiled. He’d been checking out my ass. Despite the warning signs in my head, it felt good to be wanted by a man like Mack.

“Whatever you’re having,” he shouted, his cheeks twinging red.

I winked and dropped his hand. My mother smiled at me when she noticed who I was with. I rolled my eyes, ignoring her questioning stare, and filled two shot glasses, then two tumblers with Coke and rum. If I was doing this, I needed a little liquid courage. Handing him the shot, I waited to see what he’d do. A moment passed between us, heavy with everything we’d left unsaid.

He picked it up and clinked it against mine. “To second chances.”

“To second chances,” I repeated, and we both threw the shots back. The liquid burned down my throat, heating me from the inside. Leaving the shot glasses on the counter, I handed him the other drink and retook his hand. He clasped it, his palm warm against mine. Shit, even holding his hand felt right. I was in so much trouble.

By some miracle, I found a free booth in the back corner. People had piled empty glasses on it, but that didn’t bother me. I stacked everything and used a few napkins to wipe it clean. When I was satisfied, I slid in and pulled Mack after me. He smirked at me, and I almost liked it better than his smile. Almost.

We were both quiet, sipping our drinks and watching the people around us dance and party. There was a certain liveliness in the air, the end of a year and the hope for a new one. I always loved New Year’s Eve, and it had nothing to do with my birthday being the next day.

“Why did you leave that day at my mom’s?” he asked again, his eyes soft and imploring.

“I’m not good for you. I’ll corrupt you.”

He frowned and leaned closer. “Did I miss the part where you worked for the mafia?”

I sputtered out a laugh. “No.”

Mack smiled, stealing my breath. “Maybe I want to be corrupted.”

Sweet summer child, this man might kill me.

“Oh, yeah?” My heart raced, and I leaned forward, throwing caution to the wind. “Then prove it.”

“How?” He licked his lips, eyes darting back and forth as they searched mine.

Erasing the last few inches between us, I licked up the column of his throat. He shuddered, a moan slipping out as I drew closer. Nipping his earlobe, I tossed down the ultimate gauntlet. I’d either push him away for good, or I’d have to face that he was perfect for me. Both options scared the shit out of me.

“I want you to sink your fingers inside of me and make me writhe on them like they were made for my pussy. Make me come. Right here. Right now.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

MACK

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