Page 29 of Red My Lips

“I do love it when the tip is big.” I move my gaze until it lands on Dane. “I hope you don’t disappoint me, Dane.” With that, I saunter off to the wet bar.

I busy myself with cleaning up the bar while the men play another hand. John and Grecko get into it about the difference between equity and ‘being liquid’, and Dane tries to strike up conversation with me from across the room—something Gage shuts down immediately.

Scooping ice into a shaker, I add gin and a small splash of vermouth before I put on the top and give it a good shake. Pulling out a chilled martini glass, I pour the cold liquid into the glass and add a lemon twist. Lifting the rim to my lips and taking a sip, my tongue welcomes the taste of the dirty martini.

Drinking on the job as a bartender is a big no-no, though most people in the service industry sneak drinks regularly. Making myself a martini right in front of the man who owns both the club I work at and me would be considered a daring move. But I’m not making a statement. I simply don’t give a shit. It’s been a long night, and I need a stiff drink.

And there’s no leaving this job.

My body alerts me to Gage’s presence before he speaks. I can sense him coming to stand closely behind me, and my entire being prickles with awareness. His energy shrouds us like a storm cloud, tension radiating from his powerful body.

“You’re wasting your time with Dane.” His voice is low, the rough undertone of anger is fucking sexy. “He can’t give you what you need.”

Picking up my glass, I turn around to face him and tilt my head up to meet his gaze. A sharp edge to his calm demeanor—almost indiscernible—transforms his handsome face from cool to lethal.

I like it.

“What Dane can or can’t give me isn’t something you need to concern yourself with.” Pressing the cool glass to my lips, I take a sip.

I don’t want anything to do with Dane. In fact, Dane is one of the reasons my brother ever moved from making smaller bets at casino tables to the high-stakes games that first drowned him, then sucked the life out of him. My brother’s gambling addiction started at fifteen with the discovery of online poker. He’d been able to keep his head above water until he met Dane Presley. Dane raised the stakes, and Tommy ultimately couldn’t pay the price.

Gage is a very jealous man, that much is clear. He’s a loaded weapon that will be useful when pointed in the right direction. So I’ll give Dane some attention—I’ll even let him flirt with me. He’ll pay for his sins soon enough, and I won’t have to lift a finger for this one.

“You like games, little devil. But I’ve never lost a hand.” He lifts his fingers to his nose and inhales deeply to prove his point, letting the breath out with a deep growl. “I can still smell you on my fingers, so filthy and eager. I bet your needy little pussy is still dripping for me, throbbing for my cock to fill it.” He takes another step forward, tilting his head and running his eyes over my body. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? I should claim your pussy right here, and now—rip that hot dress off your sexy body and fuck you right here on the bar until you pass out from the pleasure.”

My entire body throbs, aching for him. He’s right. I want his cock to slam balls deep into me until I’m falling apart. My pussy pulsates at the thought of it, my clit swollen and desperate as lust spears through me. I’m so fucking turned on, it’s ridiculous. I know he can see it in the way my breathing changes and how my pupils dilate. “I’ll pass. I already got what I wanted from you tonight.”

“Seems like you need a reminder about who you belong to.”

“You can pay for my attention, but you can’t buy my interest.” I lean up to press a soft, chaste kiss to his lips. “You want me? Earn me. So far, I’m not impressed.”

Gage stares down at me, his dark eyes so intense that I allow myself to get caught in them briefly. Being under his gaze fuels me, filling my battery and reaffirming my position. It’s a reminder.

He may hold all the power, but I’m the one in control.

“Hey, doll, get me another scotch,” John calls from the table. “If I’m not going to win tonight, I might as well be good and drunk.”

“Coming right up,” I call without breaking eye contact. I place my hand on Gage’s solid chest, letting it run down his muscled torso until it reaches where his heavy cross falls. I wrap my fingers around the cold metal and give it a tug, pulling him in closer. Gage watches me without blinking, his eyes laser-focused with a desire so potent I can practically taste it. Tilting my head up and leaning in, he does the same. But before his mouth meets mine, I bring my waiting glass to my lips to toss back the last of the cocktail.

“Duty calls.” I let go of his cross and give it a pat. “I wouldn’t want to get in trouble with my job.”

Gage chuckles, the sound rich and terrifying. My breath hitches when his hand wraps around my throat beneath my jaw, and I’m being pulled flush against his chest. My free hand presses against him in an attempt to steady myself. The smile on his face is one of dark satisfaction when his lips lower to claim mine. He kisses me soundly—with sweet, sultry give and rough, hungry take.

After a long moment, he finally pulls back just enough to look at me, the smile returning to his face like we’re in on the same joke. “Little devil, you’re nothing but trouble. And I’m made for chaos.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jill

Walking through the door of Stained Heart Tattoos a week later, my eyes move around the space. It’s a nice place, nicer than I was expecting.

“Hi, can I help you?” Despite the tattoos covering the plus-size woman at the reception desk, her smile is as bright as her pink hair. There’s something about her that radiates sunshine.

“I made an appointment to get a tattoo,” I say, looking past the reception desk. “My name is Jill.”

Her eyes move from the computer screen to really look at me, making me pause. I’m about to ask her if something’s up, but then she smiles.

“Jill’s a pretty name. It suits you,” she says, clicking at the computer. “I’m Stevie. I’ll have you follow me.”

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