Page 5 of Break Out

Steel said, “Add hers to my tab. And I’ll take another Old Fashioned.”

“Yes, sir,” the bartender said.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, looking up at Steel.

His eyes darted side to side as he stared into my eyes. “Yeah, I do, Jade. A gorgeous woman like you has something huge to celebrate, she doesn’t pick up that tab. I do. Eat your pizza.”

The authority in his tone lit something inside me. Normally that something would be my temper, but with him, it was like all reason went out the window.

“You’re bossy,” I blurted.

“Look at me Jade,” he said.

I did as ordered. There it was – a hint of malice shining from his eyes along with the power. That was so attractive, I felt it in my nipples, my pussy, and right down to my tingling toes.

He grinned. “You have no idea how bossy I can be.”

My teeth sunk into my lower lip. “Then show me.”

Oh shit! Did I really just say that?

My girl Alexandra would smack me upside my head if she’d heard that. Then she’d remind me that it’s better to keep your cards close to your chest. Something about being with Steel made me aggressive and assertive.

He eyed me for a long moment. Just as I expected blatant rejection, he said, “I’ll think about it. Now eat your pizza, Simone. I don’t like to repeat myself.”

“Yes, sir.”

Chapter 2

Naughty

Steel

Was I going to do this?

Who was I kidding? Of course, I was. The moment that damned door opened for the thirtieth time, letting the coldest gust of air inside, I’d turned to glower at whoever stood there. One look at her, though, and my glower faded like waking from a great dream.

She was a dream. Shiny, brown hair that fell to her mid-back, big brown eyes, and lips stained in a shade like red wine. She was tall and slender, but had curves exactly where a man would want them. That leather top had me itching to rip it open.

I turned away since I knew the bartender was watching me – waiting for my order.

“An Old Fashioned, please, and I’ll have the wings. Medium heat, and ranch on the side – not blue cheese.”

He nodded, but before he turned away, I said, “And one more thing, if that woman who just walked in sits anywhere at this bar, you hold my food until she gets hers.”

He glanced at college girl and back to me. “And if she doesn’t?”

My eyes widened a touch. “Then bring it when it’s ready.”

The man on the other side of the empty seat shook his head and chuckled. “You’re dreaming.”

I ignored him because the asshole who had previously vacated the empty seat for a small booth on the other side of the restaurant heckled her, telling her to smile. That man couldn’t tell a mule to be stubborn. I wanted to punch him, but I didn’t want to cause a scene.

The way she entered the room, it was clear something was wrong. Like she was jaded, but wouldn’t let that interfere with her life. My sense was that despite whatever was wrong, she was going to face it and overcome it.

That made her even sexier.

When she sat down, her soft, floral scent invaded my nose. I thought I would struggle to keep my eyes off her cleavage. Instead, I’d struggled to take my eyes off that necklace. The sterling silver dragon clutching a ring of jade struck a chord with me, like I’d seen it before, but I hadn’t. It looked like jewelry found at Bike Week or Biketoberfest in Daytona.

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