Page 42 of On the Line

“What do you say, princess, want to be a bad girl tonight? Really give mommy and daddy something to throw a fit about.”

I stay silent for a beat before answering. I’ve been offered coke before but never did I have the urge to try. There’s something about sneaking around and sharing something illicit with Ozzy that gives me a thrill I can’t really name. “Why not?” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible as I give him a little wave of the hand meant to say: Lead the way.

His grin turns wicked and I swallow hard.

He takes my hand and brings it up to his mouth while he keeps his darkening gaze fixed on me. Pressing his lipsgently on my knuckles, he then covers my hand with his. “Follow me.”

He leads me into the back of the bar, pushing a door open that has anemployees onlysign nailed on it.

“Wait,” I say, trying to pull out of his grasp. “We’re not supposed to go in there.”

He laughs. “C’mon, Jimbo. Live a little.” He tightens his grip and I have no choice but to follow. He makes one left turn into a small hallway before opening a door to a private restroom.

“Do I even want to know how you know about this bathroom?” I ask, crossing my arms in faux-attitude.

“What can I say,” he says with a wink, closing the door and then locking it. “I have friends in high places.”

I give him an eye roll but can’t hide my smile. “Sure you do.”

Slowly crowding me, he pushes me into the sink, trapping me in between his arms. “Jealous are we, James?”

I scoff in disbelief. “Not at all.”

Taking my chin in his hand, he smooths his thumb across my bottom lip. “I like you jealous.”

My eyes flit back and forth, suddenly finding it hard to catch my breath. “Oh?”

I’m not sure what else to say.

His grin is crooked but he stays silent, his thumb now caressing my cheek. Stepping away, he breaks the tension rising between us.

“Is this your first time, Jimbo?” Ozzy asks while he fishes a small bag from his front pocket.

There’s no judgment in his tone so I nod my head without any awkward embarrassment.

“What does it feel like?” I ask hesitantly.

He shoots me a playful look. His smile is almost coy. “Nervous?”

I give him a quick shrug but don’t say anything. His heated gaze lingers on me until he looks down, digging one of his keys into the bag. Bringing a small mound up to his mouth, he places it on his tongue. His eyes flit back to mine as he reaches for me, pulling me into a kiss.

There’s a slight bitter taste on his tongue as it finds mine, and a small jolt of adrenaline rushes through my body knowing what exactly I’m tasting. His hand snakes to the back of my head, deepening the kiss, a groan tumbling out of his mouth. I don’t have time to melt into him before he pulls away, pinning me with a smoldering stare.

“Just follow my lead, okay?” he says, his voice gravelly.

I nod, my gaze now locked on his actions.

Digging the key back into the bag, he brings it up to his right nostril and takes a quick hard sniff. Pinching his nose, he takes another few sniffs and clears his throat.

The fiery look he gives me has all kinds of unspoken words attached to it, and that same tingle zips through me.

Digging his key in the bag again, he holds it towards me. “Ready?”

I nod assuredly. Easy. I can do this. Leaning forward, I mimic what he just did.

The taste hits the back of my throat immediately. It’s acrid and bitter and it makes me want to wash it down with another gin and tonic.

I swallow hard, watching Ozzy expectantly, not really knowing what to anticipate.

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