Page 35 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Dirty martini, coming right up.”

“And, one for the road.”

“Two dirty martinis coming right up.”

Shut the fuck up. The sound of his voice intercepting the connection that had been birthed was making my flesh crawl.

Her impatience led her to the end of the bar before the bartender could finish his sentence. She pressed her back against the wall and began observing the crowd around us.

Searching for her next source of income,I concluded.

There was no need to search. He was standing just inches away. And, whatever the price, he was willing to pay. Because, he understood his power as well and knew that it would only take a few minutes of her time to carve out a section of her brain to claim as his own for as long as he wanted.

Long as he needed.

Long as it served him.

Long as it served her.

Free of charge.

Her nervous fingers gripped the strap of her shoulder bag. I began to vomit at the mouth, using more words at once than I had in the last three weeks.

“You’re going to age the leather much faster than you should if you don’t loosen your grip.”

Her eyes crept up on me. A hand went to her hip, slightly opening her coat to expose the monochrome attire underneath. Her details were addictive.

Gold jewelry was at a minimum, but announced her status without her having to. She wasn’t hurting for a fucking thing. One piece of gold from her body and she’d easily acquire a ten thousand dollar payout and that was for the cheapest piece on her.

I breathed her in. I bathed in her ambiance. I locked her features in my memory with promises of keeping them forever.

From her narrow nose to her eyes that were sharp at each end and the widest in the very center. She was thin, but curves still expanded her body in all the right places. Her design was immaculate.

Really, nigga?

I tilted my head and sucked the skin of my teeth. The line was possibly the corniest I could muster, but I wasn’t in control of much right now.

Had I been, then I wouldn’t have shared any words to begin with. This was far beyond my realm. Engaging in unsolicited conversation or conversation at all for the matter, was against every ritual I practiced.

Yet, I prevailed. The slow, steady breath she released was revealing. So was her change in posture. She straightened her spine even more. Her breasts pushed forward, piercing the air just a little bit more.

Almost immediately after my words exited my mouth, two stones appeared behind her black blouse. Those dark eyes formed slits. She took me in, scanning me from head to toe. And, for the first time in my fucking life I hoped someone was satisfied with what they consumed of me.Physically. Verbally. Mentally.

SIlence.

Unblinking and unmoving, her gaze met mine. Slowly, I turned to face her completely and stood to my full potential.

Before now, I’d been afraid that if I took in too much of her at once, I’d overdose. There was too much money at stake tonight to fumble. Aside from the time I’d have with her, if she allowed, I had prior engagements.

“Psalms,” I introduced myself, extending a hand.

The disgust on her face made me second-guess my approach. She glanced at my hand as if it was covered in fish residue. She didn’t linger long. Her eyes were on mine as quickly as they’d left.

The smell of olive juice swelled my nostrils. The questionable choices had finally arrived. I wasn’t ready to share her attention, so I silently dared the bartender to overstay his welcome.

“Your drink—ss,” I mentioned, motioning toward the two glasses that had been slid down the bar.

I lost those dark orbs again. This time, they landed on the drinks just a few inches away from her. Instead of taking one, she reached for the receipt.

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