Page 58 of Under the Ink

“Me?” Taking the bag, she nodded before peeking. “Thanks.”

Fuck. She was absolutely gorgeous tonight. Her hair was just slightly longer than when she’d started with them, hanging in her eyes a little more—making her mysterious and more tempting and luscious looking than ever. Her dark makeup added to the enigmatic feel as well, but it was that soft smile and the way it reached her eyes that made his blood start to swirl.

Pulling the bottle of brandy out of the bag, she said, “You didn’t have to do that, Sage.”

“I sure did. You’re just drinking bottled water right now.”

Mickey said, “I’m gonna call my girls before bedtime.”

“Sure it’s not already bedtime?” Kiefer asked.

“I have no idea. I hate figuring out time zones.”

“That’s why we need ‘em all on tour with us.”

Mickey gave a quick nod. “No shit.” Then he left, pulling a cell phone out of his pocket.

Kiefer, displaying both grace and intelligence, shook his empty cup. “I need a refill. Either of you want anything?”

Sage wasn’t going to say a word while Naomi checked out the bottle. She said, “No, I’m good.”

“Me too. Thanks, Keef.”

Sage didn’t think it was his imagination that Naomi was double checking the seal on the bottle before opening it. She asked, “Are you drinking with me?”

“If you’re offering.”

“Yep. Did you want cups or are you okay with drinking straight from the bottle?”

“I’m okay with whateveryouwant to do.”

“You’re awfully agreeable,” she said, handing him the bottle. “You go first.”

“If you insist.” When he took a sip, his first ever of brandy, he was pleasantly surprised—because even though it had the strength of Jack Daniels, it also had a fruity flavor underneath it all…almost sweet.

Much like he imagined the woman in front of him.

When he finished, he handed the bottle back to her. She seemed to consider him as if quite satisfied and brought the bottle to her lips. His eyes were drawn to her slender neck and he stared at the muscles of her throat as she took several swallows of the warming beverage.

Goddamn it. His jeans were feeling snug.

Lowering the bottle, she licked her lips—and it took everything in him to not wrap a hand around the back of her neck and immerse her in a kiss. Her lips shimmered and all he could do was grin.

“That’show you drink it,” she said, thrusting the bottle back to him.

“Don’t mind if I do.” After all, he needed something to slow down his voracious appetite. Maybe whiskey dick could be a good thing…like a decelerator of sorts. Just as she’d done moments earlier, he brought his lips to the rim of the bottle, trying not to get excited that it was almost like kissing her. Gulping down several swallows, he then pulled the bottle away from his mouth. “Happy now?”

With an almost shy smile, she responded. “Maybe.”

When she took another sip, he said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I know you signed a contract with Bobby for the first leg of the tour—”

“Except for Canada.”

“Yeah, except for Canada. I know. But would you consider becoming mypermanentdrum tech? How would you feel about that?”

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