Page 22 of Echoes of Desire

“What does black mean?”

“It means do not touch,” Jasper says, locking the band around my wrist into place. “It means if someone touches you, I’ll rip their fucking heart out.”

“What my brother means is…”

“I get it,” I whisper, my eyes locked with Jasper’s.

“And she likes it,” Jaxon laughs. “Alright, your staff are walking in, sweetheart. Let’s go introduce them to their new boss.”

Chapter Eight

Blaze

“Ican’t tell if she’s freaking the fuck out or if she’s thriving,” I admit to Steel.

When the festivities first started, I thought for sure Raven would bolt. Her eyes were wide as she took in the room and the different scenes. I get it. It’s a lot for someone not part of this world.

But she didn’t run. After a couple of hours, she squared her shoulders and plastered on a smile.

“She’s a little overwhelmed, but she’s doing great,” Steel says. “And she’s a fucking rockstar at mixing those drinks.”

“That she is.”

We watch as she smiles at someone and hands them their drink.

“I’m going to get a drink and check on her,” Steel says.

“Bastard,” I laugh as I turn away to go and do my damn job.

Steel

Walking up to the bar, I smile as Raven turns her attention to me.

“Hello,” she smiles up at me. “What can I get for you?”

“My regular,” I say, knowing full well that she has no idea who I am right now. In a way, it’s kind of fun.

“Oh, I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know what your regular is. If you want, I can surprise you with what I think you might like.”

Interesting.

“Please, do,” I say.

I remain silent as I watch her work. It won’t be long before she has our voices memorized, but until then, I’m going to take advantage of our newness and watch her figure it out.

“So, I’m thinking something strong,” she says as she mixes different liquids together. “You strike me as the kind of man who prefers bold flavors, something that makes a statement.”

Her hands move confidently, though I can tell she’s still feeling her way through the club’s dynamic. She pours whiskey into a shaker, adds a splash of bitters, and then a touch of something sweet, maple syrup, maybe. Her choice intrigues me.

As she shakes the concoction, I lean against the bar and watch her. Raven has a quiet determination about her, a fire she probably doesn’t even realize yet. It’s in the way she studies her environment. The way she handles uncertainty with grace.

She pours the amber liquid into a chilled glass and garnishes it with a single orange twist. Sliding it across the bar, she looks up at me with a satisfied grin. “There. A classic Old Fashioned, with a little twist. Let me know if I got it right.”

I lift the glass and take a sip, letting the smooth warmth of the drink settle on my tongue. She nailed it. “Impressive. You’re a quick study.”

“Thank you,” she smiles before wiping down the counter.

I drop a fifty on the counter in front of her.

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