Page 99 of Watercolor Skulls

“No. No.” I hold my hands up. “I refuse to let him win.”

JD has noticed the group as well and sits down in front of me, forcing me to look at him. “You got this, girl?”

“I got it.”

I grab my pad and walk over to them. They all look up and the entire group bursts into laughter.

Smile. Remember to smile.

“What can I get for you?”

The girl with Benjamin squeals, “Oh my god I thought you were lying. She really does work here. In a biker bar.”

“It’s not a biker bar,” I inform her. My eyes dart around the room. Okay, there are a lot of bikers in here and a biker does own it, but still. My gaze snags on Dirk’s and his scary eyebrow pops up. I take a deep breath focusing on my customers.

Benjamin speaks for the group. “We’ll start with four pitchers of beer since I doubt there is much else to drink here.”

I nod, ignoring his insult. “Anything else?”

His eyes run over my outfit. I’m in black ripped skinny jeans and a white tank top. My hair is pulled into a high pony tail. My makeup is on point and honestly I feel pretty damn good about myself. “That’s it…for now,” he adds in a creepy voice.

I’m pouring the pitchers when I overhear Bill on the phone. “She’s holding her own, but you better get over here.”

Great, he called Dan. I can handle this. I can. Dan will kill Benjamin. Especially since he’s read my journals. I don’t exactly remember everything I wrote but I’m sure it didn’t portray Benjamin in the best of light.

I take the group glasses and four pitchers of beer. They waste no time gulping them down. Benjamin and his four friends rev up their asshole game as the alcohol settles in their systems. They keep calling me back to the table for little things, harassing me more and more by the minute.

I feel the guys from the club bristle, waiting for me to say the word. I know Bill would kick them out if I asked but I’m not letting them win. I just don’t know how to one up them.

I’m standing by their table, waiting for them to decide what they want next. They are looking over the drink menu, making fun of some of the shot names. “You know you should add a drink called runaway bride.” Benjamin’s best friend tells me.

My eyes narrow and I’m just about to lose my cool when a slender arm slithers around my neck. I look down, seeing a feminine inked hand trace along the top of my tank top. Jesse leans into me, looking at the group over my shoulder. “Hey, Lily,” she says seductively.

The assholes stop making fun of me, a much different look appearing on their faces. Her fingers continue to trail over my skin. I close my eyes, playing along.

“Susan is here. Why don’t you let her take care of these…” she pauses to look at the group, “let her take care ofthem.” She flicks an inked finger at them in disgust. The men don’t seem to mind the insult, busy watching her fingers trail across my pale skin. The girls stare at their drinks. Yeah, Jesse isn’t someone you mess with.

Jesse’s other hand wraps around me, landing right above my pubic bone.Oh.I jerk in her arms. This feels…um.

“Let’s dance,” her green eyes sparkle with mischief. “Susan,” she sing songs over her shoulder. “Can you help these city folks out?”

“On it,” Susan says, coming over, a no nonsense look on her face. Bill just hired her. She’s a mom of five boys. I think she can handle them.

Jesse laughs, pulling me over to the juke box. As we look over the selections I whisper a thank you to her.

She taps her fingers over the selections. “You dodged a fucking bullet, girl. That guy looks like an asshole.”

“He is,” I agree.

I notice Dan walk in. His eyes slide to mine before roaming over the group of intruders. He’s tense, ready for a fight. Jesse watches him for a minute too. “Ready to show that asshole what he lost?” She starts to pull me out onto the dance floor. I say dance floor but her and I are the only ones out here.

The music starts and Jesse smiles. It’sAmerican Womanby Lenny Kravitz. I want to laugh but she’s looking at me funny, a flirty smirk on her face. She takes my hand and wraps herself around me like I’ve seen her do to Dirk.

I close my eyes and let her lead me into the rhythm. We move and grind to the music, our hands roaming over each other intimately. It’s kind of weird to touch a woman this way. But it’s Jesse and she’s smoking hot. “Everyone is staring at you,” I whisper in her ear.

“No, they’re staring atus.” She flips me around so that my back is pressed against her chest. Her nipples are hard. I glance down at my own,shit.Her hands slide up my thighs as I grind my ass into her. When the song is almost over she releases me, shoving me towards Dan. “Show that prick of an ex what he can never have.” She swats my ass. Our friends all clap and whistle when our little show ends.

I focus on one thing and one thing only. Dan. Jesse has my libido kicked up to an unbearable level.

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