Page 21 of Siren's Salvation

He's holding court at one of the tables, regaling a group with some animated story.

His deep laugh carries across the room, and I find myself smiling in response.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I startle at the voice, turning to find Kade beside me.

I didn't even notice him approach.

"Just people-watching," I say with a shrug.

He follows my line of sight to where Shiver is now arm-wrestling one of the prospects. "Uh-huh. People-watching. That what we're calling it these days?"

I elbow him in the ribs. "Shut up."

Kade chuckles, holding up his hands in surrender. "Hey, no judgment here. Shiver's a good guy. Bit of a hothead sometimes, but his heart's in the right place."

"I'm not interested," I say automatically.

"Sure, sure." Kade's tone makes it clear he doesn't believe me for a second. "Just remember, life's too short to deny yourself happiness."

I sigh, shoulders slumping. "It's not that simple."

"Isn't it?" He raises an eyebrow. "Seems to me you're the one complicating things."

Before I can argue, he claps me on the shoulder and melts back into the crowd.

I scowl after him, annoyed that he's given voice to the thoughts I've been trying to silence all night.

My eyes find Shiver again of their own accord.

He's abandoned the arm-wrestling, instead leaning against the pool table with easy grace.

A patch bunny is pressed against his side, her hand on his chest as he smiles off into the crowd, locking eyes with me.

That isn’t a damn coincidence, not in the least bit.

I tear my gaze away, irritation prickling under my skin.

Needing a distraction, I push off from the wall and make my way back to the bar.

The noise of the clubhouse fades to a dull roar as I focus on putting one foot in front of the other, desperate to put some space between myself and the temptation Shiver represents.

Stiletto's behind the bar, wiping down glasses.

Her hazel green eyes, so similar to my own, light up when she spots me. "Well, if it isn't my favorite sister," she quips.

"I'm youronlysister," I retort, sliding onto a stool.

She leans forward, arms crossed on the bar top. "So, spill. What happened between you and the new guy?"

I blink, caught off guard. "Nothing."

"Uh-huh," Stiletto drawls, clearly not buying it. "And I suppose that intense eye-fucking I witnessed earlier was just my imagination?"

Heat creeps up my neck. "It was just some eye contact. Nothing more."

Stiletto's laugh is sharp and knowing. "Well, Siren, he's still got his eyes glued to your dump truck ass, so I'd say it's a little more than nothing."

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