Page 15 of Savage Reign

He chuckles, a low, gravelly sound that I feel between my legs. It’s been a long while since anyone’s made me weak in the knees, and it’s a welcome feeling.

“Maybe,” he says, leaning in so I feel his warm breath fan over my ear. “But in this case, he’s right. You really are the most beautiful woman here.”

A flush creeps up my neck, warmth spreading through me despite my best attempt to play it cool.

“Now who’s the one with the cheesy lines? Tell me—does that line ever work foryou?”

He smiles, resting his muscular arms on the bar top, his thumb tracing down the center of his lips. I follow the movement, transfixed. “Don’t know. Never used it before. I don’t bother with flattery unless it’s true.”

I glance away, fighting a small smile. “Everyone resorts to flattery once in a while,” I challenge.

He raises a brow. “Luckily, I’m not everyone.”

Something about his expression seems familiar—he reminds me of someone, but I can’t figure out who. “Have we met before?”

“I don’t think so.” He tilts his head to the side. “I’d definitely remember meeting you if I had.”

My heart races, and for a second, I can’t think of a single word to say. But I’m saved by the bartender when he reappears.

“Here you go, gorgeous,” he says, sliding a tray of shots toward me with a wink. There are way more shots than I ordered. “Drinks on me tonight. And if you’re interested in a little company later?—”

“She’s not.” The sexy stranger cuts in, his tone icy. In one smooth motion, he picks up the entire tray and dumps it behind the bar.

My jaw drops. This man might be insanely hot, but he also might be straight-upinsane. “Make them again,” he snaps at the bartender, who looks rattled. “This time, in front of me.”

I blink, frozen, as the bartender nods silently, the tendons in his neck working hard to swallow. He starts remaking the shots in clear view, his hands a little unsteady.

“What the hell was that?” I hiss.

With one eye on the bartender, he turns to me. “You need to pay better attention when a stranger’s making you a drink.”

I shake my head. “He’s the bartender. It’s literally his job.”

His gaze drops to my lips. “A terrifying thought, isn’t it?”

Heat pools low in my belly. What the hell is wrong with me? His over-the-top alpha vibe shouldn’t be a turn-on, but damn, it kind of is. Maybe my friends were right—I need to get laid.

He slaps a stack of bills on the bar. “This’ll cover your drinks for the night. Under no circumstances is that mudak paying for you. Got it?”

I straighten, trying to reclaim some self-respect. “I can pay for my own drinks, thanks.”

He slides a finger under my chin, lifting my face to his, and a rush of warmth spreads through me. “I know you can, but I want to. I’ll be watching you all night, moya sladost. Keep that in mind.”

Goosebumps prickle along my arms at the term of endearment, one that’s oddly familiar. My brain must be scrambled. I’m not used to feeling this kind of pull, like every nerve in my body is suddenly tuned to him, crackling with energy.

“Your drinks.” The bartender sets down the shots, keeping his head down as if he’d rather be anywhere else. When I glance up, my mysterious protector has vanished like smoke.

“Who was that guy?” I ask the bartender.

His eyes flick up briefly before darting away. “I-I don’t know, but I really don’t want to find out.” He hurries off to serve someone else.

Alex and Daria’s faces light up as I approach with a tray full of shots.

“So, who was the hot as fuck guy you were chatting with at the bar?” Alex asks, nudging me with his shoulder.

I shrug, trying to play it off. “Don’t know. We were just chatting while we waited on our drinks.”

Daria finishes applying her lipstick, closing the compact mirror with a click. “The way he looked at you was anything but casual.”

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