Page 12 of Clinch'd

“Because, if I’m going to be part of his inner whatever, I can’t just be a mindless fuck,” I say sourly.

Man, this was a long night and I just want to go home. I’m confused by my roiling emotions because a low hum of need still dances below my skin and I want to stalk over there and climb Cooper like a tree, but at the same time I’m annoyed by his arrogance.

These dicks all must think their shit don’t stink but I’ve got news for them, they’re human like all the rest of us. And I feel like a fucking toy at that. What is he, a machine? He doesn’t cuddle. What a class act.

Beast eyes me consideringly before taking a shot the bartender places before him. “What now?”

“When’s the next opportunity?”

“There’s a swanky party this weekend. He should be there.”

“Swanky? How swanky?” I mean I’m not exactly swimming in dough. Can I pull off a party?

“Buncha rich dicks,” he says with a shrug. “Don’t worry about it. My cousin wouldn’t be all fancy anyway. Just wear a dress.”

“What’s the party for?”

“A charity, youth in the community and shit,” he says waving his hand. “Here, text me and we’ll figure out the details.”

With that he hands me a business card and walks away. With a solemn sigh, I rise and head toward the exit. I’ve got a lot to think about, and I’m exhausted. I worked a double yesterday and will be back at it tomorrow. No rest for the fucking weary.

Chapter 4

Cooper

Minnie…the name suits her. Not that there’s anything tiny about her. Her lush tits and bouncy ass beg for my attention but parading as Beast’s cousin? What’s the game?

Is the fucker doing this to fuck with me or someone else? Visions of the chick he fucked last time we were here pass over my vision and if I recall correctly, she was running from that fucker Castinetti…

Does Beast know Monroe is missing or is there something else going on with the big bastard?

Either way, I’ve known the fucker for years. He doesn’t have a cousin. He’s a fucking orphan for god’s sake. So much so that Mom took one look at his pathetic mug and welcomed him as one of her own.

Asshole. What would Mom say if she knew what her favorite ‘son’ had gotten up to with his daughter? Not so innocent and wonderful now, is he?

What’s his game? What’s she doing here? Her blushing cheeks and shy smile do not match the gleam in her pretty eyes and she sure as shit doesn’t act like a groupie.

Still, as I watch her speak to that fucker with a frown, I have to adjust my hard on. Her burning gaze as she took me in left me aching and under normal circumstances, I’d be sinking into her heat right now.

There’s nothing better than fucking with that asshole and even if she isn’t truly his relative, his insistence that she is, would do the trick.

Strangely, the idea of using her to get to him doesn’t have the usual appeal but when she walks away, I eye her ass with regret.

What is Beast thinking, bringing a lamb to a party of wolves?

As soon as she’s out of sight, I step down the hall and pull up the contacts in my phone. If Beast knows something he’s not telling me, I’ll kill the fucker for real this time.

“Yeah?” Taylor says with a yawn, and I wince before checking the time on my phone.

Oops, I guess this could have waited until tomorrow.

“Sorry it’s so late,” I say gruffly.

“S’okay. I know you’re always out partying these days,” she teases.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to deny it, but what’s the point? They all see the media and believe what everyone else does. I could tell them the truth but then I would have to explain why and I’m not willing to go there.

“Do me a favor,” I say instead.