Page 54 of Clinch'd

I’m in. I think. But what now?

Beast eyes my fat lip with his customary scowl, grunting, “What happened?”

I did my best to cover it with lipstick but obviously I didn’t have plump pretty lips before. Anyone who knows me would spot it.

Glancing at my lap, I whisper, “Suit.”

“Who?”

“Bowery,” I say, rubbing my forehead.

This is all so fucked up. I’m losing my shit and for what? Beast is right, even if Cooper wanted to be with me for more than sex which is debatable, it can never happen.

Once this, whatever it is, is over, I’m going back to being a waitress in a dank diner. He’s going to move on to the next bitch in line. This can never be long term.

“Shit,” he mutters. “Are you okay?”

I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. It’s nice to see Beast’s concern and I’m warm at the gesture but the reality is he can’t save me. No one can.

“Hopefully this will be over soon,” he says, glancing away.

“Yeah.”

The thought does nothing for my wretched heart but it’s better to cut this off before it gets too deep although for me, I think it might be too late.

Cooper when he’s not being a broody asshole is funny and warm and fun. He’s everything I didn’t know I liked in a man.

My phone buzzes in my hand and butterflies whoosh through my stomach when I see Cooper’s name.

I’m looking forward to fucking that sweet pussy later

Although the dirty words create havoc in my body, they’re also a reminder. This is just sex for him and for me…well, it’s my fucking life.

With a weird pulse in my chest, I tap out a response and close out my phone. I’m well and truly fucked.

I’m wet already…

Beast’s fight is over before it begins. He comes into it with a serious dose of rage and his opponent doesn’t stand a chance. Is it because of our conversation? I don’t know but he’s back to his mercurial self when he emerges from the locker room.

Cooper won’t be ready for a good hour or two, so I don’t protest when Beast takes us to a trendy nightclub in the heart of the city.

Pink strobe lights dance around the ceiling, complementing the pink booths, bar top and wait staff.

We’re led to the VIP section where a gaggle of women wait for Beast and eye me suspiciously as we approach. As soon as we hit the floor inside, I break away for the bar.

Beast when he’s surrounded by his sycophants is hard to handle.

Instead, I take a seat on the pink barstool and order a signature drink. The pink frothy liquid is sweet, and I shudder at the taste before powering through. I’ve never much cared for frou frou drinks but when in Rome and all that.

I’m searching for a buzz and frankly, any drink will do at this point.

“Hey.” I glance up to find the weird creep from before, one of Beast’s lackeys standing over me. I don’t remember his name, only that he was oblivious to the cues when he sat next to me while I turned Cooper down for the first time.

I’m in no mood for him but he ignores my lackluster response and sits down. “Another drink for the lady.”

I cast him a frown, but he just smiles, and it takes me a moment to realize why he gives off creepy vibes. He reminds me of one of my mother’s boyfriends, another winner who beat her on the daily. He’s also the first dick to try and feel me up.

I was young but not young enough to let that slip by without a fuck you to his nads. This jerk has the same slimy light behind his eyes.

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