Page 15 of Wicked Pursuit

“And Sunara?” All the heirs and spares are clustered in age except for Cassim, who’s the oldest. But Zayne, Michelle, the twins, and I are the same age. Kiley, Sunara, and Michelle’s sibling, Jo, are the youngest. Only by two years, but I can’t help seeing them as the babies.

He shrugs. “Same old, same old. Her nose is always stuck in a book and she avoids every party our parents host.” His dark eyes sharpen with interest. “That’s a cool ring. Where did you get it?”

I have to fight the urge to shove my hand behind me. There’s a dozen reasons I’ve kept the ring on, each flimsier than the next. The truth is that I could suffer through some scratches and remove it. I just... haven’t. “Just something new. It was a gift.”

He narrows his eyes, no doubt to ask who gifted it to me, but the waitress walks up, her tray full of drinks. Instantly the threat of an inquisition is gone, and Zayne is all charm, his focus entirely on the waitress. “Thank you, beautiful. You knew just the thing I needed.”

The waitressisbeautiful, with warm dark-brown skin, gloriously full lips, and breasts that press against the low cut of her top. She’s also incredibly familiar. She’s worked here a long time, and she was definitely a regular in the VIP bar when I used to come around more often. Her name is... Natasha! That’s it.

It strikes me all over again that I can flirt with—can seduce—anyone I want. I’m allowed to. I’m single.

What about Wolf?

I ignore the voice, just like I’ve been ignoring it all day. It’s time to have some fun.

5

Ilean forward, propping my arm on Zayne’s thigh, and give Natasha my best charming grin. “Don’t listen to him. He’s a terrible flirt.”

The smile she turns on me is significantly warmer than the one she gave him. “I know. I’ve worked here a long time.” She laughs. “But he tips like a dream.”

“One day you’ll stop breaking my heart, Nat.”

“Hold your breath. Maybe it’ll happen faster.” She nods at me. “Nice to see you around here again, Ruby. It’s been a long time.”

Michelle leans over Zayne, causing him to grumble good-naturedly, and motions at me like I’m a prize on a game show. “Ruby is newly single. Isn’t that a trip?”

“Newly single, huh?” Natasha sets the drinks onto our table, lingering a little longer than strictly necessary in front of me, and then leans in. “Maybe we should get a drink sometime when I’m not on the clock.”

My mouth is suddenly dry. The possibilities make my head spin. Natasha is so gorgeous, I have to drag in a breath and pause in order to not stumble over my words. “Sure. We could do that.”

Zayne waits for her to move away before he leans against me dramatically. “I changed my mind. You need to be back in a relationship. There’s enough competition with this wild one.” He jerks his thumb at Michelle. “No one is going to want to fuck me with the two of you as options.”

“You’re so sweet.” Michelle presses a quick kiss to his cheek and grabs her drink. “But you’re right. You can’t compare. You do, however, make an excellent wingman.”

“That’s what they all say.” He sobers. “But you’re really okay, Ruby? He didn’t break your heart, did he? Luke was pretty cool, but I won’t hesitate to break his kneecaps.”

I laugh a little, though threats of violence are never quite a joke in our world. “No, I broke up with him. He’s been a perfect gentleman.”

Zayne snorts. “No wonder you left his ass.”

“Why do people keep saying that?”

Michelle and Zayne share another look and snort. She finally downs her drink. “Please tell me you’re joking when you ask that question. You had like a couple years of testing the waters in college, but before you had a chance to really let your freak flag fly, Luke locked you down. You wouldn’t have—” She cuts herself off at my warning look, but it’s too late.

Zayne swivels to face me. “What happened? What did I miss?”

“It’s nothing.”

Michelle flags down Natasha. “Babe, we need some shots.” She barely waits for Natasha to get out of earshot to say, “If you call cheating on Luke with some lowly muscle in a shitty bar ‘nothing.’”

I fully expect Zayne to join in on the laughter at my expense, but his gaze goes serious. “Ruby, what the fuck?”

Shame threatens to heat my skin. Itwasa shitty thing to do, but Luke and I are over now. We weren’t going to be less over if I didn’t cheat on him. Yeah, that logic feels like a stretch.

I look away. “So I’m not perfect. Sue me. Are we having fun tonight, or should I just go home?”

“Don’t be like that.” Michelle reaches over Zayne and playfully smacks my knee. “You read me the riot act when I fucked that actress. You don’t fuck up often. Forgive me if I’m conflicted by it.”

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