Page 48 of Capitol Matters

Nash stood by, near enough that the herbal smell of his cologne wormed its way to my nose. In the moment of quiet, I snuck a glance at his bare arms bedecked with colorful tattoos that contrasted starkly against my black and gray ink. I stared too long, studying the scales of a dragon that coiled around his bicep and onto his shoulder. When the alchemist caught me looking, his warm brown eyes crinkled with amusement.

Donovan slid his cell phone out of his pocket and checked the time. “Fitch, we gotta go,” he announced. “I want to make sure the new guy is at least a little more comfortable before we leave him for the night.”

Grumbling complaint, I asked, “One more drink?” Though I could clearly see he hadn’t even finished the martini.

“It’s late,” Donovan replied. “And I have to drive you to work in the morning.”

“I can drive you,” Nash offered.

A smile tugged at my cheeks, but I fought it off. “You don’t want to do that. It’s ungodly early.”

8:00 AM was a time rarely seen by those in my social circle, or by myself before the Capitol gig required it. Asa bar owner, Nash was damn near nocturnal. I’d never known him to be awake before noon unless he was still rolling from the night before.

“Then I’ll take a nap afterwards.” Nash raised his shoulder. “And make you breakfast before.”

Warmth crept up my neck. “Look at you, coming in with the hard sell.” I huffed a laugh.

Donovan sighed loudly and stood from his stool. “Guess that answers your question, Fitch. Somebody wants to fuck you.”

I remembered Lover Boy calling me “baby girl” and pulling on the choker collar I’d worn with exactly that in mind.

“Oh, he’s not the only one.” I snaked my tongue across my lips, and Donovan cringed.

“Congrats,” he muttered. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” He made his way out of the bar hastily, and the front door slammed it shut in his wake.

Nash flinched at the echoing bang, then took another nip of whiskey.

Huffing a breath, I tossed my head toward my brother’s exit. “He got what he wanted, and it’s not what he wanted.” I climbed onto the bartop and sat with my arms crossed. “Can I say I told him so?”

Nash set the glass down then stepped over and pushed my knees apart. He pressed in, running his hands up my thighs. “Who else wants to fuck you?” His voice held a soft growl that made my breath catch.

“Lots of people,” I said through a stuttering laugh. “Guys, girls, my options are wide open.”

“Mmhmm.” Nash nodded, standing impossiblyclose. “But you’re here.”

I rolled my shoulder in a sort of shrug. “None of them offered me breakfast.”

Had I thought of this when I turned Lover Boy down? Remembered the company available to me just across town? Maybe I should have. Toothpaste-white teeth and soft hair were nice, but Nash was more. I wondered if I was more to him, too, but that thought was quashed as Nash’s fingers crept past my waist, walking across my bare midriff and making me squirm.

“What should we do until breakfast?” he whispered.

A shiver slipped down my spine as I replied, “Whatever you want.”

Nash hummed a soft sound. I hooked my legs around his waist and leaned back, bracing my arms as he bent over me. The heels of his palms bumped over my ribs, applying bone-deep pressure that drove a sigh from me.

“I do like this outfit,” he said. His lips feathered across my stomach, joined by a warm rush of air as he chuckled. “But all I can think is how much better you’d look without it.”

Nash’s fingers crept around to my back then walked up my spine. I leaned forward, and we collided with a kiss. He tucked me tightly to him, and I went limp, whimpering against his lips and feeling him smile in return.

“Except maybe this,” he said. One hand strayed to loop a finger around the choker necklace. He gave it a tug, lolling my head backwards. “This can stay.”

The slight pressure on my throat lingered as hemoved to my jawline, suckling down to the hollow of my collarbone.

I’d let him walk me on a leash if the trip ended in his bed. Hell, I’d even crawl on all fours. And, after that, I’d show him a few tricks I could do with my tongue.

As soon as Nash released the choker, I kissed him again and brought my hands around. One knotted in the soft scruff of his hair while the other ventured toward the waistband of his sweats.

In response, he barred an arm across my back and tucked the other under me, pulling me forward off the countertop. I hugged my thighs against his hips until he lowered me to the floor. My feet came down to stop the descent and he stepped wide, making space to spin me around. In the span of one surprised gasp, he had me bent across on the bartop with the bulge of his erection pressed against my ass.

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