Page 48 of Connected

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“Hudson… Hey, Hudson!” Kat calls across the bar, smiling she flits her eyes at him. “Can I get another ten shots and a large vodka-soda?”

“You know,” the tanned muscular barman frowns,” Rhys is gonna spit the dummy when he sees this bar tab of yours.”

“Yeah, well… Rhys is gonna get exactly what he deserves,” she smiles. Turning around, she watches the rest of the team: Zak laid back on the long seat in the booth with the rest of the guys pouring vodka shots into his mouth.

“Looks like they’re having a good time?” an unfamiliar voice addresses her at the bar.

“Sorry what?” Kat frowns and turns to face a dark-haired stranger next to her. She looks him up and down, sizing him up—expensive suit, stubbly designer beard and the strong scent of his high-end cologne teases her nose as he sidles up closer.

“How about I buy you a drink and we could have a good time of our own?”

“And how about—I don’t think so. Hudson, could you please hurry those drinks?” she sneers as the guy strokes his finger gently along her arm. “Erm… excuse me, but what the hell do you think you’re doing? I said no thanks.”

“Oh, sorry. You know my father is always correcting my manners. Please, let me start again. I’m Travis and I would like to buy you a drink?”

“And I said…Nothank you.”

“Well, I’ll just keep asking until you say yes.”

“You know, you’re very forward. But just so you know, my boyfriend is just over there.”

“So, what… can’t I buy a beautiful lady a drink? You know, if you belonged to me, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight. He doesn’t seem too bothered about you to me. Looks like he prefers the company of men,” Travis smirks.

“Well, he is—bothered—but as it happens, I can take care of myself.”

She snatches her hand away from his grip and stares, watching as he mutters something to the guy over his shoulder, something she doesn’t hear. “So, who’s he? Your sitter? Can’t you go out without protection?” she laughs snarkily. “I guess you’re not such a big boy after all, so maybe you should not run your mouth off so much?”

He moves closer until he’s right next to her, and with his index finger, he brushes a curl from her face. “Oh… I don’t need any protection,” he whispers. Grabbing her around the wrist, he holds her hand tightly in his grasp. “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. But you’re right, he works for me.”

“Get your fuckin’ hand off me because if you don’t, I’ll snap it the fuck off!”

“Oooo… you really are a feisty one. I hope you’re like that in the bedroom too. Do you like it rough in bed, Kat? I bet you do.”

“You know what… you should get the fuck away from me. And how the hell do you know my name?”

“Oh c’mon, everyone who’s anyone in here, knows what your name is. You’re what everyone came for.” He smiles and clicks his fingers, gesturing to Hudson. “Yo… hey, barman… I’ll get another large vodka—straight, no ice. And top-shelf, I don’t want any of that cheap watered-down shit you give out.”

“Kat, are you okay? Did you want anythin’ else?” Hudson frowns as he prepares the tray of drinks she requested—while ignoring the glare of the stranger.

“Hey, pretty boy, are you deaf as well as stupid? I said, vodka—now!” Travis snarls. He doesn’t enjoy being ignored—it’s also something he’s not used to.

“No thanks Hudson, I’m fine,” Kat replies. “Actually…. could you bring those drinks over to the table when they’re ready? Only, there seems to be a nasty stench around here and I need to get away from it.”

“Yeah, sure thing, Kat. I’ll bring them right over.”

Digby stands up and smiles as Kat re-joins the team at that booth. She snakes her arms around Digby’s waist and buries her lips against the crook of his neck.

“Hey baby, are you okay?” Digby frowns as Kat locks her arms at the back of his neck and kisses him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Chapter 15

Turning from his drunken games with Zak, Digby lifts Kat’s chin and kisses her passionately on the lips.

He raises his brow as he looks over her shoulder and a stranger places a tray of shots on the table beside him. Hudson follows closely behind, carrying a large jeroboam of champagne and some flutes to drink it from.

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