Page 79 of Her Possessive Daddies

"Thanks, man. Let me know how it goes."

The line goes dead and I stare at my phone. What the hell am I doing? I’m walking right into temptation. But the thought of seeing her again makes my blood run hot.

"Hey boss, we're done for the day," Jim calls out.

I wave him off, already planning my route to the Velvet Room. God help me.

40

ABBIE

The familiar scent of whiskey and leather hits my nostrils as soon as I walk in. My uncertain hands shake as I tie my apron around my waist. A week away felt like an eternity, yet not long enough to process the disaster at Corey's house.

"Well look who decided to grace us with her presence." Lacey's voice carries across the room. "I was starting to think you'd found a better gig."

"Just needed some time off." I busy myself arranging glasses, avoiding her knowing gaze.

"Bullshit. Your face says different." She props herself on the counter, blonde hair falling over one shoulder. "Spill."

"It's nothing." The glass in my hand clinks too loudly as I set it down. "Just some relationship drama."

"Ah." Lacey reaches for the top shelf bourbon - the good stuff we're not supposed to touch. She pours two shots with practiced grace. "Those are the worst kind."

"I really shouldn't-"

"Doctor's orders." She pushes one glass toward me. "Best cure for a messed up relationship is alcohol and girl talk."

The bourbon burns sweet and warm down my throat. For a moment, I can almost forget the look on Chandler's face, the hurt in Corey's eyes, the electric tension with Donovan. Almost.

"Want to talk about it?" Lacey asks, already reaching for the bottle again.

"Not really much to say. Just got in over my head with someone. Multiple someones, actually."

"Damn girl." Lacey grins. "Didn't know you had it in you. Good for you."

"Neither did I." The second shot goes down easier than the first. "Now I wish I didn't."

A guy slides onto the barstool in front of me, all perfect white teeth and designer cologne. "Haven't seen you here before, lovely lady. I'm Jason."

"I work here actually. Just been away." My hands move on autopilot, wiping down the counter. His cologne reminds me of Corey's - expensive but subtle. Somehow the scent annoys me right now.

"Lucky for me you're back then." Jason leans forward, biceps flexing under his fitted shirt. "What's your best mixer?"

Any other time, this would be exactly my type. Confident without being cocky, well-dressed without trying too hard. But all I can fantasize about is how Donovan's arms felt around me, how Seth's eyes sparked when he laughed, how Corey's voice got all gravelly when he…

"Hello? Earth to beautiful bartender?" Jason waves his hand playfully.

"Sorry, um..." My cheeks flush. "What can I get you?"

"Your number would be nice." He winks. "But I'll settle for a vodka tonic."

As I mix his drink, my mind wanders to that night at Corey’s. The way Corey commanded the room, how Seth watched me with those hungry eyes. The feeling of Donovan's fingers against my skin in the hallway makes me fumble the bottle.

"Careful there." Jason catches it before it spills. His hand brushes mine and I jerk back like I've been burned.

"I need to..." The walls feel too close suddenly. "Lacey, can you cover for a minute? Restroom. Excuse me."

I don't wait for her response, just bolt for the employee restroom. The cool water on my hands helps clear my head, but my reflection in the mirror looks haunted. Three different men, all wanting pieces of me. All of them forbidden in their own ways. And here I am, unable to even flirt with a perfectly nice guy because I'm too tangled up in their web.

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