Page 122 of Scatter the Bones

Now that I’ve witnessed what he’s usually surrounded by, he clearly had all the right qualifications for the job. No wonder he’s so good at sex.

But watching the way the women behave—how freely they touch, how little they wear, how shamelessly they offer themselves and how eagerly some of the men lap it up—ties my stomach in knots.

If this is the world he’s used to…

How long before the quiet girl who works with the dead starts to bore him?

How long before he craves a woman who’s bolder, louder, and more daring?

Someone who’s more comfortable surrounded by all this sexual chaos?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Jigsaw

As I always suspected shewould be, Margot’s scandalized by what’s going on around us.

And fuck, who can blame her? Between the hideous red lighting, bodies grinding on every available surface, and the screen now playing a loop of Stella’s greatest hits, my club ain’t exactly giving “girlfriends welcome” energy.

I could’ve come to the party alone. Showed my mean mug around and then bounced. I thought having the other ol’ ladies here would make Margot more comfortable. She’s trying. Making an effort not to cringe every time someone shrieks or grunts through an orgasm. I can tell.

Am I a sick fucker forwantingher to see this? The raw, vulgar side of club life. The stuff I’ve grown numb to and bored with? Will she understand thatthisis why I crave being with her so much? Or is she worried I’ll feel like I’m missing out?

It’s not the time to ask.

Am I testing her? Trying to find out if she’ll still love me after stepping into my world?

She handled herself well with Bonnie. Margot’s good at giving the same energy she receives. Like outside when she joked around with the guys. That goes a long way here.

She’s so damn quiet, her gaze darting around like she’s afraid to look at anything or anyone for too long. Or like she’s waiting for the next wave of deviance to wash over her.

Like a tsunami of raunch, Stella sweeps toward the bar, trailed by several girls and one guy. I recognize him from other parties—and a few of Stella’s films.Gabe? Gavin? Garth?Whatever. I nod in his direction as a greeting since I can’t remember his name.

Stella tilts her head like she’s motioning for her minions to scurry away.

And they do.

I slide off my stool and help Margot off hers. “Want to meet her and get it over with?” I say against her ear.

Her shoulders tremble with a short laugh. “Sure.”

“Jigsaw!” Stella says, a smile barely touching her lips. “I’ve been searching all over for you.”

The fuck you have.

“Hey, Stella.” I nod to her but keep my arm around Margot’s shoulders. “This is my ol’ lady, Margot.”

Stella’s spent enough time around bikers to know the significance of that term and that she better not fuck with my woman.

Stella’s wine-red lips part, as if she heard my silent warning and has something worse in mind than flirting with me in front of my girlfriend.

“Oh wow,” Stella purrs, raking her gaze over Margot in a way I don’t care for atall. “Aren’t youadorable,” she says, dragging out the word in her usual pretentious way.

Margot edges closer to my side and tries for a polite smile, but it lands more pained than pleasant. “Uh, thanks.”

Stella inches next to Margot like she’s trying to line up with her for inspection. “We’re such opposites.” She pets Margot’shair like she’s assessing a kitten at the pound. “The visual contrast would be stunning on film.”

Margot tips her head back to stare at me, eyes wide, silently begging me to make it stop.

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