Page 57 of Burn

Rosie clears her throat, “The Uber is going to be here in five. You coming with us, Bear?”

Great.

Without a single word, I step to the side and walk into the bedroom. I fucking hate night clubs, but since that seems to be where Rosie takes Lex, and those outfits really weren’t picked for a nice low-key dinner, I rifle through my closet, settlingon a white, long-sleeved shirt that hugs my chest and shoulders. I step out of my sweatpants, and behind me, I hear Rosie gasp, “Jesus, Lex. Look at his thighs. Have you ever seen anything so big?”

I grab a pair of dark jeans and spin to face them, letting Rosie see what I’m working with. Her eyes rake over my legs, landing on my dick, still semi-hard and straining against my boxer-briefs. Her eyes widen, and I smirk.

“I’d say my legs are one of my least impressive attributes.” I look past Rosie to Lex, who’s also locked on the shape of my dick. “I think Lex would agree, hey, Lex?”

Her expression fixes into a straight line, and she blushes as she replies, “Just hurry up, will you?”

Rosie claps, her words carried on a giggle, “Yes! Hurry. The Uber is downstairs. Let’s go!” She grabs Lex’s hand and pulls her toward the door. I grab my keys and wallet and follow after them, not missing the way Lex’s eyes flick to me again and again.

This is a terrible fucking idea.

Please

Adrian

Terrible. Fucking. Idea.

The thought flashes through my mind as Rosie drags Lex past the block-long line, up to the front of the door. When the bouncer sees her, recognition and a massive smile flash across his face. She squeals and jumps into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and putting her entire ass on display for the rest of the line. When he steps aside, signaling for us to go in, an audible groan is emitted from the patrons impatiently waiting.

One guy calls out, “Hey, bro! If I show you my ass, can I bypass the line too?”

The friendly demeanor from the bouncer disappears in a flash, and his loud, booming voice echoes through the street when he bellows, “Show me your ass, and I’ll shove my boot so far up it; you’ll taste leather.” I follow closely behind the girls, who hold hands and giggle. I’ve never seen Lex like this. I won’t pretend I know her exceedingly well, but something about her seems off — different.

Once inside, the club is packed. The air is thick with the smell of sweat, perfume, and a sweet, pungent odor. Likely a result of spilled cocktails — the kind filled with sugar, sure to give you a hangover. I’m scanning the room when Rosie’s face fills my field of view and surprises me enough that I take a step back.

“I don’t bite, Bear,” she purrs at me. Behind her, I see something flash in Lex’s expression. “Would you be a lamb and get us a couple of drinks, please?”

I roll my eyes, already very ready to head home, and ask, “What’s your poison?”

Rosie taps the end of her nose, glances at Lex, and replies, “A porn star martini, please!” She pops the ‘P’ on porn star, forcing her mouth into a perfect ‘o’ shape.

“Yeah, got it,” I sigh, looking at Lex, “Wait here.”

She doesn’t respond. Rosie grips my chin with her small hand, pulling my attention back to her. She’s too touchy, too comfortable, and I pull my face back and out of her grasp. “We’ll be right…” she points to the floor beneath her, “here!”

I walk past them to the bar. I don’t fucking like this at all, and I’m sure they won’t be right there when I return with their stupid fucking drinks. I shove through the crowd, leaning against the bar. Three bartenders rush around. The two men actively ignore me, but the red-headed woman spots me from the opposite end and makes a beeline for me.

“Adrian Liberty!” I eye her, but I don’t think I’ve ever met this person.

“Two porn star martinis and a beer. Whatever’s freshest.”

Her smile falters, but she nods, grabs a glass, and starts with the beer. I shift to look back toward where I left the girls, but the crowd’s too thick to see if they’ve stayed put. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see that the bartender is still focused on me. She says something I don’t quite catch, so I turn back to her, lean in, and say, “Excuse me?”

“You look bigger in person than on the ice.”

What the fuck do I even say to that?

“Thanks?”

Her smile drops, and she turns her back to make the other drinks. When she sets them in front of me, the friendly, flirty tone is gone. I hand her a twenty, chug my beer, grab the two stupid pink drinks, and head back to the area where I left Lex.It must be a cold day in hell, because I find them in the exact spot, surrounded by three guys. Rosie preens, leaning into the guys as she laughs, touching their arms. They’re mesmerized by her; apart from the one standing closest to Lex. His eyes never stray, fixated on the way her dress plunges down her chest, revealing that old sailor-style anchor.

I’m far enough back that no one has realized I’m here, with them, so I watch. I watch the way he studies her, how his eyes flick back and forth, and the way his breathing changes. When he reaches out, swiping a hand up her arm, and gently pulling her into whisper something in her ear, I close the short distance, reaching between him and Lex to hand her the drink. Rosie spins and cries out, “Adrian! Guys, this is Adrian. He’s our bear!”

Three sets of eyes land on me, sizing me up. The guy closest to Rosie is the first to step forward and offer me his hand, “Hey, man. I’m Rich.”

---