Page 5 of Grave Misgivings
I’ve never seducedanyonein my life, and if I tried, I’m sure I’d come off like Steve Carrel getting his fucking chest waxed.
“You okay?” Mateo’s voice pulls me from my thoughts and I turn around, nearly knocking him over. I’d only had one drink at the restaurant, so I can’t even blame my jumpiness on the alcohol.
I glance around the room, taking in the sight of the sparkling bar, the bright, airy lights and the blue neon.
It’s like Antarctica meets the pearly gates.
Another stripper attendant waltzes past me, casting me a sexy smile that barely registers on my radar.
“Yeah, I’m good, why?” I feign nonchalance.
Mateo smirks at me, nudging my shoulder. “You look like you’ve entered the seventh circle of Hell.”
I sigh, letting out a dry laugh. “I mean, it’s just... a lot.”
Dare passes us, and I raise an eyebrow at him, a smirk playing on my lips as he casually leads me to what I assume is our VIP booth for the night. Celina, Hans, Richie, Hailee are scattered about, some with drinks in hand already.
I shrug as a woman in an angel outfit—because dress would indicate there was actual fabric to cover things—and a man in tight, white shorts with wings come to our booth, dropping off a large tray of fruits, juices, and two bottles of champagne.
“Compliments of management,” the woman says, batting her eyelashes at me.
I nod as Hailee squeals with excitement.
The woman doesn’t drop her gaze, almost as if she is waiting for me to say something.
Mateo nods at her. “Thank you. That’ll be all for now.” His voice is back to that commanding, authoritative tone I know well.
The woman drops her gaze, and for the moment, I am thankful Mateo knows just how to control a room. As well as the people in it, naturally.
Another talent IwishI possessed.
The cute angel boy glances at me from under his lashes, chewing on his lips.
“If you need anything, my name’s Rex.” His voice is drenched in a southern drawl that is as rich as dark chocolate.
His golden blond hair falls in his ocean blue eyes, and I can’t help but feel a bit warm. Likely, because I’m practically meldingtogether with Mateo from this angle while Celina, Hans, Hailee, and Richie set about to pouring drinks and snapping selfies.
“Thanks, but I think we’re good,” I reply, swallowing harshly.
Maybe Mateo’s right, maybe I need a drink.
Or two.
Or three.
Something to take the edge off and make me feel like the rockstar everyone keeps telling me I am.
Something to make me think about anything except Rex’s thick drawl and cerulean gaze.
I mean, you’d have to be an idiotnotto notice he’s built like a damn brick house.
So he’s good looking.
So what?
So are the other strippers. They’re probably all models.
Rex slides past me, knocking into my shoulder, forcing me to catch his dark gaze.
