Page 30 of Untraced Magic
“It was just a dance. Don’t make this into something it’s not,” I said carefully, trying to defuse the awkwardness between us.
He remained silent, which only served to frustrate me further.
“Honestly, it’s not like we kissed. It was nothing,” I added.
But that was a lie. I’d slipped my fingers between my thighs at the thought of him last night when he’d left. Not that he needed to know that.
No, to him, all this needed to be was simple, a casual flirt.
His irises stirred as if sensing the falsehoods on my tongue. As if he knew every way my body reacted to his presence. Heat stroked my spine as his eyes dropped to my lips and for a moment, I thought he might actually kiss me, before they swerved away.
Tyler ran his hands through his disheveled hair, then without warning stood up.
He rubbed the side of his neck in what looked like frustration. Clearing his throat, he said gruffly, “I should go.”
His jaw set tight as he turned away from me, running in the opposite direction.
I pulled myself to my feet, unable to comprehend the conversation.
Did that seriously just happen?
I’d never let a man get under my skin before. Not like this. But Tyler had somehow squashed that theory and slapped giant red tape right on it.
I needed to get my shit together.
***
That evening, I made my way up the street towards Jinxed on Skye’s recommendation, reaching the bar just as a drizzle of rain started to fall. A line snaked its way around the entrance to the bar and into the parking lot, where scantily-clad women braved the elements awaiting entry.
I approached the front of the line, where the same security guard stood at the entrance.
“Hey, I’m hoping to speak with Reid about a job.”
The guard gave me a once over, my clothing obviously not here for a night out.
“The name’s Eaden,” he said, shaking my hand and nodding toward the door. “Go on in. Reid’s on the bar.”
The moment my foot pressed onto the familiar carpet, my heart stammered. There was a strange buzz about the place tonight. Behind the bar, Reid took drink orders as fast as he could pour them, with the line around the bar already a few people deep—all of which looking more impatient by the second. He caught my eye, lifting his chin.
“Do you need a hand?” I called over, leaning around the edge of the bar.
I laughed inwardly as he eyed my standard black jeans and jacket, weighing up his options. I folded my arms. Reid was in the shit, and we both knew it.
As he poured a beer, I noted the tattoos covering his lower arm under his long-sleeve black tee.
He raised a brow. “You done this before?”
“I need a job and you need help. And yes, I’ve done this before.”
He mulled it over for a moment. “One night,” he said with a nod. “If you impress me, youmayget a job.”
I smiled and swung around the side of the bar, dumping my bag and jacket into a vacant space.
He watched me with interest as I took in my surroundings. Glasses, cash register, fridge, top shelf. Typical digs.
I nodded. “Don’t worry,” I said confidently. “I’ve got this.”
***
