Page 14 of When Sinners Rise
“Yeah, maybe not. Made you laugh, though.” She sniggers to herself and looks around. “So, where do you wanna drink? Back over there with your friends? Or in my booth?”
“Oh, you’ve got a booth, all to yourself, have you?”
“Moneyalwaystalks.” I point in the direction of it and slide the salt shaker into my pocket to pick up the tray of cut lime. “Grab the glasses and go let your friends know where we are. I’ll meet you there.” She picks them up from the bar and sways to the music, watching me as I start walking backwards. “I’m serious, though. No fucking. At all. I’m not down with being used for my body.” Another smile beams out of her.
“I don’t even know your name,” she calls over the music.
“You best come find out then.”
She laughs again and folds her way into the crowd, looking a damn sight lighter about me than she did when she first came over. Fucking stupid, really. A little flirting, some sweet engagement that makes them think they’re safe, and all girls act like that. Guess it makes them feel like they’re in control. They’re not, but you gotta back off a woman sometimes, give them room to make decisions themselves, even if you did make them think that way.
I enter the VIP area, roped off with chrome poles and on a platform, and stare at the table I’ve got to myself. Didn’t take much to get it. Just money. Everything’s easier with that. Women are just the same. Throw enough of it around and they're all on their knees, begging for a fuck or a suck. Looks like this one’s no different. A flashy smile, some comedy, and there she is – damn near offering herself on a platter.
The unopened tequila gets put down, salt and limes beside it, and I look out onto the dance floor. The club’s good, bouncing with energy. If I wasn’t here for what I am here for, I’d enjoy it and her. Instead, I’m playing some fucking game to gether back to her sister in one of our cells. Don’t know how I feel about that at the moment.
Staring at her as she dances with her friends for a while longer, I wink when she looks my way. Her friends goad her about it, pushing her my way, but the guy’s scowling. I couldn’t give a fuck about that. I’ll charm him, too. I’ll even kill him if I have to. That asshole isn’t getting in my way about this, and if he tries, he’ll wish he never did.
She starts to make her way towards me, glasses in the air to avoid the crowds, and her friends follow. She looks a bit like her sister, now I’m thinking about it. Prettier, though. Gutsy attitude. Questioning eyes. I guess if I’d escaped us, I’d be wary as fuck of any guy that came near me, too. Especially an American.
“So, hot guy,” a voice shouts. I look sideways as one of her friends stands on the other side of the barrier by security. “Are you going to tell him we can come in?” I nod at the dude, watching as he opens the corden, and she sways over to me. “What’s with the no fucking then?”
“I’m a 'not on the first date' kinda guy.” Lies. I’m happy to fuck anything in a heartbeat, let alone first dates.
She giggles and waits for the others to follow her in, including Miri. “Name?”
I keep looking at Miri as she approaches. “Shaw.”
“Surname?” the friend continues.
My hands find my pockets, eyes still focused on Miri. “Harris.”
“Where are you from?”
“San Deigo. Here for the last six months." I tilt my head, looking at Miri’s eyes. They are like Naja’s. Deep, soulful. Less fucking scared than her sisters currently are, though. Not broken, either. “What is this? Twenty questions to see if I’m worthy?”
“Well, yes,” the friend says. “You’ve got to be careful these days.”
“Yeah. Luckily for you, I’m not the asshole you’re searching for.” Yet.
The guy moves closer, acting all protective. I look at him and offer a hand. He takes it and shakes, so I give him a smile and look back at Miri. “I didn’t get your name?”
She looks past me, putting the glasses down on the table. “Miri.”
I reach for the bottle to start this party. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
“That’s a serious charmer,” the other girlfriend says to her, as I fill the glasses. “And a rich one. This is top-shelf Tequila.”
Miri smiles at me, blinking her eyes softly. “Does it taste any different, though?”
I hand her a glass while passing the salt and a lime wedge. “Money always tastes better.” I hold my glass out to her, moving closer so I can wrap my arm through hers. “On three. One.” My arm links tighter, pulling her closer still. “Two. You’re beautiful.” She smiles again and takes the drink towards her lips, letting me get closer again. I lick the salt from my hand, nodding at her to do the same. “Truly stunning.”
“Three,” she says. We both knock them back, and I watch her face screw all the way up.
Someone coughs and curses behind us, another hollers out a howl of some kind. “Holy crap, that’s some strong drink!”
I laugh and bite down on the wedge, watching Miri suck hers fully into her mouth. Her lips pout at the same time, all trembling and fragile. I’m instantly picturing my dick inside them, almost fucking groaning at the thought, as she pushes the skin back out slowly.
She picks it from her mouth, rolling those lips around again.
