Page 16 of Savage Obsession
I snap my attention to Tall Guy, irritation prickling at the back of my neck. “Almost done. Tell you what, we’ll bring them out to you when they’re ready.”
Something flashes in his eyes before he and his friends back away and find a table. Josh comes over to me and grins. “Want me to take these out, babe?”
“You know it.” I hand him the tray and wink. “Thank you.”
“Oh my God,”I mumble to absolutely no one as I walk through the doors of my apartment building. “My feet are going to fall off.”
I wave at the night security guard, not stopping to chat. They’re used to me coming home at this hour, and they also know I’m not nearly as perky this time of day, either. The only thing I want is my bed. A foot rub would also be good, but I’ll take what I can get right now.
The elevator opens, and I step in, pushing the fourth-floor button before I move to the side and rest against the wall, using it for whatever support I can get.
As the doors start to close, a tattooed hand slides between them, making them stop and open again.
Then Xander steps in, and my mouth goes dry. He was drop-dead gorgeous the other day. But tonight, with his hair a little mussed like he ran his fingers through it too many times, and his dark gray dress shirt with those sleeves rolled up, showing off his veiny, tattooed forearms, the man is positively fine. Every nerve, cell, and sense in my body tingles like a gentle buzz going right through me.
When he meets my gaze, his stony irises are darker than usual. The smell of his cologne fills the space around us. That mixed with whiskey. Well, duh, he was at Luxe. He’s probably been in the casino with friends. Or women.
My stomach turns, and I fight the urge to vomit at the thought of women clinging to him. Not that I’d blame them.
“Um, hi,” I finally say more breathlessly than I’d like.
His eyes roam over me, taking in everything from the flip-flops I slid on before I left work to the skin-tight black jeans and then up to the black tank top that shows a healthy amount of cleavage, then up to my face again. “Jesus Christ. Itisyou.”
I tilt my head, smiling as he looks at me like I’m an alien. Like he’s seeing me for the first time. I suppose, in a way, he is. Work Quinn and Home Quinn are two different people.
“Did you have a good time out tonight?” I finally ask, trying not to fidget under his intense stare.
“I wasn’tout,” he says quietly. “How long have you worked there?”
The elevator comes to a stop on my floor, and the doors open, but I don’t move. “Three years.”
His jaw flexes, and he lets out a curse under his breath. When he looks me over again, he stops at my shoes. “Your feet are red.”
What is happening? This has got to be the strangest conversation I’ve ever had, and I work in multiple bars where people talk to me about all sorts of things.
“Oh, uh, I’m fine. I had a long day. They’ll be good as new in the morning.” I flash him a bright smile, then notice something dripping to the floor. When I see crimson drops spotting the tile floor, I look to see where they’re coming from and stop when I see Xander’s hand. “Oh my God, you’re bleeding!”
CHAPTER 7
Xander
IT’S HER
Earlier in the night…
“You never come to Luxe.To what do I owe the pleasure of my favorite brother?”
I sit on one of the plush couches in Cash’s office. We all have offices within our casinos. It’s our way of trying to stay present throughout our venues so our staff feels supported and can get a hold of one of us easily.
“You’re only calling me your favorite right now because the other idiots aren’t here. And I was literally here two weeks ago for a meeting.” I lean back and rest an ankle over the opposite knee.
Cash smirks, and I can’t help but notice how relaxed he is. How deeply happy he acts. And it’s all because of Jordyn. She’s changed him for the better. He doesn’t take everything so seriously anymore. It’s nice to see.
“You said you have a business opportunity to discuss. So let’s fucking hear it.” He pours us both a drink, then hands one to me.
I lift my chin in appreciation and take a sip, then rest the glass on my thigh. “I want to buy a bar. It’s on The Strip.”
My older brother looks at me like I’ve lost it. Maybe I have. I’m okay with that, though.
