Page 14 of Torched

“You want another one?”

“I don’t know. I think he might not be coming.” I pout, my gaze fixed on my empty glass, like a heartbroken girl, while I patiently wait for the man of the night to join the party. “I guess he really was an asshole.”

It’s one of the things I learned at an early age. We all want what we can’t have. I only have to feign some level of disinterest and men will come to me like bees to honey. But give them a sprinkle of your attention and they will be bored within minutes. It’s why I know exactly how this night is going to play out.

“A very dumb one,” Bart offers, then takes my empty glass from the bar. “Come on, one more so you can decide if you’re going to wait for my shift to be over or go home.” You have to appreciate his persistence and maybe, just maybe, he’s making it tempting to get myself a little boy toy for the night.

He’s ballsy. I like it. But sorry, babe, not in my plans for tonight.

“This must be fate.” The deep grumble of words purrs my insides alive, just because I’m getting what I want without him even realizing it. I purposely wait a few seconds before I let my head rear to the voice that’s now sounding fairly close to me.

I fix an inquiring expression on my features as they hit Liam Carrillo’s deep blue eyes. They are dark indigo, like the depths of the ocean, the blue popping even more with his dark blonde hair that’s perfectly styled. He’s a handsome man, I can’t deny that. But a little too slick for my taste. I want my men, rough. With rugged hands and vicious glares, who aren’t afraid to choke me when they drive their dicks inside of me for my pleasure.

Liam Carrillo looks like a successful businessman, one that doesn’t take no for an answer when it comes to a deal, and I heard he even doesn’t mind blowing a bullet through your head if you try to defy him, contrary to his little brother, Kane, who is a fan of torturing and maiming his victims. But after some deep investigation into the oldest Carrillo’s sexual interests, he’s not exactly someone who will ask you to think outside of the box.

And I happen to live outside the box.

“You believe in fate?” I ask, a little contempt in my voice.

Fate is for people who are too scared to take action and decide their future will be what they want it to be, but I bite my tongue. As much as I’m sure shutting him out completely will only add to his desire, I want to keep him a little bit motivated. Arguing about him right off the bat isn’t going to do that.

“Two times in one week? I believe that is a sign that you should let me take you on a date.”

“Because you ran into me in a hotel bar?” I cock an eyebrow while he holds my gaze with a smirk that matches Bartender Bart’s. In fact, he could be the third Carrillo brother if they had a long-lost relative strolling around somewhere.

They don’t. Thank fuck for me, because two of them is already enough for this world.

“I never come here, but the one time I do, I run into the girl who hasn’t left my mind in the last few days.”

“I hardly doubt that.”

“It’s true. Your rejection cut me deeply.”

“You’re Liam Carrillo. You’ll survive.”

“Have you been asking around about me?” he asks when he notices how I pronounce his name like it holds some value.

“Maybe.”

“Hey, asshole. You’re late,” Bart interrupts him with a scowl, and I sit up straight, surprised by the boldness of this kid. Clearly, he doesn’t know who he’s talking to, unlike at least half of the people in his bar. A snicker travels out of my mouth before I shake my head.

“This isnotmy blind date.”

“You’re waiting for a blind date?” Liam’s eyebrows glue together, a hint of possession in his voice as he crowds my aura some more, catching a whiff of his fresh cologne.

So easy.

“I was, but I think I’m heading home now.”

“Better luck next time, babe,” Bart offers. His features soften now that his attention is set on me.

I can feel Liam’s gaze drilling into my side as he volleys his head between Bart and I, probably trying to figure out what the relationship is. Bartender and patron, nothing more. But let’s keep that information to ourselves for a moment.

After all, a jealous Liam Carrillo will probably give me more than a turned down one.

These alpha males don’t do well with rejection, but they certainly can’t handle when they think another man is trying to snake away their next conquest. Although, it is a little pathetic he thinks this young kid actually stands a chance.

He must not have as much confidence as he radiates when entering a room.

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