Page 16 of Wicked Temptation

“Shit, brother, you should’ve said something.” Cobra eyed the champagne again, then flicked a look to Samson. “The last thing we wanna do is mess up your good time.”

“Fuck, no,” Mamba agreed. “We don’t wanna go cock blocking you.”

Lisbeth’s eyes widened. “No, it’s not—”

“An event planner,” Madeline gushed. “Maybe we could use her for Rattler’s birthday party at Ecstasy.”

“The only planning Rattler’s party needs is half-naked women giving him lap dances all night long.” Mamba patted his pockets, flipped out a pack of Marlboros, and extracted the cigarette with his teeth.

Lisbeth’s mind spun as their crazy conversation twisted around her. She’d forgotten the Serpents owned the strip club in North Las Vegas. Supposedly, it was high-end, rivaling Sapphires and Crazy Horse.

“I don’t think that’s what Serafina has in mind,” Madeline interjected, then turned to Lisbeth. “These guys forget you need more for a party than tits and ass.”

“You do?” Cobra deadpanned.

“Sheena would string you up by your balls if she heard you sayin’ that shit.” Madeline’s southern accent made the threat sound almost erotic.

Mamba cuffed Cobra on the shoulder. “Yeah, even this hardass is scared of pissin’ off his woman.”

Cobra shook Mamba off and laughed. “You mean like you’re scared shitless of your five-foot-two Mandy.”

Mamba held up his palms. “Hey man, I won't deny that my woman is a fuckin’ firecracker. I’m just glad my kid in her belly is slowing her down.”

It seemed like these men all had women they respected, and Mamba had a baby on the way. Somehow she couldn’t picture this hard-edged man holding an infant, but it sounded like Mandy kept him in line. Amazing.

Their good-natured teasing lasted a few more minutes until Lisbeth couldn’t remember the original question. The bottom line being she might be hired to run a party at an MC-owned strip club.

“Dial it down, you guys.” Samson cut into their razzing. “Shit, you’re gonna scare the poor girl.”

Samson met Lisbeth’s gaze and lingered for a second longer than expected like he was gauging her reaction if she could play with the big boys without being offended. No problem since she’d dealt with some of the bitchiest, entitled men and women God ever created in her business. A few rude jokes wouldn’t scare her. Truth. She enjoyed their interaction and mentally envisioned ideas for the suggested strip club birthday party.

Mamba leaned back on the couch and propped his booted feet on the glass and chrome coffee table. “Some classy place you got here.” He wiggled his fingers in Samson’s direction. “And what’s with the clothes? You look like aGQad.”

“What the fuck do you know aboutGQ?” Boa challenged.

“I know it’s some fancy-ass magazine where they sell overpriced clothes to suckers.”

“I think he looks hot.” Madeline smiled at Samson, then turned to Boa. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in a button-down shirt once in a while.”

The men all broke up laughing.

“Yeah, I can just see him throwing some bum outta Ecstasy in a shirt like that. Fuckin’ thing would be shredded by the time he was done.”

“Your problem is, you enjoy being bad way too much.” Madeline snuggled into Boa’s side.

“Damn straight.” Boa nuzzled her neck. “And you love it.”

“Geez, get a fuckin’ room.” Mamba twisted his lips, then laughed and looked to Lisbeth. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s scared shit of his woman too.”

“Damn straight, again.” Boa flipped off Mamba, and it was easy to see the camaraderie between these men, Samson included. “I’m just a big teddy bear.”

“Right, we’re lovable when you get to know us.” Cobra poured another shot of Jack Daniels, and Lisbeth prayed he didn’t make another toast.

As if reading her mind, Cobra filled the other glasses with hers included, then raised his. “Here’s to the Serpents and our cuddly nature.”

Mamba almost did a spit-take, and Boa choked out, “Cuddly?”

Madeline pushed Lisbeth’s untouched glass closer. “C’mon, hun, drink up.”

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