Page 26 of Shot Taker

Clay nods, and the other man waves my wallet away.

“I’m not…”

They ignore me.

“To dodging bullets,” I tell him.

“That what we did?”

My gaze lowers to the ink snaking out from under his shirt.

Cheers erupt as Little Queen takes the stage.

I look out toward the dance floor and see Brooke waving at me.

I reach for my shot glass and the salt.

“Do you want one?” I hold out the drink.

Clay shakes his head. Because he doesn’t drink during the season.

Basketball first.

Everything else second, if ever.

No room for weakness or caring about another person.

The Kodashians are still watching, a flock of vultures waiting to see if I’m going to eat my prey or leave some for them.

Except when one of them whispers in the other’s ear and they both laugh as they look back at me, it’s clear they don’t think of me as a threat.

I have the sudden impulse to mark my territory, even if it’s not mine anymore.

I reach for Clay’s hand, the warmth of his skin making my stomach flip instantly. I spread his thumb and forefinger, shaking salt between them.

Holding his gaze, I suck it off his skin, feeling the jolt of heat between my thighs as I do. When I toss the drink back, the fiery alcohol burns down my throat.

As I slam the shot glass back on the bar, his nostrils flare.

Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like I’ve dodged a bullet.

It feels like I’ve missed out on something momentous.

I start to turn away, but a hand closes around my wrist, tugging me back. I’m crushed against a hard expanse of muscle and tattoo.

“How many walls?” His mouth is at my ear, more urgent this time.

“What?” My eyes snap up to his.

I should have known better than to think I could call him out, put my mouth on him and not elicit a response.

The feel of him so close is overwhelming me, making my emotions go haywire.

“How many walls do I need to paint for you to forgive me?” His voice is raw, his gaze a thousand miles deep.

I look up at him, not bothering to hide the emotions swirling inside me along with the tequila.

Every part of me aches for him. Even now, his expression says it’s only us in this entire club.

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