The bartender set another shot in front of me and after I took it, I asked, “Did you break into Liz’s?”
Luke’s chair creaked as he turned toward me, utter confusion on his face. “What?”
I searched his face for any evidence he was lying. “The weekend after our altercation in the parking lot, there was a break-in at the bar. The police found a necklace.” I hooked afinger on the collar of his shirt and pulled, revealing the silver cross he always wore. “Just like this one.”
He followed my eyes, running his finger along the chain until it bumped into mine. “It obviously wasn’t mine. It’s a memento, but it’s also just a silver chain with a cross on it. Anyone could have one.”
The cocky man I’d met at the bar was gone. I gave him a more thorough inspection than I had before. The man was attractive, and damn it if his kindness and compassion didn’t make him even hotter. I let my eyes rake over him, noticing that he did the same to me. He rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, pulling my eyes to his mouth. I shifted, my jeans growing uncomfortable.
“Ryder…” Luke’s voice forced my eyes back to his. A strand of golden hair had broken free from its style and fallen into his face. I fought the urge to reach for it.
I wanted to mess it up.
Fuck!
“I have to use the bathroom.” I scrambled off the stool, only feeling the effects of the whiskey once my feet hit the floor. Luke reached out and steadied me with a hand on my waist.
“Do you want some help?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Luke let go when I’d righted myself, and I stumbled toward the restrooms. After I finished, I stood at the sink, splashing cold water on my face. The longer I stood there, the more appealing the thought of leaving with Luke became. I wasn’t seriously considering going home with him, was I?
I didn’t see anyone else volunteering to take his spot.
Raleigh—at least, single-Raleigh—had always said that the best way to get over someone was to get under somebody else. Funny how drunk Ryder always found Raleigh so wise.
I washed my hands and waltzed back to the bar with a littlemore confidence. I half expected—and partially hoped—Luke would be gone when I returned. Instead, I found him nursing another Manhattan while he chatted with the bartender, who looked to me as I approached. “There you are,” he said. “You’ve had a lot to drink. I was worried.”
“I’m fine,” I told him with a smile. Then, to Luke, “Want to get out of here?”
I gave him the best bedroom eyes I could muster, and judging by the way he squirmed, they worked. I dropped my eyes to his lap briefly, but damn it, it was too dark for me to see anything against his black slacks.
“Hell yeah, I do.” He mopped up his drink while I closed out my tab. I led him out of the bar and around the corner into the alley before pinning him against the wall, my hips flush against his, both of us fighting for dominance. I claimed his mouth, earning a whimper of surprise. I moaned as our cocks ground together. I leaned into him, expelling all thoughts of a certain vampire. Luke pulled away from the kiss, nosing his way across my cheek and dipping into the curve of my neck.
“Your place or mine?” he asked.
“You pick. Fair warning: mine has a thirteen-week-old puppy who just found his voice.” I smiled against his skin as I pressed kisses to his neck.
“Guess that means mine,” he panted, stealing another kiss before taking my hand. “Plus it’s only a block away.”
We stumbled into his apartment in a mess of limbs, fighting to shut the door behind us in our haste. “Sorry about the mess,” Luke said between feverish kisses.
“We haven’t made the mess yet.”
I worked a hand between us, palming his chest and shoving him away so he’d lead me where I wanted. His clothes were disheveled, skin flushed beneath the dark moonlight. “Bedroom.”
Luke’s eyes widened slightly, but he grinned as I stalked after him. Next order of business: mess up that perfect hair.
Morning came too soon.I awoke with a pounding in my head and a weight on my stomach. I peeled my eyes open. It was an arm, and it was digging into my full bladder. I turned my head, getting a mouthful of blond hair. I’d done a damn fine job mussing that perfect hairstyle. I shifted, trying to get out from under him without waking him up. It didn’t work. The arm over my midriff tightened, making me squirm.
“Don’t go,” Luke murmured. “You’re warm.”
“I’m about to be wet.”
“Yeah, you are,” he purred.
“No, I really have to pee.” I laughed, not helping my situation in the slightest. “Move!”
