“I remember someone getting bossy and teasing me with talk of PrEP and test results.”
Laughter burst from him, and I winced as his ass clamped down on my sensitive cock. I pulled out of him, hurriedly tucking myself in my pants before straightening his clothes for him.
“We should get cleaned up,” he said, and I agreed.
On our way back to the dance floor, we made another stop at the bar, downing another couple of shots. We lost ourselves in the music and each other. Every once in a while, we’d catch sight of the other guys, but as much as I loved them and hoped they were having a good time, I wanted to focus on Declan.
“I could get used to this,” he said, his words slurred and eyes glassy.
I was certain my own were the same when I admitted, “I think I already have.”
14
DECLAN
My heart and stomach took a nosedive at his words, and as stupid and ridiculous as I knew it was, I had fallen for the big-ass Marine holding me in his arms. He was nothing like what I ordinarily went for personality-wise, but I couldn’t deny the way my body naturally responded to him. And the protesting asshole part of my brain had even taken a backseat and shut the fuck up.
Trying to hide my reaction to his words, I turned in his arms, putting my back to his front. Scott passed by us with test tube shots, offering Hayden and me both a couple before moving on. The sickly-sweet liquid slid down my neck, mixing with all the liquor already there. I couldn’t remember the last time I let loose like this.
Marcos and Damon’s faces flashed in my mind, and I swore. Fucking Heidi and Walker playing mother hens. I was going to kick their collective asses, but too many people in this town knew who I was and the kind of money I came from. The money wasn’t so much the problem. It was all the secrets I held about powerful, influential protectees and the inner workings of Holt Enterprises. There were nations that would pay millions to get a hold of the info Holt had on its servers. So, yeah, I got why they’d called Marcos, but goddammit, I could take care of myself. Plus, I had a squadron of Marines with me.
Not that Walker or Heidi knew that. And Hayden certainly wasn’t aware there was a possible threat.
I knew I needed to come clean to Hayden about who and what I was and who my family was, but some things he’d said and his reactions to others made me hesitant. As adverse as I was to relationships, I was enjoying myself and didn’t want to do anything to endanger it.
Hayden turned me to face him, his hands coming up to cup my face, kissing me as the alcohol from the test tube kicked in. Time ceased to exist in the drunken haze. All thoughts and worries fell away. Flashing lights, sultry, smutty music, dancing, alcohol, and Hayden was all that was left. My brain shut down everything else.
And I was okay with that.
A voice interrupted the euphoric fog I was drowning in. “Guys! You don’t gotta go home, but you can’t stay here. The club’s closing.”
Hayden’s lips chased mine when I pulled back, trying to tell the asshole to go home, but he herded us out with all the other people. As we stumbled out of the club, Damon was there, but I waved him off. I didn’t want to get in the car. I wanted to experience the nightlife. Grabbing Hayden’s arm, we set off toward the hotel, drinking and dancing as we moved through the streets.
The world was a floaty, brilliant being full of color, sound, and touch. It was a barrage to the senses. Like it was having a rave in your body. The bright lights of the strip bloomed and brightened. Taxis glowed like miniature speeding suns, blurring with all the other racing cars.
Faces came and went. Hayden and his friends were the only constants. Then there was Elvis.
So many Elvises.
And flowers.
All kinds of flowers.
And white.
And more Elvises.
And Hayden kissing me.
15
HAYDEN
Pounding.
“Shut up.” My voice muffled by the pillow my face pressed into.
Pounding.
