Becker looks genuinely betrayed. "We were having a moment!"
"You were corrupting him with your terrible influence."
"My influence is excellent, thank you very much."
Hendrix nuzzles against my neck, and I scratch under his chin. "That's right. Tell him, Hendrix."
"Fuck off," Hendrix sings cheerfully.
Becker bursts out laughing. "See? Excellent influence."
I ignore him, focusing on my feathered friend. "Okay, buddy. New phrase. Ready?" I clear my throat, speaking slowly and clearly. "Tip your bartender."
Hendrix tilts his head.
"Tip your bartender," I repeat.
"Kiss kiss."
"No, not kiss kiss. We've moved past that. New material. Tip—"
"What the puuuuck?"
"Close enough." I try again. "Tip your bartender, or else."
"Or else!" Hendrix screeches.
"Perfect! You're a genius. Now the whole thing. Tip your—"
The door opens and Hunter walks in, which means his shift now starts, which means—
"You're here!" I practically throw Hendrix at Petrov, who catches him reflexively. "You babysit now. Gotta go. Emergency. Bye!"
I'm already untying my apron, throwing it somewhere in the general direction of behind the bar.
"Your shift isn't over for another five minutes!" Kayla calls after me.
"Life or death situation!"
"Your dick appointment is not life or death!"
"IT IS TO ME!"
I'm out the door before anyone can stop me, already pulling out my phone to summon an Uber.
Twenty minutes later, I'm knocking on Ace's door.
The moment it opens, I forget how to breathe.
Ace is standing there, shirtless, wearing nothing but jeans that hang low on his hips, and my brain just... stops. Completely flatlines. Blue screen of death.
Becauselook at him.
His chest is bare, all defined muscle and smooth skin, pecs that look carved from marble but I know are warm and solid under my palms. His abs form perfect ridges that lead down in a V that disappears into his waistband like an arrow pointing to paradise. His arms, those massive, sculpted arms that could probably throw me across the room without breaking a sweat, are justthere, on full display, and I'm pretty sure I'm drooling.
Actually drooling. Like a cartoon character seeing a giant steak.
"Devon?" He sounds surprised, blinking at me like he's not sure I'm real. "I thought you were working until close."
