“Dead serious. I don’t sleep with other men’s old ladies.”
Her eyes widen with uncertainty. “We split up a long time ago. Don’t worry about anything, okay? Now try asking me a normal question.”
Something warns me I should probe deeper, but that sweet mouth of hers is a dangerous distraction. All I can think about is what I’m going to do to her once we get to our room. As for normal conversation… “What do you do for a living?”
She leans her head on her palm, her elbow planted on the bar. “I’m a fortune teller.”
I didn’t mean to laugh—but picturing her in a turban and reading a crystal ball just doesn’t fit the beautiful woman I’m looking at. “Bullshit,” I tease. “Maybe a model or stripper.”
“Stripper?” She slaps my arm playfully. “Thanks for the compliment.”
“Have something against dancers?”
“Not really. Just not for me.”
Was never something I’d want my old lady doing, either. When and if I ever commit to someone, her body will belong to me, not on display for other men.
“Give me your hand,” she demands.
“For what?”
“I can read palms.”
I shrug and offer her my right hand, palm up.
She stares at it for a long time, running a finger over my skin. “Would you like to know what this line means? What it reveals about you?”
“Can I take a guess first?”
“Sure.” She gazes at me, waiting.
“I want to fuck you.”
Starlet slaps my arm again and rolls her eyes. “I don’t need to read your palm to tell you that.”
“No,” I say, “you don’t.”
There’s plenty to find out about me. Then I remember her car and wonder why she hasn’t called a tow truck. I offer her my cell phone. “What about your car, Starlet? Shouldn’t you call someone?”
She gets fidgety, folding and unfolding her hands. “In this weather?” she asks. “No one will come out tonight. Things are different out here, not like New Orleans or Lafayette. I’ll take care of it in the morning.”
One of a dozen signs she’s hiding something. I read people, a skill that makes me a valuable asset to the Iron Norsemen. It would have gotten me into the Marines or on the police force, too, that’s what my father always hoped for. I shake the memory off, focusing on the beautiful woman in front of me.
The juke box goes silent for a few seconds, switching songs. OnceCloser by Nine Inch Nails comes on, I’m done. It says everything we need to know about each other. I’m not looking for a relationship, just a woman who isn’t afraid to give up control in the bedroom. That’s my domain. It’s where I exorcise the demons from my head. It’s where I take what I need and give just enough to make the experience unforgettable. There’s no room for attachments in my life, no emotional ties or regrets. Just mutual pleasure.
“Ready?” I ask. I want her naked. I want her panting. I want to be balls-deep inside her, kissing that smart-ass mouth, making her scream my name.
I finish my beer and throw Starlet’s backpack over my shoulder. The bartender picks up our dirty glasses and leaves an unopened bottle of Jack Daniels on the counter.
“Wait a second,” Starlet says. “Is that for us?”
“What?” I ask, stuffing the liquor in her open bag so no one can see it.
“That’s illegal,” she points out.
“So are you,” I tease as I direct her outside. “Don’t worry about the bottle, the bartender didn’t mind helping us out.” We’re standing under the overhang, protected from the continuing rain. “The room is around the corner of the building, upstairs. Here.” I give her the key. “You go get ready while I park my bike.”
There’s a flash of doubt in her eyes. “Sure I passed your background check?”
