I laugh as I reach down, swoop up my glass, and take another sip of my drink—same one Clay bought, because I’m not pulling a Jackson-sized mistake again—and Ace’s tattooed hand kneads my shoulder, his arm slung around me.
Candles burn on the table in front of us, emerald-green glass surrounding black wax, and the flickering flames make Ace’s bright blue eyes stand out more in the dark.
“Neve is an interesting name,” he says, his voice smooth like whiskey and honey.
“You’re going to have to try harder,” I say mockingly, looking up at him through my lashes. This is exactly what I needed. A hot distraction; from the investigation, from Will, from Sylvan stalking me, from Faust’s dark eyes.
Ace’s fingers bite into my muscle but I like the way it feels.
“I can do harder,” he says, so close to my face, I can smell the Listerine on his breath.
“Can you?” I tip back my drink, ice hitting my teeth. It’s almost empty again, and I don’t need another. It’s too loud in here, too crowded, and I’m already too drunk. Not blackout wasted but I don’t want to push my luck.
“Bad Decisions” by BOBI ANDONOV plays loudly in the background as Ace’s hand comes to the back of my neck.
I shiver, and I can’t help but think of Sylvan’s gloved fingers in that exact spot on Wednesday night.
Ace must see something in my eyes because he nudges his knee against mine and leans in to whisper in my ear.
“I can be gentle, too, though, Neve.” His voice is heaven sent but those words are hellish.
I suck on my bottom lip, unseen by him because he’s still so close to me, and a moment later, I feel his lips on my neck.
Warmth shoots through me.
“Come sit on my lap,” he whispers.
My blood surges under my skin andfuck it, I don’t want to think about hockey boys anymore.
I lean over to set my drink down, then, without thinking, I spin around, lean up, and straddle Ace.
My arms loop around his neck and my fingertips find the softness of his leather jacket. My knees are wide, on either side of his hips, my breasts pushed up against his chest as I press my temple to his and look down at him.
I circle my hips and his hands find my ass.
“Fuck.”He groans the word and his eyes flutter closed.
I grind against him again as I hear Tas say my name in delighted shock.
And when I pick my head up, this stranger’s cock pushing against my center, our bodies melded together, I glance past the black, flowy partition.
It’s half-open, and there, just beyond it, my gaze locks on Sylvan Connor’s.
He has a drink in his hand as he sits on a leather couch with his teammates and a few half-dressed girls, the lights low there, but there’s no mistaking it’s him.
I arch my back as he watches me, my pulse racing, and Ace’s head is between my breasts. He nips at my skin through my sheer silk shirt.
I moan, letting my eyes flutter closed as I put on a show for Sylvan.
Fuck you.
If he wants to say I’m a slut, I can show him just how one behaves.
I grind against Ace as he groans beneath me, and I wonder if I can get him off just like this, dry fucking him while Sylvan watches.
But when I sense a shadow fall over me as Ace kneads my ass, I snap my eyes open.
And have to tip my head back.
