“If you must know, it’s a date.”A hookup. A one-night stand.Who the heck cared what it was called? My sexual encounters left me staring at the ceiling, waiting for it to be over. And for once, I wanted someone to knock me off my feet, blow my mind to the next state. An experienced guy to introduce me to the carnal side of life I’d only read about, convinced me it was the way to go, and without the ties or any of the awkward morning-after convo.
Yup, it was a great present to myself. I’d wanted to hire an escort, but War had protested vehemently. Just as well since I couldn’t afford one on my budget.
War only knew about this because I needed a guy’s input. I couldn’t ask Max, he’d simply veto my plans, going all big brother on me. Andhim? I wouldn’t even share the same air space with the killjoy. So, War it was.
“Who?” Ila demanded.
Ugh. “It’s er, umm…in the early stages. Until I’m sure,thenI’ll tell you.” Hopefully, it would be over and done with before that happened.
“Ray.” Ila cut me a gimlet glare. “I know you. Whatever you’re planning, it’s not good.”
“You’re forever on my back, telling me to date.” I sniffed innocently, stroking my beaten silver thumb ring with my index finger. “Now I am, and you’re still not happy.”
“Yes, because you won’t say who.”
I wiped my guilt-damp palms on my skirt, suddenly aware that the king of players was no longer interested in queen slutty’s banter. Those pale eyes were pinned on me like lasers.
“I will soon,” I evaded, collecting the empties, ignoring Jack’s penetrating stare. My sister could be so tenaciously persistent.
“It’s with me,” War said.
“Dammit, War!” A growl breaking free, I snatched the tray and escaped to sign off for the evening. Let him handle the heat since he’d let the cat out of the bag. If he breathed one word of the truth to either Max or Ila, so help me, War was so dead.
Jack
What the hell?War had a date withRay?
Was he fucking mad? I had to make the dumb idiot see sense. As gorgeous as she was, Rayen Logan had a mouth that could insult a person to the next state, to never want to cross paths with her again. I steered clear of the pretty but sharp-tongued little bug.
War was asking for trouble. We had both stuck to Max’s elicit warning to keep our tainted claws off her. He’d treated her like his little sister pre-Ila—the sibling relationship now a reality because he was about to marryhersister—and we heeded the caveat that family was off-limits.
Sure, we kept an eye on her, so the sleazeballs in here knew to watch it. The asshole who’d slapped her backside earlier was on my radar, preferably with a broken jaw before the night was over.
The brunette near me continued spinning drunken promises, I barely heard or had any inclination towards. Irritated, I waved her off. “I’m not interested.”
“What the hell are you up to, War?” Max demanded, while Ila nailed him with a dark glower before she stomped off after her sister. “I told you to lay off Ray.”
“Hey, it’s just one date,” he protested. “We’re…er, testing the waters, so to speak. My career’s going well, and I think she’ll keep me calm, help me not get into fights.”
Max’s brow lowered like a bull about to charge. Yeah, the bastard was pissed. Hell, I wouldn’t want to face my best friend when he let that temper of his loose.
“Warrick, I don’t give a fuck about your anger issues right now. This is Ray,” Max snapped, cutting a sharp look at Ila, who was trying to talk to Ray. But the thorn in my side sported a stubborn look, one I knew too well.
War slouched back in his seat, his gaze fixed on Max. No, he wasn’t relenting. Max shot to his feet. “You do anything to her, friend or not, I’ll hurt you.”
As he strode off after Ila, I narrowed my eyes at War. “What’s going on with you? And don’t give me that crap about a date.”
War’s mouth pressed into a hard line, and I knew he wouldn’t say shit. Frustrated and needing to work off the anger still roiling through me, one not even a vigorous afternoon surfing session could eliminate, I lurched to my feet and headed for—I paused—I had no fucking cluewhereI wanted to go. I strode to the restroom.
Since this morning’s debacle with my family, every damn thing pissed me off, and now this.
On my way back, my gaze lit on Ray walking in front of me, untying her apron. I jogged after her and grabbed her arm. She spun around. When she saw me, she rolled her hazel eyes and grimaced as if she’d tasted something sour. “I’m clocked out, Griffin. Get another waitress to tend to you.”
Sometimes, I wondered what it would take to have her smile at me. Just smile because she didn’t dislike me. My mood dropped lower. “What the hell are you up to, Rayen?”
Her eyebrow cocked in the way Max’s did. And she’d gone and gotten another piercing, on her tongue, as if the marching row of gold studs on her left ear wasn’t enough metal to disturb the gorgeous lines of her face. Hell, she was sexy and damn hot regardless, with striking eyes and naturally tan skin due to her mixed heritage. But why would she go and add all that metal?
“You’re acting like I’m going to go rob a bank or something.” She sniffed. “If you really must know…War’s setting me up with someone.”
