Page 23 of East

“Beats the fuck out of me.” I roll my eyes. “His loss, though.”

“That much is clear.” He darts his gaze back to Kin. “You going to get those drinks to us this century, bud?”

“S-Sorry, Wick.” Kin tilts his tumbler and pours its contents into two elegant royal-blue martini glasses, placing them both on the bar.

I pluck the olive off its tiny toothpick and pop it in my mouth.

Wick lifts an eyebrow. “You’re going straight for the olive? Don’t want to infuse the martini with its savory flavor?”

I shrug. “I’ve always done that when I have a drink with a garnish. I think of it as a little teaser.”

“You’d know a thing or two about teasing.”

I wrinkle my nose. In what world am I teasing this guy? He’s the one coming on strong. I take a sip of my martini to smooth out the awkward moment.

It’s tasty. I knew it would be. The floral flavor of the gin dominates the drink, but the vermouth evens it out nicely. The liquid is blue like it was last time, but I don’t taste any of the blue Curaçao flavor, though there’s a tinge of something bitter. Lemon peel, maybe? The gin might just be stronger than the vodka in my last drink. In flavor and in strength. It burns down my throat, and I almost need to catch my breath after a few sips.

I put the glass back down on the bar, glance over at Kin. “Did you make this a double?”

He drums his fingers against the bar. “N-No, ma’am. That’s the standard recipe for our m-martinis here at J-Jade.”

“You certainly don’t skimp on the booze then.” I take another sip. This one feels a little more normal.

“We don’t skimp on anything.” Wick slides his hand toward mine on the bar until his fingers are millimeters away. “Not on our drinks, nor on the company of beautiful ladies.”

My cheeks warm. Wick will see them pink, and he’ll think he’s getting to me.

And…he wouldn’t be wrong.

Wick is good-looking. Handsome in that dark way. Only now am I realizing he has a lip piercing. Normally a turn-off like the black fingernails or the eyeliner. Not necessarily the case here.

He’s got a great jaw, too. It looks like he keeps himself cleanshaven but hasn’t used a razor in a few days. The accumulated stubble is dark and casts a shadow over the lower half of his face. Everything about him exudes nighttime. A darkness completely devoid of light.

Maybe that’s what I need tonight.

His eyes smolder like burnt coals, and the way he’s looking at me makes my heartrate spike, sends a jolt of energy through my body that arrows directly between my legs.

I slip my fingers over his. “When do you get off tonight?”

He grins. “I’m actually off now. Aus approved a half shift for me a few weeks ago. Owed me a favor.”

“Oh!” The stakes just heightened. I was flirting a second ago, but now it’s blossomed into a full-blown proposition.

“Yeah. I got one of our other waiters, Leo, to cover the bar for the rest of the night.” He checks his watch. “In fact, I’m good to go home whenever.” He leans in close so his mouth is right over my ear. His warm breath caresses my neck. “Would you care to join me?”

10

AUS

I’ve been purposefully averting my gaze from East for the last several minutes, ignoring the relentless prickling at the back of my neck. Whatever is happening in that section of my club is something I don’t want to see.

If I were looking, I’d be staring at Thea and Wick. Burning holes into both of them. And while I couldn’t give less of a shit what Wick thinks of me, I don’t want Thea to think I’m obsessed, that she thinks I’m entitled to her.

I’m not entitled. I’m interested.

Very interested.

I’ve taken a lot of deep breaths and thought it through. If they flirt a little, it’s not a huge deal. Wick has to go back to the West eventually. We need Leo on the floor, so it’s not like⁠—