Page 39
The Bar is louder than usual tonight, packed with locals and tourists drowning their sorrows or celebrating their wins. None of that matters to me. I’m here for one reason and one reason only. I haven’t seen Callie since our conversation at the lake house, and she’s had plenty of time to process. Tonight I’m here for her. I angle my way through the crowd, zeroing in on the spot at the bar where Callie’s working. Some jackass in an oversized cowboy hat is sitting in front of her. I tap his shoulder.
“Move.”
The guy turns, mouth open to argue, but something in my face makes him reconsider. Smart man. He vacates the stool with a grumble, and I slide into the space, planting myself directly in Callie’s line of sight.
She’s busy mixing something with blue curacao, studiously avoiding looking in my direction though I know she’s seen me. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun, exposing the delicate curve of her neck. The bar’s uniform hugs every curve of her body. Red and black checkered shirts have never looked so fucking good. A possessive heat crawls through me. That’s my girl.
Jax catches my eye from the other end of the bar and lifts his chin in acknowledgment. I nod back, watching as he expertly maneuvers around Maura, who’s cleaning shakers.
My attention slides back to Callie as she hands a drink to a customer. I study her, cataloging the changes. She’s filled out in all the right places, soft curves where there were once sharp angles. When she finally turns toward me, gaze meeting mine, I swallow. Suddenly nervous. There’s no more venom in the way she watches me, only careful assessment. She makes her way over. “What can I get you?”
“I want a hurricane.”
Her eyebrow lifts. “Are you sure?”
“Yup.” I can’t really explain it, but that last slap went straight to my balls. I never thought I’d enjoy degradation, but here the fuck I am, and I want nothing more than for Callie to put a leash on me and walk me like a dog.
“You’re crazy,” she says with a shake of her head. She preps the shot and the glass of water before climbing onto the bar and taking a seat. Her thick thighs cage me in, and my hands immediately find them. Her tits are right in front of my face. Every inch of skin I can see begs to be bitten. I want to sink my teeth into her flesh and watch as she writhes on my dick.
The air between us crackles with everything we’re not saying. Callie’s cheeks are bright red, and I can’t help wondering what naughty thoughts might be running through her head.
I squeeze her thighs. “Show me what you’ve got, Callie Mae.”
Never again. I’ll never let anything come between us again. I’ll burn the whole fucking world down before I let her slip away a second time.
Callie hands me the shot, her fingers brushing mine. “Last chance, Knox. Walk away now and you don’t have to get wet.”
I toss the shot back, welcoming the burn. “Do your worst.” Water splashes my face in a cold shock, and seconds later her palm cracks against my cheek. It’s not as hard as the other night’s though. I can feel her holding back.
“Another,” I demand, wiping water from my eyes.
“Knox, this is insane.” She shakes her head, looking around at the people watching us with avid interest. A few people are already lining up behind me. My mind revolts at the idea of some other fucker taking my spot, but this is her job. Maura would kill me if I ran paying customers off.
So while I want to turn around and tell all those fuckers to get bent, I hold her gaze. She’s all that matters right now. “You heard me. Hit me like you mean it, Alley cat. Don’t go easy on me.”
She bites her lip, shakes her head, and motions to Maura for another shot. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“This won’t hurt me.” And the unspoken truth hangs between us. Her leaving tore me apart, but these hurricanes? They don’t hurt.
“Okay,” she says reluctantly, watching as I toss another shot back.
Liquor burns down my throat. I set the glass down with a clink. Seconds later cool water splashes in my face and she slaps me again, and this time, my head whips to the side. A dark, twisted laugh rumbles out of me, and slowly, I turn back to her, licking the corner of my lips. “That’s my girl.”
Her lips part to say something, maybe to deny my claim, but suddenly Jax is there, hands on her hips as he drags her back to his side of the bar. He drops a kiss on her cheek, gaze sliding to meet mine in a clear warning.
She’s all of ours.
I nod, hating that he’s the reason for that pretty blush deepening, but I’d rather have it be my brother than some random dude from out of town. Callie belongs in Big Ridge and like all those years ago, her place is with me and my brothers. Her gaze finds mine again and a little grin tugs at her lips.
That’s right, baby. Don’t forget who you belong to.
Maura appears, shot glass in hand, eyeing the line behind me. “I’ll do the first one. Knox, you need to leave. I can’t have you in here stirring up trouble if these boys want Callie to slap them too.”
“I won’t cause trouble.” Much.
She gives me a pointed look. “Go home before you end up in a jail cell for the night.”
Rolling my eyes, I glance at my brother. Take care of our girl. He nods in understanding, attention falling to the line of people waiting for a hurricane.
