Page 10

Chapter ten

Colt

“ L et me stay,” I beg, tracing circles on her hand where I kissed it a few moments before.

She glances at me, curiosity in her eyes. “Why should I let you stay? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’re not wearing a name tag, Mister Mystery Man.”

Fuck. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. “Last-minute addition.”

Her eyebrow quirks up. “Interesting. Why is that?”

“Trust me, you dodged a bullet with the guy who dropped out. And that guy over there,” I point over my shoulder. “He’s definitely not your type.”

“Oh—really? Please, complete stranger, tell me–what’s my type?”

I stare at her with a cocky attitude and reply, “Me.”

She walked right into that one. I don’t hide my smug smile as her mouth gapes open, surprised at my brazen insistence I’m her type. Silly girl, if only she knew just how goddamn obsessed I am with her. But I have to play it cool.

She leans back, arms crossed, like she knows it’ll drive me mad. We hold each other’s gaze, unrelenting—the air thick with silent negotiations.

“But we can’t be certain you’re my type. I haven’t even met the other guys.” She pouts her bottom lip out in a sulk.

“You drive a hard bargain.” I pretend to think it over. “I didn’t want to have to kick the poor guy’s ass, but if that’s what the lady wants to see I’m at your service. Say the word, and I’ll take him out of the picture.”

Her gaze flicks over the man standing in front of our table, assessing him. I crack my neck. If he’s smart, he’ll walk the fuck away. But the way he’s hovering, looking at her—it makes me want to beat the fuck out of him. He checks her out again, and I curl my fingers into a fist at my side.

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” I practically growl.

She laughs. “Fine.”

Maddox waves the guy off. He glares at me. I smirk, a warning glint lurking in my eyes. If I catch that asshole later tonight, I might be tempted to teach him a lesson. Slowly and deliberately, I un-cuff my sleeves, revealing my tattoos. His eyes widen at the ink, and he walks off to find an empty table.

“You have tattoos?” she asks, leaning forward to get a closer look. I roll my sleeves back down, buttoning the cuffs. Can’t have her recognizing them.

“I do. And Maddox,” her name rolls off my tongue deliciously, “maybe if you’re a good girl for me, I’ll let you see them.”

A ruby blush creeps over her cheeks. She’s absolutely adorable. I’m pretty sure I just rendered her speechless.

“I noticed you have tattoos too. Which one is your favorite?” I ask, steering us back to the conversation.

“Hmmm, maybe if you impress me, I’ll show you.” Her tone is teasing and playful.

“Oh, so now I have to impress you? I think saving you from two bad dates is pretty impressive.”

“Hardly,” she taunts.

“What if I told you I’ve been studying the way the ink trails over your skin beneath that sheer shirt all night? That if we were alone, I would trace every line?” My fingers ache to drag over her supple skin.

Her eyes widen, a flicker of interest. “That’s impressive, but not quite enough.”

She’s got me wrapped around her finger, and she knows it. “Challenge accepted. Tell me, Maddox, if we were alone, would you let me trace them? “

She bites the edge of her full bottom lip, clearly mulling over her answer.

“Yes.”

I keep my expression neutral, masking my reaction. “So you wouldn’t stop me?”

“No.”

Damn. I think I just met my match. I push my luck, driven by this need for her. “And what would you like to do if we were alone?”

“Hypothetically?” she asks, drawing out her response, edging me along.

I nod.

She looks up at the ceiling, pretending to think hard. “If we were all alone, I think I’d like to have your lips on mine.”

Once again, I fight to stay composed, exuding only a cool, collected front, despite all the dirty places I’m imagining my lips exploring.

“We don’t have to be alone for that. But hypothetically, if we were, I’d gladly participate.”

“Would it be only the one time?” she asks, catching me off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you looking for more than one hook-up?” She elaborates.

“Ultimately, that’s up to you. But I wouldn’t object to a second opportunity—or more.”

Shit. She’s perfect. Everything I didn’t know I needed in a woman. A pang of guilt reverberates through my chest as HexXdoll flashes through my mind. She’s perfect too, but I’ve selfishly pushed her away because I’m scared of losing what we have. She’s the first woman I ever felt anything for. After being tied to a high-profile murder case, women don’t exactly line up to date me, not even after the charges were dropped. That’s when I found gaming—a way to connect where no one knew about my past.

Gaming gave me the acceptance I craved, but it also drove me into the family business. My drive to feel valued and my thirst for revenge fueled my decision to get into the family business. Uncle Ricky insisted on a back-up plan to keep me safe. Now here I am, sitting across from a girl who makes me forget all of this.

“I’d like that,” Maddox purrs. “I’d like to be more to you than just one night.”

Her confession stirs something inside me. Loyalty means everything to me. It’s why I can’t risk anything with HexXdoll. But my dad’s words echo in my head: You’ll miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take. What if I’m passing up something magical because I’m too scared?

Fuck, why am I like this? I refocus on the gorgeous girl sitting across from me, shamelessly eye-fucking my body, flirting with me. “What else would you like, Maddox?”

Saved by the timer. Before she can answer, it buzzes, signaling the end of the round.

“Stay,” she says, her voice airy, filled with lust.

“Are you sure I’ve impressed you enough for that? What if I’m feeling a little underwhelmed?”

“It’ll be worth your time,” she promises, her tone sultry. “Besides, the next guy isn’t my type. He’s kind of a lumpy potato face.”

I burst out laughing, unable to stop myself, and she beams, satisfied with herself for penetrating my stone facade. The guy approaches, and I bite my knuckle, trying to contain my laughter. She’s right. I can’t unsee the lumpy potato face now that he’s up close. It’s such a dick move to sit here smirking like this. He’s standing in front of us, obviously lost. I can’t stop what I say to him. “Can I help you?”

“It’s time to rotate,” he snaps, annoyance coating his words.

“And the lady invited me to stay, so I suppose that means you should move along.” I lean back in my chair, sizing him up.

“I want my turn,” he argues, like a toddler.

I shrug, indifferent. “It’s ladies’ choice tonight. Better luck next time.”

The man balls his fist at his sides and raises his voice. “It’s my turn.”

I roll my eyes as everyone in the bar watches our confrontation. I pause dramatically, allowing the tension in the room to build.

“Like I told you, it’s ladies’ choice. The lady,”—I gesture to Maddox, whose cheeks are dusted in a crisp rosy pink, “invited me to stay, and she said you’re not her type. So unless you want security involved, I suggest you move on, potato face.”

The room erupts in snickers, and his face turns bright red. “Why, I ought to–”

“Is there a problem, gentlemen?” Travis appears at our table, his face lighting up when he sees me.

I give him a subtle nod. Travis looks down his nose at the man, explaining he can either continue the event or leave. The guy’s neck vein throbs like it might explode at any second, blood spraying everyone as he bleeds out on the floor, clutching himself in rage.

He sneers, stomping away angrily, and slumps into the table behind us. That guy’s lucky I’m trying to make a good impression. If it weren’t for the fact I’m sitting across from the girl I’ve been obsessing over every night—following her home, falling for her —well, his ass would already be in the back alley getting the shit beat out of him. Honestly, I’m still considering it. I glare at the back of his head over Maddox’s shoulder, weighing my options, debating whether he’s worth my time.

“Thank you,” Maddox mouths, her lips curling into a grin.

“You’re welcome, but it’s going to cost you.”

“It’s going to cost me?” She rolls her eyes. “I could have rescued myself. I just wanted to give you the chance to be a knight in shining armor.”

“Still going to cost you.”

She sighs, fluttering her lashes at me. “What’s the fee?”

“Let me buy you a drink, and if I’m lucky…” I trail off, letting the suggestion hang in the air.

“And if you’re lucky?” she prompts.

I lean in slightly, eyes locking with hers. “A kiss.”

She grins, her tone teasing. “I think we should start with the drink. It’ll boost your chances of that kiss.” The burning glint in her eyes insinuates she’s been waiting for me to ask.