Page 12 of Covet (The Red #3)

Chapter Twelve

Max

Listen to Bad Chem

by Sabrina Carpenter

I was rarely shocked by a woman’s reaction, but this was one of those times.

The sting from her palm burned my cheek, even as I noticed she hadn’t put much effort into the move. It felt more like a wake-up warning rather than a hard stop rejection. I stared back at her, torn. Half of me wanted to yank her back and prove she wanted that kiss as bad as I did. The other half?

A strange build of anticipation curled through me, taking me off guard. I opened my mouth to ask her what the fuck she was doing but she beat me to it.

Unbelievably, she leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Next time, ask for permission. You may get what you want.”

Her gaze locked with mine, and I caught a gleam of lust and excitement that only deepened my confusion. But I had no time to ask questions or try to figure out what that encounter was even about.

She pushed past me and stalked off.

My hand cupped my cheek. I blinked, and almost swayed on my feet.

WTF?

Coop closed in on me and gripped my shoulder. His face registered the same shock I must’ve been showing. “Bruh, did Gabby just slap you? Or am I drunk and hallucinating?”

I shook my head and stared past Coop to where Gabby had disappeared into the crowd.

Damned if she wasn’t just dancing like nothing had happened, tossing her hair and smiling.

Elle pushed her way onto the floor and tugged at her arm, obviously upset.

After a quick exchange, Gabby followed her across the club and disappeared through the door.

“No, that shit just happened. She was flirting hard with me, and I thought we were both into each other. Swear to God, it was like she was challenging me to touch her. And then she said—” I trailed off.

“Said what?”

Suddenly, I wanted to keep her response to myself.

Ask for permission. What did she mean? Ask to kiss her?

Ask to squeeze her ass? Ask if she wanted to fuck?

I had no idea why I warranted a slap, but my body was still spinning, and damned if I wasn’t hard.

I needed to figure out what game she was playing and decide if I wanted to participate.

I always knew Gabby would be next level in the bedroom, but who knew what shit she was into?

“Nothing. I think she was drunk. It didn’t even hurt; it was more for shock value.”

Coop rubbed his head. “This night is going sideways. I think Noah is the only one getting laid. Elle just blew up on me.”

Unease trickled through me. “Did you tell her about the gym?”

“Yeah.”

“Before or after you got her off?”

Coop gave a half laugh. “After. She’s pissed I didn’t tell her our plans the moment you pitched it. I tried to explain but she still has a hard on for you after the Landon mess. She’ll come around.”

I raised my voice so he could hear me over the pounding music. “You’re not gonna bail on me, right? Because I need you in this. It could be the biggest thing we do, and I want you by my side.”

Slowly, Coop nodded. “No, I get it. I’m in. It’s the first time I’ve been excited about something other than photography. I think we could really make a shitload of money, plus we own it. I’m tired of not being the boss.”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” I raised my arm and we high fived.

My nerves settled. If I had to spin something to make Elle look selfish and widen the gap between them, I would.

My first priority was to Coop. I refused to let his girlfriend ruin his chances just because she wanted to control him and keep him away from me.

Talk about juvenile. Hopefully, she’d get distracted with Noah and their music and let Coop out of the pussy prison.

“I’m assuming you’re coming back home tonight? ”

He winced. “Guess so. I’ll let her cool off.”

“I think she left with Gabby.”

Coop spit out a curse. “Whatever, let her go. I’ll do the apology tour tomorrow.”

I laughed. “Gotta admit, I’m enjoying not having to go through that shit.” My gaze caught on the pretty blonde still dancing. She kept shooting me looks, so I guess she either hadn’t seen Gabby slap me or didn’t care. Both options worked for me. “I’ll see you later. Hopefully with a guest.”

Coop glanced over. “Nice. Landon who?”

I laughed again, but her name still shot through my heart. I needed a good bout of sex to clear my head, and she looked just similar enough to Landon for me to close my eyes and pretend.

Yeah, I was a dick. But I stopped apologizing a long time ago.

“See ya later,” I said, narrowing my gaze as I pushed through the crowd to reach her. I ignored any good pick-up lines and shot her a cocky grin. “I’m Max. What’s your name?”

“Alexa.”

“Was hoping you’d dance with me and make my night better.”

She arched her throat. Those baby blues were already a bit foggy from alcohol, but clear enough she knew what she was doing. “Sure. And maybe you can make my night better.”

I laughed, but inside, something wilted. Another easy conquest. Another woman hot for some good sex and nothing else. Another night just like all the others since Landon had left.

I pushed the whining voice out of my head and focused on the steps imprinted on me from years of experience. Dance. Buy her a drink. Flirt. Touch.

Laugh at everything she said. Compliment her looks.

Get her home and naked.

Fuck her. Let her come first. Then I get to go.

Spend a few precious minutes where my mind is finally, blessedly numb. Where my body is finally relaxed.

Too bad it never lasted long. I’d either go at it again, or begin working on the plan to get her out. It depended if I passed out from the alcohol, which I probably needed more of if I wanted to go full fugue state.

The plan worked. It always did.

But the sex was a bit clumsy because I almost didn’t make it to the finish line. Halfway through at the good part, I just kind of died out. Lost interest. It would’ve been humiliating if I hadn’t just not given a shit. I managed to get her off where she didn’t notice.

When she finally left, I sat on my bed, craving sleep, and kept thinking one thing over and over.

Ask for permission and you can get whatever you want.

Gabby had started something that I wanted to finish. I’d pursue her because I was desperate to feel something again, even if it was fucked up. It would be a fun distraction while Coop and I worked on our gym. But I didn’t want her making up all the rules.

I’d need to come up with my own plan of attack.

Good thing I knew exactly how to do it.