Page 4 of Lost Lyrebird

I place my hand over his on my shoulder, squeezing.When I finally nod, he grabs me in another fierce hug.I relish it.He pats my back, and I swear his touch lingers like a brand after we part.

“Go, son.I’m good here.I’ll see you again when it’s time.”

So I do.I take one step.Then another.When I glance back, he’s watching me with steely blue eyes, arms folded over his chest.His expression holds so much emotion, but his shoulders are drawn back, a stubborn stance I’d known as a kid—a sign there’s no point in arguing further.

“Keep your promise to her.”

I nod, and focus on what lies ahead, not what I’m leaving behind.Step after step, I move toward the promise I never intended to break.

A promise to a little bird, a woman who needs me more than he ever did.

CHAPTER 1

If our mind tells us what’s real, who are we to judge?

JULY 2002

Spreading his thighs, I bend my knees, bringing my face level with Deeds’s jean-clad erection.The position no doubt gives half the room a glimpse of my G-string.Not that it deters me—in fact, it spurs me on.

There’s something about seducing a lethal man that makes me feel powerful.Seducing a clubhouse full of them?That’s like a hit of crack for my ego, unlike anything you could imagine, and addicting as hell.

The flare of lust in his hazel eyes pinned on me tells me he feels it too.The sexual tension between us fuels the energy in this smoke-filled room.Envy of him coils in the air, silent but palpable.

It’s intoxicating, this unique little gift I have.For so long, I saw my beauty as a curse.

I wasted years hiding it.Denying it.Deeds made me realize it didn’t have to be that way.I could mold a man’s lust and reshape it into something that benefits me instead of letting it be the thing that brings about my downfall.

He showed me how to wield it—and have a whole lot of fun doing so.And that’s precisely what I do now: perform for the mass of people gathered inside the clubhouse, and give this man a lap dance worthy of an audience.

Nearly everyone here is fucked up in some way or another—if not on the drugs being passed around, then on the liquor flowing freely at the bar.Exhaustion clings to them, but they’re far too happy to be home to care about sleep.

Some old ladies remain.The rest are women who exist here for one reason—to relieve the men’s tension.I came tonight to do the same and help Deeds unwind.Except, as always, my nature got the best of me.

As the song shifts, I straddle his lap, my skirt riding up in the process.His hands grip my ass, yanking me forward so my core rubs over his hard-on.

Grabbing his wrists, I push his hands away, tutting.“Uh-uh-uh.”

He growls in response, the drugs making him impatient.Usually, he loves our games as much as I do, but tonight, he’s worked up, horny as hell, and ready to get between my thighs.I’m not necessarily opposed to that.But I’m the kind of person who plays with the frosting of a decadent cake before eating a slice.I play with my food and my men, taking as much pleasure as I can before devouring my meal.

Swiveling my hips, I ride him hard enough to leave a trace of my arousal on his jeans.My fingers find their way into his hair, gripping tight as I tilt his head back.

A deep groan rumbles out of his chest.“Fuck… Gypsy Girl.You’re a menace when you get like this.”His words are raspy, dripping with lust.

I bring my face closer to his, breathing out a wicked laugh.I bite his bottom lip and let it pop free of my teeth.“You know you like it.”

He sits up, twists my long hair around his fist, and yanks.Tit for tat.“You’re damn right I do.Now, are you gonna ride my dick or dick me around all night?”

Scraping my teeth across my bottom lip, I think it over.

“Sweet girl,” Cecil drawls, pulling my gaze towards him.“You plannin’ to rub up on our prince all night, or share the love?”Half-turning, I pause.My gaze travels over him.He’s a striking male, masculine as all get-out, with long, dirty-blond hair pulled back into a ponytail.

“That depends.”I grin.“What do you have in mind?”

“Not tonight, man.Been a long week, and I need a little one-on-one time with our little Gypsy here, if you know what I mean.”Deeds emphasizes his point by planting his hands firmly on my thighs.He trails kisses up my neck, leaving a bit of beard burn in his wake.

Cecil clicks his tongue.“That’s too bad.Another time?”

I give him a playful wink.“You can bet on it.”