Page 37 of Savage Suit

Eyeing me with dislike, he sucked his teeth. For a moment, we engaged in a pissing contest. I returned his disdain, showing him, with a look, that our feelings were mutual. He turned away to do his damn job.

“What the hell was that about?” Ryan demanded the second he walked away.

“Service. I want my goddamn drinks. As the sole bartender, it’s his job to fulfill my order.” That reminded me. “Don’t ever offer anyone an explanation,” I said softly. “You let him know you’d talk after he served me. It should’ve ended there, Ryan.”

Her eyes widened at my use of her name. Hell, I shocked myself. A flush swept over her golden skin, and I leaned toward her.

“That’ll be 36.18,” Ian interrupted sharply, setting the rum and Coke and bottle of beer on the other side of Ryan.

I slammed Nathaniel’s two twenties on the ugly bar. If Ryan hadn’t been there, I would’ve asked for my fucking change. Ian didn’t deserve a tip.

He ignored my money and leaned on the bar again, smiling at Ryan. “What do you do for a living?”

The asshole didn’t bother to make sure I hadn’t stiffed him.

His cheesy attention wore on my fucking nerves. If I gave her a second interview, I had her number on file, so there was no need to lose my cool and make a scene in this godawful little bar over a woman I didn’t know. Not that a fight would matter to their patrons, as I’m sure they were used to it.

“Never mind,” he said before she answered, “I know your profession. An Earth angel.”

Stalking to Ryan’s other side, I snatched up the drinks, glared at Ian for humiliating the male species with such cliché pickup lines, and turned to walk away. Since he resembled me so much, Ian was undoubtedly a handsome guy. Those good looks were the only reason he dared to use such godawful come-ons.

“A goddess among us mortals,” he added.

Fuck him. An unattractive man would’ve been laughed at for muttering those cringe-inducing words.

“I’m a marketing specialist,” she said with pride, her words stopping me in my tracks and grabbing my attention.

His trite words didn’t impress her in the least.

She lied to him—she was unemployed—so I started off again.

“At where?” Ian pressed.

“Sauncier.”

That hated name froze me.

My suppressed anger flared to life. She hadn’t wasted time seeking employment at my biggest rival. Nathaniel’s words and Ian’s antics fucked up my mood. Learning Ryan worked for Sauncier ruined my entire fucking evening.

She had a promising future and needed work. I let her slip through my fingers, so my unreasonable feelings annoyed me further. Goddamn. Across the board, I suffered illogical reactions to Ryan Hagen, so my response to her working for Sauncier shouldn’t have surprised me. She would be an asset to them.

Before I reacted regretfully, I stalked to my brother’s table, slammed the drinks down, and spun around, unable to pretend I hadn’t seen Ryan.

“Noah!” Nathaniel called in bewilderment.

Ignoring him, I returned to the bar, relieved Ian helped another customer. His distraction freed Ryan to talk to me without interruption.

“You work for Sauncier?” I demanded with my trademark iciness.

She glared at me and narrowed her eyes. “How is that your business?” she replied, just as curt and cold.

“Sauncier and KMG don’t have the best history,” I explained, not offering further detail.

Her smirk was sexy. “Ahh, they’re your rival,” she drawled and shook her head. “I just have an interview with them.”

“When?”

Irritation slid over her features. She finished her Coke and slammed the glass on the bar before she swiveled on the stool and faced me fully. “Again, how is that your business?”