Page 53 of Sins of a King

“Thanks, it was my first time.”

“Couldn’t tell. You have nerves of steel.”

I laughed, feeling warmth in my cheeks, my head a bit fuzzy.

“What song did you sing?” he asked.

“‘Take Back Your Mink’ fromGuys and Dolls.” I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. “I’m a little hot.” Frowning, I fanned my face with my hand.

“Want to get some air?” he asked.

“Yes, please.”

I stumbled toward the exit, and Eric’s hand whipped out to steady me. My stomach rolled, and my throat constricted. I swallowed a few times, but my mouth was dry and I had a hard time focusing. My vision flickered in and out, like someone had installed a strobe light behind my eyes.

“Something’s wrong…” I slurred as cool autumn air hit my face.

Eric’s arm went around me as he dragged me toward the curb. Cabs whizzed by in a blur of yellow and shadows.

“I can’t seem to…” My eyes closed, my knees buckled, and everything went dark.

Chapter 15

I woke up with a pounding headache. Turning my head, I groaned, my cheek pressed to a soft, satiny pillow. Opening my eyes, I rolled onto my back and slowly sat up, taking in my surroundings.

I was in a Rex Hotel suite, but I had no recollection of how I’d gotten there.

Attempting to climb out of the king-sized bed proved difficult. I was weak and shaky, and a hint of nausea churned in my stomach. Forcing myself to get up, my toes sank into the plush white carpet. I headed to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. There was an unusual taste in my mouth—like chalk, cotton, and something sour. I cupped my hands under the faucet and drank a few handfuls before grabbing the tube of toothpaste and spare toothbrush.

Masculine products littered the sink counter—aftershave, a razor, shaving cream. I was starting to put the pieces together; someone must’ve brought me to Flynn’s penthouse suite. My fear began to fracture as I realized I was in a safe place. Feeling marginally restored but still brain fuzzy, I walked into the living room and stopped in surprise.

Flynn was on his cell phone, pacing back and forth. He was dressed in slacks, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. The man looked ruffled, and that wasn’t a word I would have ever associated with him.

“I don’t care, Brad, find out—” His eyes met mine, and they were glacial. “Take care of it,” he snapped before ending the call. He stalked toward me. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay,” I said, my voice sounding weak and confused. “You’re not supposed to be here—you’re supposed to be on a business trip.”

“I left early. I arrived late last night.”

“Oh,” I said. “What—what happened? How did I get here?”

Flynn stood close enough to me so that his shirt touched mine. I realized I was wearing a man’s white undershirt and my nipples were jutting out and visible through the thin fabric. I crossed my arms over my chest in order to conceal my reaction to him. I physically felt terrible, and I was confused, and yet my body still wanted him.

Flynn was staring at me with a dark, impenetrable blue gaze.

“You don’t remember?” Flynn asked softly.

“I performed burlesque, the girls and I worked the crowd, and then nothing.”

“Someone drugged you, Barrett.”

“Drugged?” My head snapped back. The truth fought through the cloudy memories of last night. “But how did I get uphere? To your suite?”

“The girls saw you leaving with a stranger. Jake went after you and saw a guy trying to get you into a cab. Then you blacked out. Jake carried you inside and had Brad call me. I was already back in the city, but I had Brad bring you up here immediately.”

If Jake and the girls hadn’t been watching out for me…

My eyes widened. “I’m wearing your shirt, aren’t I?”