Page 10

Chapter Nine

LIE

April

“Stop by later.” The guy who ordered four drinks slides a napkin with his room number across the bar toward me. I give him a playful smile and lean across the bar as if I want to get closer to him.

What I’m really doing is getting Laiken’s attention. These shorts seem to be his favorite, and I know he’ll be here in seconds.

Meanwhile, the guy trying to take me home leans toward me, so his face is close to mine. “I’m gonna make you feel so good, sexy,” he murmurs.

Hands on my upper arms haul me backward, and Laiken takes my position. He grabs the napkin, balls it up, and tosses it in the bin. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” he asks, voice clipped but polite.

The man looks between us. There’s no way he misses my smirk as I lazily wipe the back bar where the bottles of liquor are stored.

“No,” the man says. He looks at me again before disappearing into the crowd.

Laiken turns and glares at me.

“Ease up, Dad,” Mike says, shoving playfully at Laiken. “He’s an adult. He can hook up with whomever he wants.”

“Yeah, Dad ,” I say, and can practically hear him growl at me. I duck under his arm and head for Cash in the corner. “That’s number three for the night,” I report.

Cash laughs. “You’ve decided working here isn’t that bad, huh?”

I shrug and glance over my shoulder at Laiken. “No. Though my feet hurt. I swear, it doesn’t matter what shoes I wear, my feet hurt from being on them for hours. It’s exhausting. I think I’m in a perpetual state of buzzed from the fumes of alcohol, too.”

He snorts.

His attention shifts to the door, and I look in that direction in time to see his brother, Onyx, and Bryce walk in. The Hinky Dinky Bar tends to be their home these days, though they visit others from time to time, too. Most nights, they can be found right here.

“Has he made plans to leave yet? Like, actual plans? A date? Plane ticket?”

I see Cash roll his eyes from my peripheral. “Of course not. It’s like he’s waiting for something.”

“Maybe waiting for Onyx and Bryce to do it?” I suggest.

He huffs and grabs his glass.

While he doesn’t say so, I think he’s crushing on Onyx.

I don’t blame him. Onyx is hot. He has this really cool owl tattoo on the inside of his forearm that’s twelve or so inches.

Maybe more. It looks like one of those images in adult coloring books with all the intricate designs within the overall owl shape.

I’ve always wondered what it signifies. Why did he get that one?

A couple of women sit on stools to the left of Cash, keeping a few between them. I move down to them and offer a smile. “What can I get you?”

“Mojitos. Two, please.”

I nod and pull a couple glasses. Laiken hovers almost immediately as I flip my little cheat book open to mojito—muddling mint at the bottom of the shaker cup, adding rum, lime, ice, simple syrup and shaking it.

Once I pour them into the glasses, I set them on little square napkins and slide them forward.

Unclipping the little electronic reader from my hip, I click the red button for mixed drinks and hold it out for one of the girls. She presses her bracelet on the reader, and it beeps. There’s a tiny vibration in my hand, and the green dot light appears briefly.

I think the design was specifically made for loud places like this. Three of my senses read that the scan was successful. I repeat the process with the other woman, then go about wiping up the bar from the drops of mojito.

Laiken’s hand brushes my thigh and my dick twitches. He’s trying to torture me.

I look up when Benson speaks into the microphone. “Good evening, Hinky Dinks. Are you ready for some music?”

The crowd cheers and claps. I glance at Cash. He’s frowning.

“We have Onyx on drums, Bryce on bass, and I’m Benson on guitar and vocals. We’re Whiskey Horizons. Sit back and enjoy.” He gives Onyx a nod, and he rapid-fire hits the drums all over the place, making the crowd cheer. Then he leads into the rhythm of their first song.

“I see you through the crowd,

In a place you shouldn’t be.

Are you here for someone else,

Or are you here for me?”

I glance at Cash. “Who do you think that one’s for?”

He’s not looking at the band anymore. He’s trailing his finger around the rim of his glass. It’s still full. This is how our nights almost always go. Rarely do we ever take more than a sip of our drinks when we hang out at bars.

“Dunno,” he says. “Maybe it’s not about anyone, but just a story.”

“I thought songs were written about experiences.”

Cash shrugs. “I guess. Could be anyone.”

I narrow my eyes at him, and he flashes me a big grin. Our conversation is interrupted by three guys squeezing between Cash and the two women. The women are unnoticed as they crowd around my friend.

“Hey, cutie,” one says.

Cash looks up, giving them all sweet, innocent eyes that my bestie pulls off so well. “Hey,” he answers, taking his bottom lip between his teeth.

“Feel like dancing, sweetheart?”

He glances at me, giving me a wink, and slides from his stool. He’s smaller than all three men, and he definitely has the whole young, innocent, newbie vibe down. “Sure, but I’m not good at dancing.”

“We’ll be happy to lead you.”

I roll my eyes, bringing Cash’s drink behind the bar and setting it on the back countertop, out of everyone’s reach.

While I tend to the patrons, I keep my eye on Cash.

He’s at the front with the three guys all over him.

Both Benson and Onyx are watching him. Bryce’s attention is always somewhat vague and distant.

Benson looks like he wants to rip Cash’s hair out, which is probably why Cash is so close to the stage.

Onyx… I can’t quite decipher his expression, though he’s not at all happy.

Maybe he thinks Cash is that close to piss Benson off, too. Ben makes it far too easy, and he’s such an asshole, he deserves it.

Laiken steps up behind me as I’m wiping water spots left by glasses. He’s close, his chest practically pressed against my back. His body heat makes me shiver, but his breath on my ear and his low voice make me weak in the knees.

“He’s trying to piss his brother off, isn’t he?” Laiken asks.

I snort. I’m about to say yes when I look at Onyx. “I don’t think it has anything to do with Ben.” Not with the way Onyx is watching him. Ben doesn’t exist at all right now.

It’s several songs before Cash returns to the bar. The three guys follow, and I have a feeling they’re not so subtly hinting that they’d like him to go back to their room with them. I don’t need to hover close. Mike is already there.

One of the things I love about the Hinky Dinky Bar is that all the bartenders pay close attention to what happens at the bar and on the dance floor. The safety of their patrons is important. Especially when those patrons are residents. Everyone is family on Kala. You always look out for family.

As I make a Manhattan, I keep an eye on Onyx. I’m pretty confident he’s still staring at Cash, incredibly unhappy. Hmm. I wonder if this crush is on both sides.

Laiken’s hand lands on my hip, and I almost burst into flames. “Break?”

I glance at Cash.

“Mike will stay close.”

I nod, but wait until Cash meets my eyes. I motion that I’m heading on break, and he nods. I know my friend, and I doubt he’s interested in any of them for real. Certainly not all of them.

Tossing my towel on the back bar, I follow Laiken to the door. Most of the back is lined with shelves filled with liquor stock. To the right is a small kitchen that makes bar food—wings, fries, and pizza. To the right is a break room and an office.

I follow Laiken into the breakroom and drop into the chair, letting my head fall back. I close my eyes and absently twist back and forth in the chair. “My feet are tired,” I complain.

Laiken chuckles. I open my eyes after a few minutes to find the door shut. Laiken is leaning against the table beside me.

I slide my office chair until I’m in front of him. He’s in the perfect position where I’m staring at his crotch. I can’t help but stare. Wondering what he’s hiding under his pants. What goods are there? Will he let me suck him?

We’ve been making out for a few weeks now, but that’s all we’ve been doing. Kissing. I love kissing. Especially kissing Laiken. But I’m so damn horny.

My eyes flicker to his. He’s watching me, eyes filled with heat.

Yep, I’m going to take my chances. Since breaks aren’t long, I don’t beat around the bush. I place both my hands on his thighs, and drag them up his legs until I can drip my fingers under the waist of his pants.

“Can I see what’s in your pants?” I ask.

Laiken licks his lips. Nods.

I drag my fingers to the buttons and quickly undo them. Maybe I’m nervous he’s going to change his mind. Maybe it’s because we don’t have long. Maybe because I’m excited to see his dick. Either way, I don’t take my time.

Gripping the waist of his pants, I yank them down until I’m looking at his dick outline in his briefs. I trace my hand along his shaft. He’s much bigger than I anticipated. So sexy.

I slide my chair forward, forcing Laiken to spread his legs further so I can get between them. It makes him shorter, brings his dick exactly to mouth level. I press my face to his cock, nipping at his shaft, and making him exhale sharply.

Yep, no patience, though I note how soft his underwear are. Before I pull them out of the way, I rub my face against them, enjoying the soft fabric against my skin, his hard cock, and the way he grunts in response.

I’m not sure how much time we have left, though, so I drag the front of his underwear down and pull his cock out, pointing it at my face.

“Wow,” I murmur and flick my tongue over the bead of precum gathering at his slit. “I had no idea you were hiding an anaconda in your pants, Laiken.”

“You don’t appear bothered.”

I glance up. “Oh no. I can’t wait to have this in me.”

My words are rewarded by his pupils dilating wide as they fill with heat, and he gives a low, deep groan. Smiling sweetly, I bring his cock to my mouth and take him inside. That’s what I meant, of course. In my mouth.

He’s so damn hard. I bring him to the back of my mouth, just to see how much dick is left. I’m able to wrap my hand around the base of his shaft. Oh, my. He’s going to go so deep!

We don’t have time to mess around right now. As much as I’d love to explore this magnificent dick that he hides so well, our break isn’t long. Keeping my mouth tight around him, I concentrate on the last several inches of his cock as I bob.

Laiken’s hands grip my head, and I stop moving to let him take control. He pulls me down and back rapidly. The room is filled with the wet slurping sounds of his cock moving in and out of my mouth.

“That’s it,” he grunts. “Suck my dick, Lie. You’re so good at it.”

I reach for his balls and give them a gentle squeeze, a soft tug. Laiken moans. “So good,” he says through his moan.

My dick throbs. I’m leaving here with a hard-on. I can already tell.

“Almost,” Laiken says.

I look up through watery eyes as he drops his head back. His stomach muscles dance. His chest heaves.

“Lie, I’m coming.”

His words are breathless, husky. It’s only a second before the first spurt of cum hits the back of my throat. I tug gently on his balls again, earning myself a choked grunt as he spurts another shot into my mouth.

I suck him dry, slightly disappointed that we don’t have more time. I want to ravish this cock. I’ve dreamed about, imagined, what he was packing, and this is so much more magnificent than my wildest dreams.

Laiken’s breath shakes when he pulls free from my mouth. He wipes my mouth of his juice and my spit with his thumbs and pulls me to my feet. I’m surprised when he captures my mouth with his. Not all guys like the taste of their own seed. Apparently, that’s not something that bothers Laiken.

He kisses me thoroughly, which does nothing to ease my dick back into some semblance of not being turned on.

“Get on the table,” he says into my mouth. “Your turn.”

I shake my head. “We don’t have time. Break is probably over.”

He looks at the clock and sighs. “Two minutes ago. Sorry.”

I shrug. Honestly, I think maybe I’m a little relieved. I feel a bit intimidated right now. He’s had almost twenty years more experience than I have. Was that blowie even any good at all?

“Come on. We’ll take care of you when we get home.”

Chills race down my spine.

Laiken puts himself away and I adjust my dick in my pants. There’s no real good way to keep a hard-on from tenting your shorts, but when they’re practically glued on like mine are, at least it’s not an actual tent. Just the obvious outline of my hard dick.

Could be worse.

We return to the bar, and I’m thankful that the bar comes up to my stomach. I immediately head for Cash. He’s alone now. The three guys are no longer anywhere around him. Looks like Mike brought him fries and his drink back, too.

I stop, and he hands me a fry. “Where’d your friends go?”

“Onyx scared them off,” he says, smirking.

I’m guessing we missed a band break because they’re back on stage. The lyrics penetrate my lusty fog now that he’s said something about the band.

“You make my blood burn,

My heart race, my need ignite.

A flushed face.

I see you dance, see you shake,

Tremble for me, undulate.

Feel me pulse, feel me breathe,

Hear you moan, filled with need…”

“Wow. They’re getting racy,” I note.

“It’s disturbing to hear these lyrics from my brother’s mouth,” Cash says, scowling. “It helps a smidge knowing he didn’t write it, at least.”

“You sure?” I tease.

He glares. “Positive.”

Onyx is still staring at Cash. Huh. Interesting turn of events tonight.