Page 28 of Ruger's Rage
She studies me, those shrewd blue eyes seeing more than most give her credit for.
Venus may fuck for attention, but she's far from stupid.
She leans against the bar. "What's her name?"
"What?"
"The woman that's got you all twisted up. Only time a man turns down what I'm offering is when he's stuck on someone else."
I take another swallow, considering lying. But what's the point? "Tildie."
"New girl at your aunt Ellie's place, yeah?" She nods, not waiting for confirmation. "Heard she's pretty. Different kind of pretty than what you usually go for."
"What do I usually go for?"
Venus laughs, gesturing to herself and over toward Shayla, who's lounging on a couch texting. "Easy. Available. Uncomplicated."
I can't argue with that.
"She must be something special." Venus pours herself a shot and knocks it back. "Don't worry, no hard feelings. Just let me know if you change your mind."
She saunters away, joining Bailey who's just emerged from one of the back rooms.
I stare at my empty glass, mind full of beautiful amber eyes, chestnut hair, soft curves and those cautious smiles Tildie throws my way.
Sex with Venus would scratch an itch, nothing more.
I've been there plenty of times before, but right now, there's only one woman I can picture naked on top of me, riding me hard until we're both seeing stars.
Only one set of lips I want to taste, one body I want pressed against mine.
Tildie’s… and that's the most fucking dangerous thing of all.
CHAPTERFOUR
Tildie
The morning light filters through the faded curtains of my tiny trailer back behind the bar.
I've been awake for hours, staring at the water stains on the ceiling, trying to process everything that happened yesterday.
Ruger's buying the bar.
Those four words keep circling in my mind like vultures.
I should be relieved.
My job is safe.
My home is secure.
The bar will stay open.
Instead, anxiety creeps up my spine—the same feeling I had when Marco first started "helping" with my father's gambling debts.
When his generosity gradually transformed into ownership of my life.
I roll out of bed, pad to the bathroom, and splash cold water on my face.
