Page 57 of Shifting Sands
Just yet.
I shake off the stab of disappointment that rolls through me at the words.
“I didn’t realize you’d worked here so long. I thought it was something temporary.”
He hesitates, but just for a beat. “I never said that.”
I open my mouth, ready to press again, but he spins me, and when I land back in his arms, my laugh escapes before I can fight it.
“Show-off,” I murmur.
We fall back into the rhythm, and this time, he doesn’t hold back. His hands are everywhere—touching, teasing, claiming. One brushes under my sweater, warm fingers against bare skin. The other traces the curve of my spine.
The crowd fades around us as he looks at me like I’m the only person in the room.
“You’re trouble, Sexy Bartender,” I whisper.
“And you like it, Barfly.”
God help me, I do.
By the time the song ends, I’ve almost forgotten about the earlier scene.
Almost.
He leans in again, lips grazing the shell of my ear. “Let’s get some air.”
I nod and let him lead me toward the back exit that opens to the private patio behind the bar. It’s peaceful out, the night cool and damp, and I take in a lungful of fresh air as I lean against the railing.
“It’s quiet out here. We’re all alone,” I say as he prowls toward me.
“That was the plan,” he says as he slips a hand around to my back and pulls me into him.
The words linger between us, but neither of us speaks as he dips down and kisses my skin where my sweater slides off my shoulder. His mouth begins a slow glide up my throat. But before his lips reach mine, the door swings open behind him, and Lennon pokes his head out.
“Yo, Brew. Seb’s got a situation up front. You might wanna handle it.”
Brew swears under his breath. “I’ll be right back,” he says, brushing a kiss to my temple. “Don’t move.”
I watch him disappear inside, my heart thumping harder than it should.
Because something isn’t adding up.
I can feel it.
And no amount of dancing or soft kisses is going to keep that feeling from sinking deeper.
Instead of waiting for him to return, I decide to follow them inside. I see Sebastian engaged in a heated argument with the guy Brew was eyeing earlier. Sebastian throws a punch, and blood flies from the guy’s mouth. When the guy recovers, he charges at Sebastian and headbutts him. Sebastian grabs a fistful of the guy’s hair and yanks him back before rearing back and striking him again. Brew steps in between them, and Lennon wraps his arms around Sebastian, pulling him away. The guyswings at Brew, but Brew deflects the punch and quickly puts him in a headlock. Suddenly, the bouncer from earlier bursts through the entrance.
“That was your last chance. You’re permanently banned,” Brew yells as he shoves the guy toward the bouncer.
“Fuck you, Brew. And your grandfather. You think you’re so much better than everyone else!” the guy screams, as the bouncer drags him to the door.
Brew and Audrey exchange a look before he stomps off down a hallway beside the bar and she follows after him.
I make my way over to Tabby and Eden as Amiya and Avie rush over to Lennon and Sebastian.
“What was that about?” I ask.
