Page 17 of Hyde and Seek

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Page 17 of Hyde and Seek

“Damn, it’s hot as balls in here,” Xavier said, coming up as Z headed to the bar.

Even though my short-sleeve shrug was thin, I was starting to get uncomfortable. I knew my deodorant was doing its job, but I wasn’t looking to push it to its limits.

My gaze slid down the bar and caught Rhys’ stare. “I’ll be right back.”

“Make your decision already, darlin’? Or just need a drink?” Rhys teased.

“Refill and a small favor.”

“Name it.”

“Could you tuck my sweater somewhere safe back there? As Xavier says, it’s hot as balls in here.”

“Sure thing, darlin’.”

I felt someone move in close behind me. Without looking, I knew it was Jake.

His fingers grazed down my arms as he slid my shrug off.

Try as I might, I couldn’t hold back a shiver. It would’ve been impossible for him to miss, but when I glanced back at him, his face showed nothing. I didn’t know if it was more embarrassing that he felt my reaction to him, or that he was indifferent to it.

What are you expecting? You’re the perv that’s getting off on him touching your shoulders. Get it together!

“Thanks,” I said to Rhys, grabbing my refill.

He looked down at my wrist tattoo. “Nice tat, darlin’. Got anymore?”

“Not. Fuckin’. Again,” Jake muttered.

I ignored him and talked to Rhys. “Yup. Not all visible with clothes on, though.”

Rhys’ smile turned even wickeder. “Now that just makes me wanna see them more.”

Careful not to brush against Jake, I turned around and pulled my hair to the side so he could see the swallows on my shoulders. When I turned back, I lifted my tank top a little so he could see part of the shooting stars on my hip bones. My low rise pants weren’t quite low enough to see it all, but I doubted any pants were. Thankfully, my tattoo artist Ray, short for Rayna, was also my best friend.

“There are a few more that common decency and state laws prevent me from sharing.”

Rhys put his elbows on the bar and leaned forward. “Darlin’, remember what I said to think about?”

I nodded.

“Yeah, I mean that tenfold now. Keep that in mind.” He smiled big, his dimples emphasized more.

I could eat cereal out of those dimples.

I felt a strong arm around my waist and fingers digging into my hip. “Time to get back so we can see.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I sighed, though I was a big fan of his arm around me.

“Rhys,” Jake bit out with a slight nod.

“Jake,” Rhys responded with a chuckle.

“Rhys,” I bit out mockingly. If Jake was going to be a jerk to everyone, I was going to have fun with it.

“Enjoy the show, darlin’.”

Jake moved us effortlessly through the crowd as people hustled out of his way. It took him less than a minute to get us from the back of the room to up near the stage where the guys were.


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