by C. M. Owens
James’s head snaps up, and his eyes go wide when he sees me. Tyler curses while trying to pull me back outside, but I shrug him off. Since he doesn’t want to risk hurting me, he relents.
“Fine. If I can’t get you outside, then can I kick his ass?” he growls.
I stare at Mom, barely offering James a second look.
“I told you they have no loyalty,” Mom says in a soft whisper, acting as though this is hurting her. “They all leave.”
Tyler berates her, once again reminding her that she’s screwed up in the head, but all sound disappears as James slowly tries to sneak out.
He slept with my mother? It’s not like he was here for long without me. That’s all it took to make him throw me away for my damn mother?
Pretty girls don’t get to fall in love. They get fucked.
Tyler ends his rant and argument with our mother long enough to shake my shoulders. “Can I kick his fucking ass or not, Salem?” he growls.
“Yeah,” I mumble, numb and still in shock.
Tyler doesn’t hesitate to run out, and I continue staring at my mother as she wipes a tear from her cheek. Tyler will and can break James easily.
“I had to show you, Salem,” she says softly. “They’re only good for one thing. If you’re only using them, then they can’t use you. All I had to do was touch his hand, offer him myself, and he barely even hesitated. One touch and a few words, Salem—that’s how easy it was. Do you understand?”
Until this moment, I only thought I hated her. But, twisted as she is, she showed me that I really am naïve.
She just proved two things: One, my mother gets whatever she wants when she wants it, and she doesn’t give a damn about the collateral damage. Two, my heart is too fragile to go through this again, because it hurts. It hurts real damn bad.
Pretty girls really do get fucked.
***
MAVERICK – Age 18
“You look exhausted,” Dad points out, dropping down beside me and handing me a beer that I gratefully accept.
“Long day. Rain’s out of surgery, though, and everything looks good. So that’s the good news.”
He nods, frowning. “Little young to have to worry about that sort of reality,” he says on a sigh. “You need to go over there?”
“Dane’s with her right now. She’s in good hands.”
He smirks for some reason, then props his feet up on the table.
“Hey, did I see you talking to Martha Jameson the other day?” he asks randomly.
This time I smirk. “Yep. She wanted to see me again.”
He sputters his beer before coughing and pounding his chest, and I swear he turns pale.
“The hell, Dad?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.
“See you again? You slept with Martha?” he asks in an unusually high octave before clearing his throat.
“Yeah. She’s smoking hot.”
His eyes widen. “She’s thirty-four!”
Since when is he such a damn prude?
“And? I repeat: she’s smoking hot. Besides, there’s that whole fine wine thing. What’s the big deal?”
He groans while scrubbing his face with his hands. “I slept with Martha just last week.”
This time I choke on my beer, and bile rises to my throat.
“What?” I ask, my own voice hitting a higher octave.
“Yes. Last week. When did you…”
He lets his words trail off as we both turn a little puce.
“Last Thursday.”
“Shit,” he mutters. “I slept with her on Wednesday!”
Of all the fucking luck—no pun intended. My stomach roils and he scoots away from me at the same time I scoot away from him. This is seriously messed up.
“New rule,” he says, grabbing a pen and a piece of paper from the coffee table. “From now on, don’t screw someone older than you by five years. I don’t screw women younger than thirty… Obviously, that age will go up as I grow older. This shit can’t happen again.”
I nod in agreement as he hands me a different pen and a piece of paper. “What’s this?” I ask, still feeling nauseated from our accidental bonding experience.
“Write down your wish list. I’ll do the same. It’ll save us some problems in the future in case the age thing becomes an issue.”
Thank God. He’s brilliant. I’m so glad I have a normal dad.
Chapter 1
Present Day…
SALEM
Silk is where everyone has told me to go for a fun time since I got into town, and now that I’m standing here in the middle of the madness that can only be described as amazing, I completely understand why.
Talking to people is always complicated, because they ask questions I don’t want to answer, which makes meeting people difficult. But dancing…there isn’t a lot of conversation when you’re dancing.
And the beach view…just wow. It makes this ungodly move worth it.
I like how big Sterling Shore seems to be, even though it’s still relatively small. But not small-town small.
Here…I have the freedom to breathe and just be me.
My thoughts are broken up when I see something I can’t stop staring at. I’ve seen sexy men all over Sterling Shore. Silk seemed like the best place to come find the ones who are on the prowl, which is another reason I came.
I want a good time with no strings—something dirty and semi-scandalous.
And I just found exactly what I want.
Inky black hair is tousled and wet—due to the rainstorm outside. My hair is still damp from the rain I endured on the way in here. But he makes wet hair beyond sexy.
He’s tall, at least 6’2, maybe even taller. And he walks like he knows exactly how sexy he is. Good. I love it when they’re cocky.
As he moves through the entryway of the club, people greet him, and he flashes them a smile that could easily prompt a girl to melt or throw her panties at him like an offering. After the few customary fist bumps and typical dude nods, he moves toward a back booth that rests higher on a platform area.
The seats are too high for me to see the people he’s standing in front of and talking to, but a waitress basically rushes over to him, bringing him a beer he couldn’t have ordered. Apparently, he’s a regular.
That’s good to know.
His shirt has an odd logo on the front, something that looks like a band name. His jeans are dark and frayed in some places, hanging low on his hips in all the right ways. Muscles flex beneath the semi-tight shirt he’s wearing, and he’s not even trying to flex them. He’ll definitely do for a night of fun.
It’s only right I have a proper introduction to Sterling Shore.
It becomes obvious that I’m not the only one interested when several girls wave at him, and he gives them a wink. But his interest returns to that damn booth. I can’t help but be curious who is back there. That platform section is roped off as VIP.
There’s not a bouncer keeping people away from it, so I could always wander up there and act as though I didn’t realize it wasn’t open to the lowly public.
Never mind. There’s a bouncer now. I could just flash him. That always works. Besides, he’s letting all those other girls through just from a little cleavage.
The second another girl runs her hand up his arm, basically inviting him to fuck her with just her touch and her eyes, I start to realize he’s not going to be too easy. He has options—too many of them.
Leaning back against the bar, I observe him, studying him, and sizing him up as my prey. I’ll need to make him come to me. A guy who gets chased would prefer a little chasing of his own.
It’ll be a bit hard, considering most of these women are absolutely stunning and dressed to slay a man. That’s a lot of competition.
I’m dressed as a predator and not the prey, so this should be an interesting challenge.
No way can I pull off coy or innocent like this.
My short leather shorts are barely below my ass. My top is a little flash
y, considering it’s barely a top at all. The back is completely missing, tethered to me by only a small string across the shoulder blades, and the front hangs loosely, stopping just above my navel. No bra in this thing. I might as well be screaming easy one-night-stand.
See my dilemma? I’m trying to be a challenge now, and there’s nothing challenging about this attire.
“Not that one,” a woman says from behind the bar.
I turn just in time to see a pair of dazzling white teeth behind a red-lipped grin.
Shiny, dark, mahogany hair drapes around her shoulders, looking freshly dyed. And she slides a beer down the bar to a waiting hand that snatches it up.
“Were you talking to me?” I ask unsurely.
“Yep. You’re eyeing that booth, aren’t you?”
I nod, shrugging casually while glancing back once again. This time, the unknown guy’s dark eyes turn to meet mine at the exact same moment, and he bites his lower lip while shamelessly raking his eyes over me from head to toe.
Hmmm. Maybe I was wrong about not being able to get his attention.
Heat floods my veins, and I start to wonder if I can handle him the way I thought I could. He’s not even touching me, and I’m already on fire.
“Ah hell,” the girl says, and I force myself to look away.
He knows I exist, and now it’s obvious he’s interested. A little game of cat and mouse should seal the deal, hopefully.
“What?” I muse, half listening.
“That one is the worst. If you’re going to mess with someone from that group, I’d tell you to pick Dale. But Dale just got engaged, so that’s a no-go.”
“And is the guy I’m looking at a dangerous guy?” I ask, considering it’s not exactly safe to take someone home from a bar.
She snorts out a laugh. “Not physically, but he’ll damage you emotionally if you get attached.”
“Personal experience?” I ask her, even though I probably shouldn’t be so nosy.
She smirks and shakes her head. “I’m not a bitter ex warning you off. I’ve never slept with anyone who hangs with that crowd. My friend Raya has, but her experience was different from mine with the rich crew. Girls like me and you…we don’t belong in the mix with money and egos. Those guys can have anyone they want. Don’t expect them to want you for longer than a hot minute.”
I’ve seen that happen more than once, so I don’t doubt she’s telling the truth. I like this girl more and more. She’s not judging or criticizing, but she’s offering life experience.
However, she has me pegged wrong.
“I take it these people are regulars?” I ask, even though I still haven’t seen anyone inside that private, high-backed booth.
“Yep. That one’s cousin owns the club. All of them own the city. Meet the elite of Sterling Shore. Back there is Corbin, Ruby, Tria, Kode, Jax, and the one you’re staring at is Ma—”
“Ember, I need you to keep up!” a man behind the bar shouts, and the woman talking to me rolls her eyes.
“I should have never come back,” she sighs. “I need to get back to work. Steer clear of him. He’s a handful that doesn’t stick around for too long.”
As she walks away, I find myself smiling. She was sweet enough to think she was warning me. All she did was cement my plans for the night.
It’s highly unlikely I’ll be in Sterling Shore for long. I need to have as much fun as possible before I get shipped back to Georgia or end up in yet another random state.
When you are constantly stared at and judged, you grow used to feeling eyes on your back. I don’t know if it’s him who’s watching, but I hope so, because I definitely feel the burn of someone’s gaze.
Several guys ask me to dance on my way to the dance floor, but I just ignore them, making sure I look damn hard-to-get to the predator seeking prey. I chance a glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, he’s watching me with intrigue, slowly sipping his beer while leaning against the wall with his back turned to the booth.
I smirk, deliberately staring into his dark eyes, and I turn back around, moving my body to the music while I wait. And then I move away from some random’s groping hands to wait some more.
And I continue to wait. And wait…
Seriously? Is he honestly going to just keep watching and not make a move?
Chapter 2
MAVERICK
“Who the hell is she?” I ask Corbin as he gets up, coming to stand beside me as I watch the girl I’ve never seen in here before.
She’s wearing shorts that fit her perfectly round ass like a glove, and the high-heel, leather ankle-boots are doing a number for my dirty mind right now.
With that shirt, she can’t be wearing a bra, which has me itching to stick my hands up there and find out how real those perky breasts really are. And the way she was looking at me lets me know she wants me. But she sure as hell isn’t from around here, or I would have seen her before now.
“I don’t know,” my cousin says with a shrug. “But she looks like she’s ready for a good time. You chasing?”
My smile dies a little as I scan the club, noting that more and more women are wanting my attention since Corbin lost his balls and settled down with Ruby. Everyone wants to tame Maverick Sterling now.
I hate it.
I miss the good times and fun sex before all the women assumed I was going to follow the rest of the Sterlings and settle down. This girl, fortunately, looks like she just wants to play.
“I plan on it. She wants me, but I can tell she thinks she’s running this little game. I’ll wait until her confident little bubble bursts, and then I’ll surprise her. Then I’ll find out what it’s like to fuck her with nothing but those shoes on.”
Corbin laughs, but Ruby groans as she wedges in between us. “Could you be a bigger slime?” she asks.
She’s never happy with my honesty.
“Would you rather I be a liar?”
She rolls her eyes as Corbin kisses her on the head.
“No,” she says on a sigh. “At least you’re upfront with the women who want to go home with you. Besides, if the girl wants a night of fun, who the hell am I to judge?”
Ruby is definitely my second favorite woman. Well, it’s a tie between her and Tria for second place. Tria has Kode under her thumb, which makes our outings so much easier. Fewer fights, less drama. Ruby is badass, even though I partially hate her for stealing my favorite wingman.
“How can you possibly know if she likes you?” Ruby asks, acting as though that information just dawned on her.
“She was looking at me from the bar. I got the I-want-you-to-chase-me-look. I know it well. But she’ll think she’s in control if I just jump to it.”
Corbin snickers, because he knows damn well what I’m talking about. He’s just as educated on this game as I am. Of course, now all of his skills are worthless.
“Has your Dad called?” Ruby asks.
I shrug, not really wanting to talk about this. I can’t believe my father—the one who taught Corbin and me all the tricks of the game—finally got married again. It’s as though the world has flipped off its axis.
“Not since he called to say he was married. It was a spur of the moment thing. I haven’t even met the woman—Kelly? I think that’s her name. He said he didn’t want a wedding, so they did it with a JOP.”
“Think it’ll last?” Corbin asks, knowing I don’t want to talk about this.
“Doubtful. But the woman must be hella sexy to have gotten him to put a ring on her finger. Can’t wait to meet my stepmom,” I answer, waggling my eyebrows at him.
I’m joking, of course, but Ruby still mocks a gag. The only way to keep from sounding annoyed about the entire situation is to turn it into a joke.
Because that’s what the hell it is anyway.
Kode and Tria are all over each other in the booth right now. I don’t know why they bother coming out.
“It’s just not like Ian to up and marry someone,” Ruby says, pointing out the
obvious, but it’s more like she’s talking to herself than me.
I answer anyway. “Dad is probably going through a midlife crisis or something. The new will wear off, and he’ll go back to being the man he really is.”
At least he had a pre-nup ready to sign. I’d have kicked his ass if he married a woman and threw his life’s work into a grinder.
“How’d your mom take it?” Ruby asks.
I’ve changed my mind. Tria is definitely my second favorite woman, because she never flogs me with a hundred questions.
“My mom? Mom doesn’t care what Dad does. Their relationship has always been great since they got divorced. No drama. How do you think I turned out so normal?”
It’s not the truth, but Ruby doesn’t know the situation well enough to see through my words. But this is the best thing for my mother.
She’ll stop waiting now.
Just that thought has my annoyance with my father immediately ebbing. Maybe him getting married isn’t such a bad thing after all.
Corbin and Ruby climb back into the booth when he ushers her in. She might not care that I don’t want to talk about this crazy shit, but he does.
My eyes fall back to feast on the beauty with her back turned to me as I lean against the wall.
I need a good distraction tonight, and she’s perfect for the job. Her drink is getting low. I’ll wait until it’s almost gone, and then I’ll make my move.
Chapter 3
SALEM
By the fourth song, my glass is empty, and a waitress walks by to grab it, not slowing down long enough for me to order another. I’m worried if I turn around that he will be with another girl, and that would just make me feel ridiculous.
It’s obvious he’s moved on even without seeing it for myself.
Just as I’m about to set my sights on easier prey, a hard body is pressed against my back, and a drink slowly comes in front of my eyes. The large hand holding it is very possibly his, but I hold my breath in anticipation.
