Heart Beats (Joker's Sin #3) - Davidson King Page 0,5
Playing this push-and-pull game with him was getting old. I wanted to know things about him. Maybe he’d say something unappealing, and I’d stop wanting to fuck him on every sturdy surface.
As we were walking along to the lobby, Trinity stopped us. “Ledger, a few of us are going to sit at the bar and shoot the shit, like old times. Maybe you’d like to join us?” She looked over at Shane, and I saw her deflate. “I’m sorry about what I said before. I’m sure Joker’s Sin is wonderful, and I’ll be sure to visit.”
Shane didn’t say anything, just nodded.
“So, just for a little bit?” she asked me, and I wanted to say no, I really did, but I also missed talking shop with everyone.
“Yeah, okay, for a little while.”
“Great, see you over there.” Trinity bounced away, and I turned to Toby and Shane. The disappointment on Shane’s face nearly had me saying fuck it and going to my room, but Toby spoke up.
“Go work. Shane and I are going to our hotel. I have to get my suitcase and head home anyway. Shane will meet you in the morning right here, yeah?” He looked over to Shane.
“Of course, yeah. Have fun.” He turned his back to me. I wanted to say something, but Toby told me to go, so with one last look at Shane’s ass, I left to hang with the others.
Chapter Three
Shane
“You got it bad.” Toby had waited until we arrived at our hotel and were in the elevator to speak up.
“Shut up.”
“He’s just hanging out with them, relax.”
We stood in silence for a few floors until I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “She’s like an octopus, all clinging to him, and her boobs practically slapped on the table at dinner—tell me you saw that?”
The doors opened to our floor, and we stepped out. “You sound all jealous. It’s funny because I’ve never seen this side of you.” Toby slipped the key card in, and we went inside.
“I know. He owes me nothing and uhhhg!” I fell onto the bed. “Maybe I should just ask him out.”
Toby grabbed his small duffel and started tossing his clothes in. “Maybe a good idea.”
“But Atlas doesn’t really like in-house shenanigans.” I rolled on my side, resting my head in my hand.
“Well, he’d be hypocritical if he didn’t allow it, and do you plan on shenanigans?” He zipped his bag and…
“Hang on a sec.” I hopped off the bed. “You’re full of shit, Toby St. Claire.” I poked his chest.
“Huh?” He appeared genuinely surprised.
“You don’t have to go back to work. You told me so!”
His eyes widened and he hurried around me, duffel in hand. “Atlas texted me.”
“Liar!”
“Poppy’s wheelchair is malfunctioning, and she needs me.”
“Nice try, she has her boyfriend for help.”
Toby released a sigh and sat down. “Fine, you’re right. I’m doing this on purpose.”
I sat in front of him on the table across from the small chair. “Why?”
“To give you and Ledger some time. You two skirt around each other constantly. You’re never alone; there’s always someone there. I know he likes you, and you like him. Maybe you need time to get to know him. The signing tomorrow and the drive to Haven Hart will be perfect.”
“Toby.” I sighed. “I do like Ledger, a lot, and I think he likes me too, but I’m not sure we have much in common. And from the look in Trinity’s eyes tonight, he may be occupied with her into the morning.”
Toby shook his head and stood up. “I’m telling you, she’s not his type. Max spent over an hour once, while I was helping him organize the bar, telling me the sort of people Ledger went home with from clubs or bars. None of them were like Trinity.”
When he moved toward the door, I ran to stop him. “Wait!”
“What?”
“What kind of people did he go home with?”
He opened the door but before he left, he answered me. “People like you, Shane.”
I didn’t know what that meant. Redheads? I was about to shout my question down the hallway when a door opened, and someone walked out. I slipped back into my room and pondered what Toby said. I thought on it the whole time I showered, and long into the night, until sleep finally claimed me.
I ended up in the lobby earlier than Ledger and I agreed upon, but I woke up after a particularly hot dream, so I showered, dressed for the day, and grabbed a shuttle to the hotel