“What do I do?” I ask, feeling frustrated and unsure. I don’t know my place here. All I know is that I don’t want Rake flirting with someone else right in front of me.
“See that man over there?” she asks, discreetly pointing to a handsome dark-haired man standing in the corner alone, drink in hand.
“Yeah?”
“I saw him checking you out before. You should go and say hello,” she suggests, winking at me.
“Faye, I don’t think—”
“Trust me, Bails. Do it. Now.”
My eyes widen at her commanding tone.
Okay, if she thinks this is what I should do, then why not? She knows this lifestyle, not me.
I hold out my hand and she slides her drink in it. I tip it back, letting the alcohol slide down my throat.
Liquid courage.
I need some of that right now.
“Go get him, tiger!” she cheers, doing a little dance in her chair. “What’s your opening line going to be? Ask him if he wants to go halves on a baby!” She throws her head back and laughs. “Come on, that’s some funny shit.”
Where does she come up with this?
I block out Faye and walk toward the man, who is currently avoiding eye contact with anyone around him. He’s dressed in a white T-shirt, worn light jeans, and heavy biker boots.
“Uhh, hello,” I say, smiling sweetly.
Yeah, I’m smooth.
“Hey.” He grins, making me instantly relax, his gorgeous baby-blue eyes making me melt a little.
“I’m Bailey,” I say, standing next to him and leaning against the wall. “Why are you standing here alone?”
“Just people-watching” is his reply. “I don’t really like crowds.”
I suddenly feel really bad, because this guy is totally nice and I’m about to involve him in some party bullshit by trying to even the field with Rake. Feeling stupid, I’m about to say ’bye and walk away when Rake walks up to us.
“Demon,” he says to the man, eyes hard.
Demon?
“Why is your name Demon?” I ask, ignoring Rake. “You seem like a nice guy to me.”
Demon laughs, eyes dancing with amusement, but Rake on the other hand doesn’t look pleased at all. He pulls me into him, my back to his front, and pushes my hair to the side. He then kisses my neck. “Let’s go inside. Now.”
“Not yet, I’m still—”
“Bailey, now,” he growls into my ear. When I don’t move, he walks in front of me, pulling me by my hand until we reach his room.
“Why the fuck are you talking to that guy?” he asks as soon as the door is shut. “I told you not to fuckin’ talk to any of the men. One second you’re sitting with Faye, the next you’re . . .”
He trails off, then looks at me suspiciously, then his eyes widen with realization. He sits down on the bed and pulls me onto his lap. “I wasn’t going to do anything with that woman. I’m not going to fuck anyone else, Bailey, not while we’re . . . whatever we are.”
“She had her hand on you,” I say without emotion.
“Yeah, she did,” he agrees, rubbing the back of my neck with his palm. “Look, here’s the truth, all right? I was fuckin’ her before; I’m not now. I didn’t want to be a dick to her in front of everyone, but I told her that I’m with someone now and I’m not interested.”
I shouldn’t be surprised he was sleeping with her, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. I push it aside, because there’s nothing I can do about it, and there’s no point in me reacting over it.
“Okay,” I say, brows furrowing. “I didn’t like seeing her hands on you.”
“I didn’t think anything of it,” he admits, kissing my cheek. “But I should have. I’ll take better care of you. I haven’t been with anyone since you came back into my life, Bailey. Even that night at Rift, I took those two women into the VIP room, but I didn’t touch them. I was watching you on the fuckin’ cameras, while the two of them danced and drank in the corner. When they tried to touch me, I told them that it wasn’t gonna happen.”
“Really?” I ask, eyes widening.
“Yeah, really. Look, I know we’re still figuring out shit, but I’m not gonna be fuckin’ anyone else, okay?” He pauses. “And you sure as fuck won’t be even looking at anyone else.”
“So, we’re exclusive?” I ask, nudging him with my elbow, lightening the mood.