Rock Me Deeper (Licks of Leather #5) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,53

on several glass shelves lining the wall. He pulled down bottles of whiskey, vodka, and rum and set them on the glossy oak bar, then pulled wine, beer, and cans of soda from a silver cooler near his thighs.

“Come pick your poison,” he invited.

“What do you drink these days?” Syd softly asked me.

“Jack Daniels.”

“Jack and Coke?” His brows arched as he stood.

“No. Straight.”

Flashing that sinful crooked grin, he leaned in close to my ear. “We still have a whole lot in common, angel. Too bad I’m on pain pills and can’t join you.”

With Syd by my side, soda in his hand, I sipped the smooth Tennessee whiskey, as we chatted with the others. Everyone was so genuinely warm and kindhearted it was easy to pretend I really was a member of their musical family.

As the evening wore on, I grew more mellow and relaxed. Maybe it was the Jack. Maybe it was being cared for and about. Or maybe it was because, for the first time, since Syd and I were last together, I finally felt safe.

“You look sleepy,” he murmured.

“I am.”

“Then let’s go to bed, angel.”

“Where am I sleeping?”

“With me.” His voice dipped low and sensual. “Everyone has to double up, so…yeah, we’ll be sleeping together.”

Sleeping or…fucking? The question lay poised on the tip of my tongue, burning like the needy ache budding between my legs.

Thanks, Jack Daniels. You can shut up now. The man got shot today because of me. He’s in no shape to do anything but sleep.

“All right. I’m ready.”

After bidding the others good-night, Syd led me up a long, wide staircase, to an equally long, wide hallway. Passing rooms on both sides of the hall, he slowed when we reached the last bedroom on the right.

“Your sleeping chamber, madam.” Syd waved his arm like he had while serving our dinner on the balcony. I couldn’t help but smile as I stepped into the room.

Unlike the pretentious suite we’d shared those few hours in LA, our room here in the lodge—like all the others I’d seen—was homey despite its impressive size. From the pristine white comforter draping the king-sized bed and paintings of spring flowers and grassy plains hanging on the walls to the round table and padded chairs nestled beside one of the windows. Past the tall oak dresser to my left was a shimmering marble-tiled ensuite.

“Take the first shower if you’d like,” Syd offered.

“Thanks. I desperately need one. I won’t be long.”

“Take your time. I’m going to pop another pain pill and stretch out on the bed.”

Of course, when I’d finished my shower and stepped into the room, Syd was on top of the covers, sound asleep. I didn’t have the heart to wake him, so I turned off the bedside lamp and slid under the sheets.

Chapter 13

Syd

Semi-awake, I started to roll over on the luscious mattress when a spike of pain shot through my shoulder like a bolt of lightning. Biting back a howl, I eased to my back, watching silver spots dance behind my eyes.

“Syd?” Caris’s soft voice spilled over me like warm honey. Even having the beautiful vixen beside me in bed did nothing to ease the throbbing pain racking my body. “You need more pain meds.”

It wasn’t a question.

The mattress dipped, jostling me, sending another spear of pain stabbing through me before the bedside lamp flicked on, burning my retinas. Clenching my jaw, I blinked against the harsh light, reached into the pocket of my jeans, and fished out both bottles of meds. Then I slowly sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed, hoping the change of position would lessen the pain. It didn’t, but the view of Caris’s enticing heart-shaped ass, bent over the sink as she filled a glass with water, sure as hell did.

“What time is it?” I asked as my growing boner pressed against my zipper.

“I don’t know.” She exchanged the bottles of pills in my hand for the water, then shook out a tablet from each. “Wee hours of the morning, maybe.”

“Shit. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t sleeping all that great, anyway.”

“Why not?” I asked before tossing back the pill and washing it down.

“I’m not used to sleeping in my clothes.”

“Take them off.”

“Syd.” An uneasy expression settled over her face.

I chuckled and glanced at my shoulder. “Trust me. You’re safe, angel. I’m in no condition to get down and dirty. Maybe tomorrow night, but definitely not tonight. Why didn’t you ask one of the other ladies for