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Five
Sage
“See?Isn’t this much better than those damn marketing reports?” Harper asks before clinking her margarita against mine. We’ve claimed our usual table, one I haven’t been at for a while.
“It does. You’re right, I kind of lost my touch there. I feel a little rusty.”
“Well, launching a new line that Vogue names the hottest line of the year will do that, you know?” she says, and I shake my head, blushing a little. I’ve worked hard to rise to the top of my game, but I’m still humbled by the fact it’s actually working. Seeing our handbags, our scarves on some of the hottest names in Hollywood these past few months has been ridiculous.
And kept me ridiculously busy.
It’s really no excuse, though. I’ve always been good at balancing work and fun. Tonight will have to be the night I even the scale, balancing out all those long nights these past few months.
“Guess I’ll just have to make up for it tonight.”
“You might be a little out of touch, off your game. Sure you’re ready to play?” she teases as we scan the room.
“You just wait. I haven’t lost my touch yet. Oh, and I think Mr. Right for Tonight just walked through the door.” I gesture toward the front of the Marooned Pirate, where a crew has just walked in. A blonde and a redheaded girl animatedly chat, both hanging on the arms of some pretty good-looking men who are clearly taken. Another couple, both male, amble in behind them, chatting animatedly as they wave to another group of friends. They’re both dressed with an amazing sense of style—hey, even when I’m here for fun, fashion’s my thing.
But in the middle of the crazy, loud group who I’ve seen here a few times before, there stands a man in some nice designer jeans and a button-up shirt. He’s clean-shaven, just like I like them, and he’s tall, super tall. He screams business professional and maybe even a little bit arrogant from his walk to his stance at the bar. He’s scoping the place out, and he glances over at me, staring for a little bit longer than a friendly appraisal. I give him a coy smile as I sip my margarita. He’s here to play, and so am I. This might just be the perfect night to catch up on some fun.
“Who is he?” Harper asks.
“I don’t know, but I think I’m going to find out.”
“Go get him. He’s freaking gorgeous. Play nice.”
“Don’t I always?” I ask, feeling the drink settle into my veins and boost my confidence.
I let down my ponytail strategically, tossing my hair to the side as I walk over as confidently as possible, my stilettos leading the way. The man in blue doesn’t take his eyes off me. It feels good.
Some women are uncomfortable with sexuality, with my mindset about love. I get it. It’s not for everyone. But for me, sexuality equates to power, something I’m fine with having. I use it wisely and I use it respectfully—two consenting adults and all that. There are no pretenses or manipulative endgames. It’s just adult fun, adult sex, and adult needs being met. Nothing more. The rest of the women can have all that mushy stuff. I’m just in it for physical needs.
I amble up to the tall, handsome stranger and say, “Hi, I’m Sage. Can I buy you a drink?” I don’t like to tiptoe around it. And the type of guys I like, well, they seem to like forward.
“Cash Creed. And how about we do things the other way around? What are you drinking?”
I smile confidently up at him, his eyes making my heart flutter in a way it hasn’t in quite some time. “Mr. Creed, that’s not how I do things. I don’t need any man to take care of me.”
“Is that so?” he asks.
“I can take care of myself. So how about I buy you a drink, you tell me all about yourself, and then you ask me to dance?”
“Forward much?” he asks, teasing me with his eyes. I get a whiff of his cologne, and it’s the kind of expensive scent that makes me a little crazy. I’m liking this guy, the sexual chemistry radiating already.
“Always. Life’s too short for anything else.”
“Jack and Coke then,” he says, and I smile, brushing past him to flag down the bartender.
Beside Cash, the redhead and the blonde are whispering, studying me. “Hi, I’m Sage,” I say in a friendly, nonthreatening tone. I’m all about playing hard and having fun, but I don’t have room for being bitchy. If this guy’s taken, I’d rather know now before I get too into things.
“Avery Johannas,” the blonde says.
“Jodie Ellison,” the redhead announces, offering a small wave and a smile.
“Nice to meet you. Do you mind if I steal this one for a bit?” I ask.
They both shake their heads, grinning.
