***
A little beforesix, Muerto sat on a barstool, munching on spicy chips—potato chips coated in chili powder—adrenaline surging through him. He couldn’t wait to see Raven. Even though he’d seen her that morning, he missed her and wanted to wrap her in his arms and breathe her heady scent.
When she walked in, he almost jumped out of his skin. Her skinny jeans looked like she’d painted them on, and the scoop-neck top revealed some serious cleavage that made him want to dip his tongue down into it and taste her salty skin. Four-inch heels—how the hell does she walk in those?—long, flowing hair, and some kickass, sexy makeup made his dick wake way the hell up.
He jumped off the barstool and made his way to her. The room was quiet except for the drone of voices on the TV. All eyes were on her, and from the way she curled a strand of hair around her finger, he knew she was nervous. Looking around, he noticed the only one smiling at her was Crow, all the other brothers either stone-faced or slightly perturbed. The club women crinkled their noses as they checked her out.
“Hey, sweetie,” he said as he brushed his lips across hers. “Let’s have a drink.” The tension in her face slacked a bit as she grabbed his hand and followed him to the bar. He picked her up and plopped her on a barstool, ordering a whiskey sour from the prospect.
“So, this is where you live and party. I’m finally given a glimpse into your life.”
“You look gorgeous,” he breathed in her ear as he slinked his arm around her small waist. “How do you like the clubhouse?”
Picking up her drink, she said, “Not sure. I’ll have to give it a bit more time before I decide. It’s a lot neater and smells way nicer than I thought.”
“What’d you think it was going to smell like?”
“I don’t know. A men’s locker room, something like that.”
“The club girls keep it nice and sweet-smelling. They’re in charge of taking care of us.”
She glanced behind him to where a group of scantily clothed women sat. “Are those the club girls?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re pretty.” She took another sip of whiskey.
“You’re prettier, and way-the-fuck sexier.” He kissed her lips, slipping his tongue inside her cool mouth. She tasted of mint and whiskey.
“Have you fucked every one of them?” Licking her lips, she shook her glass around, causing the ice cubes to clink.
“What difference does it make?”
“So that’s a yes? I’m not going to get mad. I just want to know.”
He nodded. “That’s the way it is. The women like it and choose to be here. It’s just fucking, nothing more.”
“It must be nice to have a woman available twenty-four seven.” She pushed her head back and tapped the bottom of her glass to dislodge the ice.
Leaning in, he kissed the soft skin on her throat. “You’re the only one for me. Yeah, it was fun having a woman whenever the urge hit you, but it also got boring. I mean, the challenge wasn’t there, and I like a challenge. Like you. You’re the opposite of easy and boring.” He kissed her again.
“The blonde is staring a hole right through me,” Raven said as he continued peppering her neck with soft kisses.
“That’s Ruby. The girls are suspicious of citizens. They’re not too crazy about hang-arounds, but citizens just piss them off.” He laughed.
“Ruby? Didn’t you have something with her?”
“How do you know her?”
“I don’t. I just remember the guys mentioning her name to you that night we bumped into each other at Alfonso’s.”
“That night you made me crazy with lust and then shooed me away?” Nuzzling her neck, he loved how soft her skin felt.
“Is she your girlfriend?” She pushed him away.
“Girlfriend? She’s a club woman, I told you that. And she’s not my anything now. I’m with you.”
“You don’t sleep with anyone else?”
