Page 66 of Life Or Death

He traces his thumb around the rim of the glass. “Sorry I couldn’t pick you up.”

“It’s fine.” I tip my chin across the bar to where Homeboy is in a deep conversation with Dread. “Homeboy gave me a lift.”

Lucifer grunts at that, then tips his head back, knocking back his bourbon in one gulp. When he sets it down, his eyes look somewhat darker than usual. “He better have been fucking respectful.”

I roll my eyes. “Homeboy is harmless.”

He studies me for a moment, and I feel his gaze travel down my body. For the most part, I’ve been showing up to work in tanks and loose-fitting pants. While my grafts are mostly healed, sometimes the friction irritates them. But tonight, knowing it was a party, I opted for something different. A black maxi skirt and a fitted tank top. Nothing scandalous, or anywhere near as revealing as the clothes I wore when I worked at Rodeo Roundup

“I like when you wear skirts,” he says, sliding his empty glass toward me. “I shouldn’t, but I do.”

“Oh, yeah, why is that?”

“Because anytime you do, I imagine pushing it up around your waist.”

My breath catches, and heat spreads across my chest and up my neck.

Such a fucking tease.

I swallow hard and take his glass. “I’ll get you a refill.”

“Jess.”

I pause, my hand still wrapped around the empty tumbler.

“Don’t forget the ice this time.”

I glare at him from over my shoulder, and the corner of his mouth tilts up. He’s fucking with me, so I give him the finger and turn back to the bar. I have a mind to lick the ice before I drop it in his glass, but I refrain. The man already has me clenching my thighs—no need to set him off more, all so he can ultimately leave me hanging.

It’s not like I can go relieve myself in his room again. There are too many people here.

“Anything else?” I taunt.

He rolls his lips between his teeth, fighting a smirk. “I think I’m good for now.”

Dread drops onto the stool beside him. “Well, well, aren’t you two cozy over here?”

Lucifer grunts in response, which only makes Dread laugh, and in return, I smile. Dread is my favorite of all the brothers. Tori wouldn’t agree, of course, but there’s something about him. I think it’s the fact that while everyone else seems to tiptoe around Lucifer, he’s the only one who isn’t afraid to call him on his shit. The man also loves fucking with him, which I can appreciate.

“Can I get a beer, Jess?”

“Anything for you,” I tease, tacking on a wink just to annoy Lucifer.

I grab a bottle from the cooler, twist the cap, and slide it across to him. Then I top off Lucifer’s glass one more time before retreating to the other end of the bar where Homeboy is waving me down.

“How about a shot?” Homeboy says, leaning against the bar with that easy, lopsided grin. “Tequila. You and me.”

Laughing, I grab the bottle and a fresh glass, pouring him a shot. He watches me the entire time, his eyes warm and friendly in a way that’s completely uncomplicated.

“You know, for someone who works behind a bar, you’re not much of a drinker,” he says, picking up the shot.

“I drink,” I insist.

“Not with me you don’t.” He tilts his head. “Come on. One shot. It’s a party.”

I hesitate, then grab a second glass and pour myself one. “Fine. One.”

We clink glasses and throw them back. The tequila burns down my throat, and I set the glass down with a small grimace.