She looks to be alone, which is perfect. That means I won't need a wingman to distract her friend, and I won't have to deal with some guy she might be with.
She's all the way at the bar, and I'm in the far back. This booth is perfect, because I can view her sexy profile. I can't see her face from this angle because her hair is in the way, but judging by the way every guy in here keeps glancing her way, trying to gather the courage to approach her, I'm confident she's going to be just as hot from the front as she is from the side.
She dismisses the first guy who finally has the balls to take a shot, and I grin. She's not going to be easy prey. All the better.
The bartender slides a drink in front of her. It’s from one of her admirers most likely, because she shakes her head to refuse it, and he carries it over to a sulking guy. My grin only grows. This is going to be fun.
***
TRIA
Why did I come here? I don't know. I guess I just wanted to be out of Sterling Shore and away from everyone who knows me. It's fun to be someone mysterious instead of the girl everyone acquaints with Dane and Rain.
I love my sister, and I'm so thankful we're getting along—finally—but I'd like for someone to talk to me about something other than the beautiful couple. I get it. I really do. They are a dream match, and she wrote an entire book about him. Several, actually. I doubt there has ever been a romance she wrote where Dane wasn't the lead role in her mind. But still... It would be nice if someone was genuinely interested in just me.
"Is this seat taken," a deep voice asks from beside me.
I barely turn to see the guy who doesn't even come close to being my type. Is that... makeup? He looks like he spends more time getting ready than I do.
"It will be when I find someone I want to talk to," I mutter, refusing to grant him any more of my attention.
"That's rude," he scoffs.
"It would be ruder to lead you on, let you waste your money on drinks for me, and then leave with someone I would rather be with. Don't you think?" I ask, feeling somewhat bitchy. Old habits die hard. I've been the Ice Queen for too long, but damn... How can I play nice with wolves?
He walks away after several attempts to try a new angle, and I'm left in peace once more. I want someone to be interested in me, not just what I look like naked. Of course... this dress and this bar probably wasn’t the best way to get that sort of interest. In all fairness, I'm probably judging too harshly.
"I need another Corona with lime on the Sterling tab," a waitress says
, making my breath catch in my throat and my heart stop in its tracks.
No. Surely not.
"Which one? I have three. Maverick, Corbin, and... Kode Sterling," the bartender says, unaware of the three devils' names he just spoke aloud.
How in the hell did this happen? How did I come this far away and still end up in the line of fire? No. It has to be a mistake.
"Kode Sterling. Can you get Missy to take it to him? He's in the corner booth near the back. It's time for my break."
I cut my eyes in the direction they've warned me he'll be, and I peek out around my hair just barely. Sure enough, the ring-leading devil is there, staring this way.
I whip back around, desperately trying to think of a way to get out of here without any of them seeing me. I spot Corbin and Maverick when I turn the other way. They're hounding girls on the dance floor, which is perfect, because I won't have to worry about either of them noticing me while they're prowling.
I wish they'd hurry and get Kode his drink so he'd quit staring this way. With my new, darker locks, he most likely has no clue who I am. I can still get out unscathed. Maybe.
Think, Tria. Think escape.
I stand, but a warm body is suddenly very close behind me, and I stiffen. Please don't let it be—
"You can't possibly be leaving so soon," a deceptively seductive voice murmurs close to my ear, making me all the more tense. Shit. He knows it's me. "Because it'd be a shame if you left before meeting me."
Oh. My. God. You've got to be kidding me. Kode Sterling is hitting on me? How much has he had to drink?
I clear my throat, but I refuse to turn around. "I'm pretty sure I'm not your type," I say, but my voice sounds off, a little higher than I want it to be.
"And how would you know that?" he asks, pressing his front closer to my back.
Oh damn. He's turned on—turned on because of me. This would be hilarious if I didn't know him well enough to be certain he'll punish me for this.