Alex’s inquiry interrupted their brief moment. “Jack, do you want me to clear away that section of the bar so you’ll have room to work your magic?”
Make room? Work his magic? What the hell kind of place was this?
Alex glanced to his right and made a gesture with his hand. “Carmen. Look who’s here!”
Sterling peered around Jack’s body, and down the bar. A squeal penetrated her thoughts as a woman rushed him, her arms sweeping up and grabbing him around the neck.
Good thing they were inside, because insects would be sure to take up residence inside Sterling’s mouth, her jaw now sitting on the floor.
Carmen’s skirt was barely the width of a tube top and her shirt… What shirt? She wore a damn bra. She whispered something in his ear but Sterling couldn’t hear over the music. He gripped the woman’s arms and ducked under her embrace.
Carmen gave him a sad face, then she locked eyes with Sterling. The same daggers that shot at her on her way in were being thrown rapid-fire. These Miami women sure liked to give the cut-eye.
What the hell was she doing here? What the hell was Jack thinking, bringing her to this place, to this city, where he had obviously had way too much fun?
He turned slowly to face her, wearing a guilty expression. As he should. “I’m sorry.”
She sighed. What did he have to fee
l guilty about? He shouldn’t change just because she was around. She knew he was more than this. More than parties and women. He was more than the bad-boy picture the tabloids painted. She wondered if he had any idea how special he was. But for now, she’d play along.
“I’m getting a glimpse at the real Jack Vaughn. I should be honored.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders, an earnest expression taking over his face. “This is not the real Jack Vaughn. It might have been once…but it feels like a lifetime ago. I don’t want to be that man anymore. I’m here with you.”
She lifted her hand to his cheek. “I know.”
Out of the corner of her eye Sterling heard Carmen hiss in frustration as she abruptly turned heel to flounce off, annoyed at Jack’s shift of attention. Bitch. She focused her attention back on the beautiful man in front of her.
He softened against her, his tense shoulders sagging just a little. Despite his reassurance that his interest was directed only at her, she was still curious.
She leaned closer and whispered, “I want to know exactly what you do here that requires a section of the bar to be cleared.”
He smiled, slammed his hand down to catch Alex’s attention, and motioned to the end of the bar.
Immediately, Alex approached the customers sitting at the edge and they moved.
What would it be like to have such power? To have people jump at your every whim?
Jack grabbed her hand and helped her off the stool.
When they reached the end of the bar, he swept her off her feet and sat her down. He grabbed her legs and swiveled her until she laid flat on her back. Alex brought over the tequila and its accoutrements.
“What are you doing?” she squeaked.
“Showing you what women usually line up for.”
She shot him a disgruntled look.
He raised his hands in the air in defense. “Not being cocky, just stating fact.”
He poured a shot of tequila. Then he leaned down and kissed her, soft and sweet, and it spoke volumes about the man she’d chosen to spend time with.
When he picked up the saltshaker, she had a feeling she knew where this was going.
“Body shots?” she asked.
He nodded and leaned forward, his lips connecting with her jaw. They moved down until he found that spot on her neck, the spot where her pulse pounded with anticipation. She slanted her head, exposing more of her skin, giving him more access.