Read Online Blackthorne: Heart of Fame, Book 8 by Lexxie Couper - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lexxie Couper
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out a napkin to Josh—Cailtin could just make out some black numbers written on its surface—and then flittered back into the crowd. Josh smiled, said something to Zach who smiled in returned, and placed the napkin on the bar behind him. He didn’t crumple it up and throw it away, but neither did he put it in his pocket. Again, there was nothing malicious or sleazy about the guy’s actions or attitude.
Caitlin drew a slow breath, pinched her bottom lip between her thumb and forefinger and watched him.
Continued to watch him, noting the way he put people at ease when they approached him, noting Zach’s complete lack of suspicious hostility while talking to him—which was Zach’s normal MO when dealing with people he didn’t know well. She noted the way Josh spoke to her other staff, with a friendly smile and open warmth. She smiled when his friend—Rhys McDowell—grabbed him in a massive bear hug, hauling him off the floor and jiggling him up and down a few times. She let out her own soft chuckle as Josh laughed at McDowell’s enthusiastic embrace, his grin for the man filled with happy love. She watched him cast a curious inspection over the couple McDowell left with—a tall guy with dark hair and eyes and a willowy blonde in a micro-mini and ten-inch heels—protective concern on his face.
She watched him.
Observed him.
Until she found herself longing to be out there with him. Until she caught herself focusing on his lips…remembering what they felt like on hers. Wondering what they’d feel like kissing her with more passion.
More intent.
“Enough,” she growled, turning off the CCTV screens. Guilt seared through her veins. Knotted her belly. Wrapped her chest in a suffocating vice.
Hot, bleak guilt.
And desire.
Damn it.
Chapter Four
“Sure you don’t want another drink?”
Dragging his stare from the door leading out to the Chaos Room’s staff area, Josh gave Zach Chapman a grin. “I’m good. Thanks though.”
Caitlin’s second-in-charge let out a dry grunt. “Never met anyone who spends over fifteen grand buying drinks for a club full of complete strangers while only nursing one drink himself the whole night.”
Josh chuckled. “I’ve never really been one for getting wasted. Not a fan of the headache the next morning.”
Zach wiped dry a squat glass, lips twitching. “Ain’t that the truth.”
With another chuckle, Josh turned back to his vigil of the door. Surely she’d be walking through it soon.
“It was wonderful to meet you, Mr. Blackthorne.”
The soft female voice drew his attention and he smiled at the voluptuous blonde who’d been working the main bar with Zach. “You’re more than welcome. Thanks for putting up with me.”
She giggled, a throaty sound that spoke of an invitation waiting for him to accept. “Any time.”
She’d not only sent out cues during the night he could have his wicked way with her, she’d outright declared it as the last of the Chaos Room’s patrons exited the club. When the very last clubber walked through the main door, leaving just the staff and a sticky, coaster-littered floor behind, she’d leant across the bar, showing off her very impressive cleavage, and said, “I’m yours if you want me. And I have no inhibitions.”
He’d declined. It wasn’t that she wasn’t sexy or appealing or friendly, she just wasn’t— Caitlin— what he was in the mood for.
He was in the mood for some conversation. Maybe some lasagna.
And a full, plump bottom lip that felt like fucking heaven when you kissed…
“Here’s my number.” The barkeeper held up her hand now and stepped closer to him, a small piece of folded paper held between her index and middle fingers. Without breaking eye contact, she slipped those fingers—and the folded paper—between his waistband and lower stomach. “Call me whenever you want…anything.”
He sucked in a breath, his stomach hitching a little. “Thanks,” he said with a nod.
“You’re
Caitlin drew a slow breath, pinched her bottom lip between her thumb and forefinger and watched him.
Continued to watch him, noting the way he put people at ease when they approached him, noting Zach’s complete lack of suspicious hostility while talking to him—which was Zach’s normal MO when dealing with people he didn’t know well. She noted the way Josh spoke to her other staff, with a friendly smile and open warmth. She smiled when his friend—Rhys McDowell—grabbed him in a massive bear hug, hauling him off the floor and jiggling him up and down a few times. She let out her own soft chuckle as Josh laughed at McDowell’s enthusiastic embrace, his grin for the man filled with happy love. She watched him cast a curious inspection over the couple McDowell left with—a tall guy with dark hair and eyes and a willowy blonde in a micro-mini and ten-inch heels—protective concern on his face.
She watched him.
Observed him.
Until she found herself longing to be out there with him. Until she caught herself focusing on his lips…remembering what they felt like on hers. Wondering what they’d feel like kissing her with more passion.
More intent.
“Enough,” she growled, turning off the CCTV screens. Guilt seared through her veins. Knotted her belly. Wrapped her chest in a suffocating vice.
Hot, bleak guilt.
And desire.
Damn it.
Chapter Four
“Sure you don’t want another drink?”
Dragging his stare from the door leading out to the Chaos Room’s staff area, Josh gave Zach Chapman a grin. “I’m good. Thanks though.”
Caitlin’s second-in-charge let out a dry grunt. “Never met anyone who spends over fifteen grand buying drinks for a club full of complete strangers while only nursing one drink himself the whole night.”
Josh chuckled. “I’ve never really been one for getting wasted. Not a fan of the headache the next morning.”
Zach wiped dry a squat glass, lips twitching. “Ain’t that the truth.”
With another chuckle, Josh turned back to his vigil of the door. Surely she’d be walking through it soon.
“It was wonderful to meet you, Mr. Blackthorne.”
The soft female voice drew his attention and he smiled at the voluptuous blonde who’d been working the main bar with Zach. “You’re more than welcome. Thanks for putting up with me.”
She giggled, a throaty sound that spoke of an invitation waiting for him to accept. “Any time.”
She’d not only sent out cues during the night he could have his wicked way with her, she’d outright declared it as the last of the Chaos Room’s patrons exited the club. When the very last clubber walked through the main door, leaving just the staff and a sticky, coaster-littered floor behind, she’d leant across the bar, showing off her very impressive cleavage, and said, “I’m yours if you want me. And I have no inhibitions.”
He’d declined. It wasn’t that she wasn’t sexy or appealing or friendly, she just wasn’t— Caitlin— what he was in the mood for.
He was in the mood for some conversation. Maybe some lasagna.
And a full, plump bottom lip that felt like fucking heaven when you kissed…
“Here’s my number.” The barkeeper held up her hand now and stepped closer to him, a small piece of folded paper held between her index and middle fingers. Without breaking eye contact, she slipped those fingers—and the folded paper—between his waistband and lower stomach. “Call me whenever you want…anything.”
He sucked in a breath, his stomach hitching a little. “Thanks,” he said with a nod.
“You’re
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