“Hey guys,” Matthew says to Mac and Leo, “Thanks for seeing us.”
“Any time, brother,” Mac says, eyes fixed on one of the strippers as she bends all the way over to scoop up a tip.
Leo looks right at me, his eyes rake up and down the length of my body, leaving searing trails wherever they go. He makes no effort to hide the fact that he’s checking me out, or that he’s pleased with what he sees. I know that shouldn’t make me feel satisfied, but oh, does it ever. He certainty doesn’t look at me like a claimed man. But maybe being claimed or unclaimed doesn’t mean anything to a man like him.
“This is my cousin, Kelly,” Matthew says, “Kelly, this is Mac and Leo. They’re the president and vice president of this chapter.”
“Thank you for letting me land here,” I say, willing my voice not to waver, “It really means a lot that—”
“Right, right,” Mac says shortly, giving me a quick once over. He nods his head in approval and says, “You’ll do.”
“You mean...in general?” I laugh nervously.
“I mean for the job you’re here for,” he says, “You are here for a job, right?”
“Of course,” I say, “Whatever you guys need.”
“Be careful what you promise,” Leo grins, taking another long drag off his cigarette, “I might just hold you to it.”
I have to clench my teeth to keep my jaw from falling open. I stare at Leo, dumbfounded. Is this divinely sexy, utterly dangerous man flirting with me? Do I even dare to hope? His handsome face is unreadable. His expression lingers somewhere between amusement, interest, and indifference. Something tells me that a straight answer is hard to come by, when it comes to this one. I’ll just have to see what I can do to change that...if I’m lucky enough to get the chance, that is.
“We’ll have one of the girls show you around,” Mac tells me, pulling himself to standing, “You’ll mostly just be hanging around the office, fielding calls and putting out fires. Messing with the computers when they need messing with. Keep up with your appearance, though. This is still the Devil’s Playpen, after all. None of that buttoned up shit around here.”
“I think I can resist the siren song of khakis,” I assure him, “Is there a standard issue g-string I should be wearing?”
“You won’t hear me complaining,” Leo murmurs, eyes fixed firmly on my ass. He’s got a hungry look in his eye that’s unmistakable. I wonder if he can tell that I’ve got some cravings of my own?
“I’ll be seeing you,” Matthew says, shaking Mac’s hand.
“That you will,” the president replies, “Thanks for lending us your cousin. Been needing some new eye candy around here.”
“Is that my official title?” I drawl sarcastically.
Leo lets out a low growl of laughter as he stands before me. Good Christ, this man is a giant. Does he seriously have a foot and a half on me? Before I can stop myself, I’m imagining what it would be like to have this massive, rippling man on top of me. I’ve never tried to keep up with so powerful a partner before. Could I even handle him?
He’s probably taken, I have to remind myself, Don’t get your hopes up.
“Funny and hot,” Leo says, looking down at me with those golden eyes, “That’s good.”
A tremor runs down my spine as I stare way up at him. How am I supposed to keep from jumping into his arms when he keeps saying shit like that? I’ve never been hit on so frankly. I also never suspected that I could find such straightforwardness totally hot.
“You forgot to add ‘computer genius’,” I manage to quip. Thank god my tongue is quick enough to stay ahead of my racing heart. “That’s what I’m here for, right?”
“Among other things,” Leo says, taking a step toward me.
“You...want me to hang around until you get settled?” Matthew asks, looking back and forth between me and Leo.
“I’m good!” I say quickly, “Perfect, actually.”
“I’ll make sure she gets plenty settled,” Leo says, slipping an arm around my shoulders.
I feel like I could actually melt into him. It’s like every inch of my body that’s pressed against him could spontaneously combust. He’s just that fucking hot. I swallow an elated grin as I try to memorize the weight of his arm, resting on my shoulders. I’ve never thought this about any man before, but he even smells amazing. Like the fresh air, and firewood, and all the best things about being alive in this world. I feel like I could get drunk, just on his scent.
“Why don’t I give you the grand tour?” Leo asks, pulling me tighter against his side. I can feel his hard muscles moving against me, firm and unshakeable. I imagine what that one particular muscle I’ve been dreaming about would feel like, pressed against me hard and fast.
“That would be great,” I say, leaning into him ever so slightly. My voice remains even, but inside I’m absolutely losing my shit. Do I really get to go off alone with Leo, right off the bat? Why do I even want to, given everything he’s pulled on Dante’s Nine?
Dante’s Nine. Kassie. That’s why you’re here, I chide myself, Don’t forget that.
“Whatever you wanna do, Leo,” Mac says, “I’ve got shit to take care of. Remember, we’ve got church at eight.”
The president saunters away from us, eyes unabashedly fixed on the dancing girls who writhe and shake around the room. They all smile at him as he passes, suddenly coming to life under his gaze. I wonder if they’re all angling to be claimed by a club member in their time. And if that’s true...what does it say about me that I sometimes dream about the same thing? How different am I, really, than any of the women here?
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll leave you to it,” Matthew says, “If you need anything, you’ve got my number.”
“Yep. Thanks, Matthew,” I say, eager for my cousin to beat it so that I can have Leo to myself. “And thanks for setting this up.”
“Yeah. Of course,” he says, “Anything for my family. Both of my families.”
“Catch you later, Rail,” Leo says.
“Rail?” I ask, confused.
“My road name,” Matthew says, “Like, ‘skinny as a...’”