Page 39 of Steele

“Ten bucks is riding on it.”

Her body stiffened, and her lips pursed.

“Relax, baby.”

She released a breath and her body softened against mine. “I just hit it?”

“Yep.”

She pulled the cue stick back, thrust it forward, and hit the cue ball. It popped off the felt a bit and spun toward the center. The balls cracked and scattered, bouncing off the rails and rolling to a stop. The two ball slowly rolled to the corner.

For two seconds, I wasn’t sure it would drop, but then it teetered into the pocket. Jaymi squealed, spun around, and draped her arms around my neck. Fuck she was pretty with a wide smile and brilliant green eyes.

“One down, eight more to go,” Kodiak said. “I’m going for a beer. Anyone need a drink?”

“Jack,” I said and held up two fingers. “One with ice.”

“I’ll go with you,” Pike said. “Do you want anything, McKelle?”

McKelle studied the balls on the table. “Just my boyfriend.”

Kodiak gruffed. “Which one?”

She moved around the table, flipped up her hair, and smiled. “Both of them if you don’t mind.”

Both? Jaymi mouthed and bit the corner of her lip.

“Yeah, both.” I looped my arms around her. “You just won ten bucks.”

“It wasn’t what I would’ve bet.” She raked her teeth over her lower lip. “I don’t need ten bucks.”

“You made the shot.” I leaned closer. “What do you want?”

“This.” She rose up onto her tiptoes, and I claimed her lips. The kiss was wet and tasted of sex and whiskey and was over way too soon.

“Jaymi, how is it you know Steele?” Vega asked.

She turned back to the pool table. “I found him on the side of the road. I liked the way he looked, so I took him home.”

“You like the way I look?” I spoke low enough so only she would hear.

She glanced over her shoulder at me. “I like the way you smell, too.”

“I like the way you taste.” I kissed her again. I dipped into her mouth, gliding my tongue against hers.

“I can’t watch this,” McKelle said to Brenna. “They’re making me hot.”

Brenna snickered. “She’s a Heller whore just like the rest of us.”

Jaymi stiffened, and I smiled against her lips. “They mean it as a compliment.”

McKelle laughed. “It’s just a way to say we’re hot for our Hellers. I’m going to have it stitched onto my cut.”

Brenna snickered. “Pike would have Hana tattoo it on my ass.”

“Ready to take your next shot?” McKelle leaned against the rail separating the main room from the pool area.

“What ball should I hit?” Jaymi asked me.