Savage Unapologetic(66)

Ari had warned me to stay drama-free and be out of relationships for the next year or so, but I didn't care. I wanted Cara like I needed air to survive. No woman fired my blood the way she could. She alone could drive me mental and send me to heaven in a heartbeat. She was my weakness and my strength, and the mere thought of losing her again made me want to burn something, commit murder, overdose on something strong-anything destructive to satisfy this monster taking hold of me, I'd be grateful for.

"You okay, fool? Who pissed you off?" Phoenix sat across the table, squinting at me while he held a vodka and a cigarette. "You look like you 'bout to kill someone." He eyed me like one of those speculators at a boxing match, waiting for a good fight. "Who tha' fucker at? Lemme light his ass up."

When Phoenix started talking mad slang, it was a sign that the man was buzzing-buzzing really good.

I nonchalantly twirled the contents in my glass. The ice clinked with each twirl before I shook my head and took the shot. I welcomed the burn. It relieved the tumultuous violence in my chest, a balm I needed-anything to numb the pitting ache.

"It's one of those nights, man  …  just one of those damn nights," I muttered, not meeting his inquisitive eyes as I poured another serving of vodka.



       
         
       
        

Before Phoenix got the chance to interrogate me further, someone strode into our VIP area, blocking my view. Hot pink stilettos and a Barbie pink top. I didn't need to glance up to match the face.

"Stassy."

"River  … " Ari's niece, Stassy, cooed before bending over and giving me a tight boob hug. "You're the best. Loved the whole thing, babe." She pouted her injected lips before kissing my cheek then sashayed away.

Stassy's hugs were the kind that made me feel a little molested. The woman never failed to rub her tits on me. Look, I was a titty man, but that was just plain rude. The things women did to get a man's attention these days were just too sad. If the man desired a woman, he'd move heaven and earth to acquire her. There was no gray in that. Excuses would only prolong misery. Cut the losses and move the fuck on.

Tipping my head back as the smooth liquid glided down my throat, my eyes travelled to Stassy, at the table next to us, and when she caught me looking at her, she winked.

Stassy was going to be messy. I wasn't sure why Ari arranged for her to be a part of this production. I mean, did she do anything productive other than party with us? She was great and all, sweet even, but what the fuck was she following us around for? If Ari planted her as his spy, I wouldn't be surprised. If he intended for her to be my plaything, again I wouldn't be surprised. Ari Braun covered all his bases. Most especially his biggest client. He catered to my whims, known and unknown.

"If she stuck to you for a second longer, I'd have punched her throat!" Cara hissed, fuming by my side.

She was getting jealous? Good. At least she'd get a little taste of her disgusting medicine. Her hand rested against the side of my thigh, as if she wanted some sort of connection but was too terrified to take action.

Phoenix, tired of the ongoing drama blatantly unfolding before him, stood up and downed the rest of his drink. "Aiight, I'm gonna go spin some good shit." He grinned at me before he chucked a bottle of vodka my way, which I caught in one swift grab. "And for fuck's sake, smile, fucker! You have so much to celebrate tonight."

"Hell yeah, it's gonna be a roll of good times! GOOD. FUCKING. TIMES. " I devilishly snickered before cracking the bottle open and poured myself another round.

A wretched, deep grunt echoed from the person next to me. "You're punishing me-I get it-but please, you know how jealousy gets me. It's hurting me."

She's hurting? The fuck she is! What right did she have to complain? Had she kept her legs closed, we'd be in a good place now. We'd probably be back in the hotel, sweating each other off, and I'd be between her thighs or behind her, pounding into that tight ass, just as I dreamt every single night since she had left. 

But look at us now. She just had to get her pussy tickled. Fuck this. Fuck her.

I couldn't even look at her without wanting to drag her somewhere and punish her the way she ought to be. At the same time, the mere thought of touching her where this Juan Torres had just touched last night, fucked me up a great deal.

I was jealous, torn, murderous, unhinged, all balled into one giant mess.

Cara shifted and leaned a little closer to me, giving me a whiff of her scent. I recoiled when the smell assaulted my nostrils. My nose crinkled before I cocked my head to the side, offended by the memories assaulting me by a single whiff of her fragrance. Yes, I was so affronted that my cock began to harden at her signature musk. Stupid dick.