All the Pretty Lies (Pretty #1)(44)
Author: M. Leighton

From the second we step through the doors, the bass-heavy thump of music sets the tone to sensuality. Everything does. From the color scheme—rich reds and black—to the lighting—dim and pulsing—everything adds to the feeling of carnal freedom. Even the air is thick and humid, lending a sultry feel to the place. It’s like someone set a dance club out in the center of the jungle. The heat brings out the animal in everyone. And the temperature is on the rise.

Passing between two elevated cages in which half-naked women are dancing, I lead Sloane to the bar and order us both a drink.

“Have you ever done a shot?”

“Once.”

“Well, I don’t want you drunk, but I do want you feeling all grown up and liberated, so we’re going to do a shot and then go dance. You up for it?”

Sloane grins at me, her wings almost visibly loosening and spreading right before my eyes. “Hell yeah!”

I smile. I feel like licking my lips. Something tells me there’s something delicious on the menu tonight.

The bartender slides two shots across to us, each sporting a lemon wedge tucked on the rim, along with a salt shaker. I nod and slip her a bill. “We’re starting with shots of tequila, mostly because they’re fun to do,” I explain. “And because tonight, I’m taking advantage of any excuse to touch you.”

Sloane’s smile builds slowly. “I like the sound of these already. What do I do?”

“I’ll show you how to do yours first. Then I’ll do mine.” I take Sloane’s hand in mine and I lick the back of it, sprinkling salt on the damp surface. I place the shot glass in her other hand. “Lick the salt, drink the shot and then I’ll give you the lemon, okay?”

Sloane nods. “Now?”

“Right now.”

Her dark eyes are crackling with heat. It’s easy to tell she’s ready to dive into this night with everything she has. And I’m going to make sure she forgets her worries. At least for one night.

With her gaze on mine, Sloane raises her hand to her mouth and licks off the salt. I don’t know if she does it so slowly on purpose or if it’s just that she’s enjoying the taste. Either way, watching her pink tongue scrape along her skin makes my dick twitch. When the salt is gone, she turns up the shot glass and drains it in one big gulp. She’s a born drinker. Without taking her eyes off mine, she sets the glass on the bar and waits. I bring the lemon wedge to her lips, swiping the fleshy part across them. “Suck.”

Her lush lips part and I see her small, white teeth sink into the juicy sacks of the citrus. I can feel her sucking on it as she leans into me.

“Mmmm,” she murmurs when she’s done. “Delicious. Your turn.”

She grabs the salt shaker and reaches for my hand, but I stop her. “No, I’ll be doing mine a little differently.” Sloane’s hair is up again tonight, revealing her long, graceful neck and the feminine curve of her shoulder. The shirt she’s wearing is deeply cut in front, making it fall down one arm. The exact spot that I want to put my mouth is exposed, like she dressed for this night with me in mind.

Bending forward, I put my lips and tongue to the tender place where her neck and shoulder meet, enjoying the taste of her skin and the way she tips her head to the side, giving me better access. I shake salt onto the damp place and turn my lemon wedge backward, holding it to her lips. “Open.”

Sloane’s lips part and I set the citrus slice between them until I feel her clamp down to hold it in place. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her in close to me as I reach for my shot. As I lower my head to lick every grain of salt from her skin, she melts into me, threading her fingers into my hair. I turn my face to the side and down the fiery liquid then bite into the lemon wedge Sloane’s holding between her teeth. I suck all the juice from it then take it from her and drive my tongue between her lips to tangle with hers in a kiss that sets my blood on fire.

The cave of her mouth is cool and still tastes of lemon and salt. All I can think about is putting my tongue into other orifices and savoring the mingling of tangy tequila, salty lemon, and the sweet, creamy flavor of her body.

My mind is on the mixture of our fluids when I lean back to look down into her face. “I bet you’re not on any kind of birth control, are you?” It’s a random question, one that I probably should’ve asked a little more delicately. But my mind isn’t on being delicate. It’s on being voracious.

She smiles up at me. “Actually, I am. To regulate my periods.”

I’m pleasantly surprised. I expect birth control and regular testing from the experienced women I usually seek out. But with Sloane, although the testing isn’t an issue for a virgin, the other might’ve been. But it’s not. And it makes me even hungrier for her all of a sudden.

“I love it when Mother Nature cuts me some slack.”

Sloane laughs and I feel the husky sound vibrate through me, all the way down to my balls. Every part of me is champing at the bit to get inside this girl.

“I’ve never been too pleased about it. Until now.”

Reluctantly, I release her, reaching for her hand and nodding toward the crowded dance floor. “Let’s dance. Before I throw you over my shoulder and drag you out of here.”

“You won’t hear me complaining,” I hear her mutter from behind me.

I don’t think she knows what she’s inviting. But she will.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE – Sloane

I’ve never felt more alive, more like I’m experiencing life rather than letting it pass me by. Crushed between warm, writhing bodies on the dance floor, still all I can feel is Hemi’s heat surrounding me, his hard body rubbing against mine in time with the sultry music.

His hands glide over me and the lights pulse around me. He turns my back to him and pulls my body into his, grinding his hips against me. Fire pours through me, making my head feel light and my limbs feel heavy.

“How do you feel?” he asks, his lips tickling my ear.

“I feel wonderful. How about another shot?”

“Just one more,” he says. “I don’t want you drunk. I want you to feel relaxed, but I want you to be able to think. And feel…other things.”

A shiver works its way through me. “Then just one more. I wouldn’t want to miss…other things.”

I love this feeling. All these feelings. Most of all, I love being with Hemi. Touching him and being touched by him. I love the anticipation that’s building between us. I love that he’s watching over me, that he’s showing me some fun in a not-so-fun time. I love that he tried to stay away from me and couldn’t, that he’s not even trying anymore. And that he admitted it. I love everything about him and this night.