“Of course not.” I shrug it off. I don’t want this conversation to turn into one about my injury so I steer it back toward Hewie. “I think he’ll go easier this time since he knows the elders are watching.”
“I hope so—for Hewie’s sake,” Jamie says.
“Geneen came in last night with McLain,” Leith informs me. “You gonna do something about that?”
They know I don’t give two shits about Geneen but they find it disrespectful for her to come into the bar with another brother. We had a few fucks over a couple of weeks. He’s welcome to my leftovers. “She’ll tire of this game once she realizes I don’t care.”
Leith waves his hand toward the back of the club where the barmaids pick up drinks. “Lorna’s working late tonight. You should take her into the storage room if Geneen comes back. That would show her you’re not concerned with her anymore.”
I stopped tasting Lorna’s nectar years ago. Since then, she’s been passed around by almost every brother in this place, so I have no interest in ever having her again. I prefer a woman who hasn’t had every dick in the room inside her.
I admit it. I’m a selfish bastard. Even if I’m not interested in a woman for the purpose of a relationship, I don’t want any of the brothers to have had her before me. What she does afterward is not my concern. “I’m looking for something a little fresher.”
“Leith has something fresh—an American lass.” Jamie laughs. “She definitely hasn’t been touched by any of the brothers.”
Leith slams his hand on the table. “No one puts a finger on her. If anyone gets a piece of that fit arse, it’s going to be me.”
“Good Lord, Leith! An American?” This isn’t good. Dad and Abram won’t be pleased. “You can be such a dobber sometimes.”
Leith knows he’s to only hire local girls within our circle. Taking in a stranger we know nothing about is a foolish move since members of the brotherhood frequent this bar. “I can’t believe you’ve brought in an outsider. The elders won’t approve.”
“Don’t worry. The lass is in Edinburgh on a temporary basis. Her employment won’t be long-standing.” And her life may not be either, thanks to him.
“You have to get rid of her,” I argue.
“She can be very persuasive.”
“Persuasive, as in she had sex with you?”
“Not yet.”
“Did she promise you sex?”
“No.”
Damn fool. “Tell me you were steamin’ when you hired her.”
“She needed some quick cash. I can pay her under the table and she’ll move on in a few weeks. No worries.”
No worries, my arse. “There’s a reason you only hire a lass with a connection to The Fellowship. This one could become a problem for the brotherhood. If that happens, she’ll be sleeping with the fish. You’ve done her no favor by employing her. She’s been placed in the middle of a dangerous situation and has no idea.”
“You’ll understand why he hired her when you see her sweet arse,” Jamie says.
“I don’t care how fit the American is.” Leith should know better than to think with his dick.
“There she is,” he says. I look over at the barmaid’s station and see her from behind. Her chestnut brown hair is pulled into a messy pile on top of her head. She’s wearing the typical Duncan uniform—a short plaid kilt and tight white blouse tied above her waist.
She spins around while holding a tray of whiskies over one shoulder and smiles at Leith. She doesn’t give me so much as a glance when she walks by to deliver drinks to the table behind us. “Good-looking, eh?”
She’s definitely bonny. I can’t debate that. “No woman is fit enough to put yourself on Dad’s and Abram’s shit lists.”
He looks at the American as she bends over to pick up a napkin that blew off her serving tray. “I don’t know about that, buddy. Her bum is nice.”
I watch her skirt ride almost up to the cheeks of her arse and then back down again when she stands. “She’s easy on the eyes, mate. I won’t argue that point but I can say with confidence that you’ve made a problem for yourself with the elders.”
“If I get between those legs, it’ll be worth the fallout with Thane and Abram.”
“Whatever.” Leith can’t be trusted to make the wisest decisions when it comes to The Fellowship. It’s a good thing he’s in charge of this bar and not within the inner circle where the big decisions are made. I’m certain Dad and Abram wouldn’t put up with his bullshit.
The American lass passes by our table on the way back to her pouring station. Leith reaches out to catch her around the waist. “Come here. I want you to meet my other best mate.” He snakes his arm around her and grasps her hip, pulling her close. He’s being a wanker. “Meet the infamous Sinclair Breckenridge.”
“The infamous, huh?” She smiles and holds out her hand. “Hi. Bleu MacAllister.”
Bleu MacAllister. I repeat her name in my head five times as I look at her face so she’ll be etched in my memory. It’s probably unnecessary. I highly doubt I could forget her unusual name or bonny face. “It’s a pleasure, Miss MacAllister. May I ask what brings you to Edinburgh?”
“My Aunt Edy, who was really my grandmother’s best friend, fell ill. Cancer. I was quite fond of her. She was like family so I came over to care for her during her last days.”
“Then she’s already passed?” I ask.
“Three weeks ago.”
“And you’re still here?” I point out.
“I’m the only one in the family who has the flexibility to stay and settle Edy’s estate.”
“Is that a more dignified way of saying you don’t have a job?” I sound rude—exactly the way I intend.
“Stop cross-examining her,” Leith warns. “You’ll have to excuse him, Bleu. He’s near finished his training to become a solicitor and he takes it a little too far sometimes.”
I don’t need Leith to apologize for my actions. “I’m not taking anything too far. I’m making conversation about why a grown woman would not have a life or profession to get back to.”
“I never said I didn’t have a life or profession.” She places her hand on her hip.
“Then you have employment?”
“I’m a photographer—mostly babies and brides. I’m the owner of a private studio so I have more freedom in my job than my father or sister.”
“Yet you’re working in a bar as a wench?”
“I’m a visitor, and as a lawyer, I’d think you’d be aware that I don’t have a work visa. Because I can’t be legally employed, I’m very grateful Leith hired me as a wench since Edinburgh isn’t a cheap place to live.”
I do believe Miss MacAllister is a firecracker. “Did your aunt not leave you an inheritance?”
“Yes, hence my reason for staying to settle her affairs. It’s time consuming, as I’m sure you understand, being that you’re in the legal profession.” She turns away from me to Leith. “Is your friend always this disagreeable?”
Leith slides his hand from her hip to her arse. “Unquestionably.”
She moves his hand off her bum. “You don’t pay me enough for that privilege.”
“I can give you a raise.” Leith laughs.
“I’m sure you can, boss,” she calls out over her shoulder as she walks away.
“That lass is something, eh?”
She’s beautiful and charming. I hope that doesn’t backfire on my pal. “My gut tells me she’s something all right, but what, I’m not certain.”
“You’re always so paranoid.”
He’s right. I suspect everyone but paranoia keeps me alive, so I’m perfectly fine with it.
The next hour is much the same. Leith looks the part of a prick as he flirts with the American each time she walks by. She seems receptive to his advances but I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.
I wonder how long she’ll be here. I hope not a minute longer than it takes to settle her business since Leith is too stupid to see this is a tr
ain wreck waiting to happen. Perhaps I should offer her legal assistance so I can hurry along the process. Private law concerning inheritance settlement isn’t my specialty but I know enough to advise her.
“She’s back.” I don’t have to turn around to know whom Jamie means. It’s Geneen. “And she’s brought McLain with her again.”
I turn around and Geneen smirks, looking proud to have me see her with another man. It’s laughable for her to think she could make me jealous.
“You’re a tube if you don’t go over there and beat him until he pisses himself.”
I despise that bitch for coming here with him but Jamie’s right. She’s forcing my hand or I’ll appear weak in front of the brotherhood. I can’t have that. “I will, but not before Geneen gets a penance fuck for doing this.” I’ll get far more satisfaction from that than slamming my fist into McLain’s face.
I get up from the table and go over to her. She’s sitting on a barstool next to her new man. I grab her arm and squeeze. “To the back. Now.” I look at McLain. “And not a fucking word out of you.”
She grins because I’m guessing she thinks she knows what going to the back means. Too bad for her, she’s mistaken.
I know her kind. They think they can win my heart with hot sex but she couldn’t be more wrong. I’ll use her up and toss her aside, just like the rubber I’ll wear when I fuck her.
I lead her into the storage room and reach under her dress. I roughly yank her knickers down her legs and shove her back against the shelving unit. I’m sure it’s uncomfortable but we aren’t doing this for anyone’s pleasure but my own.
The fleeting thought of pleasure causes me to change my mind about how we’re going to do this. If I fuck Geneen, I’ll be giving her exactly what she wants, so I decide she’ll suck me off instead.
I step away from her. “I changed my mind. Get on your knees.” She steps forward and tries to kiss me but I shove her away. Her mouth will never touch mine. “I said, get on your knees.”
She lowers herself to the floor and unzips my trousers. She’s reaching inside for my knob when the door swings open. Leith’s new American barmaid barges into the room and stands with her hands on her hips. “Can you move over, please? You’re blocking me from what I need to get.”
Is she serious? “No. I’m busy. Come back after we’re finished.”
“Kenrick sent me to fetch a bottle of Ballantine’s and you’re in my way.”
This girl would never speak to me like this if she was from here and knew who I was. She’d show me respect. “Can’t you see what’s happening here?”
“Unfortunately, it’s something I can never unsee.” She points to my left. “I’m certain she can still give you a first-class blow job eighteen inches in that direction.”
Neither of us makes a move and she huffs. “Look, all the leaves on my give-a-fuck tree have fallen. It’s been a long day. I’ve been grabbed and fondled by strange men for the last six hours. Some old geezer slipped his hand up my skirt and I had to smile and kindly encourage him to remove it … instead of breaking his face with my fist. I’m tired. I just want to finish my job so I can go home and have one or a dozen glasses of wine and then pass out. I’m not asking for much.”
This lass’s behavior is absurd—and highly entertaining. I shove my cock back in my pants and step out of her way. “You heard Miss MacAllister. We’re in her way.”
Geneen laughs but not because she’s amused by this American called Bleu. “Oh, hell no. I’m not moving,” she says, arms crossed and still kneeling.
“Then you should probably expect this to be hugely unpleasant,” Bleu says.
“Really?”
I’m caught completely off guard when Bleu punches Geneen directly in the center of her face, knocking her to the floor, and then kicks her in the gut. She doesn’t give her another glance as she reaches over her crumpled body. I watch her grab a bottle of whisky and inspect it. “I believe this will do nicely.” She sashays toward the door, calling back over her shoulder, “Carry on.”
I burst into laughter as I help Geneen from the floor. “The girl must be certifiably crazy, but my God, that was the most entertaining thing I’ve seen since … ever.”
“Are you kidding me?” Geneen touches her face. “I think that bitch broke my nose.”
I look at her and confirm her suspicion. Her nose is definitely no longer in the center of her face. “I fear you’re right. Looks broken to me.”
“I’m kicking her arse,” Geneen growls as she starts for the door.
I grab her arm but not because I fear for Bleu’s safety. I’m certain she can do a right nice job of protecting herself. “There will be none of that, I’m afraid.”
Bleu has greatly lifted my mood so I’m feeling far too generous to give a penance fuck or start a fight. “Get out of here. Take McLain with you and never come back.”
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to my husband for being a sexy takeout delivery boy when I’m on lockdown in the writing cave. #truestory. Your support means the world to me. I love you and our children more than I can say.
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Danielle Sanchez of Inkslinger PR, thank you for working diligently to promote me and my work. 2016 is going to be great.
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My readers, there wouldn’t be a reason for me to do this if I didn’t have you. Thank you for all your love and support.
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About the Author
Georgia Cates
Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.
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ALSO BY GEORGIA CATES
STAND ALONES
Tap: A Lovibond Novel
Stout: A Lovibond Novel–May 2016
Porter: A Lovibond Novel–Fall 2016
Indulge
* * *
THE SIN TRILOGY
A Necessary Sin: Book I
The Next Sin: Book II
One Last Sin: Book III
The Sin Trilogy Bundle
* * *
THE BEAUTY SERIES
Beauty from Pain: Book I
Beauty from Surrender: Book II
Beauty from Love: Book III
The Beauty Series Bundle
* * *
THE VAMPIRE AGAPE SERIES
Blood of Anteros: Book I
Blood Jewel: Book II
Blood Doll: Book III
The Complete Vampire Agape Series
* * *
GOING UNDER SERIES
Going Under: Book I
Shallow: Book II
Going Under Complete Duo
Georgia Cates, Tap (Lovibond #1)
Tap (Lovibond #1) Page 32