Page 76 of Riding Dirty

I knew that payout was too fucking good to be true. I should have turned it down instantly, is what I should have done. We would have never been in this fucking mess had I not gotten a hard-on for money.

CHAPTER

FIFTY-EIGHT

ELODIE

I’m not sure where I expected to find Alex this morning after finally getting dressed and emerging from Coast’s room, wearing one of his T-shirts and a pair of athletic shorts. I need to go home and put on my work clothes.

I’ll be working late tonight, which sucks, but this morning, being with Coast and finally having a conversation with him, was worth it.

It was so worth it because there is now a clarification between us. A big one. Like we’re together-together. Not just messing around, not just a side piece or a booty call. We are together.

When I look around the clubhouse bar, then peek my head into the kitchen, I realize he’s not inside anywhere I can see. “He’s outside waiting for you,” a woman’s voice calls out.

Shifting my attention away from the bar, I look over my shoulder and see her there. It’s the woman who confronted me the other day, the one who was naked last night and dancing around. I don’t know her name. I don’t want to know her name.

“Thanks,” I mutter.

She smiles, her gaze searching mine for a moment. I want to tell her to fuck right off, but I don’t. Even if it’s exactly what I want to do. Because this bitch, the way she’s looking at me, watching me, she is waiting for an opportunity to strike. She is without a doubt a snake, and she’s out for one thing and one thing only—Coast.

“Don’t mention it. And, Elodie?” she calls out.

Crossing my arms beneath my breasts, I try really hard to build up that wall so she can’t hurt me. I’m not sure it works, because she smiles and takes a step toward me, not looking anywhere but my eyes.

“You might want to get comfortable sharing Coast, hon. He might claim you as his old lady, but you’ll never have all of him.”

I want to say something stupid like she doesn’t know what she’s talking about because Coast is mine, he made me promises. But I know she would just laugh in my face. She leans in close to me, never breaking eye contact with me, before she whispers.

“How does my pussy taste when you kiss him?”

She lets out a laugh, as if she’s really burned me. Which, honestly, she has, but I would never let her see that. Instead, I clear my throat. I don’t move. I stay where I am because I refuse to show this woman any weakness. She thinks she has the upper hand, and maybe she does, but I’ll never tell her that.

Unfortunately, I’m not one of those women who can think of witty comebacks on the fly. Instead, I say something that is probably really stupid. But I don’t care. I tilt my head to the side, and my lips curve up into a grin.

“I’m sure I don’t give a fuck, hon,” I purr. “What I do know is that his name tattooed on my skin is going to feel absolutely amazing.”

“His mark?” she asks.

“His mark.”

Her lips curve up into a grin. “But is he getting your mark?”

“Mine?”

There it is. There it fucking is. I gave her the weak spot. And she’s running with it. I hate myself instantly. My arms fall from my body, and I take a step backward. My breathing comes out in pants, and my eyes look everywhere around the room. I don’t know where to look, actually.

My entire world spins.

This bitch.

“Alex is waiting for you outside by your car.”

Turning around, I walk away from her and head toward the door. I hear her laugh behind me, but I don’t care. She can eat shit. I flip her the bird as I push the door open and walk out into the parking lot.

The sun hits me immediately. It almost blinds me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t see him. He’s there, right where the bitch said he would be. He lifts the keys, dangling them, and I wonder why he didn’t just leave.

“You want me to drive?” I ask.