Page 9 of Ruined By King

I don't even know her name. Don't care to learn it.

She's been circling closer all night, finding excuses to brush against me, leaning in to laugh at things that aren't funny. The old me would've taken what she was offering. Easy, uncomplicated, a warm body to burn off some tension with and forget by morning.

But every time I look at her, all I see is auburn hair and brown eyes and a mouth that moaned my name into the dark.

Demi.

Fuck.

"You look like shit," Rogue says, dropping onto the stool beside me.

"Thanks."

"Seriously. You've been in a mood since Ironwood. Want to tell me what's going on, or do I have to guess?"

"Nothing's going on."

"Uh huh." He signals the prospect behind the bar for a beer, then swings back to face me. "So you're just sitting here ignoring the blonde who's been eye-fucking you for the last hour because...?"

"Maybe I'm not interested."

Rogue takes a long pull from his bottle. "You're always interested. That's kind of your thing."

I don't answer. My jaw tightens, and I take a drink of my whiskey just to have something to do with my hands.

Rogue watches me for a long moment. I can feel him putting pieces together, and I don't like it.

"This is about her, isn't it?" His voice drops. "Rocky's daughter."

"Leave it alone."

"King—"

"I said leave it alone."

He holds up both hands, backing off. But his eyes say this conversation isn't over. Just postponed.

The blonde — Candy, apparently — chooses that moment to make her move. She slides up to my other side, pressing her tits against my arm, and gives me a smile that's pure invitation.

"You look lonely over here," she purrs. "Want some company?"

I look at her. Really look at her. She's pretty. Willing. Everything I should want.

I feel absolutely nothing.

"Not tonight," I say.

Her smile falters. "You sure? I could make it worth your while."

"I'm sure."

She stares at me for a second, clearly not used to rejection, then huffs and walks away. Rogue watches her go with raised eyebrows.

"Okay, now I know something's wrong."

"Drop it, Rogue."

"You just turned down a sure thing. A hot sure thing. The King I know doesn't⁠—"