Page 22 of East

If I get a free drink out of it, I can’t complain.

And there’s something alluring about Wick’s darkness. Almost a noxious quality I can’t quite define. Like he’s something I’m not supposed to have.

Wick shrugs. “That’s what most people say. But I swear to God. We’re brothers. Wickliffe and Kinsey Blackwood.”

I lift an eyebrow. “I guess you’re right. About your parents having unusual taste in names, I mean.”

He nods, leans in closer. “So how about that drink, beautiful?”

There’s that nickname again. Beautiful. I liked it better coming from Aus’s lips.

But I don’t hate it coming from Wick’s.

I nod. “Sure. Thank you.”

“What’s your drink?”

“Vodka soda.”

He furrows his brow. “That’s a drink for women who are watching their weight.”

“Excuse me?”

He chuckles. “What I mean is you can order something a little more substantial. God forbid you ingest a carbohydrate.”

I blink. Is he being playful or just rude? Hard to tell.

“What would you suggest?”

Wick shrugs. “Kin’s known for his blue martini.”

“Is that anything like his blue vodka soda?”

He exhales sharply. “The color is the same. But you can say the same about the sky.”

“Do you often find yourself drinking the sky?”

He grins. “With you, gorgeous? I could drink anything.”

What the hell does that even mean? He’s making no sense. But there’s a rugged charm about him.

I gaze into Wick’s dark eyes. “I’m not really a martini girl, but I’ll try anything once.”

“I hope that’s a promise.” He runs a finger down my arm, sending chills through my whole body.

Wick looks up at his brother. “Two blue martinis, Kin. Blackwood style.”

“Blackwood style?” I ask.

“You said you’d try anything once.” Wick sears his gaze into me. “So tell me. How did a pretty girl like you end up at the Jade Sanctum?”

I bite my lip. “I was here to meet a date, if you must know.”

“A date?” He looks around. “With the invisible man?”

I sigh. “No. He didn’t show.”

Wick narrows his eyes. “What kind of moron would skip out on a girl like you?”