AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A secret thrill went down my spine and I unfastened the robe, letting it fall to the patio. I knew the bartender was looking at me—along with the rest of the men at the bar—and the realization made my core tingle.
If I hadn’t had the unspoken threat of Merrick hanging over me, their attention would frighten me.
But it was just exciting.
I slipped into the steamy water and sank down, keeping my breasts visible. Through the window, Merrick and Vincent had migrated to the opposite side of the room. Merrick had his back to me, oblivious.
Good, this wasn’t any of his business.
The bartender arrived a few minutes later with his friend, a lanky, dark haired man. They were both in swimming trunks and I couldn’t keep my eyes from lingering over their abs as they sank into the water.
Very nice.
“I’m Liam,” the bartender said. “ I never formally introduced myself.”
“Travis,” the other man volunteered. “I work the bar sometimes too.”
“Clara,” I said, smiling innocently.
Liam raised a brow, glancing down at my breasts in my wet, velvet bikini top. “You here alone, Clara?”
I nodded.
“Really? Cause I’ve seen you around with Merrick Llwyd,” Travis said. “You’re fuckin’ hot, but I’m not about to mess with Llwyd’s girl.”
“Fuckin’ suicide,” Liam agreed, looking starved as he studied my chest.
“I’m not Merrick’s,” I said.
For the first time, Merrick’s protection annoyed me. If I’d wanted to, I probably could have swiped that little pink card my first week back if it wasn’t for Merrick. Even the organization adjacent men were scared of him.
“So why’d you come with him?” Travis asked.
I took a sip of my Cosmo, watching as Liam broke open a packet of cigarettes and handed one to Liam. I disliked the smell so I’d never tried one before, but they did look sexy smoking them. Liam winked at me and blew white smoke from his nose.
“Merrick is my guardian,” I said.
“Shit,” said Liam. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
They both sighed with relief.
“I’m from the organization,” I said. “But you already know that if you’re aware of who Merrick is. Not many women live without a financial guardian in my world. Merrick is mine. I live with him and he pays for everything for me.”
“So you must be a spoiled girl, huh?” Liam said.
“I know what I’m worth.” I cocked my head.
They both laughed and shifted closer in the tub. I felt Travis’s knee press against my thigh and I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He winked and held out his cigarette.
“I don’t smoke,” I murmured.
“Try it,” Liam urged.
I let Travis put his cigarette to my lips and I breathed in, knowing better than to fully inhale. When I pulled back, there was a little sliver of pink lipstick on the paper. He locked eyes with me as he put it back to his mouth.
I blew out the smoke. It didn’t taste like much.
