chapter 26
Scarlett
GLANCING AROUND RILEY’S, I tug on my black crop top, pulling it lower even though it only exposes maybe an inch or two of my stomach. I decided to wear it with a long, flowy maxi skirt and black strappy sandals, red lips and my hair down and wavy. An edgier look for me, but I’m trying new things, right? I remember the look on Jaxon’s face as I left, knowing that he didn’t like what I was doing, but I did it anyway, even though it probably isn’t worth it. To be honest though, I just like knowing that if I want to do something, I can. He won’t stop me or threaten me. I won’t come home to a slap in the face, or complete emotional manipulation. He won’t treat me badly because I did something he didn’t want me to do. It’s freeing for someone like me. Someone who would’ve never dared do something like this before, something her man openly didn’t want her to do.
“Do you want another drink?” Valentina asks me, dancing to the beat of the song.
“Sure, I’ll get one for us,” I tell her, leaving the small dance floor to head to the bar. The owner, Riley, is one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen. She has that whole pinup-girl vibe, with her dark hair, red lips, and winged liner.
“Could I get two more beers, please,” I ask her.
“Sure,” she says, smiling.
I lean over the bar and tell her. “My boyfriend comes in here all the time. He loves the place.”
“Which one is yours?” she asks, grinning.
“Jaxon,” I tell her.
“Ahh, one of the lawyers,” she says. “He seems nice. I’m glad they’ve made this place their regular. Being such a new bar, I really need the business.”
“The place is great,” I tell her, glancing around. “I can see why he likes it so much.”
She places the beers on the bar, and I hand her the money.
“Hey, I know you,” a man says, coming to stand next to Riley. “You’re the chick on bail.”
I shake my head in surprise as I see Preston, the man from the diner. “Actually, those charges were dropped, but thanks for saying that super loud.”
Riley barks out a laugh. “He’s not one for subtlety.”
“Where’s your partner in crime?” I ask, referring to Parker.
“Parker has a real job,” he says with a straight face. “He’s a doctor, actually. I’m a mixologist.”
“Is that a thing?” I ask him, bringing the beer to my lips.
I actually have heard of mixology before, but I just want to annoy him. It’s funny that he works here, in a place that I’ve heard Jaxon talk about so often.
He nods, looking offended. “I’m the best cocktail maker this town has ever seen.”
“That’s quite the proclamation. I’ll have to order a cocktail next,” I tell him, grinning. I take Valentina’s beer and return to the dance floor and hand it to her.
“Thanks,” she says, taking a big sip.
We dance together for the next few songs, then head back to the bar to sit down for a little while. It feels good to dance again without feeling self-conscious. I don’t even hear Darren in my head anymore, telling me that I can’t do things.
“What are you doing here?” I hear her ask a man.
“Just came out to grab a drink,” he tells her, a smirk on his face. “What a coincidence.”
Valentina sighs, pursing her lips. “What trouble could I possibly cause in a random bar with Scarlett?” she asks him. “The worse thing we’d probably do is start a Darren Hate Club.”
I smirk at that. It’d probably be the best thing we could do. I wonder if she’d let me be president.
“Can I get you another drink?” The man turns and asks me, studying me from beneath his thick dark lashes. I’d actually noticed him in the bar before, watching me. I don’t get any bad vibes from him though. I had no idea he was one of the Wind Dragons. I shake my head. “No, thank you, I think I’m fine for now.”
“She’s taken, Demon,” Valentina says, wrapping her arm around me. “No matter how hot you are.” She lowers her voice and mutters, “Which is pretty damn hot.”
I have to agree with her, the man is extremely good-looking, with his baby-blue eyes and dark hair, but I don’t feel anything when I look even him, not even that spark of attraction. Everything in me is for Jaxon only, but I can appreciate when a man is very, very handsome.
“Just being a gentleman,” Demon responds, not fazed by Valentina’s comments one bit.
“How considerate of you.” Valentina smirks, tucking a curl behind her ear. “I had no idea you were such a gentleman, Demon.”
“Don’t let the name fool you,” he replies, flashing straight, white teeth. “My mama raised me right.”
“Thank you, Demon,” I say, meaning it, the unusual name sounding foreign on my tongue.
“That’s what I’m here for,” he says cheerfully. “To ply you both with alcohol, let you have a good night, and then safely take you home.”
“Sounds like a good time,” Valentina replies, downing her drink. “What about you? You going to have one too many?”
“Nope,” he replies, scanning the bar. “I’m going to be an adult and pace myself.”
Valentina points. “Oh, look. A beautiful woman.”
“Nice try,” he replies, barking out a laugh. “I’m surrounded by beautiful women every day. Going to need more than that to catch my eye.”
“If you’re here, you might as well do shots with us,” she says, calling Preston over. “Can we get three shots of whatever you suggest?”
Preston looks to me. “I know just the shot.”
Demon flashes me a curious look, probably wondering why Preston gave me a friendly look, but I just shrug. Preston makes the shots, then slides them over to each of us. I notice mine has a little love heart on the top. Demon notices it too, and brings his narrowed eyes to Preston.
“To new friends,” I say, lifting my shot up. We clink, then down them.
“That was actually really delicious,” I tell Preston.
“Thank you,” he beams, then moves on to serve another customer.
“Someone has a crush.” Valentina grins at me. “Maybe he’ll give us free drinks from now on.”
“Doubtful,” Demon mutters, nodding his head in tune with the music. “This place is pretty cool, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I like it. Something different,” Valentina tells him, then pulls his arm. “Come on, let’s dance.”
The three of us stand in our own circle and dance with our drinks in hand. I smile, laugh, and just enjoy the night and the company, feeling free and wild. I see Demon pulling his phone out and sending a text, tilting his phone so no one can read what he’s typing. Maybe he’s sending out a booty call, who knows.
“Do you want to dance?” Preston asks me, coming up behind me.
“No, she doesn’t,” Demon tells him, coming to stand next to me. I throw him a dirty look and pull Preston aside. “I’m taken, Preston. But hey, if you want to be friends, I’d like that. I don’t have many of those.”
“Why are all the hot chicks taken?” he asks, frowning. But then he offers me his hand. “Friends sounds good though.”
We share a grin.
“Is that guy your boyfriend?” he asks, nodding to Demon.
“No,” I say, laughing. “He’s just someone I met tonight, actually.”
“Mmmm,” he hums. “Come to the bar if you want some free drinks.”
He walks away, and Demon and Valentina close in on me.
“Told you,” she says, while Demon just silently broods. “You’re a babe.”
“Look who’s talking,” I tell her, nodding to the bar. “Want some free drinks?”
She throws her curls back and laughs. “Fuck yes, I do.”
We twine our arms together and head to the bar, Demon scowling and following behind us.
“YOU COULD TOTALLY BE a biker chick. You have the strength of all the women in the MC, Scarlett. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
We’re drunk, really drunk, and having deep and meaningful chats.
I study her for a moment, wondering if she knows how much that comment means to me. Most of my life I was weak. But I’m not that person anymore. I saved myself. And Jaxon gave me my freedom back. With those two things, I’m now unstoppable, I can do anything I want and be anyone I want to be.
“I’m so glad I met you, Valentina,” I say, resting my shoulder against hers. “I wish I had known you before, but now . . .”
“Now works too,” she finishes for me, taking a sip of her drink. “If you need someone, I’ll be here for you, you hear me? You will never be stuck in any situation like that again. Ever.”
I smile into my drink and nod. “No, I won’t be. But I don’t have to even consider something like that again with Jaxon in my life. He’s the most amazing man I could have ever imagined.”
Demon makes a sound of amusement, but there’s something else in his blue eyes, almost like he agrees with me.
“What? He is,” I tell Demon. “He treats me like a princess, except in the bedroom. Does a man get any more perfect than that?”
Demon starts to choke on his drink, and Valentina starts slapping him on the back. “Nope, doesn’t get any better than that. I always say, respect me out of bed, but disrespect me in it.”
We both start laughing, like she said the funniest joke in the world.
“I’m so happy I came out tonight,” I tell her. “Jaxon was worried all the biker men would come.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “I think he was jealous.”
Demon starts chuckling, and I look at him and nod. “I know. Like he has anything to worry about.”
Riley comes up to us and jumps on the bar counter. “We’re about to close, you three.”
I see her eyeing Demon, and I don’t blame her. He’s a very attractive man. I wiggle my eyebrows at her, and she just starts laughing.
“I like you, Scarlett,” she says, then leans closer to me. “Do you have any inside gossip on Hunter?”
“The family-law guy?” I ask raising my brows. “He’s nice, but I don’t really know him. Although I can tell you he’s an excellent attorney. He was able to get all my accounts and property transferred back into my name after my dead husband stole it. Why? Do you like him?”
“Just curious,” she murmurs, then pours herself a glass of whiskey.
I make a drunk mental note to ask Jaxon about Hunter and Riley.
“I think I’m going to get Jaxon to come pick me up now. I haven’t been out this late in . . .” I try to rack my brain to think of the last time I had a night out. “Jeez, I can’t even remember. So I think I’ve done well under the circumstances. Thanks again for inviting me out; I had a really good time.”
“We have to do this again,” Valentina says, leaning her body against Demon’s. “I had a good night with you both. I need the distraction sometimes, you know?”
“I do, trust me I know how you feel,” I tell her. “I know Jaxon was worried about me coming here, but I’m in one piece with no horror stories to tell.” I hiccup. “And I’m not that drunk. My words aren’t slurring or anything. And any time you need a distraction, or to get away, you can always come to my house. We’ll have a great time.”
I pull out my phone and send Jaxon a quick message telling him that I’m done, and I can take a cab if he’s asleep or too tired to come get me. “I’ll have to have you over for dinner or something soon.”
“I’d like that.”
Jaxon responds not even a few seconds later.
I’m on my way.
I’m unable to hide my smile.
I hope he’s not too tired for what I have in mind next.