Deliciously Damaged (Reckless Bastards MC 3)

“Jessie, what happened last night was between two consenting adults,” I said. In the back of my mind, I knew she had a point. I probably should have picked a different girl.

“I guess it’s true then, huh?”

“What is?”

“You’re really the douche that people say you are,” she answered. “I know we’re not that close, but I have to say I thought you were better than that. You know, I’ve actually defended you to people before! Boy, don’t I look like an idiot now. Everyone’s probably been laughing at me behind my back. They probably think I’m another one of your blind conquests!”

My heart rate quickened and I struggled to keep my voice even. “Come on, Jessie. Opulence isn’t exactly the type of place you meet your soul mate. It’s an adult playground. I didn’t realize there would be strings attached. What was your cousin expecting? Happily ever after?”

Jessie scoffed. “No, Cooper. Samantha, that’s her name, by the way. She wasn’t picking out wedding dresses or something, but I don’t think she signed up for a get in, get off, and get out kind of thing either.”

“Well, then I apologize that I didn’t make my intentions clearer,” I said. I raked a hand through my hair, trying to figure out how to get out of the conversation as quickly as possible.

“Cooper, she’s a really nice girl. You didn’t even give her a chance,” Jessie said, her voice sharp and disapproving.

“I’m sure she is, Jessie, but that’s not really what I’m looking for right now.”

“Obviously.” She paused, and the silence crackled between us over the phone line. “I would say take care of yourself, but clearly you’re already doing that. Goodbye, Cooper.”

With that, she hung up. I clicked off my side of the call and dropped the phone back into my pocket. Losing Jessie as an acquaintance wasn’t much of a loss, but her words still stung.

I didn’t like her accusations and I really didn’t like her comment about what people were saying about me. I’d known for awhile that I was gathering a particular reputation, but I hadn’t realized it was so hostile.

I grabbed my jacket off the back of my chair and left the office. There was no way I was going to be able to focus on a bunch of jumbled spreadsheets now.

Chapter Four

By the time I got to the underground garage and started my car, I realized I didn’t want to go home. It would be too quiet and I didn’t want to be left alone with my thoughts and self-loathing. If I hadn’t fucked things up with Jessie’s cousin, I might have actually been tempted to call her. Apart from her moment of clinging at the end, she had been the perfect type of fling. She had done what I wanted, without question, and she was hot.

“Man, Brighton, just fucking things up left, right, and center, huh?” I cursed myself as I sped out of the garage and merged onto the street. I thought about going back to the Opulence club. I’d seen all kinds of kinky things inside the dresser. I remembered the girls there and knew I could get any of them that I wanted. But, something about the experience had left a sour taste in my mouth. I wanted something quieter tonight, not so flashy and over the top.

And I wanted a good drink, not some fluffy cocktail.

My mind made up, I cruised on auto-pilot to my favorite bar. It was a few blocks away from my office and had a pretty killer happy hour. Lots of women gathered there after work and on a Friday, it was bound to be even better than normal. I pulled up along the curb and got out, handing my keys to the valet before going inside. There was soft music playing in the background, and a more laid back atmosphere that instantly made me feel more relaxed. I sat at the bar and ordered a double scotch, on the rocks.

As I sipped at my drink, I pushed the confrontation with Jessie out of my mind. From my seat at the end of the bar, I could see the entire room and watched as people entered and exited. When I started working on my second drink, a woman came through the doors that caught my attention. She was tall, curvy, and wearing a dress that screamed, “Fuck me.”

She scanned the room, like she was looking for someone…or something. When her eyes landed on me, her eyebrows raised slightly. I smiled at her and looked down at the empty seat next to me. She smiled and turned away, going back to searching the room. I kept staring, and after a few minutes, she seemed to abandon the hunt and came over to the bar next to me.

Her skin was a deep olive tone. Her dark hair and dark eyes were set off perfectly by the short, deep blue dress that was clinging to her generous curves.

“A vodka cranberry with lime,” she told the bartender.

I stared at her ass.

“So, what’s your deal?” she asked, turning her attention back to me. “Were you just gonna sit there and eye fuck me all night long? Or actually come over and say hello?”

I nearly spit out my drink. She laughed at my reaction. It was rare that anyone caught me off guard like that. By the way her eyes were dancing—I could tell it had played out just as she had wanted it to.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Very original,” she said. “I’m Evie.”

“Cooper,” I said.

“Cute.”

“Thanks,” I said, smiling as she rolled her eyes. “So, who are you looking for?”