Bare Skin (Skin Deep 5)

Prologue

Calland

I waved goodbye to my sister and sauntered over to the bar, leaning against it beside the redhead I’d been eyeing all night.

She’s fucking gorgeous, pierced and inked up, and had legs for days, but the prickly vibes she was throwing off was keeping most of the fuckwads around here away.

Not me, though. I had to talk to her, just once, to try and break past that wall she had up and get her to smile. Even if I crashed and burned like Leah thought was gonna happen.

She was steadfastly ignoring me, but I still gave it a shot.

“You’re new in town. What’s a beautiful girl like you doing in a backwoods place like this?”

Her lips curled into a smirk as she turned to face me. “Really? That’s what you’re leading with?” she snorted.

I shrugged. “Not leading with anything, just making conversation. I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. You are beautiful…but you know that. And you’re definitely new in town, because I’d remember that face.”

She tilted her head, studying me for a brief moment before opening her mouth and dropping me. “Okay, stud. You’re a good looking guy. Used to getting what you want, right? So, right now, you’re expecting me to bat my lashes, twist my hair, giggle, and blindly follow you home for a brainless night of mediocre sex,” she said in disgust. “Am I close?”

“Ouch. Mediocre? Not close at all. Mind-blowing, maybe,” I couldn’t help but retort, regretting it almost as soon as the words left my lips.

She rolled her eyes and twisted back around, blowing me off.

I tried again. “You’ve got me all wrong, Red. I didn’t have you pegged for the simpering, giggly girl. You’re all woman, and that’s clear to see, but damn. My bad for attempting to make conversation with you.” I stood straight, intending to walk away, stopping only when I felt a soft, small hand grab my wrist.

I looked at her, one eyebrow raised in question, not saying anything.

“Look, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m here looking for someone and I don’t have time to mess around with every hot Tom, Dick, or Harry that glances my way.”

“Good thing my name is Calland, then,” I said, winking at her.

Her lips twitched but she never let the smile come, just shook her head.

But that lip twitch left me determined to see her smile.

I extended my hand to her and she took it automatically, shaking it as I winked at her and said, “Hi. I’m Calland. Come here often?”

***