Page 30 of Oracles Always Win

Isquished up my nose.Whatwas wrong with me?First,I’dwanted to lick his dimple and now his jawline.WhydidIkeep wanting to stick my mouth on him?I’dnever had an oral fixation before.Couldyou develop one as an adult?

Thatwas just one more thing for me to look up on the internet tomorrow.

RightafterIread up on demi-sexuals again.MaybeIwasGage-sexual.Wasthat a thing?Becausemy libido was fixated on him.

Ibrushed my fingers over my lips and sworeIcould still feel the way his lips had moved over mine and how his hips had felt, wedged between my thighs.Iwanted to feel that again…

“Youokay?”Jeremyasked, startling me. “Youlook a little flushed.”

Ijerked my fingers from my lips. “Yep.Justfine.”

Jeremylooked over atGage, seemingly aware of whoI’dbeen staring at. “Isuppose he is handsome, if you like dark, powerful, and slightly unhinged.”

Ifocused on yanking the freshly cleaned pint glasses from the dishwasher and stacking them on the shelf.

“Doyou want to meet him?”

“Oh, uh…Idid already.”

“Youknow…”Jeremysaid with exaggerated slowness, as he sidled over to me and bent his head close to mine. “Ithink he is a little lonely.Wouldyou be interested in going on a date with him?It’dbe fun.”Hewatched my face carefully.Whateverhe saw had him nodding and smiling. “It’sdecided.Thefour of us will go out somewhere together.”

“Idon’t really go on blind dates…”Orany dates at all.AlthoughIwould love to spend time withGage, some selfish part of me wanted it to be just the two of us.Alone.

“Ididn’t date a lot either, untilAdrian.Sometimesthe heart wants what the heart wants and nothing else will do.I’msure we can come up with something fun to do to take the pressure off it being adatedate…”Hetapped his finger to his chin. “Whatdo you think about line dancing or karaoke?”

Iducked my head down to hide my horror. “I’llthink about it.”

IfIhad to go on a double date—andJeremystruck me as someone who’d badger me until he got his way—Iwould prefer not having to do anything embarrassing.

WhatI’dreally prefer was to slipGagemy number later whenJeremywasn’t looking.Ifhe was interested, we could do something with just the two of us.And, ifIwas super lucky, it’d involve very few clothes and a flat surface.

OrmaybeI’djust dream about giving it to him while avoiding their table and staying safely on my side of the bar likeIhad all night long.

Thatseemed more likely.

Honestly,Iwas luckyJeremyhad volunteered to help me tonight, because he’d taken over delivering drinks to their table.Ifit’d been left to me alone, they wouldn’t have had any service becauseI’dbe too self-conscious to do it.

Andhow wasIgoing to turn this business around ifIshied away from customers?

Then, suddenly, everyone atGage’stable stood up.

Ihadn’t found the courage to approachGageyet, and now he was leaving.Everyeye in the place was on them.Therewas no wayI’dmake my move now when everyone was watching.I’dfinally found someoneIwas attracted to, andIstill couldn’t get things to go my way.Howtypical of my life.

Vanapproached the bar and gave me enough money to pay for everyone’s bill and more. “CanIshow these folks around the place?They’reprivate consultants.Thoughtwe’d try to track down more of those things that were stolen.”

Ifrowned asIrifled through the cash register forVan’schange. “Thatreally isn’t necessary.Idon’t even know what’s missing.”Iglanced down and my cheeks heated. “AndIcan’t afford to hire people like that.Thatstuff is long gone.Idon’t need it, soI’mhappy to just forget all about it.Besides,Idon’t want anyone else getting hurt looking for thingsIdon’t care about.Ashis looking better now, but it could have been so much worse.”Ishivered at the memory of him in the hospital after he’d been shot during an attempted robbery here.He’dbeen so pale as he slept.Inever wanted anything like that to happen again.Notunder my roof.

Thedark-haired guy who’d come in withGagescowled at me.HadIsaid something to piss him off?

“Youdon’t need to pay for anything, okay?”Vansaid as he rapped on the bar with his knuckles.Thenhe waved away the changeIheld out to him. “Keepit.So, is it okay if we look around?”

“Idon’t want anyone to get hurt.”Iwhispered. “Can’twe just…Idon’t know…Forgetabout it?”

Haydenstepped up besideVan.Hiseyes had an unusual softness to them as he reached over the bar and cupped the back of my neck in his warm palm.Thiswasn’t the first time he’d touched me like that, butIwas always surprised at how nice it was.Howsafe it made me feel.

Ifelt the weight of everyone’s gaze.

“We’llbe safe,”Haydensaid as he held my gaze. “Butwe need to find all the people involved with what happened.”