Page 71 of Bone’s Choice

I looked at him and he grinned. I did not. Men who had to announce they were dangerous usually weren’t.

“Four beers. Four shots.”

I turned and a hand caught my wrist. I stopped, looked down, and then at the man holding me. “Let go.”

He smiled. “Relax.”

“I’m relaxed.” I looked pointedly at his hand. “You’ve got about two seconds before you’re not.”

His friends got quieter.

The man laughed. “Just trying to get your attention.”

“You had it when I took your order.” His grip loosened and I pulled my wrist free. “Don’t touch me again.”

“Come on, sweetheart,” he tried to coo.

“Nope.”

“What?”

“No, sweetheart.” I did not take bullshit names from half-drunks.

His friends started laughing and his face reddened. “Jesus. You’re uptight.”

“And you’re thirsty. Do you want the beers or not?”

One of his buddies slapped the table. “Just shut the fuck up, Eric.”

Eric glared at him.

I smiled. “See? Eric’s friend gets it.”

The table erupted. Even Eric cracked a reluctant smile.

“Four beers,” he muttered.

“Four beers,” I echoed.

“And the shots.”

“I’ll surprise you.” I turned and then stopped.

Bone was watching me.

He hadn’t gotten out of his chair. Hadn’t come charging across the room. Hadn’t done anything, but the easy expression he’d had while talking to me was gone. Completely.

His beer sat untouched in front of him, his jaw was tight, and his eyes weren’t on me anymore.

They were on Eric. Something about the look made a little shiver run down my spine.

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and Bone’s gaze moved back to me. I gave him a small smile and his jaw relaxed.

“CL, four beers and four shots of something that’ll make them regret asking me to choose,” I rattled off when I got to the bar.

“Malort.”

I stopped. “What’s Malort?”