Page 119 of Red Marked

“Can you stop sounding like you’re having an orgasm every time you eat?”

“No, I can’t. Deal with it!”

Flint leans back against the booth. He hasn’t touched his food.

“Please, Star.” He lowers his voice. “Please don’t go home with one of these males.”

“Relax, you idiot.” I take another onion ring. “I won’t! Did you really think I would?”

He folds his arms. “So, all of this was to make me jealous? It was one big game to⁠—?”

“You do realize I can accept a dance and a stupid shot without going home with anyone.” I point the onion ring at him. “I never planned on leaving here with one of them, you idiot.”

“Then why the whole song and dance?”

“Because you’re irritating me, that’s why.” I put the onion ring down. “You’re being jealous and possessive, and you have zero right to be. That’s all.”

He huffs out a breath. Then he looks at the ceiling before looking back at me.

“You’re right.” He waves a hand at the room. “Go dance with that asshole if you want.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You’re killing me with the mind games. Fuck!”

“There are no mind games.” I say it slowly, so it sinks in. “I was clear in that hotel room. So were you. And then you…” I point at him. “You’re the one sending mixed signals here, not me. You, Flint. You blurred those lines.”

He just stares at me.

“Shit.” He makes a noise in the back of his throat and leans forward on his forearms. “Here’s the deal. We’re attracted to each other. It’s…” He frowns like the word is stuck somewhere. “Messing with me a little. I am jealous, and I have no right to be. I’m sorry.”

“Was that so hard?”

“Star! Don’t…please.”

“I’m allowed to be a little pissed at you.”

“You’re right. Look, maybe it would be best if we fucked. Just while we’re here. Get whatever the hell this is out of our systems, and then we go back to the rehab facility, and we move on.” He looks at me. “It can’t be anything more…ever. What do you think?”

I sit back. I pick up my beer and drink and take my time putting it down. I look at the jukebox, then at the male at the far end of the bar, who looks away fast. I let the quiet stretch because Flint deserves to squirm, and squirm he does. His hand opens and closes on the table. He picks up a fry and puts it down again. His jaw is tight. His eyes blaze.

“Star,” he finally growls, sounding agitated.

“Are you sure you want this? I don’t want to mess with your celibacy journey.”

“You won’t. I’ll get right back on the bus when we leave here. Unless, by some miracle, we solve this case before then, but it isn’t looking like it. What do you say?”

“I don’t know.” Maybe I am toying with him a little at this point, but I feel like he deserves it.

“Come on, Star. You’re being unreasonable. What! Do! You! Think?”

“I think,” I say, “that we should probably get our wings to go.”

“You want to leave right away?” He blinks at me. Then at the food. “I thought you’d put food before everything.”

“Nope. Not this time.” I slide out of the booth and hold out my hand. “Give me a couple of orgasms, and then I’ll eat.”

He laughs and takes my hand.