Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(80)

I scanned the crowd near the bar for Shaz. “I’m sure it won’t be long. Calm down booze hound.”

“We got you something, too, Lex. It’s back at the house. Too big to carry in here. Want to know what it is or should we keep it a surprise?” Kylarai’s smile lit up her whole face. The pain was still there, in the depths of her eyes, but she wasn’t letting it define her every moment. I was glad to see the strength that I knew was inside her.

“No, don’t tell her,” Zoey interrupted. “It’s one of those things she just has to see.”

I was curious to see what kind of gift those two would come up with together. I sensed Shaz’ approach and looked up to find him juggling a tray laden with drinks. My heart skipped a beat as I drank him in.

His hair was stylishly spiked so that it went every which way. He was casual but sexy in blue jeans, a black t-shirt and a leather jacket, my favorite look for him. Watching him glide through the crowd, deftly maneuvering the tray to avoid any spills, I might have swooned a little. He could still make my heart race.

“It’s about time,” Jez proclaimed when he set the tray before us. She wasted no time setting tequila shots in front of each of us. With a wry smile she raised her shot in a toast. “To Alexa, for making it longer than I ever thought she would. Bottom’s up, my friends.”

I slid over in the booth so Shaz could sit beside me. His musky wolf and pine scent hit me, and I savored it. I still felt ill when I thought of what he’d been up to at The Wicked Kiss, but I knew I had to deal with it since I had gotten him wrapped up with vampires in the first damn place. All that mattered was that I needed him. We’d overcome so much already. We were strong enough to survive this, too.

I wrinkled my nose and grimaced even before the tequila hit my tongue. Drinking bathroom cleaner had to taste better than this. A slice of lime took the edge off, but it didn’t stop me from cursing at the empty shot glass.

“I don’t know how you can drink that shit, Jez. It’s a slap in the mouth.” Shuddering, I reached for a double shot of whiskey instead.

Jez helped herself to another tequila. “Don’t be so weak. This is the stuff that’ll show you what you’re made of.”

The table dissolved into a debate over the nastiest alcoholic drinks in existence. I was content to drink my whiskey and listen to them compare everything from moonshine to absinthe. It all sounded nasty to me.

Shaz leaned in close so I could feel his breath on my ear. “So, no Arys yet?”

“Not yet. He’ll be the last to arrive. Like always.” I couldn’t help but look toward the front entry even though I’d feel his arrival before I saw it.

I observed our fellow patrons with casual curiosity. I think I almost missed the place a little. At least I did until Casey walked in.

The tall, skinny brunette was Shaz’ neighbor. She was also interested in him, or she had been at one point. I watched her saunter through the club to the bar. She looked our way briefly, her gaze locking on Shaz. Oddly enough, I felt no real animosity toward her. All it took was remembering the vampiress that had sunk fangs into my white wolf to make Casey look like a child in comparison. All those times I’d felt threatened by her seemed so pitiful now.

Pretending not to notice Casey, I turned my attention back to the conversation. Somehow a body shots reference had steered the topic to sex and drunken one night stands. I didn’t have any one night stand experience myself.

“This one chick had a full dominatrix dungeon in her basement.” Jez said between shots. “But, I told her, no deal. I don’t play the submissive for anyone. If there’s going to be a top, it’ll be me.”

Though Shaz might never say so, I’m sure he would have been happy to listen to her sexcapades all night. Kylarai’s eyes widened slightly, and she blushed. This kind of blatant discussion wasn’t quite her style. I laughed, having heard far crazier stories from Jez than that. Zoey regarded her with a smirk. Her intense blue eyes showed intrigue.

“Oh, come on you guys.” Jez slapped a hand down on the table. “I can’t be the only one with crazy one night stand stories. Fess up.”

“None here,” I said truthfully.

“No,” her green cat eyes flashed with mischief. “But, I know you have some wild three-way stories. Do tell.”

I laughed, embarrassed as heat rushed to my cheeks. “Hell no. You’re doing a great job of entertaining us on your own.”

Shaz squirmed beside me. He was feeling the burn of being the only male in attendance. “Good Lord, I never thought I’d say this, but I almost wish Arys was here.” He laughed uncomfortably and sipped from his beer. As an afterthought he added, “And, don’t any of you dare tell him I said that.”

Kylarai tossed a lime wedge at him, aiming for his head. She missed. “I can’t believe you just said that. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Trust me. You haven’t seen anything. Nothing has changed.” With an eye roll, Shaz downed the last of his beer and reached for a tequila shot. At the rate the booze was going down, this was going to be a hell of a birthday.

“Wait a minute.” Jez held up a hand, her grin growing wider. “Nothing? Are you saying you and the vampire don’t get a little kinky when you’re both with Alexa? Because I find that hard to believe.”