Slam: A Bad Boy Romance (2 page)

This woman was
not
going to be as easy as I had thought. I wasn't used to that, women tend to melt when I just breathe in their direction.

To have her stand there, unfazed by me...

A surge of electricity raced through my lungs.

Now, I needed her more.

Pounding down my drink, my body heated from head to toe. Once you passed the first three, the rest flowed without a blink or shudder.

Eventually, she'll have to come back.
That I knew.

My eyes followed her body with every move. I felt like a cat being teased with a toy. Her hourglass shape mesmerized my mind. I couldn't look away, couldn't shake my head from its position.

She was so god damn sexy.

Several minutes had passed, watching her, aching to feel her. I gripped my cock and adjusted it in my pants. Her body sent waves radiating towards me.

I lifted my hand up and gestured her over with my empty glass. “Ready for another?” she asked, pulling a yellow towel from her apron to wipe her hands.

“Not exactly. I'm still curious, what's your name?” I leaned forward and rested my arms on the bar.

Her eyes widened, the lights hitting her irises turning the blue to crystal as she took in the ink cascading down my flesh. “Cadence, happy now? Can I get back to work?”

Cadence, that's pretty.

“Don't you want to know my name?” I asked. I couldn't lower the grin painted on my face.

“No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.” Fire shot off her tongue with gusto. She was tough. Then again, she had to be. The woman worked around a bunch of drunk assholes.

That type of environment could cause even the sweetest old lady to grow skin strong as lead.

Leaning back on my stool I said, “Well, for that, no. Now I won't tell you. And you can't make me.” My smirk widened, exposing my teeth. I lifted my hand scratching my chin. “But, I could be swayed.”

Her stare was blank. “Alright, then. So, you want me to play your game. What would sway you?” Her head tilted to the side as she spoke.

She expected me to blurt it out, fill her with cheesy pick up lines, but she's not that type of girl. I realized that quickly.

Cadence was a woman, a real woman. My approach had to be different with her. This was a situation where less was more.

My lips puckered with thought as my eyes searched her expressionless face. “Just ask,” I said.

Her eyes narrowed. “Just ask? Just ask what? Your name?” Light crinkles rested on her forehead.

“Quinn, my name is Quinn. I'm glad you asked. It's nice to meet you Cadence.” A soft laugh escaped my mouth.

Her eyes rolled playfully. “
Really?
  I have to give you some credit, that was slick. You want another drink,
Quinn?
” she asked, her lips trying not to release a smile.

I could see it though, her lip lifting towards her ear, the muscles trying to keep it in place.

I shrugged my shoulders up. “What can I say, I have a way with words... and other things.” My eyes gleamed beneath slitted lids. “Hit me with one more.”

Cadence's face flushed red, the apples of her cheeks enhanced. I wanted to run my hands across them, feel the warmth that just rippled through her flesh. Painfully my cock pressed against my zipper, ready to bust through the material.

Quickly her body turned, eyes darting around the bar, avoiding contact with mine.

There it is, I'm finding my way in. She'll be screaming my name in no time.

I was entranced by her, she was one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen.

Why is a woman like that working here? Did she come here for a shot at stardom? Modeling maybe?

There had to be a reason she was working in this shit hole. New York was a tough city to live in. A lot of people moved here hoping to become famous. Whether it was on Broadway, or with a big magazine.

For most, that moment never came.
Could this be her too?

Here with big city eyes, only to find dead ends, never getting her big start? Doors slamming closed on her dreams, leaving her to scrounge for tips.

The glass came down much lighter this time. I reached for it instantly, brushing my finger across her wrist. Her face fell towards the floor, eyes peering up as she yanked her arm back. “Thanks, doll.”

“
Doll?
What did you ask my name for if you were just going to call me something else?” Her brow arched up, palm fixed on the seam of her jeans.

“I like the sound it makes when it rolls off my tongue. But, it's not the only thing my tongue is good at rolling.” My head tilted to the side, eyes riding over her curves.

A tremor ran through her body, the ripple was subtle, but I caught it and she knew it. Her hand drew up to the base of her head, shifting her gaze between me and the ceiling.

Straightening her neck, her spine followed. “Are you always this full of shit? Pervert.” Her lips held firm, pursing tightly.

No matter how hard she tried to pretend I hadn't just dampened her panties, her tits lifting rapidly with air, thighs squeezing together so tightly they could crush a fucking rock, told me differently.

Suddenly, from the other side of the bar, a bang echoed. The glasses shook against the track, rattling into each other.

Cadence whipped her head over her shoulder. Her thick mane followed, cascading onto her chest.

“Hey! How about some service over here!?” The voice bellowed through the musty air.

I watched her demeanor change immediately. Her back became rigid, every muscle tensed in her face. Stepping towards, him she spoke with a firmness. “Excuse me? How about you ask that again, only this time ask nicely.” An open palm rested against her hip.

Anger rained over the man's face. “I don't have to do shit. Get me my drink and we won't have any problems.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

“You can get the hell out if you're going to talk to me that way,” she said as she pointed towards the door.

She's feisty, I like that. A woman who doesn't take shit, that's a fucking turn on.

I watched him, took in his presence. He was a big guy, with long hair pulled back tight against his head in a pony tail. His muscles bulged through the tight v-neck shirt, veins pulsed down his neck as he spoke. “Didn't I just tell you to get me my fucking drink? If you know what's good for you, you'll turn your little ass around and do your job.” His finger raised close to her face.

Who the fuck is this guy?

My blood began to boil the more he disrespected her. I wasn't going to let this asshole talk to her like that.

I didn't come here looking for a fight, but that shit didn't fly with me.

As much as I wanted to have my way with her, a woman still deserved respect. I didn't care who it was, no man would ever talk to a girl like that while I was around.

I wouldn't stand for it.

“Look, Nico. I don't know who you think you are, but you can't just go around here barking orders. Maybe you should remember who you work for!” Cadence yelled. If her words had form, they would have been razors to tear him apart.

The man's lip curled to one side, his body leaned in close, hovering over the bar. His image reflected back over the glossy lacquer of the wood. “I'm going to tell you one more time. I want my drink and I want it now. You have one fucking job to do, Cadence. Don't make this more difficult for yourself.” His mangled fingers gripped the edge fiercely, knuckles whitened as the blood drained from them.

Is he trying to intimidate her?

No, this ends now. She's had enough.

And so have I.

Picking up my glass, the alcohol flooded my throat. With a quick grimace it was down and I was standing. A deep inhale of the stale air filled my lungs.

“Who the—” She began to say.

I cut Cadence's words off before she could finish. “Is this guy bothering you?” I asked. My chest puffed out, arms rigid and flexing.

The man turned to his buddies behind him as he spoke. “Really? Mind your own business, asshole. This doesn't involve you.” His eyes slowly reconnected to mine, a deep laugh rolled outwards into my face.

A bubbling anger inflamed my gut. I glared into the emotionless eyes of the predator before me. My hands clenched by my sides, fingers buried so deeply into my palms, I was sure blood would soon trickle off my knuckles.

“Quinn, don't. You don't need to do this. Let me just handle it. You don't know this guy.” Her voice was sincere. Trying to coax me out of my stance, her hand came up to rest on my shoulder.

“Yes, I do have to do this,” I said, never breaking eye contact with him. “You need to leave.” Each word fell strong against my tongue.

Cadence had called him Nico. She knew the man that had so wrongly talked down to her, who disrespected her with such ease.

Regardless, Nico made the mistake of doing that in front of me.

The two guys with him covered their mouths and laughed. One of the men in a black leather jacket hit Nico in the shoulder while barking, “Take him out, Nico.” I noticed his nose was slightly askew on his face, his smile a gaping hole of broken teeth as he nudged his friend forward.

Cadence tried to put out the fire. “No! Knock it off! That's enough, just go home you guys.” She threw her hand to the side pointing at the door, eyes narrow as she glared.

“What, Cadence? You don't want me to break your little friend's face?” A crooked smile spread over Nico's cheeks. The hollows of his deep sinister stare expanded wider.

The rage inside me had filled to the brim, between the alcohol and my need to protect her—protect Cadence—from this filthy bastard, there was no stopping myself now.

I stepped forward, brought myself inches from his face. The smell of cheap liquor and sweat filled my lungs. “This is the last time I'm going to tell you to leave. Your last warning, fucker.” The arms of my shirt tightened their grasp around my swelling muscles.

Nico threw his hands against my chest, my stance stood strong. I was a wall between her and him. His arm came up, swinging towards my face. On reflex I gripped his wrist, twisting his arm behind him.

With an open palm, I slammed his face onto the bar. A grunt expelled from his lips. The once glossy surface, now smeared with saliva and blood.

Cadence stood silent. There was no opposing my dominance. No further demand for this to stop.

If I didn't know better, she wanted this.

I half expected his friends to step in, throw a punch from behind, grab my arms and pull me back.

Neither happened. The room fell silent, crowd dispersed around us.

Nico brought his elbow up, hitting me in the ribs. Releasing his arm, I stepped back, catching my breath from the jab.

Fury filled my insides, adrenaline coursed through my veins.

I wanted to look at Cadence, shoot her a glance that this would end here tonight. He wouldn't bother her anymore after I was through with him.

Tomorrow he won't say shit to you.
That I was sure of.

Swiftly Nico turned, arms up ready to fight. He wasn't new to this, I could see he had a few good fights under his belt.

His stance said it all. Arms locked against his face, feet moving around me in circles. Waiting for his next chance to strike.

Unfortunately –
for him—
he didn't know me from a hole in the wall.

His lip drew up, showing his teeth like an animal. A canine, glaring their bite at its prey.

His massive hands lunged at my throat, my fist came up and shot between his arms, connecting with his jaw. A crunch echoed through the room. Without pause my hands gripped the back of his neck. Forcefully, I yanked his head down into my knee. The crackle of his skull was reminiscent of glass shattering against pavement. Nico's body hit the floor, falling limp, lifeless.

Gasps from the around room filled my ears, followed by cheers, then sirens.

Within seconds I was thrown to the floor, a knee in my back, and cuffs on my wrists. Rapidly, I searched the room looking for Cadence.

She was off to the side, a smile on her face as she peered down at Nico. His friends pulled him to his feet; dazed, he rested against the wall. Blood was inching its was down his chin from the split lip already swelling in size.

Her rich blue eyes shifted to mine as the police lifted me to my feet. The room roared to life with excitement.

The lush red lips that had graced me with half a smile before, now shined from ear to ear.

I had made my mark with her. Stamped myself in her memory.

And hopefully, cracked the shell she was encased in.

Cadence

I
stood dazed, staring down at the bits of Nico that remained on the counter. A piece of me didn't want to wipe them away. I wanted to case it off, have it there to remind me of the redemption that flowed through my body.

He had always been such an asshole, placed himself on a pedestal, walked around here like he owned the damn place.

Finally, he got what he had coming. Fucking jerk deserved it.

The truth was, my father owned this bar, not Nico. He was just a pawn in my dad's game of chess, the man who always came out on top; having him around kept my dad's pockets full.

Not tonight, though. Tonight he was kicked off that mountain.

The towel in my hand, once a bright yellow, now mirrored the color of rust as the smears were erased away.

A smile crept up the side of my face.
Why did Quinn do that? He doesn't know me. He knows nothing about this place or who Nico is.

Warmth filled my body, tingles roared to life as I relived that moment. My eyes closed tight, remembering Quinn, seeing his broad shoulders widen, creating a shield. The engorged muscles of his back as they flexed to life.

My god, that was fucking hot.

I wished I had glided my hands down his back, dipped my fingertips into the crevasses of each and every protrusion.

His body looked hard, every piece of him made my heart skip. The instant my eyes rested on the sweet chocolate color of his, my stomach knotted, lungs shivered with each inhale of air.

The indelible art running over his flesh made my pussy wet. A blistering passion clutched my ribs and held me there so I couldn't think straight.