Chapter 18 SIERRA
EIGHTEEN
SIERRA
Crane is a god.
He moves effortlessly through the crowd, and I turn to shoot Kiki a helpless look before allowing him to steal me away. Kiki is far from alone here; she knows more people than I do, that's for damn sure.
Crane is hardly surreptitious in his movements, and I feel eyes on us from every side, but I squeeze his hand, keeping my head down.
My hip is burning from his needle, but as he pushes the door open, he turns to look at me, and I'm dead.
His eyes hold so many secrets, and I want to become one of them. The golden cage he keeps them locked away in must have a key, and I'm determined to find it.
Once outside, Crane turns to me, brushing a stray hair from my eyes.
He searches my gaze, his lips full, parting as though he's going to say something.
My breath hitches in my throat when he clears his throat.
"Before we grab a drink, I need to say something you're not going to like."
I stiffen at his warning but nod regardless.
"Okay…"
"I don't think you should work there, Sierra. I mean it, this isn't me being a dick. That place is dangerous."
"Dangerous? I laugh in the face of danger," I joke, throwing my hair over my shoulder.
Crane doesn't laugh. He clenches his jaw, shaking his head silently.
"Okay, fine. Let's get a drink, yeah?"
I step closer to him, and he nods, casting one last look at Potion.
I follow his gaze with a frown, but he tugs me away, pulling me under his arm.
I'm dizzy in his atmosphere like I’ve climbed a mountain without once taking a breath.
Crane moves me toward a door of a generic bar, and I shiver when he guides me in with his hand on the small of my back.
The bar has soft music playing and plenty of spare tables.
"It's a bit quiet…" I observe with a frown, but Crane smiles.
"It's safe, at least. Whiskey, right?"
He gazes at me, his eyes trailing over my lips.
This man is stripping me bare without using any movements whatsoever, and it's bending my mind.
I nod, watching him stride to the bar.
The girl serves him two whiskeys, and they laugh at something as he smells them, winking at her before turning to me.
"Here, whiskey with water."
No one asks him for my ID, and I don’t bring it up. Still, I shoot the girl a glare which Crane catches, a smirk on his lips.
"She goes to college with me."
"One of many girls, I bet.” I swirl the liquid in my glass, watching the ice slide around in the amber liquid.
Crane rolls his eyes.
"Wait, we just kissed, right?"
Lifting the glass to my lips, I tilt my head to the side. "What difference does that make? If you've been with her, you've been with her."
I know I sound petulant, but I'm jealous, fuck it.
"But right now, I'm having a drink with you," he reminds me, lifting his eyebrows. "My buddy's little sister."
"You know Kai doesn't care what happens with us," I point out, winking as I down the whiskey. It's the only way I can drink right now, by way of shots.
Crane stares at me like I've just told him I want his children.
"Us?"
Oh, shit.
"You know what I mean," I respond quickly. "I don't mean us as in a relationship."
Crane laughs, leaning back in his chair. His top clings to his muscles, his fingers stroking his lips.
"You're going red, Sierra. What are you thinking about?"
"I was just admiring you."
Crane holds his hand over his heart, making a low whistling noise as he shakes his head.
"You're smooth."
"Word on the street is you're the smooth one.” I tap the glass before me as he throws back his head, covering his eyes with his hands.
"I'm not getting you another drink, sweetheart."
"Why?!" I demand, dragging my hair over to one shoulder, leaning forward so he can see my cleavage.
Is it so bad that I want to seduce him?
"I see you, Sierra." Crane leans forward, his eyes locked on mine.
My heart skips a beat when he allows his eyes to drop, taking in every inch of me before meeting my eyes once more. "I know what you're doing."
"Yeah?"
"Look, Sierra, you and me…."
"Nope, don't say it," I warn him, lifting my hand in the air. "Can't we just be a couple in a bar for one night?"
His eyes burn with desire, yet I can see he's holding himself back.
He can't.
Not now I've tasted him.
"One night?" Crane whispers, leaning forward with a grin. "I live with you; how the fuck would it be one night?"
I lick my lips, glancing around us before twirling a strand of hair around my finger.
"Maybe the sex would be shit."
Crane blinks with surprise before laughing, his face transforming into a version of him I've never seen before.
"We both know that's not true."
It's like someone has turned up the temperature in the bar, and as a bead of sweat drips down my back, I wriggle in my seat, wondering if I'm brave enough to ask for what I want.
"Just one night, Crane."
"I'm not a relationship type of guy, Sierra. I'm more like Jaden in that respect, and look what a dick he is."
"A bad boy? A player? Good in bed? Commitment issues?" I throw back at him, using a napkin as a fan.
It's so warm in here.
Crane purses his lips, crossing his arms over his chest as he gazes at me.
"Yeah, something like that."
I lean forward, stealing his whiskey and knocking it back in one go. My finger trails down his jaw, and I lift from my seat, moving around so I'm sitting on his knee.
Crane instinctively holds me but glances around us uncomfortably.
"Then sign me the fuck up." I drop my mouth to his, allowing him to taste me. He grips my ass, his tongue moving against mine. "Do I taste of whiskey yet, Crane?"
"I don't know, come back here."
Crane tugs me down to his lips, and he drops me down slightly, so he's the only reason my ass isn't sprawled over the floor right now.
The kissing is erotic and sensual, and I'm here for it.
Crane breaks the kiss, his mouth centimetres away from mine.
"One night? No dramatic shit, no expectations, nothing?" Crane asks, his hand squeezing my ass harder.
I shouldn't, not with Crane.
He's capable of walking away from me, and I have to make sure I can separate my feelings from what looks like a one-night thing.
But I don't want a relationship.
"Same goes for you. No jealousy."
Crane smiles faintly.
"I'm always jealous of anyone who gets to touch you, Sierra."
Dizziness owns me, and I want to delve deeper, asking what he means.
Give me examples, you fit fuck.
"Then let me know how it feels to envy yourself because tonight, I want your touch all over me."
Crane nods, holding my chin between his finger and thumb.
"Don't tell Kai. He thinks we should be married."
He curls his lip up in disgust, and a part of me dies inside.
"Me and you? Married?" I scoff, rolling my eyes. "You couldn't keep up with me if you tried."
Crane gives me a half-smile, his hand pushing under my skirt as he holds my gaze. His thumb rubs my inner thigh, and I inhale sharply.
"Let me at least try, Sierra."