The night wore on as I tried drink after drink, always using my Cosmo as a chaser. It wasn’t a ton of booze, but it was enough that I was looser than normal, a low heat running through my limbs. A small, amused crowd had gathered for my taste test, every time voting on whether I’d like the beverage or not. I had not been an easy grader, but I had finally reached the last few drinks. Next up was a shot with whipped cream on top. “What’s that?”

A huge grin spread over Bell’s face. “That, my friend, is a blowjob shot.”

The crowd around us tittered, and I took a step back. “Oh, hell no. I’m not drinking anything with that name.” The eyes on me made my skin prickle. All I could think about was what they might be whispering to each other about me.

Bell’s hands went to her hips. “Come on, don’t be a spoilsport. I’ll do one with you.”

Bell never drank on the job. Her offer meant there was no way I could say no. I groaned. Bell cheered in victory. “Make me one, would you, Cupcake?”

My lips twitched at the nickname. “Yeah, Cupcake, make her a shot.” Ford glared at me, which only made me smile wider.

He poured the shot and added whipped cream to the top. “You know you ladies have to take this one in the standard form.”

Bell pressed her lips together as if holding back a laugh. “Of course.”

My gaze darted between the two of them. They were up to something, and I didn’t like it one bit. “What does that mean?”

Crosby crowded in close, his heat warming my side. “Hands behind your back.”

My face scrunched. “Then how am I supposed to take the shot?”

Heat flooded his eyes. “Mouth only.”

My gaze snapped to Bell. “No way.”

“Come on, Kenna.” She held her hands up in an exaggerated motion, clasping them behind her back. “Don’t chicken out on me now.”

I glared at her but did the same. I followed her lead and wrapped my lips around the shot glass, tipping it back. The small crowd cheered. And the liquid that slid down my throat was the beginning of the end.

15

Kenna

I groaned as my alarm went off. The sound seemed to reverberate around the room and through my skull. I patted my nightstand, searching for the blasted devil machine so I could make it stop. After a few missteps and knocking my phone to the floor, I finally hit the off button.

I rolled to my back, the motion making my stomach pitch and roll. I felt like death warmed over. Was I getting the flu?

“You awake?”

I jolted to a sitting position at the sound of that husky voice, my world going just a bit blurry. “What the hell are you doing here?”