Free FUEL (DirtSlap Series Book 1) by Ashlynn Pearce

skinny. Wearing her pajamas around Thrand’s house seemed a lot safer than wearing this into town.
    “I don’t think I have the body for this.”
    “Don’t be silly. You’re curvy, and trust me, you’re hot.”
    Thrand was playing a gig tonight at Booseys, and Cassie had the night off. Lila assured her getting gussied up was a fabulous idea and thought Cassie should take advantage of it. Let him see exactly what he was missing. Cassie, on the other hand, had second thoughts. This wasn’t how she wanted to go about things, but she’d tried everything else.
    “Here.” Lila shoved a shot glass in her hand.
    “What? Why?”
    “Liquid courage.”
    Cassie sighed, then downed it, letting the burn settle into her toes.
    “The boots. You gotta change those. I got some great heeled boots—”
    “Oh, no. No heels.” Cassie glanced at her worn, punk-style, combat boots. “These are fine.”
    “All right, but only ‘cause you’re tall anyway. Now, let’s go. I can’t wait to see his face.” Lila dragged her out the door, giggling the whole way.
    The shot was doing its job with Cassie’s tension, until they stood at the entrance.
    “Well, well, Jailbait. Look at you.” Dooley let out a whistle.
    “Thanks.” There wasn’t anything intimidating about him now and she gave him a hug. She pointed at Lila. “Her idea.”
    Lila’s blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “Drastic measures were called for.”
    Dooley narrowed his eyes and bellowed with laughter, his large frame shaking with the deep sound. “Let me guess. This is for Thrand.”
    Heat hit her face at the mention of his name.
    “That boy ain’t gonna know what hit him.”
    “That’s the plan.” Lila snickered and pulled her inside.
    The air whooshed right out of her when she saw Thrand leaning against the bar with a pretty brunette hovering and giggling at something he’d said. Cassie had no rights on him. No holds or promises or anything at all, but the urge to knock that girl flat on her ass was enticing.
    “Oh, this is gonna be good,” Lila said.
    When the girl laid a hand on Thrand’s arm and got closer, Cassie’s blood pounded in her ears and she halted in her tracks. She was too enraged to let her tears fall, but two could play his game.
    “To hell with him.” Cassie turned to Lila. “I think it’s obvious where I stand with him and I’m tired of chasing. He can do whoever the fuck he wants.”
    With that, she sauntered toward bar, gave her hips a little more swing and made sure she turned every male head. She tapped her nails on the bar and grinned at Mick when he walked up.
    “Looking good, Jailbait.”
    “Set ‘em up, Mick. I’m celebrating,” she said then finally met Thrand’s eyes.
    He stared at her, his expression blank. The girl who had her arm curled around his never noticed. She was too busy whispering something in his ear.
    Mick glanced at Thrand then shook his head and chuckled.
    “You got it, baby girl. What are you celebrating?” he asked as he set up two shot glasses and poured the amber liquid.
    “Being…free.” She lifted a glass in Thrand’s direction, downed it, then picked up the other one. “Hey, I can’t drink alone. Mick set Lila up, too.”
    Lila smirked and wiggled her eyebrows as they clinked glasses then downed them at the same time. Cassie didn’t look at Thrand again.
    To hell with him.
    *
    When Thrand saw Cassie, it was all he could do not to gape. Her tanned shoulders were bare, revealing the little indent at her collarbone. How many nights had he spent awake imaging his lips right there? Her laugh was carefree, but when she swung her head he recognized the storm brewing in her eyes. She was on a mission to make his night a living hell, and he had a feeling it had something to do with the girl beside him and the past few weeks of tension.
    The only reason he’d even approached the girl was to drive out thoughts of Cassie. But from the moment the girl opened her mouth, he realized it