“The drinks are free. And no.” I tried wriggling out from under him. “Please, get off of me.”
“Huh?”
“She said getoff,” David’s voice boomed a second before he yanked the guy’s arm, twisted it, and sent him flying back toward the dancefloor. David positioned himself in front of me and towered over the stocky blond, whose face flashed with a new alertness. “What the fuck don’t you understand aboutget off?” David said, shoving him into his friend.
The friend yelled something, holding up his palms, but I couldn’t hear over the music. They hurried away and ran right into security.
David turned to tower overme. “You need to start paying more attention to—”
“What the hell are you doing?” I sizzled. “I can take care of myself.”
“Clearly you can’t,” he said. “Those guys—”
“Were completely harmless.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Forget it.” I pivoted on my heel. “I’m leaving.”
“Hang on,” he started.
I spun around to cut him off. “Stay here. Go find Amber and have a good time,” I muttered, craning my neck to look for Gretchen.
“I’ve barely looked at anyone else tonight, meanwhile Brian’s slobbering all over you,” he said. “I didn’t think he was your type.”
“I don’thavea type, David.I’m married.”
David took a step closer and the thrum he’d inspired in me gave way to a full-body vibration. “So you keep saying,” he said, staring me down. “I’m beginning to wonder if you flirt with all of them the way you flirt with me.”
I balled my hands into fists on each side of me. “I was trying to set him up with Gretchen. You were standing right there.”
David’s eyes dropped to my hand as I tugged down the hem of my dress.
“And I don’t,” I said.
“Don’t?” he repeated, riveted as my fingertips grazed against my bare thigh.
I lowered my voice and rasped, “Flirt with them. Flirt with anyone, actually, the way I flirt with you.”
He blinked from my hand to my eyes. I had his attention now.
“Goodnight, David,” I said and turned to leave.
“Olivia,” he commanded and grasped my wrist. “Stop running away.”
His touch sent electricity up my arm, threatening to zap any resolve I’d been clinging to not to give in to him. “Don’t,” I said, withdrawing.
I went directly for the elevator, impatiently punching the button.
“Where are you going?” David asked my back.
“Home.”
“This isyourevent,” he said.
“I have to be up early,” I said. It wasn’t a lie. I’d promised George from the local animal shelter I’d spend the day helping him plan their annual masquerade ball. “Just go back to the party, David.”
The numbers above the elevator car stayed at the lobby.
