“Nothing important.”
“Liar.” The word was stated without any malice, a strong undercurrent of love bolstering the syllables. “Tell me. I know I’ve been preoccupied, but we’re still besties.”
“I’m having some very unhelpful yo-yo thoughts about my life. Trying to figure it all out, you know?”
Meadow nodded thoughtfully. “Lots of choices ahead of you. Preferably ones that keep you close by, but I know you like to spread your wings. I hope you know I support and love you.”
“I definitely do. I think I might go out for a while, maybe hit up some shopping, and there’s a new club that opened up I’d like to try.”
“Don’t break too many hearts.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Retail therapy helped a bit, but not as much as I was hoping. Making a quick pitstop back at the house, I changed into sensible flats instead of heels, knowing I would have to stand in line at the club. I left my car there and took the car service the pack employed. The line was already a couple of dozen people long when I arrived, but I had my phone to entertain me while we were stuck outside.
When I was finally granted entrance to the coveted space, I went straight to the bar to get a water and a vodka shot. I had no intention of drinking beyond a couple of shots, and I was more thirsty than anything else.
I tossed back the shot and followed it up with the whole glass of water before melting onto the dance floor amid the throngs of people.
A young guy who looked like he had barely graduated high school approached me, and I had to fight the urge to ask if his mommy knew where he was when he asked me to dance.
“No, thank you. But I appreciate you checking instead of trying to grind on me.”
He didn’t look happy about the rejection, but he took it with more grace than I expected.
I let myself get lost in the music, hoping that if I moved my body enough, my mind would let go of the things I couldn’t have.
Well, maybecouldn’thave was a stretch when it came to some of the men occupying my thoughts. Hunter was the only one truly off-limits. The rest, I wasn’tallowingmyself to have. I’d never let a man dictate my choices, and I wasn’t about to get all lovesick over one and let that be the reason I stayed in LA. That had to be because it was best for me, and I refused any alternative.
Moving my body helped my stress drain away. Sometimes that movement was a workout, sometimes rolling around with a lover, but tonight it was dancing. I’d never been particularly self-conscious about how I looked while flailing around in front of people, but that was in part due to my dads and my friends always hyping me up. If anyone ever tried to make me feel bad about myself, they usually got cussed out, and that hadn’t changed in the years since I’d grown up.
A prickle rolled up my spine. I scanned the crowd, but the source didn’t reveal itself. The next song began, and I threwmyself into the beat, letting it sink into my bones and shove away my worries.
Hands laid over my hips, and before I could spin to tell off whoever it was, warm sandalwood hit my nose. “Hey, mama.” Logan’s breath ghosted over my ear, and I shuddered as I leaned into him on instinct.
I didn’t know what he was doing here, but for the moment, I didn’t care. Hooking my arm behind his neck, I kept him right where he was as I continued following the music with his body heat against me. My brain filled with thoughts of him pulling me into a secluded hallway and fucking me silly. I had already dreamed of it, but even being this close to him was proving the reality to be much better. Nothing was stopping us this time.
His groan as I ground my ass against him sent goose bumps down my arms. “I take it this means you’re happy to see me?”
Why was thinking so hard? Every thought was like trying to wade through molasses, so instead of speaking, I tugged him down to where his lips could meet my throat. We weren’t out of place with all of the other writhing couples on the dance floor, but I felt every single pair of eyes that turned to us when I let out a breathy moan.
I didn’t mind being on display for the most part, though I preferred it to beslightlymore private if that sort of sound was being coaxed out of me.
Summoning all of my brain cells, I grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him off the dance floor, all the way to the hallway leading to the bathrooms. Half the space was already occupied by other couples. A frustrated growl fell past my lips.
“Hold on there, mama. What’s happening right now?”
Need clenched hard in my core and I turned plaintive eyes to him.
Realization dawned on him as my peony scent erupted beyond what the de-scenter I’d sprayed on could control.
“I’m not fucking you in front of all of these people, but I’m more than happy to take you home.”
Slick dripped like lava between my thighs. “Let’s go.”
Was it reckless?
Yes.
