Callan scowled. “Aye, sure, no problem.”
It did, in fact, sound like it was a big problem. I gave him a look that I hoped conveyed that I’d explain later. Then I followed Iain freaking Erstwhile onto the dance floor.
“I’m Beth Carmichael,” I introduced myself as I began swaying in his arms. He was a gentleman and kept an appropriate amount of space between us.
Iain raised an eyebrow. “Not Braden’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
He frowned. “May I ask what age you are?”
“Twenty-four.”
Iain relaxed and murmured, “Old enough.”
Oh boy. Time to steer any thoughts likethatfar, far away. “I run a social media management company. Who does your socials for you?”
His lips twitched with amusement. “I asked you to dance because as soon as you walked in the room, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I really don’t want to talk business with such a beautiful woman in my arms.”
Damn it. I gave him a flirty but abashed smile. “I came here with a date.”
“Callan Keen’s reputation is well known. I assumed it isn’t serious.”
Oh, he had been paying attention. “You assumed incorrectly,” I lied.
“Ah, pity.” His dark eyes moved over my face. “If you ever change your mind …” He released me to pull a card out of his suit pocket. “Call me.”
I took the card. “And if I ever want to talk business?”
Iain grinned. “Sure. Call me then too.”
“Great.” I stepped back. With a little wave of his business card, I turned on my heel and sashayed toward Callan, feeling good about myself. Callan, however, was already coming toward me.
Suddenly, he looked very tall and broad-shouldered as he marched across the room, green eyes icy with anger. My clutch dangled in his clenched fist. I opened my mouth to explain, but when he reached me, he took a hold of my elbow, his grip tight as he guided us toward the door that led to the restroom. I could practically feel the anger vibrating off him.
“He’s the CEO of Pennington’s,” I explained. “I got his business card.”
Callan didn’t respond. Instead, he dragged me down the corridor, past people queuing for the loo, and I tried not to look like a drama was playing out between us.
He hauled me along with him, around the corner and out of sight. As soon as we had privacy, he halted and pressed me up against the wall. His hands braced at either side of my head, my clutch hitting off it with a worrying thud.
“If you break that, you buy it,” I warned.
Then Callan leaned his whole body into me. And I felt him.
He was aroused.
I sucked in a breath as excitement flushed through me. “What are you doing?”
He searched my face, his chest rising and falling against mine. “I don’t know,” he admitted hoarsely. “At this point, I just needed you away from all the bastards who want in your knickers.”
“You’re jealous?” I whispered, licking my suddenly dry lips.
Callan’s gaze dropped to my mouth. “It would seem so.” His breathing harshened. “Beth … Beth …”
“Captain?”
He crushed his mouth over mine, and I was vaguely aware of the sound of my clutch hitting the ground as his hands tangled in my hair. His tongue pushed against mine until I opened my mouth with a gasp. My belly squeezed deep and low as he took me with ravenous hunger.
