It’s not a lie. Iamflirting—sort of. Enough to keep my eyes anywhere but where Quinn is dancing with Kyle.
The music picks up and Lilah spins beneath my arm. That’s when movement across the room snags my attention and my breath catches in my throat.
Quinn.
Dancing Coyote-Ugly-style on top of the bar.
A chorus of catcalls and whistling echo through the bar as her blond hair tumbles over her shoulders and her hips sway with way too much confidence.
Shit.
I’d taken my eyes off her for five minutes.
My feet stop moving before I even realize it, and I make some lame excuse to Lilah, leaving her alone on the dance floor without a second thought.
Not only are the men at the bar all watching, but a few of them are trying to cop a feel whenever she dances by.
My heart pounds wildly and adrenaline pumps through my veins as I rush up to the bar where she’s putting on a damn good show, sundress lifting just enough to make my pulse jump as she spins.
I had no idea she had moves like that in her arsenal. She’s always been so sweet and innocent. This is a wild side I’ve never seen from her, andwhile I’d love to watch the show, I don’t want any of these other assholes seeing it.
Relief is clear on Paula’s face when I finally make it through the crowd surrounding the bar. I slap my palm on the bar top and raise my voice over the music.
“Quinn! Time to go!”
A bunch of the guys let out groans of disappointment. My jaw clenches as I shoot them all a daggered stare.
Quinn’s smile hits me right in the chest. “Why? I’m having fun,” she says, words slurred.
She nearly tumbles off the bar, saved by Chase’s quick grip. His hands vanish a second later—probably remembering how things went down the last time he crossed me.
“You got some food you can throw in a bag for us to go, Paula?” I ask.
Herds isn’t known for its high-end fare, but the greasy bar food is perfect for soaking up some bad decisions.
“Comin’ right up, sweetie,” Paula says, already moving.
I tilt my head toward Quinn. “Come on, Quinnie. Let’s get some food in you.”
She pouts but eventually starts toward me. I reach up and take her hand in mine, steadying her with the other on her hip as she hops off the bar. My pulse skyrockets as her warm body presses against mine, but I smother the desire flaring inside me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Kyle demands behind me.
“Taking her home,” I grind out, not in the mood to deal with his brand of asshole.
“She came here with me. If anyone’s taking her home, it's gonna be me.”
I give him a quick once-over. He’s taller. Broader. And could probably take me in a fight. I don’t give a damn.
“If you think I’m letting my best friend’s little sister anywhere near you when she can’t even walk straight, you’re even stupider than I thought.”
I don’t trust him with Quinn as far as I can spit.
This guy had already been too handsy with Sawyer once. She’d handled it herself, dousing him in bourbon after he didn’t back off. But Quinn? She’s in no shape to deal with someone like him.
“I don’t want to go home,” she whines, dragging out her words.
Damn adorable.
