Jade.Fiona’s boss.
Fiona chuckled after following my eyeline. “Jade is already trying to recruit your date to speak at our event. She never stops working, I swear.”
“Right.” I cleared my throat and hated how I reacted to seeing him with another woman. I didn’t want to be his…but I didn’t like him having anyone else?
God, I need a drink.I snatched a flute of champagne from a waiter and downed it, ignoring Fiona’s pointed look. “Thirsty.” I gestured to my mouth. “Needed to wet my throat from all the gabbing.”
“Suuuure.” She gave me a knowing look I did not appreciate one bit and sauntered to her fiancé. “I can’t wait to see this roller coaster play out.”
“Fuck off, Fi.”
She blew me a kiss, and I chanced glancing at mydateagain. He twirled Jade around and met my eyes just as she dipped, and something passed between us. He didn’t look guilty or worried. He looked…ready. Like this was a challenge and I’d played right into his hands.
Is he taunting me on purpose?
The audacity of this man…His actions ignited something close to excitement, and I winked at him, not moving my gaze away from him as the song continued. He was ever so polite to Jade and walked her off the dance floor before heading straight for me.
His expression readbring it on,and my lower stomach fluttered. It was as if our eye contact was our own version of foreplay, and the champagne loosened me up just enough to enjoy it. “Is that jealousy I see on your face, Mitch?” he drawled, running his fingers down my arm until he clasped my hand.
“Absolutely not.” I let him pull me closer to him, enjoying how warm his touch was and how my body came alive near him. “Jade is quite a woman.”
“So are you.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head, and time seemed to freeze for that second. Him, me, our past, the present. “Are you capable of dancing again, or are you chickenshit?”
“What?” I jerked back, and the momentary bliss was gone. “You insulting me?”
“Speaking my truth.” He shrugged and let go of my hand. “The Electric Slide is next, and I never pass on a good line dance.”
“Line dance?”
“That’s what I said.” His grin grew, and he cupped my chin. “Come on, beautiful. Stop overthinking with your big brain and make an idiot of yourself.”
It must’ve been the combination of his touch, his scent and the champagne. It was the only fucking explanation for why I was on the dance floor copying the moves he did. There were leg kicks and turns, and I ran into him at least four times, but shit. I had fun. More fun than I would’ve liked, and it was an addictive feeling.
“Thatta girl. You look good kicking to and fro,” he said once the song was over. “You’re a natural.”
“Is that like a normal pre-wedding song?”
“Pretty much a guarantee. It’s on the cheesy wedding playlists.” His gaze warmed the longer he stared at me, but it changed to curiosity. “Have you…have you been to a lot of wedding festivities?”
“This is my first one.”
“Shit.” He shook his head. “I’ve been going about this all wrong.” He rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands, and when he removed them, he had a wickedly handsome smirk that sent chills down my body. “Mitch, tomorrow is going to be fun. Prepare yourself.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Probably, but it’ll be worth it. Now come on. I’ll take you home. You said you needed to study, and I want to respect your time.” He held out his hand, and I took it without hesitation. “I’ll drop you off and head out with the guys. Brigham is getting worse.”
“And you’ll look after him?”
“Yes.” He squeezed my hand, but it might as well have been my heart. My chest got tight, and I had the feeling I could run five miles on pure adrenaline. But then Brooks added, “It’ll give me more opportunities to meet the guys on the team. Plus, I’d rather do it than have you worry. And I promise I won’t get handsy in the car. Probably.”
8
Brooks
The myriad expressionscrossing Michelle’s face from the time we left the dinner to the time we got into the car meant I had no idea where she was emotionally. The brief moment of vulnerability had cost her—I could tell. But she straightened her shoulders and gave Fiona and Gideon the largest smile as they said goodbye.
There was something undeniably sexy about happiness on a person. Michelle didn’t wear it often, but when it was there, I found myself starstruck. Not that I could tell her that. She was a house of cards waiting to be tipped over from the slightest breeze. I thought about taking her hand on the walk to my car but stopped myself. She liked boundaries, and I nearly stumbled when she looped her arm in mine.
