Okay, so he wasn’t as scary as she first thought.
“Not as much as he used to. He’s helping me and Madden out with some security work. Might make it permanent if it goes well.”
“Hope you enjoy Cloud Valley,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
He gave a brief nod then shifted to face the band.
Hooking a brow, she glanced at Reid.
He gave a tiny shake of his head.
Frustration simmered in her veins. She couldn’t ask about Ben, couldn’t ask about Reid’s cryptic statement, couldn’t step outside and scream, because God forbid she go anywhere alone.
As if sensing she needed a break, Becca hurried over and lifted two fingers. “Need two more local ales. Kitchen’s closed, so things will start to slow down. We’re going to survive another year.”
Eve poured the drinks and passed them to her best friend. The band would wind down in another ten minutes then they could start the lengthy process of cleaning up and getting the place ready to open for brunch the next day.
Exhaustion and the lingering fear tightened her muscles and threatened to steal her joy.
No. She’d worked too damn hard for the success of this night. For once she wanted to step out on the dance floor and experience every part of the evening.
She poured herself a shot of her favorite whiskey, taking it in one quick swallow. The liquor burned her throat and warmed her belly as well as bolstered her courage. Before she could chicken out, she rounded the bar and grabbed Ben’s hand, yanking him to his feet. “You come to my bar, you can’t just sit and watch. Let’s go, cowboy. Show me what you’ve got.”
Ben’s eyes flew wide, but she refused to take no for an answer. She led him to the dance floor, linking their hands and facing him with a grin. “Don’t worry. I suck at this.”
He flashed a small smile before spinning her in a smooth circle then resting a palm on her waist. “Don’t worry,” he echoed her words. “I’ll take the lead.”
Closing her eyes, she gave in to the music and the stranger who twirled her around and made her feel like she knew what she was doing. Stress melted away, and for a few minutes all her worries floated far away, as if they belonged to someone else.
When the song ended, she opened her eyes, thanked her surprising partner and found herself face-to-face with Reid, who stood on the edge of the dance floor.
She swallowed hard. If looks could kill, Ben would be a dead man.
Chapter 15
A swift, crippling rage swept through Reid like a downpour. Not jealously, not protectiveness—rage.
Seeing Eve laughing and carefree in his buddy’s arms was like pouring a gallon of salt on a gunshot wound. As much as he wanted Eve to let her hair down and have fun, he didn’t want her to choose Ben to have the fun with.
Damn it, it should have been him.
He’d mentioned her dancing. She’d shot down that idea before he could even ask. And then she asked Ben?Ben?
He’d never considered himself the jealous type, but he’d never had a reason to be. All that had changed the second he saw Ben’s hand settle on Eve’s hip. Screw being professional. Forget keeping her at a distance out of self-preservation and fear. He wanted her, at least for the next five minutes, when he could hold her in his arms and no one would bat an eye.
When he could pretend all he wanted was to join in on the fun.
Ben gave a brief nod as he passed by and returned to his seat at the bar. He finished his drink then gave Reid a mock salute. “G’night.”
“You’re right,” Eve said. “Not much of a bite at all.”
She made a move to step past him, and he hooked his arm around her waist, locking her in place.
“He’s not the one you’ve got to worry about,” Reid said.
Her eyes flew wide, and her already flushed cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. “And who is?”
“Me if you don’t let me spin you around this dance floor.”
