She'd only taken a few steps out of the dim hallway when she ran into another rock-hard chest. Her defenses rose and she prepared tofight again until she recognized the red design across Daniel's shoulders.
He grabbed her shoulders to support her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She pulled away from him and headed toward the door. "I just want to get out of here." She was halfway across the dance floor before she realized he wasn't following her. Turning, she spotted him blocking the hallway now, shoulders hunched, fists balled.
Oh no!
"Daniel, stop!" She hurried back to the hall and grabbed his arm from behind just as he was about to throw a punch at the cocky cowboy. "He's not worth it." With considerable effort she managed to turn him to face her. "Let's leave, please."
He relaxed only a margin, but it was enough that she managed to pull him toward the door.
Brody and Crew rushed toward them before they made it out. They both spoke at once.
"Are you okay?"
"Did that man hurt you, Riley?"
She and Daniel had seen them over the course of the evening, but the ranch hands had been too busy flirting with all the pretty women to pay them any attention. It wasn't lost on her, however, that a little over twelve hours ago, she'd felt toward Crew exactly as she had toward the cocky cowboy.
Crew was lucky Daniel and then Jake had intervened, otherwise he'd be nursing the family jewels just like Cocky Cowboy over there.
"Yes, everything is fine." She spoke through clenched teeth. "Like I'd let him have the chance to hurt me." She nudged Daniel toward the door. "We're going to get some air."
She let go of Daniel as soon as they stepped outside. "Why do guys have to be such jerks?" With adrenaline still warming her veins, she stomped several paces down the wooden boardwalk that ran the length of the building. "Is there some sort of flashing sign over my head that says Easy Victim?"
When Daniel didn't respond, she turned back to find him hunchedover, gripping the wooden railing that skirted the boardwalk. She hurried back to his side. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Ri."
"Why are you sorry? You're the only guy who hasn't treated me like some sort of object to be conquered since I came home. Well, you and my brothers."
He straightened. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."
"It's not your job to protect me. Besides, I think I did a pretty good job of protecting myself."
Too bad she hadn't been able to defend herself against Collin six weeks ago.
Daniel gave a tight smile. "Yeah, being on the receiving end of your wrath isn't pleasant."
"Sorry again about that." Embarrassment swept over her as she recalled the way she kneed Daniel in the groin a few weeks ago.
He rubbed a hand over his mouth then shoved shaky hands into his hair. Riley looked more closely at his face. His tan complexion had turned a whitish-gray color.
"What's wrong?" She grabbed the front of his shirt as he tried to turn away. "You look like you're going to be sick."
"Nah, just thirsty." The words were clipped and tight.
He'd downed a full glass of water before they got their sodas, so why was he thirsty?
He rubbed a shaky hand over his jaw and mouth again, and it hit her. He was craving alcohol.
"It's time for us to go home." She took his hand and led him toward his truck.
He resisted. "I don't want to be a killjoy."
"You're not a killjoy." She pointed back at the building. "That cocky cowboy was the one who put an end to our fun." She started walking again, dragging him along with her. "I just want to go home now."
"Are you sure?"
