I offer her my hand. She holds out on me for another beat, scrutinizing me before she slips her hand in mine.
Grinning, I haul her off the bar and catch her over my shoulder. A surprised shriek escapes her, but she clutches my hoodie while my grip settles on the back of her lower thigh to keep her steady.
A laugh leaves me when Donnelly realizes I’m halfway across the room. His shouts follow us as we make our getaway.
I forget the sting of losing the game because this win tastes far sweeter. Having a hot girl over my shoulder puts me in an excellent mood. Even better, she left with me instead of Donnelly. She’s not cheering for him now. Satisfaction expands in my chest because soon I’ll have her screaming for me instead.
We’re approaching the square at the center of town three blocks away from the bar when she taps me on the back.
“So, are you going to let me down soon, or what? I’m just hanging over your shoulder.”
Chuckling, I pretend to think about it for a second. “I hadn’t thought about it, no. I like you where you’re at.”
She hums sardonically and pokes me in the side. I grunt when she prods at a tender bruise above my hip.
“Put me down.”
Reluctantly, I stop walking. “Alright.”
I guide her carefully, hovering my hand over her back ready to catch her as I bend to let her slide off my shoulder. Her feet dangle, wiggling in search of the ground while she keeps an arm hooked around my shoulders to stabilize herself. Her body drags against mine when she drops the last few inches to the pavement.
“There.” I clear my throat and ruffle my hair to distract myself from how good she felt pressed against me so I don’t pull her back in. “Better?”
“Much.”
Oh, damn. It was hard to tell when she was standing on the bar while I was too busy enjoying her dancing, but she’s shorter than me. Most people are when I stand at six-foot-five. I’ve got almost a full foot on her. In her heeled knee-high boots, the top of her head barely reaches my chin.
I study her long legs, guessing she’s around five-seven give or take an inch. Her body is banging with flared hips that look perfect for grabbing, and the strappy shirt beneath her flannel provides a tempting peek of her mouthwatering cleavage.
She brushes herself off, shivering against the crisp breeze.
“Are you cold? We got out of there without getting your jacket.” I tug at the neck of my hoodie. I don’t usually give my clothes away, yet I offer anyway. “Want to wear this?”
She tucks her brown hair behind her ear. “No thanks. I’m fine. I like the cold. It’s still bearable for me to go out without a coat. At least for another couple of weeks.”
We fall into step together and continue through Main Street square. She’s heading for campus, though I’m not sure if itmeans she has a car parked at the arena or if she goes to school here.
“Do you live on campus?” I ask.
“Is that your way of asking if you can come over?” she counters in a teasing tone. “I do. I’m in the apartment suites in Montgomery.”
I breathe easier knowing she isn’t about to disappear after tonight. “So you go to Heston. I haven’t seen you around before.”
She seemed to know Reagan back there. Me and the guys are in The Landmark at least twice a week and I can’t say I’ve seen her. I would’ve noticed.
“I keep a pretty loaded course schedule. I’m working hard to finish my degree within three years instead of four.”
“But you came out tonight.” The corner of my mouth lifts in a slow grin. “Looked like you enjoyed yourself.”
“Taking breaks is important for your mental health,” she says airily.
My heartbeat stumbles at the bright smile she flashes me. I rub at my chest, chuckling.
“I’m sorry your night got cut short since that guy was being an asshole.”
“Well, my brother’s always been overprotective.”
My grin falls. Shock arrows through me and I stop in my tracks. She shrugs, unaware of my brain imploding on the wordbrother.
