“Good girl.”
Heat spills through me at the praise. It ignites a heady fire in my veins that leaves me dizzy. My thighs press together to stave off the building ache.
The bartender slides two glasses in front of us and pours. Cole takes one and gives me the other. I twist part way to see him.
He holds his shot glass to his lips. “Bottoms up.”
I toss mine back, forcing out an exhale at the smooth burn. Emboldened by my dress, I spin within the circle of his arms to face him fully. He stares me down, then slides his hands together on the bar. His thumb knuckles graze my skin above the low cut of my outfit, giving the barest stroke.
“Are you having a good time?” he asks.
Words catch in my throat. If I say anything, he’ll be able to tell how much he affects me. I nod, gaze drifting to his mouth. Is it my imagination, or does he inch closer?
“There you are!” Lauren’s shout reaches us before they appear.
Cole inhales sharply and backs away. No one noticed the position we were in, or how red my face is in the dim light of the club. I sigh in relief that Benson’s bringing up the rear, distracted by the dance floor.
“Thank god you’re tall, Cole,” Julia says.
Caroline hooks her arm with mine. “Come on, dancing queen. We’ve still got time before the ball drop.”
“Hell yes! Let’s go!” I blurt with too much enthusiasm to cover.
My heart beats hard for a long while, though it’s not from the exhilaration of the party atmosphere or from moving my body with the music. It’s all Cole’s doing.
It’s close to midnight when I run into Shawn again on my way back from a bathroom break. He blocks my path at the edge of the dance floor, herding me back into the shadows.
“What do you want?” I fold my arms across my chest.
His eyelids are heavy and his attention falls to my cleavage. Pursing my lips, I try to sidestep him. He winds an arm around my waist.
“What are you doing? Get off.” I break away from him.
“Come on. Don’t be like that.”
Shawn tries to pull me in again with a grip on my wrist. I search the club, hoping to spot my friends or my brother. His words slur and the alcohol on his breath makes me turn my head away.
“Stop it.”
“I messed up.” He ignores my efforts to push him off, repeating himself until his mouth grazes my cheek. “Taryn was a mistake. She’s gone, babe. Come on, we’re so good together.”
Is he serious? I muster all my strength to get out of his arms again. He’s wrenched away from me before I make a move.
Cole holds Shawn by two fistfuls of his shirt, nearly lifting him off the ground. His shoulders are set in a rigid line, anger rolling off him in waves.
My heart stutters in surprise and relief. He always protects me when I need him.
“Here’s how this is gonna go. I’m going to pretend I didn’t see you trying to touch Eve when she clearly doesn’t want that.”
Cole speaks through his teeth, giving Shawn a forceful shake. His veins stand out on his flexed forearm and the back of his hand.
“Listen up, because this next part is simple. You’re going to walk away,” Cole continues, slow and brutal. “Call a ride and get the fuck out of here. Leave Eve alone, jackass. Permanently.”
“Or wha’?” Shawn sneers.
Attempts to, anyway. He just comes across as a sleazy drunk.
A muscle jumps in Cole’s jaw. “Didn’t I already tell you at the coffee shop? You don’t want to find out what I’ll do to you if you try me.”
