“I’m the best man. I can’t just leave.”
“I know.” She clasped her hands together. “I’m sorry.”
Sam ran his hand through his hair and opened the passenger door. “I can’t go, but you should. I’ll have my jet fly you home tomorrow and come back for me at the end of the week, after the wedding. You shouldn’t stay.”
“No need. My company jet was already sent to bring me home. I’ll have the pilot waiting for when I’m ready to go. Is there anything I can do to change your mind about leaving with me?” Grace slid up to him and rested her hand on his chest. “Anything at all?”
Sam cupped her neck and pressed his lips to hers. “No, but if your aunt is correct, we might as well make better use of our time.”
“I couldn’t agree more. How about we go to the club to tell the others we aren’t staying and go back to the hotel.”Where you’ll be safe behind closed doors.She kept that part to herself while she kissed him once more before climbing into the SUV. She could find ways and things for them to do that kept Sam busy and out of the line of fire until the wedding. At least that was her plan, until she had to leave at the last minute.
Sam drove to the strip club where the other SUVs were already parked. The parking lot held only a few cars and a few motorcycles. It was still early, and they weren’t busy yet.
They both walked in and headed to the bar for a beer after deciding to have one drink before putting on the show that they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other in a plausible excuse for them to leave. She could sell it.
Music blared as lights flashed. Half-clad women were on the stage, twirling around the pole and dancing provocatively. Men wearing everything from leather vests to business suits sat around the stage and in the darkened corners, where a few were in the processof getting lap dances. Some of the men were drinking, some just watching like voyeurs. A few guys in cowboy hats lined the bar, and Grace immediately recognized them from the grounds around the hotel she’d seen while on her jog and in the pool.
Michael, Stan, and Richard had a booth near the stage. Stan was in the process of shoving some dollars in the woman’s thong. Sam kept his arm around Grace’s shoulder or on her back as if he was staking his claim for all others to see. Grace didn’t mind. They wouldn’t be in the bar long enough for anything to happen. Not if she had her way. She needed time to talk to Aunt Betty again and grill her sisters for a bit more specific information about the shooter, like when and where or even name and room number would have been helpful.
Sam kissed her neck and whispered into her ear, “Ten minutes max and we’re out of here.”
Grace nodded and danced toward the bachelor party table. The men were wearing big, bright smiles. They had a table full of shots lined up. Stan handed Grace and Sam one as they approached. “You guys need to catch up.”
Sam set his down. “I’m driving.”
“Aw, man, don’t be a party pooper. We can call you a cab.”
“I’ll drive.” Grace handed her shot to Sam. “You should have a shot with your brother. Make memories since we won’t be staying long,” she said with a smile and took a seat at one of the dark booths behind the table and out of the way. She really didn’t want to be the cause of him not enjoying this special time with his brother, even if neither Sam nor she liked the bride.
Grace sat at the table while Sam handed his brother a few shots and patted him on the back. She couldn’t hear their words, not that it mattered. A waitress showed up with a beer on her tray and set it down in front of Grace. “It’s from the cowboy at the bar.”
Grace nodded. “Tell him thanks, but I don’t need anymore. I’m driving. Do you mind bringing me a bottled water?”
“Sure thing, hun.”
“Thanks.”
The waitress returned and placed the bottled water on the table along with a slip of paper with a phone number on it. Grace’s brows dipped. “The cowboy in the black hat.”
Grace glanced to the guy at the bar. His belt buckle was almost as big as his head. He tipped his hat in way of greeting, and Grace gave him a quick smile of thanks before turning back to find Richard handing Sam something. Sam’s heatedgaze was on Grace. She could feel the flames coursing through her body. Within seconds Sam was by her side and sitting at the table, his arm around the back of the booth.
“I don’t think you realize how many men admire you.”
“Black Cowboy Hat sent over his number.” Grace grinned.
“You won’t need it,” Sam said, taking a sip of his still half-full beer. “You promised to let me date you if I guessed why you were in my office.”
“Ah.” She nodded. “I almost forgot.” As if. She slid onto his lap and straddled him. Her dress was hiked up to her thighs, and the only things separating her heat and his bulge were her panties and his jeans. She wrapped her hands around his neck. “Ready to leave?”
His hands slipped beneath her dress and landed on her ass. “Thong?” He grinned. “My favorite.”
She nodded, and he squeezed her ass cheeks, shooting a bit of excitement up her spine.
“Kiss me and mean it,” she demanded.
He leaned closer to her and kissed the swells of her breasts, which were peeking out from her dress. He kissed a path up her neck as he held her bottom against him, stopping her squirm.
His lips tilted up into a lazy smile as he met her gaze. “You like that?”
