The girls laugh, and I give them a quelling look.
Two men pass by, both eying Phe and Harper in a way that makes my stomach bottom out.
Yes, I’ve been to bars. Yes, I’ve looked at women with only one thing in mind. The same thing that these wankers are thinking about.
I glare at them. One of them looks at me and pales. The other one catches my eye and scowls. He comes to a stop. I drawmyself up to my full height and slap my arms on my hips. When I thrust out my chest, the bastard swallows. His friend pulls on his arm, and the two walk away in a rush.
Good.I relax a little.
My urge to whisk her out of here is... Only because I’m a gentleman. Though my thoughts aboutherare far from gentlemanly.
Phe tosses her head. "Jeez, if you keep looking like that at anyone who passes us, we’ll never find anyone to dance with."
I smirk.That’s the idea.But I don’t say that aloud.
"You’ve spoiled our evening." Her lips turn down.
My chest tightens. Damn, I'm such a softie for my sister.
And very hard for her friend.
I keep my gaze averted from Harper, walk around, and wrap my arm around Phe. I kiss her forehead. "When I’m not around, I’m sure you get up to all kind of shenanigans. But I can’t stop myself from being protective. So, humor me, okay?"
And why do I feel so territorial about her friend? It’s a question to which I’m not sure I want to know the answer.
She sighs, then throws up her hands. "Fine." She glances at Harper. "You okay to get out of here?"
3
Harper
It’s early, and I do want to dance.I want to do the horizontal with her brother even more.Ugh. Wonder how Phe would react if I told her that I find her brother attractive? Perhaps, she wouldn’t mind? But I do feel guilty that I’m eyeing my best friend’s brother like he’s a slice of tiramisu I’d love to devour layer by layer.
James watches me from under hooded eyes. His jaw is set. He lowers his arm from around Phe and surveys me with an impatient look.
It’s as if he expects to be obeyed. I have a good mind to tell him that he’s not my keeper. That I’ll do as I damn well please. Although, if I'm being honest, there's a part of me that would like for him to boss me around. But the last thing I want is to make things difficult for Phe.
She widens her gaze at me, a pleading look in her eyes.
I sigh, then nod almost imperceptibly at her.
James spots it though, for his shoulders relax slightly. He hustles the two of us toward the hallway. He’s tall and broad, with shoulders wide enough that the crowd parts before us.
We retrieve our coats and button up, before following him up the stairs and onto the street.
Cool air engulfs me. I welcome it after the cloying heat of the club. I take in lungfuls, tucking strands of hair that have come loose behind my ears.
"This way." James leads us to a Jeep Wrangler parked a few cars down. A beep sounds as he unlocks the doors. He holds the front door open.
Phe bypasses it, wrenches the back door open, and climbs in.
It’s either climb into the passenger seat or appear impolite. I can’t quite give word to the reasons why I’d rather not sit in the passenger seat next to James. I can’t exactly say aloud that if I sit that close to him, I’m going to be affected by his nearness. That he feels larger than life, and so handsome, and extremely hot. Enough to distract me. That I feel a certain nervousness around him. And I'm worried that I might give away how he unnerves me.
He holds the door open, looking at me with curiosity.
"You okay, Harper?" Phe calls out from the back of the car.
I laugh. "Just trying to enjoy a few last minutes of cool air."
