I sighed, knowing I couldn’t fool my best friend. “Fine. I’ll admit he has certain appealing qualities. But nothing’s going to happen. We’re too different, and you know our history.”
Lacey just smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. You two have come a long way these past couple of weeks. And let’s be honest, I’ve seen you checking out his fully certified muscles.”
I exhaled a long sigh, remembering how distracting Eli’s lean body had been. “Okay, yes, he’s attractive. I like how he doesn’t flaunt it, you know? It’s just… there. A side effect of his job, I guess.”
“A very nice side effect.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re impossible.”
Just then, the band struck up a lively tune, the twangy guitar and upbeat drums filling the air. I felt a sudden surge of energy, my body responding to the rhythm before my mind could catch up.
“Let’s dance!” I called out.
Lacey laughed out loud. “Now you’re talking!”
We pushed our way onto the dance floor, the press of bodies and the pulsing beat washing away my usual inhibitions. And maybe the scotch too. I let my hair down, shaking out my bun and the strands whipping around my face as I moved. For once, I didn’t care about looking professional or put-together. I just danced.
“Woo!” Lacey cheered, twirling beside me. “Look at you go, girl! Friday night agrees with you.”
The music thrummed through me, and I gave in to the moment, swaying and spinning without a care in the world. Lacey took a step back and a couple stepped between us, then moved on. I closed my eyes, feeling freer than I had in years.
That is, until a pair of unfamiliar hands touched my waist.
“Hey there, beautiful,” a gruff voice said near my ear. “Haven’t seen you here before. How about a dance?”
I stiffened, turning to face a stocky guy with bloodshot eyes and a too-wide grin. The smell of cheap beer wafted off him.
“No, thank you,” I said firmly, putting some distance between us.
He followed, undeterred. “Aw, come on, don’t be like that. Just one dance.”
My good mood evaporated, a crawling sensation of discomfort replacing it. “I said no,” I repeated, louder this time.
The guy’s grin turned ugly. “Playing hard to get, huh? I like that.”
He reached for me again, and I dodged, my heart racing. Where was Lacey? I scanned the crowd, panic starting to set in, but I couldn’t see her.
“Look, asshole,” I snapped, trying the direct route. “Back the hell off before I make you regret it.”
A tall figure materialized between us, broad shoulders blocking the creep from my view as he knocked the guy’s arms away from me.
“I believe the lady said no.” Eli’s voice rang out, low and dangerous.
I’d never heard that tone from him before, and it made me blink twice. Gone was the easygoing charm, steel-edged assertiveness in its place. A ripple ran down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.
The guy sneered, puffing out his chest. “This ain’t your business, pretty boy. Why don’t you piss off?”
Eli didn’t budge. “I’m making it my business. Now back away before things get ugly.”
“Or what?” the creep taunted, shoving Eli’s shoulder.
In a lightning-fast move, Eli grabbed the guy’s wrist and twisted it behind his back. The man yelped as Eli towered over him.
“Or I’ll break your goddamn arm,” Eli growled. “Now apologize to the lady and get lost.”
“Okay, okay!” the guy whimpered. “I’m sorry! Jesus, let go!”
Eli released him, and the asshole scrambled away, shooting us a venomous glare.
