“Err, yep,” I squeak out.Keep it together, Reilly. I clear my throat, hand on my chest trying to dislodge my voice. The corner of his mouth twitches as he flicks his gaze back to me, and his face softens as he stares down at me for the first time. “Thanks,” I say. “He was a little arrogant.” I try to laugh it off. Keep it light.
He studies my face and then looks over to where the guy has stalked off to, then he motions to the bartender, leans over and whispers in her ear. She takes in what he’s saying and is immediately on her radio. A man like this commands respect; act now, ask questions later. A man not afraid of consequences.
A commotion snags my attention as Barnaby and his friends are frog-marched out of the bar.Good riddance, arseholes.
Thea comes over, after being left standing alone as her date was asked not so politely to leave.
“Barnaby’s being removed,” she states, neither concerned nor surprised. Maybe Barnaby wasn’t making it past the third date after all.
“You left your friend,” my protector scolds Thea. She looks from me to him and back to me, concerned.
I push my hair back from my face, trying to control the wisps which are now sticking to my forehead. Her eyes track my fidgeting as she asks, “What happened? Are you okay?” She rubs her hands up and down my arms, soothing me in a way only Thea would. My handsome saviour is at my back again and the heat of his body shrouds me.
“I’m fine. One of the guys got a little handsy.” I try to tamp down the tremor in my voice.
“Shit, babe, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise. Come on, we’ll grab Sarah and get out of here.”
This is the thing about my friends. We may all be in our own worlds, and scamper about with no rhyme or reason, but when we need each other, we act.
The man lightly rests his hand on my shoulder, turning me round to him. The movement is weighted in control. “You have your friends back. I’ll leave you to your night.” He steps back, air moves between us and I immediately miss the overpowering safety of him.
“What’s your name?” I ask, as he starts to leave.
He stops and cocks his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Elton.”
“I’m Reilly. Thanks again.” I hold my hand out and he takes it to shake.
“Any time.” His mouth lifts into a charming smile, and two dimples pop out. Jesus Christ, I curse the gods who made him, that they made only one. He turns to Thea and nods in my direction. “Take care of her.”
As Thea tugs at my hands and leads me across the bar in search of Sarah, I take one more look at Elton. His eyes track me across the room, his firm jaw set into a smirk.
Why am I walking away? This is exactly what Sarah said I needed.
He rubs his hand across his mouth and pockets it back into his suit trousers. There’s an arrogance to him that is most likely well earned.
My libido has taken a slump since my break up and that man over there is the perfect palate cleanser. If it’s going to be one night, then Elton is the sort of man to restart my insides and send me on my way happy and sated. Sarah would be so proud of me right now.
Taking a deep breath and thanking Sarah for pushing me into this – and making sure I wasn’t covered in tit tape – I put my big girl knickers on and make my way back to him. His eyes haven’t left mine and I hope my walk of pride is more sultry than desperate.
“You’re back.” He smiles as he takes in my position in front of him.
Taking the glass from his hand I help myself to a sip, before placing it on the bar behind him.
“I didn’t want to cut the night short,” I tell him, snaking my hands up his arms and around his neck, feeling the hard muscles of him. The crackle of anticipation builds. My fingertips ghost over his skin.
“Dance with me,” he says, pulling me into him and directing us to the middle of the dance floor. I move in time with the music, pushing myself into him, leading him, letting him know what I want. His hands tighten on my waist, a reaction. I grind against him. My body is alive; the buzz of arousal courses through me.
The music changes and so does my rhythm, and he takes my hands and spins me around, pullingme back against him. I fit perfectly. Resting my head back against his shoulder I move to give him full access. A phantom kiss at the base of my neck makes me shudder.
Freedom overtakes me and I find the confidence to show him exactly what I’m after tonight. So when I spin back to face him and find his eyes hooded with desire, I am suddenly unable to breathe.
My breath hitches as his hands cup my jaw and I lean in close so he can hear me over the thumping base. Just shy of his lips, I ask him to join me outside.
I need air.
I have my answer when he drags me through the crowd and out the large glass doors onto the terrace. The night air is cold and hits me enough to calm me down, until he sets his eyes on me again. The blood is thumping through my veins.
Flustered? Yep. Hot? Yep. Horny? Undeniably.
