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“What’s wrong?”

“I really wanted to see you tonight so I’m here at the bar.”

“I’m sorry,” I coo.

“It’s okay.”

“Can I make it up to you?” I lean back against the brick wall outside the club and look up at the stars, thinking about our date the night before.

“How were you planning on doing that?” he asks, his tone playful and a little naughty.

“Breakfast in the morning?”

“Sure. That sounds good…hey, hang on a sec.” Someone starts talking in the background before Ryan gets back on the phone.

“Uh… I’m supposed to ask you if you’re still wearing the sweater?” he says, confusion clear in his voice.

“No, I’m…wait, is my brother still there?” I hear Ryan talking to someone and then muffled voices in the background. What the hell is going on?

“Yeah and he said that you’re wearing practically nothing.” There is a hint of a growl in his voice and I’m not sure if I love it or hate it.

“Oh my God, they are so overprotective. My dress is fine.”

“I’m coming to get you,” he announces and before I can respond, he hangs up. I gape at the now-black screen of my phone. Seriously? The last thing I need in my life is another guy that thinks he needs to protect me. Ugh. Whatever. I’m going to go back in to my friends and have some fun. Besides, he doesn’t even know where I am.

I stomp back into the club and over to our table before throwing myself in the chair with a huff.

“What’s up, girl?” Addy asks.

“My stupid brother was still at the bar and Ryan came by to see me.”

“Uh-oh. Did they beat him up?” Daisy asks. I want to smile that they know my brothers so well but I hold back.

“Uh, no. Apparently, they are best friends now and ganging up on me about my dress choice. Ryan said he’s coming to get me.”

They both look at me with wide eyes.

“Oh, whatever. He doesn’t even know where I am. Let’s go dance.”

They share a look before agreeing and we make our way out onto the floor. I start dancing in an attempt to forget about my crazy brothers and overprotective boyfriend.

Wait…did I just call him my boyfriend?

Nope, not gonna think about it.

I throw my hands over my head and swivel my hips as I get lost in the music. Addy and Daisy mimic my pose, losing their inhibitions and start dancing. We really get into it, huge grins on our faces as we sway around each other. Daisy wiggles her hips suggestively and we all start giggling when suddenly, hands are on my waist. I turn to tell the guy to get lost when I come face-to-face with Ryan’s heated gaze.

I stare up at him with wide eyes and my mouth in a perfect O. His gaze travels down my body and his eyes flash with desire when he sees my bare skin through the lace.

“We’re leaving,” he growls in my ear and the only thing I can do is nod my head.

I wave good-bye to Addilyn and Daisy as Ryan leads me out of the building, my stomach churning with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He deposits me in the passenger seat of his car and I fold my hands in my lap, trying to gauge if he’s mad about the dress but we spend the entire ride back to my apartment in silence. He parks along the curb and turns to me.

“Wait for me.”

I nod and watch as he rounds the front of the car, opening my door for me and holding his hand out. Stepping out of the car, I slip my hand in his and he laces our fingers as we walk up the step and as soon as I close the door to my apartment, Ryan is pinning me up against it with his body. He rolls his hips into me, his rock hard erection poking my belly. I moan and press into him.

“I’m trying so hard to be a good guy here,” he groans.