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I try to do as she says, but seeing all the strangers around us is distracting. I grip her hands tighter and close my eyes so I can tune everyone else out. I let my body relax a little as I sway with her movements, reminding myself that she’s right, I shouldn’t care what any of these people think of my dance moves. I’m not here for them, I’m here for me.

Eventually, I start to get into it and enjoy myself. After a few songs pass, I hear a commotion and turn around to find myself facing Bower’s firm chest.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he says, his hands moving up to grip my hips.

I try to look around him to see what’s going on, but he moves closer, so the only thing I see is his purple dress shirt, pressed tight against his wide chest.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing you need to see.”

“Bower,” I grumble, frowning up at him.

He sighs in defeat then turns us to the side. I see a man yell something angrily at Weston and Reece before he turns and stomps away. They turn around, and when they see me watching, they move closer.

“How much of that did you see?” Reece asks.

“All of it,” I lie.

“You little fibber,” Bower admonishes me with a tap on my nose. “She just saw him walking away,” he tells the other two.

Reece nods, then looks down at me with a concerned frown on his face.

“What? What am I missing here?” I ask, my eyes moving between them.

Hazel uses that as her invitation to intervene, stepping between me and Reece, her hands on her hips as she rolls her eyes.

“That guy had been watching you dance from across the room, and I think he was coming over here to try to dance with you.”

“Oh.” I frown in confusion as I look at Weston. “What’s the big deal?”

“He was about to lay his hands on you without your permission,” Weston grumbles.

“Not just that, he was walking up behind you, you wouldn’t have seen him until after his hands were on you.” I watch Reece’s hands clench into fists, and I instantly soften.

I know what this is about. Because of my past, I’m jumpy about strangers touching me, especially when I don’t see it coming.

They’re protecting me.

“Lord, you guys are so possessive!” Hazel says in exasperation.

I smile at her. “I know, aren’t they the best?” I say dreamily, turning my smile to them.

“I forgot you love that shit,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “Come on, David, let’s go dance.” She steps over to David, who was apparently standing beside me, grabs his hand and leads him further onto the dance floor.

“Well, Tink. What do you say? Wanna dance with me?”

“Always,” I tell him as he pulls me in closer and starts swaying us to the music.

When Hazel tries to teach me to dance, I feel like a fish out of water. But when I dance with my guys, I feel sexy and cherished. So when Bower sticks his leg between mine, and pulls me close, I find myself easily rocking back and forth, finding friction in the exact place I need it.

A body presses against my back, but I don’t flinch. I know it’s Kingsley from the way his fingers grip my ribs. The three of us move together as song after song plays throughout the club. And when my throat starts to get dry, I tell Bower and we move to the booth to take a break.

When I squeeze in beside Reece, he pulls me across his lap so I’m on his other side, sandwiched between him and Weston. Neither of them are into dancing, so I decide to enjoy their company now.

Someone passes me my water, and I finish it in several large gulps.

“You want something else this time?” Weston asks, pointing to my empty bottle.