The waiter got to work, pouring with expert precision and setting them up with the liquor. As soon as he strode off, Ren and Hayes sidled up to the table. Hayes looked about as comfortable as a guy with rocks in his shoes and ice cubes in his shorts. From the outside looking in, he had that look of a straight guy silently freaking out that he was in a gay club. But he wasn’t straight and she knew that wasn’t it at all.
She recognized that skittish yet stoic vibe. That was the same act she pulled when forced to socialize with strangers. Being around this many people freaked him out. His gaze slid to hers, something tense there, an SOS to a fellow introvert maybe. That snapped her into action. “Hayes, so glad you could make it. You can now bear witness to the utter destruction of whichever song I choose to sing for karaoke night.”
He stared at her for a second, but then, as if he had heard the words through water, he gave his delayed response. A brief smile. “Well, I can’t miss that.”
Cora introduced him to everyone, using only his first name just in case anyone followed the news too closely. She scooted over, trying to make room for both of them, but only Ren could fit.
Grace slid over and patted the spot next to her. “Hayes, you can sit next to me. I don’t bite.”
“Well, that’s just because Cora told her you were taken,” Carlos supplied. “Otherwise, Grace would bite you.”
Grace laughed and snapped her teeth at Carlos, but Hayes lifted his gaze to Cora’s. A cocked eyebrow and a secret almost-smile. The invisible connection across the table sent a dart of electric awareness through her. He liked that she’d declared him off-limits.
The look didn’t get lost on Ren. He pressed his hand over her knee and traced a li
ttle circle over her kneecap. It was a simple touch, nothing outwardly sexual, but it lit up things in Cora’s body. They were all thinking the same thing. She could feel it. What will the night bring? Will it be the three of us tumbling into bed in one hot, sweaty tangle? Will I submit to these two men and give up the control for real?
Cora’s heart tried to beat out of her throat and sweat gathered between her breasts. She grabbed a shot glass. “Time to drink!”
Ren laughed softly next to her, as if he’d read every damning thought in her head. But he didn’t say a word. Just slid her a glass of water after she’d downed the shot and watched her sip.
Half an hour later, Cora was wondering if maybe the shots hadn’t been the best plan of action. Her head was swimming after the third and her laugh had become too loud. She also found herself leaning into Ren, who took the cue and draped his arm around her. Man, he smelled good. He probably tasted better.
“Thanks,” he said against her ear.
“Hmm?”
“You said I smelled good.”
“Shit. Did I say that out loud?”
He huffed a laugh against her neck. “Yes. And you can taste whatever you want. But maybe ease up on the liquor before you do that. I’d hate to think you needed beer goggles for us.”
She groaned, thinking of the meme. “Same goes for you. Though, I’ve heard I look better after alcohol.”
“Hey.” He put a finger under her chin and turned her face toward him. “I’m drinking club soda, gorgeous. And the view’s fantastic.”
He brushed his thumb over her lips and she shivered.
“But relax. I’ve got you. No need for nerves. It’s just a night out with friends.”
He was giving her that assurance. You’ve made no promises. We’ve got no expectations. Be in the moment.
She licked her lips, tasting the salt of his skin lingering there. “Okay.”
Grace, who’d been chatting animatedly with Carlos and oblivious to Cora and Ren’s private conversation, clapped her hands and snapped Cora out of her erotic haze. “Okay, it’s time for me to make my debut. Everybody up. I need help picking a song. Plus, I might need background vocals.”
Carlos grabbed Josh’s shirt as Grace tugged at him. “Save me from the crazy blonde.”
Josh laughed and handed him another shot. “Drink up, babe. If she needs a background singer, that’s all you.”
Carlos kicked back the shot and said a prayer in Spanish.
Hayes scooted out of the booth to let the three of them free and looked ready to bolt. But Grace patted his bicep. “You, too, big guy. You can sing bass.”
The look on Hayes’s face was so stricken that Cora burst into a laugh.
He narrowed his eyes at her as she got to her feet. “Traitor.”