He shifted his gaze to the throng of teeming bodies. Some clearly knew how to move, others not so much. And there were lookers in the mix. Both women and men. All bumping and grinding in a big ole orgy of drunken foreplay. Might as well be watching the prelude to porn.
And yet, as provocative as some of the hotties were, not a single one held his interest. Not while he was keenly aware that Kai was in the building. Next thing Breck knew, he was back to studying Tad, gleaning as much information as he could from his demeanor. If Tad looked nervous, then Scott was definitely headed over.
Tad exhaled and averted his gaze.
Which Breck took to mean that the coast was clear.
And yet, Tad looked dejected. Breck wondered why.
He’d seemed just as eager to avoid their notice as Breck had been.
Grabbing Tad’s attention, he eased forward and dropped his voice. “I know why I don’t want them coming over, but what’s your reason? I thought Scott was your friend.”
Tad fidgeted, as if uneasy with Breck’s question, then motioned to Jay and Marcie. “Not exactly eager to subject him to that.”
Breck glanced at the drunken lovebirds, all jabbering and snorting their asses off.
Okay, so yeah, he made a solid point. Breck laughed. “Good call.”
Tad smiled and tipped up his beer… then stiffened as he peered yet one more time over Breck’s shoulder.
Shit. Scott was on his way over.
Breck could see it in Tad’s hazel eyes, all anxiously churning with nervous energy.
Breck clutched his beer bottle. Shifted tensely.
If Scott was headed over, then so was Kai.
All too soon, Scott pulled to a stop at their booth. Kai and another guy flanked his sides.
Kai met his gaze. Breck’s stomach clenched, his heart rate accelerating. The guy may annoy him but was always heaven on the eyes.
And goddamn did he look fine.
Breck drank him in, loving his sexy attire: a black, tailored button-down, all hugging his torso and arms, its cuffs, spear-point collar, and buttons an enticing shade of caramel. Breck followed those buttons down to a pair of black jeans. Mother of God, the way they hugged his thighs. Breck’s blood pumped hotter. He’d never seen Kai dressed like this.
He liked it. A lot.
Not that he wouldn’t rather see him in no clothes at all.
Ugh.
He forced himself to look away. Just in time, as it were, to catch Tad smiling at Scott. For a second, anyway. Then his gaze slid to Kai, his warm hazels cooling as he studied the man. He didn’t like him with Scott, that much was obvious, but he also seemed kind of riveted by Kai’s alluring air.
Which Breck got. Kai’s vibe was strong. Too fucking strong.
Scott grinned. “Tad. Good to see you.”
The two bumped fists.
“Yeah, man. You guys hang out here a lot?”
“When Max wants to dance and Kai wants to drink.” Scott smirked a little. “Or both want to… you know… troll.”
Kai’s lips curved.
Breck narrowed his eyes.
“You guys have met Kai,” Scott went on, “but this is Max.”
Breck tipped his chin to the broody dude with the auburn hair, a guy he recognized as an instructor at Mason. The rest of his crew gave hellos as well. Except for Marcie, that crazy lush. She threw out a wave so big, her dunk ass nearly toppled out of the booth.
Breck shook his head, but then stiffened in alarm when Ned blurted, “Pull up some chairs, dudes! It’s Breck here’s birthday and the night’s still young.”
He was going to murder that pinhead in his sleep.
Jay chimed in. “Yeah! Join us! We’ll squeeze you in.” He kicked Breck’s foot. “Scoot over, brah! Need to make some room!”
Breck bristled, glowering daggers at the dickhole. He’d murder him, too. No way was he spending his birthday with Kai. He’d have to deal with a boner all night, while endeavoring to ignore the one guy he desperately wanted to ogle. God no, he was way too drunk and couldn’t deal with that shit.
Fortunately, Scott decided to pass. “Thanks, but I think we’re gonna go harass the bartenders.”
Tad sagged in what appeared to be relief.
Breck regarded him, but then sensed Kai’s gaze. He turned, and yup, Kai was eyeing him. All openly and shit, as if daring Breck to acknowledge him. To engage.
Breck’s will power instantly caved, as if Kai’s keen midnight eyes wielded some kind of heady compulsion. Trapped in his stare, Breck opened his mouth—
“Cool,” Tad replied to Scott. “Maybe we’ll catch up with you later.”
Breck swallowed and looked away, heart pounding. Just barely dodged that bullet. Had he initiated conversation, that might’ve prompted Kai to stay. Something Breck’s eyes wouldn’t have minded, sure. But the rest of him? With his friends looking on?
Yeah, thanks, but no.
Graciously, Scott took his leave and headed for the bar, his friend Max looking more than happy to do the same. Kai, however, lingered, as if waiting for something. Breck looked back at him. Kai graced him with a lawless grin, then inclined his head and stepped into the current of people heading to the bar.