Kirk released her long enough to hold out his hand for Bruce to shake. Bruce's reluctance was obvious in his hesitation, but finally he lifted his hand and nodded.
"Kirk."
Kirk's arm wrapped around her once more, and she felt her face heat in embarrassment. She could tell Kirk had had more than a few drinks. He reeked of them, actually. "You know, I'm tired. I think I should be heading home. Bruce, it was nice seeing you."
Kirk held his almost empty glass with his lips and teeth and dug around in his pockets, finding his keys.
"Here we go."
"You're driving?" Bruce asked.
Tessa stiffened and turned back to face the men.
"It's not far."
She winced at the slur in Bruce's words. "I'll drive," she stated pointedly, holding out her hand for the keys.
"Maybe you should let Kirk get a cab," Bruce said.
Tessa noted the way Bruce gave Kirk his best cop’s stare, and her grip on the keys tightened. "I'm driving. Good night, Bruce. Kirk, let's go."
The scowl on Bruce's face should've given her some satisfaction except for the fact Kirk had embarrassed her in front of Bruce, and earlier in front of her friends. This was a side of Kirk she hadn't seen and, honestly, didn't like.
"Lead the way, baby. Lead the way," Kirk said, giving Bruce a salacious wink. "We got more to do before the night’s over, eh?"
Tessa dug her fingers into Kirk's waist and pulled him along, uncaring that she probably left nail marks as a result.
The moment they were out of sight, she lowered her arm and let him stumble along beside her, all the way through the lobby and outside. Thankfully they didn't have to use the valet line, and she led the way along the side of the hotel to the back of the building, unlocking his Mercedes with a press of the key fob in her hand. "Get in."
"What? No, no. Nobody drives my car but me."
"You just heard me say I'm driving." She was losing patience, fast.
"I thought that was just for what's-his-face. I'm fine. Gimme the keysz."
The slur had thickened even more. "No. Either I drive you or you take an Uber or something. You're in no shape to drive."
Kirk pouted but finally sighed and yanked open the passenger-side door.
"Fine. You drive…and I'll keep celebrating."
For the first time, she noticed the glass he still carried and shook her head. "Leave that here."
"Why're you being so mean?" he slurred. "We're celebrating my project, remember?"
"I remember. But did it require you getting drunk around my friends?"
"Ahh, baby. Don't be mad. Come 'ere."
He shuffled toward her and pulled her against him, lowering his head for a sloppy kiss.
"Kirk, no. I don't like this side of you."
"Now don't be like that. A man's gotta have a little fun, especially when it comes to taking a woman like you to bed."
"Excuse me?"
Kirk wiped a hand over his face and rubbed hard.