As I hop off the stool, grabbing my bag, I can’t help but steal a glance at Theo’s table. He cocks one eyebrow in a nonverbal question, but a smile is the only response I can give him from across the room.
Cass hooks her elbow with mine, leading me outside and down the main street toward the nightclub. A large, neon green letterQhangs above the entrance, where more than twenty people wait in line. Cassidy doesn’t join the back of the queue, charging at the bouncer. She stamps a kiss on his cheek, smiling the same smile she uses on the golfers.
We’re inside a minute later, drinks in hand after five more, and we settle into a booth by the dancefloor. The illuminated, white floor strobes in rhythm with the techno beat blasting from huge speakers strategically placed around the vast space. People grind against one another, each to their own in terms of pace, foreheads glistening with sweat.
A tight-lipped smile blooms on Cassidy’s face, and her blue eyes widen as she shows me her cell phone screen, whereTheo Hayesflashes in the middle. “How can I help you?” Cass answers, sporting an even bigger, this time fake, smile. “You think I’ll put her in front of a gun,boy? No way, Theo. Beat it.” She snickers, the sound laced with annoyance, but her shoulders sag a second later. “Okay, okay,fine. Were inQ.” She cuts the call, shoving the phone in her bag. “Remember what I said, Thalia. Don’t ever tell me I didn’t warn you.”
“Thanks, Cass, but don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
Mary-Jane leans over, whispering in my ear, “Don’t listen to her. She’s just bitter because she’s been crushing on Logan for a while, and neither of the Hayes take her seriously.”
We chat until we finish our drinks, then hit the dance floor once an upbeat techno changes to “Clandestine” by FILV & Edmofo. A stranger jumps in my path, nodding his approval as his eyes skim over my body, and extends his hand.
Why not? I might as well enjoy myself.
He twirls me into his arms, my back flush against his hot chest. “Is there a boyfriend here somewhere who’ll kick my ass when he sees me with you?” he asks in my ear.
“You’re in the clear. No boyfriend.”
“I didn’t think so. You’re too hot for any man here. Way out of their league, sweetheart.”
I’d consider his words a compliment if not for the stench of whiskey on his breath. He’s probably seeing double by now and has no clear idea what I actually look like, but his dick is hard in his pants, grinding against my lower back, so maybe I’m wrong. He sways to the rhythm, spreading his long fingers on my stomach. The music changes twice before he speaks again.
“How about I buy you a drink?”
I glance over his shoulder toward the bar. My insides heat for the second time this evening. Theo’s casually leaning against the counter, a glass of caipirinha next to his beer. Quick, intelligent eyes look straight at me, grazing his thumb along the seam of his mouth again, and the sight of him staring at me with such volatile intensity makes my knees weak.
I avert my gaze, or elseImight end up the one spontaneously combusting... I sure as shit won’t say no if he’ll try to take me home tonight.
So much for not putting out.
The girls are no longer around, probably back in the booth with more bubbly, or worse shots.
“Not tonight,” I tell the dancer.
I’ve got my eyes on a different prize.
A red-light flickers inside my head when his hold on me tightens. “Don’t be like that,señorita. It’s just one drink. You’re so fucking hot... is it a sin I want to get to know you?”
Why everyone’s first guess is that I’m Spanish? I step back and spin around. “Get to know me or get inside me?”
His mouth hangs open, both eyebrows raised. Initial surprise changes quickly into a cunning, cocky smirk. “One doesn’t rule out the other, baby girl. I’m Asher, an—”
“And I’m not interested.” I don’t attempt to hide my cringe.Baby girl... ugh! That’s a very unwanted blast from the past. My first boyfriend, an exchange student from London and a cheating bastard, called mebaby girl. “Thank you for the gravely compelling offer, but as I said, not tonight.”
He shoots me a sour look, dropping his hands down his sides. Not many men enjoy rejection. A bruised ego hurts more than a knee in the balls, but I don’t let them off easily if my first attempt at politeness goes ignored.
Instead of entertaining Asher with a pointless chat, I walk away, navigating through the crowd to join the girls and their new companions—Theo, Nico, and Jared have joined the party, making themselves comfortable in our booth. Girls’ night out might end up being an orgy, or at least a threesome, given how Mary-Jane and Amy ogle Nico.
I’m a few feet from the table when Asher blocks my path, looking down at me as I grip my sides with both hands, utterly pissed off with him now.
“Let’s agree we won’t fuck tonight.” He cuffs my wrist, yanking me close enough that my nose brushes the crook of his neck. “Can I buy you a drink now?”
“You do know there are plenty of willing girls out here tonight, right? Look around! You’ll find one who’ll want your dick, just be patient.”
“I wantyou.” He attempts a seductive, gravelly purr, but it comes out strained. “I hear you Spanish girls are fiery.”
That’s it. I’m tired of him. Even more when my eyes wander to the booth. My insides jangle like wind chimes when I make eye contact with Theo. Nico’s telling him something, but he’s not listening, pointing his finger at Asher as he lifts his chin, the gesture designed to check if I need help.