She smiles, but it seems forced as she glances between the two of us again.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”she asks, staring at Ric, but I feel as though the question is really for me.
I stuff my free hand into my trouser pocket to stop from reaching out and pulling her in for a kiss. All I can think about iswhat her mouth tastes like, the fullness of her lips as they touch mine.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. The lighting has her hair practically sparkling, and I know if I lean in close enough, I’ll get her signature scent—sweet and delicious.
I don’t hear what Ric says to her in response, too consumed by the absolute vision within touching distance.
“Oh shit,”Ari says on a groan. “Did you know he was working tonight?”she asks the twins. They all stare at their friend Abi, who is having what appears to be a heated debate with a guy holding a tray of drinks.
“She’s fine, baby,”Harrison says.
Abi shakes her head at whatever the guy says and looks away, but he reaches out, his thumb and forefinger gripping her jaw and drawing her attention back to him.
I have no idea what he’s saying, but it’s enough for her to step out of his grip. She grabs a drink from his tray, and downs it, then places the empty glass back on the tray with more force than necessary. He smirks as she turns her back on him and heads in our direction. Her eyes dart between our small crowd, and her lips rise into a smirk as she stops in front of me, her hand moving to my bicep.
“How about a dance?”she asks.
I internally cringe and take a step back because there is only one woman I want to dance with, and she’s currently talking to her brother.
“Good luck with that,”Ric says. It’s in this moment I’m grateful my friend knows me well enough to come to my defence. Not that Abi was hitting on me, it’s clear there’s something with the guy who is currently staring daggers in our direction.
And when she smiles back at me and winks, I know I’m right.
“Looks like you just volunteered as tribute,”she replies to Ric, reaching out to grab his hand, and leading him onto the dance floor.
I turn back to Bow and step up to her. “We need to talk,”I tell her.
She worries her lip before replying. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,”she says, fiddling with her clutch as she glances at Ari. Was that a silent cry for help?
Ari looks to Harrison and Hunter.
“Is there any private place they can go?”she asks them.
Harrison and Hunter exchange a silent conversation before Harrison nods and steps forward.
“Outside is open to patrons tonight, but I have somewhere else you can go.”
Ari reaches out and touches Bow’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll cover for you; you need to talk.”
At first, Bow doesn’t move, and I think she’s going to deny me, but then Ari nudges her forward.
Thankfully, she relents and waves her hand in front of her. “Lead the way,”she says to Harrison.
I wait for her to follow and then fall into step beside her, desperate to touch her, to reach for her hand. If I didn’t know it before, I sure as hell do now. I am utterly and undeniably well and truly fucked when it comes to my best friend’s sister.
Chapter 18
Rainbow
I can’t believe Tobias showed up here with none other than my brother. What the hell was he thinking?
We follow Harrison to the other side of the dance floor, and he swipes a card, leading us down a hallway before stopping outside a door. It has a sign on it that reads, PRIVATE ACCESS ONLY. He uses his card again, and pushes the door open, andsteps aside to let us in.
“You won’t be disturbed here. Just press the green button to exit when you’re done.”
I hesitate until I feel Tobias’s palm on my lower back, and then I cross through the threshold.
