Page 68 of Sunrise & Serenity

Cash flashes me a grin, but before he can pass it to me so I can call Holden’s bluff, Holden’s arm is around my waist, and he lifts me off my feet.

For one ridiculous second, I’m sure he’s about to throw me over his shoulder, humiliating me in front of everyone here. But he doesn’t. He merely walks to the edge of the dance floor before letting me slide down his body.

His very hard body.

I stare up at him, my mouth hanging open. “What the hell was that?”

He glowers down at me, eyes stormy. “That’s what I should be asking you. If you’re looking for a cowboy to go home with, you can do better than Cash. Every time he passes through, he stops off here for some fun.”

My cheeks warm. But I don’t want to admit that I wasn’t planning to sleep with the guy. And I sure as hell won’t tell him that I’m not looking to go home with any cowboy.

Unless it’s him.

Though with the way he’s pissing me off now, I’m not so sure about that anymore.

I raise my chin. “Okay, who do you suggest, then?”

“What?”

“If you’ve decided you’re going to act like my big brother, then maybe you can tell me which cowboy is acceptable.”

“You want to know what I think? I think it’s time you go home.”

I cross my arms and tap my booted foot. “Not your decision, either.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw. I get a weird little thrill from seeing him so out of sorts after weeks of feeling exactly the same way.

“I’m leaving,” he growls. “I suggest you come with me.”

I scoff. “I’ve got no intention of riding home with you and Gemma.”

His eyes widen, then the corners of his mouth curl. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, City.”

I suck in a breath. There’s no way I’m giving him the satisfaction of knowing he’s right. “Jealous?” I force a laugh. “Why would I be jealous? Who you have fun with is none of my business. Just like who I have fun with is none of yours.”

His brows lower, and without another word, he stalks away.

Suddenly alone, even among the crowd, and not really interested in hunting for Cash, I hesitate for a moment before heading to our table. Maybe Taryn and Riley will want to dance again.

When I get there, Holden already has my purse, and Taryn’s waiting beside him.

“Holden said you’re ready to go,” she says. “And I’ve got to get up early to train. The others want to stay, so he’s going to take us home.”

I narrow my eyes at him. I never would have guessed he’d be so sneaky and underhanded.

He merely raises his brows and stares back at me as if to say, what are you going to do about it?

I search for Gemma. Surely she can’t be happy with this. That assumption dies when I find her chatting happily with Quinn and Riley.

Huh.

Holden’s still pinning me with his gaze. And dammit. He knows I won’t argue with him in front of all these people. But I don’t like how high-handed he’s being. Not one damn bit.

After snatching my purse from his hands, I force a smile and say goodbye to the others through gritted teeth. Without waiting for Holden and Taryn, I head for the entrance.

The bar has gotten even more crowded. I swear the whole population of Silverford is here. It’s hard to push through the people filling the space.

A hand on my arm stops me as I’m trying to maneuver past a group of oblivious patrons.