Page 112 of Mistletoe Mischief

Pike went to the bar and ordered their drinks, worry gnawing at his insides. Would she be repulsed by him? Several women he’d been out with had mocked his stint as a dancer, but he wasn’t ashamed of it. He’d started dancing after his ex-girlfriend cheated on him and he’d worked out like a fiend, his confidence growing, and he’d come out of it stronger and happier.

He returned to the table and set the drinks down, taking the seat across from her. “I don’t usually tell people about it because some people judge me for it.”

“I’m not. I just find it fascinating,” she said, removing her jacket and laying it over the back of the chair. “There are so many different parts to you, and I want to know them all.”

“It was just a whim that turned into a fun way to mend my broken heart. It was mildly humiliating when people discovered what I was doing and proceeded to tease me, but it was something I needed to do.”

“Have you retained any of your exotic moves?” she teased.

Pike took a deep draw of his beer and shrugged. “I might remember a thing or two.”

“Maybe you could show me later?” she asked.

Pike chuckled. “You looking for a lap dance, Kitten?”

“Only if you’re the one giving it,” she said, leaning on the table and pressing those beautiful breasts together. Pike imagined sticking his face between the soft mounds, and his mouth went dry.

“Next up onstage is Larissa singing all about falling ‘Accidentally in Love.’” Larissa, with her leather pants and straight black hair, jogged up onto the stage and belted out the first few lines in a smoky voice that was delightfully melodic. Pike found himself tapping his foot along to the beat as Ryler took another sip from her straw.

“You really don’t come here often?” she asked.

“No, we like Brews because the atmosphere is more relaxed. Sometimes the people here take themselves too seriously.”

“Whew, sweetheart,” someone called out, and Ryler and Pike turned toward the voice. Pike didn’t recognize the man approaching them, but he did a double take when he saw Sam Griffin leaning against the bar. Sam gave him a nod, his attention on the man who stopped next to Ryler, his gaze locked on her. “Where have they been hiding you?”

“I haven’t been hiding,” Ryler said, holding out her hand with a small smile, “but this is my first visit to the Den since getting to town.”

“What a terrible shame. You brighten up the place for sure.” The man gave Pike a feral smile. “You mind if I dance with the lady?”

Yes, I fucking do, he thought, but that wasn’t how he was supposed to react. Ryler was her own person, and behaving like a possessive barbarian was sure to drive her right back to her rental and far away from Pike.

“The lady only wants to dance with him,” Ryler said, pointing to Pike.

The burly guy shrugged. “You must have a footlong in your pants, Red.”

Pike’s jaw dropped at the same time Ryler burst out laughing. The big guy walked away, and Pike leaned across the table, whispering, “That’s not funny. He thinks the only reason you’re with me is because I’m hung like a horse.”

“Who cares what he thinks?” Ryler asked, sipping her drink. “Are you going to take him home tonight or me?”

Pike pretended to consider her question. “He does rock that shaved head.”

“Ew, you could do so much better than Temu Jason Statham.”

Pike burst out laughing. “Fuck, that was good.”

Ryler grinned. “I know. And while I appreciate you giving me the freedom to turn him down myself, if any more would-be suitors approach, you have my permission to tell them to fuck right off.”

Pike took a drink of his beer with a grimace before he set it back down on the table. “Maybe I’ll find a gentler way to reject them, as regardless of whether it is you saying it or me, it’s going to get me punched in the face.”

“And we wouldn’t want that.” Ryler reached across and trailed her fingertips along the side of his face. “I quite like the way your features are arranged. Wouldn’t want any teeth to go missing or a nose to get smashed.”

“I appreciate you looking out,” Pike said.

Ryler leaned farther across the table and whispered loudly, “What do you say we finish these drinks and head back to your place for that private dance? While I wanted the chance to show off my makeup and dress, I think I prefer it being just you and me.”

“Hey, you two,” Sam said, coming up alongside Pike. “What’s shaking?”

Pike gave Ryler an arched brow, and she nodded. Pike turned to Sam and grinned. “Not a whole lot. We were actually about to head out. Seems like crowded bars aren’t really our thing.”