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Mythroat tightens into a painful knot.WhenIturn back toCaleb, his jaw is clenched tight, and he’s focused intently on me, expression unreadable.Theremight be a hint of sympathy shimmering in those green eyes, although it’s obvious he’s been trying to distract me from the scene behind me.Wasthat for my benefit?OrDevon’s?
Hurt, anger at this situation, and a decent dose of alcohol burn a potent path through my blood.Itip my head back and drain my glass. “I’mready now,”Isay and hold out my hand to him.
Hegrabs it and tows me out to the dance floor.Imake sure not to look over atDevon.Ifhe wants to act likeI’mnot here, if he wants to pretend as if there’s nothing between us but friendship, thenI’lldo the same.
BeforeIcan question whatI’mdoing,Calebhas come to a stop and pulled me against him.Hewraps his arms around me, and there’s nothing at all friendly about the way he’s holding me.
Istare up at him in confusion.Ifhe suspects there’s something going on betweenDevonand me, he’s certainly not acting like it’s an issue for him.AndalthoughI’mso upsetIcan barely breathe right now,Idon’t want to leadCalebon either.
Iopen my mouth to explain—what,I’mnot sure, becauseIcan’t tell him the truth—but he shakes his head, his forehead tipped close to mine. “Don’tworry.I’mnot making a move.”
“Thenwhat are you doing?”Iask as the tension in my shoulders eases.
“Idon’t like that you’re at a fucking disadvantage,” he says, shocking me a little. “Hebrought you here, knowing what it would be like, and left you hanging.Ifhe won’t claim you, let him see how it feels watching someone else do it.”
“Butyou’re not.Claimingme, that is.Right?”
Asmile twitches the corners of his mouth. “Ifyou weren’t so intoDevonyou can’t see straight, thenI’dhave you in my bed faster than you can sayexactly how big is your dick again?Butapparently, you’ve decided to attach yourself to the least talented member ofCrossfire.SoI’llhave to settle for a dance and enjoy the death stareDevon’sgiving me.”
“Ishe?”Ican’t help but ask, then cringe at how juvenileIsound.
“Ohyeah.I’mnot sureI’mgonna get more than one dance.Sohow about we enjoy it?”
Heruns his large hands down my sides, then grips my hips and tugs me closer. “Dancewith me like you mean it.ThenmaybeDevonwill stop giving a fuck about what anyone else thinks.”
Ishouldn’t do it.It’spetty and immature.Butthe image ofDevonwith that girl on his lap is imprinted on my brain.Doubtscrowd my mind.Isthis what it will always be like?Ishe ever going to talk toBeau, or is he just passing time with me whileI’mhere?
MaybeIdon’t knowDevonlikeIthoughtIdid.MaybeI’vegot him all wrong.AmIbeing blind to the warning signs again?
Iwriggle untilCalebloosens his grip, thenIturn so my back is to his chest.Withmy eyes closed,Imove with the music.Iarch my back, my ass pressing against him asIsway.
Hisfingers tighten on my hips. “You’regoing to get a reaction if you do that.AndI’mnot talking aboutDevon.”
“Doyou mind?”He’salready swelling behind me.
“WhywouldIfucking mind having a hot woman grind against me?”
Notfor the first time,Iwonder whatCaleb’sstory is.He’sfriendly with his bandmates, but there’s a distance between him and the others.
Heswears under his breath. “Noteven a full dance.”
Iopen my eyes to seeDevoncoming straight for us.Hisbrows are lowered, lips pressed together in a thin line, and for a crazy moment,Iwonder if he’ll pull me away fromCaleband kiss me.Revealthe truth in front of everyone.
Buthe doesn’t.Instead, he gets too close and glaresCalebdown. “Getyour hands off her.She’snot a fucking groupie for you to play with.”
Calebjust raises an amused brow. “Neversaid she was.Butsince you andBeauwereotherwise occupied,IthoughtI’dkeep your very beautiful friend company.Shelooked lonely.”Helets me go with no urgency. “Shae, it’s been a pleasure.”Headjusts his erection with no embarrassment at all. “Letme know if you want to do it again sometime.”Thenhe turns and wanders off, leaving me with one furious-looking guitarist.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Devon
BeforeIcan openmy mouth again,Shaeshoots me a look full of anger and hurt, then turns and pushes her way into the crowd of dancers.
I’mnot going to let her get away, soIfollow on her heels.She’sgot every right to be upset.Sheobviously saw the woman sitting on my lap.Ididn’t want her there.ButBeauwas making a move on her friend, so whenLucycomplained about there not being any spare seats,Beauhad winked at me and volunteered my lap.
BeforeIcould think up an excuse he’d actually believe as to whyIdidn’t want a scantily clad woman sitting on me that didn’t involve spilling my secret, she’d planted her ass on me.
I’dplanned to give her five minutes to make sure it didn’t look too obvious thatIwas kicking her off me, then excuse myself soIcould spend some time with the only womanI’vebeen focused on tonight.
