Beck grinned at her and nodded. “It looks like being self-employed agrees with you, as well as being engaged, so I’ve heard.”
She nodded. “It’s equal parts scary and exhilarating.”
“Sounds like you’re doing it right, then. Listen,” he said as he leaned toward her a little. “I never said it before, but I wanted to thank you.”
Presley Ann looked up into his face, utterly confused. “Me? For what?”
Beck chewed on his lower lip for a second, as if choosing his words, and then glanced at where she assumed her men were standing as they talked with friends, too. “I’m not bringing this up to embarrass you or anything, but you remember when you untied Lucy’s corset strings on Halloween a couple of years ago? I wanted to thank you for that.”
With a snort, she put her hands on her cheeks which were now heating up. “That was so hateful of me. Why in the world would you thank me for that?”
Now Beck looked a little embarrassed and he patted her on the shoulder. “As usual, I’m sticking my foot in my mouth. That’s all in the past and I know you and Lucy are tight, but here’s the thing…You pulling that little stunt, was kind of a wake-up call for me. I had to help her out of that situation because it was clear she was coming out of the thing right there in front of everyone. Thinking of that happening to her, and how embarrassed she’d be, pissed me off…and got me out of my chair. She was vulnerable and needed help. After that I started questioning why I was holding her at arm’s length. So, yeah…thanks for that.” Beck grinned. “Plus, she looks great in that corset, doesn’t she?” His gaze slid to his wife, who blushed when she caught him looking at her and giggled as she elbowed him in the ribs.
“She does, Beck. Thank you for telling me that. Sometimes bad things happen but the outcome is a good one.”
“How’s your boy? Heard you had a little drama the other day. You okay?” She appreciated that he left the rest unsaid. Rumors had been flying around Divine for days, but she’d kept mum with everyone but her men and her dad and sister. It was a matter of time before word got out because too many people had seen them talking with the Strong brothers at O’Reilley’s. All she could do was wait and pray.
Presley Ann nodded. “He’s fine, and so am I. People will find something new to gossip about soon.”
“You need any help, you just say the word. You have our phone numbers?”
Presley Ann nodded, truly grateful for the show of support. Several other friends had been in touch in the last few days, not to ask questions, but to let her know they had her back no matter what. Tears misted her eyes, the ache in her heart growing as she thought of how wonderful it was to have such great friends.
Presley Ann had just lifted her Divine Margarita to her lips when a familiar, work-roughened hand gently stroked her neck. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you are tonight?” Jared murmured near her ear. Licking the hint of salt from her lips, she turned to him, loving the way his arms felt as he gathered her close. “You okay?”
“Perfect.”
“Dance with me?”
She glanced at Kendry, who was in conversation with Hank Stinson and Travis McDaniel. He winked at her and nodded. He knew she needed the time on the dance floor with Jared without being told. She squeezed his muscular biceps, silently promising him the same.
Jared took the margarita glass from her hand and set it back on the table. She felt lighter than a feather as she drew in a shaky breath, following behind that wonderful man as the band finished their song. Yeah, sometimes bad circumstances lead to good outcomes.
Electric guitar and a syncopated drum rhythm began playing as the lights went down a little. She didn’t listen to country music much, but even she recognized the seductive cadence of Jason Aldean’s “Burnin’ It Down” as the band’s vocalist sang the opening verse.
Jared looked down at her as he pulled her close on the crowded dance floor. All she could see were his light-colored eyes, which were a pale, hypnotic gray under the flashing, sparkling lights. He slid his warm hand over her bare shoulder blades, sending a sizzle through her torso and down between her legs, as he tilted his head down and nuzzled beneath her ear.
Even though they were occasionally bumped or jostled, it might as well have been just the two of them out there.
She caressed the nape of his neck and smiled as he groaned and pulled her closer, pressing her abundant, unencumbered breasts against his chest. Her nipples went diamond hard and the warm ache in her pussy grew to nearly painful proportions when she felt the thick ridge of his cock as he glided his hand down her back to just above her ass and held her against him. Power and wantonness—and maybe the tequila—made her bold as she felt his fingers move against her hip, discovering the thin elastic strap of the G-string she wore beneath the dress.