Every Little Dream(36)

Katie stands there, fidgeting. She’s such a virgin when it comes to this scene. It’s written all over every facial expression, nervous glance and shift of the feet. All I want to do is go to her and hold her, lead her onto the dance floor. She’d probably ignore me or slug me. Anyway, I have to keep to my oath to stay away until this is over. But my eyes can’t seem to leave her.

Her friend returns with drinks. Katie laughs, leaning forward, chatting. Her beauty shines and she doesn’t realize that every guy in the place will probably fantasize about her tonight before they fall asleep.

I look over at Kingston. It pisses me off the way he’s practically undressing her with his eyes. Lust gleams as he licks his lips, like a hungry wild cat before the kill.

Fuck.

I jump up from the table practically knocking it over and stride over to Katie before asswipe can make a move. This wasn’t my plan. I intended to stay hidden, just follow Kingston. This dick move will mess up everything.

She sees me approaching seconds before I get there. She tenses and sips at her drink, avoiding eye contact. The laughter dies on her lips. Immediately, her friend shoots daggers at me with her eyes. The contempt obvious in the way they both fold their arms across their chests.

“Wanna dance?” I ask, desperate.

“No.” She turns away, flicking her hair behind her shoulders.

“Please?”

Her friend pipes in. “Hey, get the point. She doesn’t want anything to do with you. You can be a jerk and then be sweet because you’re in the mood. Relationships don’t work that way.” Her friend’s all worked up, and I don’t blame her.

I hold up my hands. “I just want to talk. Then if you want, I’ll leave you alone.”

Her friend, Justine, I think, studies Katie. “I’m not your mom. Do what you want.”

Hurt flickers in Katie’s eyes and she appeals to Justine as if needing her support and approval. They seem to communicate without talking. A whole conversation with just a few looks. Finally, Justine nods. “Fine.”

Katie smiles at me, but it’s forced, not the sweet smile I’m used to that brightens her whole face and grabs my heart. I take her hand and lead her to the small dance floor. A slow song is playing and I place my hands around her waist. Just the feel of her beneath my hands turns me on, the smell of her body spray this close is intoxicating.

“What game are you playing?” she asks, her voice low and hard.

I sigh. “I’m not playing anything.”

“Right. What was last night then?”

“I don’t want you sucked into my shit right now.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kingston finish his shot and shift. He’s looking at us, at Katie. I slowly turn so my back is to him.

“Hate to break it to you but that’s what relationships are all about. I might not have the most experience but that much I know.” She interrupts the start of my response. “I know you’re keeping secrets. Am I just your plaything? A side dish to taste when you’re not banging other girls.”

“What?”

“I’m not stupid.” Her face flames.

Oh, God, this is about last night. She thinks I pushed her off because I didn’t want her? “About last night—”

“Hey, baby, this guy giving you a hard time?”

Kingston.

Katie stiffens in my arms. I sense her fear, thick in the air around us, and the panicked expression that she tries to hide. “No, thanks.” Her grip on my shoulders tightens, like she’s begging me to help her. “Where were we before we were rudely interrupted?”

“You heard her. Get lost.”

Kingston laughs. Then in a low voice so only we can hear, he says, “I’m going to break in and you’re both going to let me.” He traces a finger down Katie’s cheek. “Wouldn’t want to see this pretty face get hurt.”

Her eyes plead with me. I try and communicate I’ll take care of her, that somehow I’ll make sure she’s okay. Slowly, her fingers slide off my shoulders. I feel their slight tremble against my skin. A surge wells in my chest to protect her. I mean really protect her. Sure, I’m a player. I’ve had my share of girlfriends who didn’t last, but she’s the first one that might be worth holding onto. She tempers my rage.

But this guy? Kingston? He brings out a completely different reaction.

His arm snakes around her waist and pulls her toward him. Close. Pressed right up against him. “Hey, sweetness,” he says just loud enough for me to hear. His hand goes down to her ass and he pulls her even closer.

I turn away but the rage builds. It blinds and erases any rational thought. In a flash, I whip around, my fist aimed at his pretty face. I catch him off guard and hit his mouth. Blood trickles down his chin. He didn’t even try to duck out of the way.