His Tattooed Virgin(Divine Creek Ranch 12)(22)

Mine.

A split second later, Seth’s anger turned to concern as Jayne’s feet got twisted around each other. She would’ve fallen if the cowboy hadn’t been holding on to her. Concern for Jayne replaced the smile on the cowboy’s face as dancers stared curiously and gave them a wider berth on the dance floor. Buck and Chad moved in hastily as well, and Seth clenched his jaw as the cowboy swept her into his arms and carried her from the dance floor.

All eyes were on them as Ben approached with what must’ve been Jayne’s purse and car keys. Quietly, Ben said, “I was mixing her drinks weaker, Seth, but Quinten didn’t know that and gave her a full-strength margarita a few minutes ago, which she downed pretty quickly. Kerry said she delivered a big glass of water to Jayne earlier. You’ve got a ticking time bomb on your hands.” Seth knew it was just a matter of time before she started bringing everything up.

Seth made eye contact with Buck and held up her set of keys. “Can you help me out with her car?”

Buck and Chad both nodded, and Buck took the ignition key off the ring as Seth described her car and recited her address. “Just bring it when you’re done here.”

“What happened?” Jayne’s words were slurred as she put her hand to her cheek. She peered around in confusion. Her eyes were bleary, and her cheeks went rosy as she squinted at him and recognition dawned. The same sadness from earlier crossed her face again, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Seth accepted her purse when Ben handed it to him, turned to the cowboy, and held out his arms. “I’ll take her from here.”

The cowboy’s dark eyes assessed him briefly, seeming to determine whether Jayne would welcome his intervention or not. “Jayne, do you want to go with him?”

Still woozy, Jayne replied, “Huh? Seth? What are you doing here? I was dancing…”

Buck patted the cowboy on the back reassuringly, and he finally shifted Jayne into Seth’s arms. “You take care of yourself, Jayne. Enjoyed dancing with you.” The cowboy glanced at Seth and nodded.

Jayne squinted at him and rubbed her forehead with her palm.

“I’m going to take you home, Jayne.”

“What happened? I was…” She pointed to the dance floor.

“You passed out.”

Jayne focused on his face, and she tightened her arms around him. He was torn between wanting to hug her to him and giving her a good shake. He carried her toward the door after nodding his thanks to his friends. Thank God she’d had men who cared enough to watch out for her. She hadn’t considered how her little adventure could’ve turned into a dangerous mistake. The fact that she’d gone to the club with a purpose heightened his relief that Buck had called him. He’d promised to not lose his temper with her when Buck had sworn to keep her from leaving the club, but he was angry with her. She could’ve been in a world of hurt. What had she been thinking?

Just then, Teresa Martinez hurried up to them with Angel and Joaquin and a beautiful blonde whom Seth didn’t recognize following behind her. “Jayne? Are you all right?”

Jayne looked up at Seth and took her purse from him after he gently set her on her feet, noting that she kept a tight hold on him. “I’m fine. Had a bit too much to drink. Seth’s taking me home.”

“I’m glad you’re not driving yourself.”

Angel and Joaquin turned their eyes to him, and he nodded his reassurance that he’d watch over her. Two blond-headed strangers in cowboy hats, who appeared to be twins, joined their group and murmured to Joaquin before skirting them and joining the cowboy who’d been dancing with Jayne. They glanced back with mild curiosity before heading toward a table.

Jayne sighed and leaned against him, and Seth said, “I’ll take good care of her.”

Teresa said, “I hope you feel better.” She glanced at Seth with concern in her eyes and softly asked, “Will you stay with her?”

Seth nodded and turned to the door with Jayne as Angel and Joaquin drew Teresa into the club with them. Once they were alone, Jayne groaned and put her hand to her head. The late-July heat hit them like a hot blanket and she glanced up at him cautiously when they walked out of the club to his truck.

“Buck and Chad will bring your car to your house.”

“Okay.”

Once she was situated and he had the vehicle started and the AC running, he turned to her. “Let me know if you feel sick.” Jayne nodded and looked down at her hands.

On the drive to her house, Seth tried to calm the rising tide of anger and possessiveness that swelled at the thought of how the night could’ve ended for her. He contemplated all the things he wanted to say and all the questions he needed to ask. Jayne leaned her head back against the seat and stared out the windshield quietly.