He didn't know anyone seated at his table, by design it seemed, so that guests could meet new people. It didn't really matter, since there were only a couple of guys he knew in town from high school and he really had little in common with them now. He talked politely to the couple sitting next to him during dinner, then the inevitable speeches started. Finally, the lights lowered and the music began. The couple next to him excused themselves, having to get home to relieve their babysitter, and the other couples gravitated to the dance floor.
Rip grabbed another drink from the bar and decided to track down his old acquaintances to exchange some pleasantries. He approached Carl, his closest friend from school, who was standing beside his wife chatting with several other couples.
While Carl and the other men in the group were impeccably put together, Rip had loosened his tie and left his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair at the table. Carl didn't seem too happy when his wife, whom Rip had never met, gazed at him with feminine interest, eying the light stubble on his face and the tattoo spilling from his rolled up shirt sleeve. The other wives seemed intrigued, too.
"I saw Ben over by the door a few minutes ago," Carl said. "Have you said hello to him yet?"
Rip glanced disinterestedly toward the ballroom door, ignoring the annoyance bubbling through him. He knew a hint to move on when he heard one. "I'll do that."
But instead, he headed to the bar and ordered a shot. He whipped back the small glass and enjoyed the burn of the liquid sliding down his throat.
When he'd become an undercover cop, he'd learned not to make attachments. He'd also let his old friendships lapse, so he shouldn't be surprised at Carl's reaction. He'd hardly even kept in touch with his older brother, Clay, but Clay was forgiving about that.
After Rip gave up the job, he'd thought about rekindling old friendships, but what was the point? Right now, he chose to be free-wheeling. Just the open road, with no clear destination, and his loyalty to his brother bikers. For now, that was enough.
He ordered another.
"Hey, bro. Starting without me?" Clay tossed his arm around Rip's shoulder and squeezed.
Rip chuckled. "It only seemed fair. You'd never be able to keep up with me."
Clay laughed. "True enough. So grab us a couple of beers and I'll catch up with you in a minute. I just have to get something for the groom."
Rip ordered the beers, then scanned the room as he walked back to the table. A giggle caught his ear and he glanced to a table off to the right. There sat his raven-haired beauty. Hayley. She was a gorgeous sight with her hair done in a soft, wavy style, and her ruby red lipstick a bright contrast to her black hair and dress. She was chatting to her blonde friend. Tina. A couple of the women from the bar last night were sitting with them. As if sensing him watching her, Hayley glanced up.
Damn. He averted his gaze and kept walking. He'd made his decision last night to leave that opportunity untried. He didn't need the complication.
Hayley stared at Rip as he clearly avoided her gaze and continued across the room. He looked devastatingly handsome in dress pants, shirt and a tie loosened around his neck. His cuffs were rolled up, revealing the bottom of the tattoo on his arm. Even in a suit, he managed to look dark and dangerous.
"Hey, that's the guy from last night," Brooke said, staring across the ballroom. "He cleans up real nice."
"Yeah," said Marianne, who sat beside her, "but clean's not what you're looking for in a guy like that." She smiled her insincere smile. "So, Hayley, you said you wanted to get into his pants. Maybe tonight you'll get lucky."
"Hey, bro," Clay sat down beside Rip at the table and took a swig of the beer waiting for him. "You know, I'm surprised you're sitting alone."
Rip took a sip of his beer. "Yeah? Well, not for long. One of the bridesmaids will be joining me soon, then I'll ditch you so fast your head will spin."
Clay laughed heartily. "I should have known. And if that doesn't pan out, you've got options. I just overheard a group of women talking about you." He chuckled. "It kills me how you can walk around with stubble on your face, flashing tattoos, and women just throw themselves at you."
"The bridesmaid hasn't seen the tattoo."
"Damn, that blows my whole theory. Well, if it doesn't work out with her, those women at table 26 are mooning over you. Apparently, the black-haired one wants to get in your pants."
"She said that?" Rip hadn't thought Hayley would be the type to talk like that.
Clay shrugged. "One of them said it. But I got the impression she's a bit shy, so you'd have to make the first move." He glanced across the room. "But from what I saw, she's worth it."
"Actually, you're wrong about that. She already made the first move. Last night."
Clay chuckled again and shook his head. "Of course she did. What was I thinking?"
Rip felt her presence before he actually saw her. He glanced up from the drink he was nursing. Clay had been called back to duty and Rip sat alone at the table again.
Hayley rested her hand on the back of the chair beside him.
"Hi. Remember me?"
She looked stunning in the long, slinky black dress she wore that accentuated every curve. And the low-cut neckline revealed the swell of her breasts, which sent his heart pumping double-time.
"Of course I do. How are you, Hayley?"
"I was just wondering. When I saw you earlier, you seemed to be avoiding my gaze."
Damn. Clearly, he'd hurt her feelings.
He shook his head. "To be honest, I didn't think you'd want to be reminded of last night."
Her cheeks flushed. "You mean being rejected by a man I threw myself at?"
"No, I mean remembering making an offer you might now regret."
She bit her lip and gazed at him. "I'm sorry. I don't really know why I came over here. I should go."
"Wait." He pulled out the chair beside him. "Sit down."
She sank onto the chair and stared at her hands.
"There's no reason to be embarrassed."
"Because strange women kiss you all the time," she said.
He grinned. "Yeah. It's a real hazard."
She drew in a deep breath, then gazed at him. "You know, I only regret what I did because you turned me down."
He shook his head. "Hayley, I don't understand why you did it. You don't seem like the kind of woman who has one-night-stands."
She sighed. "Well, that's just it. I wanted to do something edgy and different. Something I wouldn't ordinarily do."
He chuckled. "So you decided to do me."
He didn't really want to be a nice girl's bad-boy experience. But if anyone could tempt him, it was Hayley.
The music changed to something soft and slow and he was tempted to lead her to the dance floor and sweep her into his arms. To hold her soft body close to his.
"Hey, there. Ready for our dance?" The red-headed bridesmaid, Sandy, stood next to his chair.
Before he could say anything, Hayley was on her feet. "I've got to get back." Then she disappeared into the crowd.
Damn.
Rip danced with Sandy, but even though her luscious curves were pressed against him, all he could think about was Hayley. When the song ended, he excused himself and walked toward the bar where he saw Hayley standing with her friends. As he approached the table, he overheard the women talking to her, and he couldn't believe the nasty things the woman with the short, curly brown hair said. He slowed, gauging the conversation, and realized she was berating Hayley because she'd come over and talked to him and struck out.
Fuck, the woman is a real bitch.
He stepped up to Hayley's side. "There you are."
The curly-haired woman's head whipped around, and when she saw him, her jaw dropped open. Hayley's eyes widened as he slid his arms around her and pulled her close, then captured her lips with his. Her body was stiff at first, then she melted against him, allowing his tongue to swoop into her soft, warm mouth. His body started to harden at her feminine curves pressed tight against him, so he released her and smiled.
"My place or yours tonight?" he murmured, but loud enough for the women to hear, while he gazed into her wide green eyes.
Without missing a beat, she smiled and said, "Surprise me."
He laughed and slid his arm around her waist, then led her to the door, keeping her snug against his body as they walked. He had to fight the impulse to glide his hand over her delightfully round ass.
Once outside the ballroom, he led her to the elevators. The doors of one opened as they arrived and two couples got out. He led Hayley into the car.
"My room is on 15, or I can take you back to your place."
She smiled and pushed 15 on the panel.
Fuck, thank God.
The doors closed and he pulled her into his arms again and gazed at her.