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“Eli is definitely showing his jealous nature. He’s sending out all these territorial vibes and innuendos, trying to warn Ace off of you. It’s very sweet to watch, seeing him struggle to be nice to our friend when he really wants to kick his ass for staring at you and wanting to dance with you.”
“He said he wants to dance with me?” Rachel asked softly as another woman came in the restroom.
Grace nodded and pulled Rachel into the corner by the door. “Eli did not like that at all, but he didn’t say anything. He doesn’t want to offend Jack.
Ethan was trying to smooth things over and told Ace that he didn’t think that was a good idea but that there were lots of other women who’d love to dance with him here tonight. Isn’t that the truth! But then Ethan also told him that you’d been beating the women off Eli like mosquitoes all evening, so he may not want to dance with any of them if they were after Eli first.”
Grace rolled her eyes as if to say, “Men.”
“Well, I don’t want to dance with anyone but Eli.”
Grace shrugged like it was all very simple. “So just say you’re here with Eli. Ace will understand, although that doesn’t mean he won’t try to ask you. It’s probably a good thing we got our girly dances in early because you dancing with me to those songs while Ace is in here watching would be like a red flag to Eli’s bull. Not good.”
“So you’re my informant?” Rachel asked, grinning. “Or are you in here trying to buy Ethan time to smooth things over between the two of them before I show up?”
Grace snickered, evidently amused by the whole situation. “Both! I’m watching out for my friends, plus stalling a little to give Eli and Ace a chance to get on friendlier terms before you make an appearance. Eli is probably watching for your return by now.” She paused and became serious for a moment. “Remember, he’s probably feeling pretty territorial right now.
If you love him, follow his lead.” She grasped the door handle and pulled on it.
Eli made his excuses and stepped away from the group when she
appeared, and he met her outside the hallway. She looked up at him and allowed him to lead her away to the front of the club. Evidently, he was not feeling magnanimous enough to take her over and introduce her. He didn’t say anything about the man, just helped her into her chair before sitting
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beside her. He was attentive as ever, though he seemed distracted. A few times she noticed him staring at the other end of the bar.
* * * *
Toward closing time, Eli noticed when Ace rose from the table across the bar and made his way to the front of the club, probably ready to call it an evening. Eli had known this moment would come and that Ace would not be the kind to miss an opportunity. Ace stopped in front of him and stuck out his hand to shake Eli’s again, his eyes drifting to Rachel expectantly.
“Eli, it was a pleasure,” Ace said with a grin. It was not lost on Eli that Ace left the statement open-ended, leaving no question as to which part of the evening had been a pleasure for Ace, no doubt observing his beautiful Rachel as well as antagonizing him in the process. Eli shook his hand, matching his grip but unwilling to embark on a pissing match in front of Rachel.
“Yes, it has been a pleasure.” All mine, you son of a bitch. “Rachel, this is Ace Webster, a friend of the Warners’, and Ethan and Adam. He works in security and investigation. Ace, this is my girlfriend, Rachel Lopez,” Eli said politely, though it sounded as stiff as he felt.
“I was admiring you on the dance floor earlier, Miss Lopez,” he said as he shook Rachel’s hand gently. “You move beautifully with your partner.
It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You’re a lucky man, Eli.” He released Rachel’s hand and moved away toward the door.
Eli watched him as he stalked casually out the door. He looked over at Rachel, perturbed that Ace had made mention of watching her on the dance floor and had felt the need to hold her hand so long after shaking it.
Her hand was held out in front of her awkwardly, and when she turned it over, he could see the business card in her palm. It lay on her palm and she didn’t even close her fingers over it, holding it out to him to take instead.
Worry showed on her face, like she was afraid he’d be mad at her for accepting the card.
Gently taking Rachel’s hand in his, Eli lifted her palm, took the card from it, placed a soft kiss where it had been, and then pulled her to him.
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“I can’t believe he did that, Eli. I didn’t mean to take it from him. He slipped it into my hand,” she said, her eyes searched his face. She seemed worried he was upset with her.