The One For Me (Danver #8)(27)

Mark paced for another few minutes, trying to get himself under control. He wanted to stomp through the door, get his hands on Crystal, and take her somewhere until he could breathe again. The rational part of his brain said that she was just teasing him. He’d probably hurt her feelings, and she had lashed out. Likely he’d go in and she’d spend the whole evening avoiding him. Which was about the only way he’d survive, so he hoped like hell that happened.

He was pondering getting back in his car and leaving, when an SUV pulled in behind him, effectively cutting off his exit. He saw Mac get out of his Tahoe and cross to the other side to help his wife, Ava.

Mark was unable to hide his smile when the stunning blonde walked toward him. “What are you doing out here by yourself?” she teased as he leaned down to drop a kiss on her cheek.

“Hiding like a coward,” he answered honestly. She gave him a funny look, which made him wonder if he was more transparent than he’d thought. She couldn’t possibly know about his attraction to Crystal unless she’d been stalking his Twitter profile as well.

Turning to Mac, he extended his hand, saying, “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too, Mark,” Mac replied as he pulled Ava back against him in a possessive gesture. Mark knew Ava’s family well and considered them friends—a fact that Mac could clearly live without even though he had chosen the nonverbal approach to get his message across. “Are you going inside?” Mac asked, pointing to the front door.

Before he could answer, Ava stepped forward and curled her arm around his, while keeping her other hand on her husband. “Of course he is. Who could resist an evening with such stimulating company?”

Mac looked confused as he stared at his wife, while Mark again had to wonder if she didn’t know more than she should. Was she friends with Angel? “That’s right,” he agreed, letting her pull him along. He’d make the rounds and then slip out early. No big deal at all.

His pep talk lasted him all of five minutes—until the moment he saw her. She was Snow White tonight. A sexy cowgirl version, at least, and he was screwed. His good intentions were already shot. Those plump lips would wrap around his cock and then she’d dig those cowboy boots into his back as he fucked her out of his system. He could assign some of the blame to her—she should have been smart enough to realize that you can’t tease a tiger as if he’s a house cat without getting mauled.





Chapter Eight



Crystal was on her second glass of wine when she saw Mark walk in with Ava and Mac. The other women in attendance had already been teasing her for bringing out the big guns tonight. Suzy had even given her a big seal of approval by asking to borrow her outfit at a later date. “The sexual tension between you two is making me horny,” Mia remarked as she looked at Crystal and Mark. “DeStudo hasn’t taken his eyes off you, girl. He’s yours for the taking tonight.”

“Huh—what?” Crystal asked distractedly.

“Yeah—exactly.” Mia snickered. “Just walk around and let him follow. He’s definitely going to.”

Crystal started down a nearby hallway, intending to wipe her sweaty palms and take a breath before approaching Mark. She barely had time to register the sound of footsteps, before her arm was in his grasp and she was swung around and pushed into an empty room. She started to struggle until she heard a masculine voice say, “Angel, it’s me.”

That was it for her. Those words were the equivalent of gas on a flame. She used her hands to locate him in the darkness. “Mark . . .” He made what sounded like a grunt of surprise as she blindly pressed her lips against what she hoped was his mouth. Actually, it turned out to be his cheek, but she moved to the right until she found what she was looking for and her lips met his.

“What do you need, Angel?” he asked huskily as he rocked against her.

“Touch me,” she begged. He took a couple of steps forward until he’d braced her back against a wall. He pulled her strapless dress down and her bra along with it. Her breasts sprang free into his waiting hands.

“Fuck, I want to see you, baby. But right now, I’ll settle for tasting.” With that, he sucked a bud into his mouth while flicking the tip of the other one. When she moaned, he whispered, “You have to be quiet, Angel, or someone will hear us.”

Moments passed in sheer bliss, as Mark pinched and teased her nipples, while his tongue was back in her mouth. She was hanging on the edge, when suddenly a sliver of light lit up the small space. Before either of them could pull apart, the door flung open and she was gaping at her brother-in-law in horror.