Page 41 of The Penalty

“Dance for me, dirty princess. Don’t make me say it again.”

All I wanted to do was push him to the floor and, to put it bluntly, fuck his brains out. I could barely walk, let alone dance. But I peeled myself away from his body and went to Hannah.

“Is there a reason you’re here with me instead of taking advantage of that delicious man?” she laughed, holding out a shot glass. “You should see your face. Drink this.”

I didn’t bother asking what it was. We clinked glasses and knocked them back.

Oh good.

Tequila.

This should get interesting fast.

More shots sat on a nearby table. Noah caught my eye and smiled. Normally, I’d go hug him or make some kind of friendly gesture but I could one hundred percent feel Xavier’s stare burning through the back of my head.

I wanted him untamed, not annoyed.

We knocked back another shot. And another.

Hannah draped her arm over my shoulders. “I guess we’re supposed to dance now.” Her words slurred a little.

This was a rare treat. I haven’t seen Drunk Hannah since the night we won the championship.

“What makes you say that?”

“No reason.” She turned me to face where Bennet was sitting. He wasn’t on his phone anymore. Instead, he ran a hand through his dirty blond hair and observed us with rapt interest.

Xavier stood off to the side, stroking his lip with his thumb. I fucking love when he does that. The corner of his mouth ticked up in a devilish grin when our eyes locked. And there goes my throbbing clit again.

“I can’t speak for your guy but Bennet gave me very detailed instructions.”

Her brown eyes sparkled through the blurry haze of alcohol.

“What kind of instructions?”

Normally I wouldn’t ask my boss such personal questions about her love life but recent history has altered our friendship.

She twirled a strand of golden hair. “Do you really wanna know?”

YES. “Only if you feel comfortable telling me.”

“Pfft. You’re a terrible liar. You totally want to know.” She pointed to the rows of shot glasses. “One more of these first.”

Doing this many shots in rapid succession will most likely get her and I in trouble.

My body tingled.

Not a bad outcome, in all honesty.

We each grabbed two shots, clinked glasses, and downed the tequila.

Hannah appeared unsure about something when she banded her arms around my waist.

“I want to tell you,” she murmured, wobbling a bit in her heels. “I feel like…I think you’d be the only one to understand.”

Maybe the alcohol was affecting me quicker than normal. She didn’t sound like herself. In all the years we’ve worked together and known one another, Hannah always portrayed herself as level-headed, composed, and regal.

Her usual poise seemed fractured.

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