Page 27 of The Shadows We Keep

Jesus Christ.

I halt my progress, shifting my path over to the bar where I can see John staring in the same direction I just was. His jaw is tight and if I hadn’t just gotten off the phone with him; I’d think he had his eyes on my girl.

“Did you have to give them a tray of shots?” I shout to him, leaning over the bar and slapping his hand in our typical greeting.

“Bro, her friend is relentless. Plus, I’m trying to take her home tonight.”

“Anything happen?” I ask him, my curt tone a marker for my current mood.

“Nah, I’ve had an eye on them. Those guys are harmless. Plus, they just got there when you walked in.” He nods to the girl’s table. “Well, maybe not for long.” His eyes darken at whatever is going on behind me.

My stride carries me across the floor in seconds before I pull up behind her and wrap an arm around her waist, my hand flattening possessively against her stomach.

She contracts in surprise, trying to pull free of my hold, but I only tighten my arm and settle her closer into my body.

I dip my mouth to her ear. “Is this what you wanted?”

The eyes around the table focus on us as she gasps but relaxes against me. Her fingers settle against my hand and trace lightly against my skin.

Her eyes meet mine across her shoulder, her pupils dilate as her chest rises and falls in a staccato rhythm.

“You came?” Her words are a ghost of a whisper in the bar. But I can read the meaning from her lips.

“You think I’d leave you to the wolves after that call? The look in your eyes was enough to have me bounding from my bed.” She turns in my hold, her arms wrapping around my neck. Her small body molding against me. Each curve settling against my ridged planes.

“I didn’t mean to call.” Her eyes dance with mischief.

“Don’t lie to me, sweetness. We both know that was no accident.”

“But I’ve been drinking. I didn’t know what I was doing.” Her smile illuminates her face even against the blackness of the bar. Her beauty is my beacon in the dark.

“Drunk actions are sober thoughts, little one, or didn’t you know that?” I tsk.

Her body pulls against the boundaries of my arms, trying to break free from me.

“K! Who is this guy?” Her friend finally butts in, a little too late for my liking. Keira spins, her ass settling against me. I groan in her ear, and she pushes back harder, wiggling slightly too.

What a little minx.

“Stace.” Her tone soothes her worried friend. “This is Harkin.” She pauses, swiping a shot of God knows what from the table and throwing it back before I have a second thought to stop her. My grip against her waist tightens, and my mouth finds her ear again.

“That’s enough for you, little one.” I bite down against her earlobe, and she shutters against me.

“Remember that guy I told you about?” she asks.

Her friend’s eyes find mine over Keira’s shoulder, her stare intense as she takes in our bodies entangled in each other like longtime lovers. Slowly, it shifts from one of concern to one of giddiness as something dawns on her. She shakes her head, throwing it back and laughing. I’m confused by her reaction, but maybe she’s just as drunk as my girl.

Keira’s hand sneaks out onto the table again, reaching for the last full shot glass. But my fingers wrap around her wrist, tightening to stop her movement.

“Have you not had enough?”

She peeks at me over her shoulder, rolling her eyes at my controlling inquisition, turning back for the table and trying again.

My fingers snap up to her chin, wrenching it back to my gaze. “Did you just roll your eyes at me, little one?” Her body stiffens against me at my sharp tone.

Her eye dart across my face, searching for a shift in seriousness, but she won’t find one. As I watch her breathing pick up with realization, my grip loosens, gliding down her petite throat that I can already see, collared and lovely. My fingers brush lightly against her exposed collar bones. Her body relaxes as they continue tracing along the rips of her shirt where the milky skin shines through. The overcrowded room of the bar falls away, leaving us to our own exploration.

A soft moan escapes her sweet lips. My eyes dart to the offender, waiting for more.

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