Page 5 of Maid in America

“Ah shit,” Barrett said, slapping a hand on the man’s back. “Hell, man, I’m sorry. My bad. I’m like a bull in a China shop. Here.” Barrett plucked a ten-dollar bill from the calfskin wallet in his back pocket. He slid a hand subtly around Aphrodite’s waist and waved the money at the drenched stranger. “Thatdrink is on you. Next one’s onme.”

With a scowl, the man snatched the ten-spot, glowered at Barrett, and then stomped off toward the bathroom, mouth moving as he muttered every conceivable curse word.

Aphrodite turned to Barrett, feeling his firm hand slip around her back to the other side of her waist, buzzing at his touch.

“That wasn’t an accident, was it?” Her eyes flicked to his, a smirk showcased across her cheeks.

He shook his head, refusing to blink as he studied her stunning face.

“Hmmm. This is fun,” she said. “Maybe I should find another guy who looks like trouble so I can watch you in action again.”

“Oh, youlikethat kind of thing, do you?”

She could feel the low bass of Barrett’s velvet voice rumble from his body. She nodded, momentarily unable to form words.

“Well, play your cards right, and by the end of the night, I’ll end up kicking some poor sap’s ass all the way outta town for makin’ extended eye contact with a Goddess like you.”

“You’remaking extended eye contact,” she finally said, her body inching toward his, the fabric of their jeans rubbing.

“Yes. But I’m Adonis, remember? These other men…” He looked around, “Meremortals.”

She stepped back, and he moved forward, once again closing the gap between them.

“Wanna dance?” he asked, his eyes flicking down to her lips and back up to her face.

“Feels like we already are.”

Barrett chuckled, never taking his eyes off her.

“See if you can keep up,” she yelled, leading him onto the dance floor. Her touch sent a shock pulsing through him.

He spun her, tethering Aphrodite with a light grasp before recoiling her shoulders back into his strong arms. She pressed herself against his body as if they had been molded to fit one another perfectly.

“God damn, Aphrodite,” Barrett mumbled, embracing her intimately, hoping his sudden proclamation of pleasant surprise would be drowned out by the pulsing drumbeats.

“You’re not so badyourself,” she muttered between deep breaths.

“How come I’ve never seen you out here before?” He asked, feeling thrown off-balance. The heady mixture of her perfume and the way her eyes bored into him made him feel three whiskeys deep.

“I haven’t been around for a while.” She grinned. “What? Why are you looking at me like that? I can’t tell if you’re scared or turned on.”

He laughed. “Both.”

“Don’t be afraid. I don’t bite unless youwantme to,” she teased, spinning out again and returning to his chest.

“Oh, Iwantyou to, Aphrodite. Idareyou to.”

Her carefree laugh was melodic and uplifting. The sound of it made his whole day melt away.

Barrett craned his neck and leaned in close, breath fluttering against the shell of her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “Wanna get out of here?”

She tried to hide her smile, jutting her jaw as she looked around. “What kinda girl do you think I am?”

“You’re a little firecracker,” he growled into her ear. “Dangerous as hell andtrulya beautiful sight to behold.”

“I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”

He shook his head close to her face, his nose nearly brushing hers. “Just you.”

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