Page 55 of Captain's Claim

“Yeahhhhhh! That’s how it’s done!” Eli whoops, slapping a member of the crowd on the back as he jumps down from the chair and moves behind the bar to fill more shot glasses, passing them around the room as everyone slams them back with jo

Blake doesn’t look impressed.

He looks pissed.

Thankfully, Natalie grabs my wrist, dragging me toward the bar like a woman on a mission.

“Come on, big shot. If you can handle that, you can handle a round of cocktails.”

Blake follows.

Of course he does.

I can feel him at my back, a solid wall of brooding disapproval, radiating entirely unnecessary amounts of heat directly behind me. Every time I shift, I brush against his chest, and either he’s deliberately inching closer, or I’m already feeling the effects of that hellfire shot.

The way my head is swirling, it's probably both.

Natalie flags down the bartender, her eyes gleaming. “Two Slapshot Specials, please.”

“Three,” I correct, feeling bold. And thirsty.

She grins, thrilled at my descent into madness. It's nice to forget the stress of Big Mike, but before I can bask in my small act of rebellion, Blake’s voice rumbles at my ear.

“Two is enough.”

I turn my head andoh.Big mistake.

He’s too close. Close enough that the scent of cedar and something darkly masculine wraps around me like a warm, forbidden blanket, triggering the very specific memory of waking up to the lingering scent of him the other morning.

Delicious.

I lift a brow, challenging the hard glare he gives me. “Are you policing my drink order now?”

His mouth tilts in that slow, smug way that makes me want to either kiss him or throw a drink in his face.

“Just looking out for you.”

Before I can reply, the bartender slides our cocktails across the counter. A bright pink liquid swirls in tall glasses, garnished with a single maraschino cherry and a bright green leaf of fresh mint.

I stare at the glass. "What in the Barbie Dreamhouse is this?"

Natalie snatches hers, lifting it high. “To the Icehawks! Victorious again!”

I clink my glass against hers and take a sip—sweet, fruity, with just enough of a kick to warm my throat.

“Ohhhh, my…" I murmur, going in for another big sip. "That's dangerously good.”

Blake exhales like a man trying to summon patience from the depths of his soul.

Natalie elbows me, waggling her brows. "Tastes like a mistake waiting to happen."

I smirk, swaying slightly as I brace a hand on the bar. The night blurs into warm, fuzzy laughter,one more roundturning intojust one more after that, the world spinning in a way that’s alarmingly enjoyable.

Then a sharp tug at my waist sends a shock of heat right through me.

I blink up and find Blake’s hand gripping my waist, holding me steady like it’s pure instinct.

His scowl is downright scalding. “Alright, that’s enough.”

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