Page 35 of Redeeming Rabbit

“Abso-fuckin-lutely. We should head down.”

“Wait. Before we do, I have to ask… How safe is this place?”

He frowned, and his expression turned murderous. “Why? Did Sage…?”

“No.” What was with everyone assuming the worst of each other? “But your reaction reinforces my concerns. Will I be in danger?”

“No. I told you I’ll play designated driver tonight. I won’t drink a sip, and I sure as hell won’t let anything happen to you. You can count on that, Postal. All you need to do is relax and enjoy yourself. I got you. I promise.”

Oddly enough, I believed him. “Okay. Thank you.”

The smile he flashed me was decidedly savage. “You any good at throwing darts?”

Was I ever? I had been a master at darts since my freshman year of high school when Tina had started insisting I accompany her to parties. The first one had a dart board, which was far more interesting than drunk teenagers. I taught myself to throw. It required about eighty percent science and twenty percent skill. I had the science down, but what I lacked in skill, I made up for in perseverance.

Besides, it wasn’t like there was anything else to do at the parties.

Tina promised I’d never find a boyfriend if I bested every guy available, but back then, I wasn’t interested in dating, anyway. Besides, weeding out the poor losers was a solid precursor to dating. And I was about to witness how Rabbit reacted when I kicked his cotton-tailed ass.

“I’m… adequate.”

He chuckled. “Right. Babe, I doubt you’ve ever been just adequate at anything in your life. Come on. Let’s go make some money.”

13

Rabbit

We dodged cameras for a solid two hours before Tap busted us. I was usually the one who caused a stir, but this time, it wasn’t me who drew his attention. Elenore wasn’t just good at darts, much to the chagrin of my brothers. She was unbeatable. We spent almost two hours taking their money before they realized not even the three rum and cokes she’d consumed could skew her aim.

We’d drawn quite a crowd, but that wasn’t what caught Tap’s eye.

No, that happened afterward when I’d thrown down a sniping challenge and led her to the grouping of chairs centered around a fifty-two-inch television connected to a gaming console.

She took one look at the setup and jammed her index finger into my chest. “I don’t play video games, Roger. I’m a mature adult.”

The declaration would have been more convincing had she not slurred her words. Mixed drink number four was almost gone, and I planned to ask Shari to keep the rum out of Elenore’s next drink. Better yet, maybe I should find her a bottle of water. Four drinks over two hours wouldn’t do shit to anyone else in this club, but the way she kept listing to the left led me to believe Elenore was a lightweight.

Regardless, I couldn’t drag my gaze away from her. Sweaty from the gym, she’d been hot as fuck. She was breathtaking in her navy skirt suit, looking like she was about to take over the world. But Elenore dressed in my old Offspring T-shirt with her baseball cap on backward—so it didn’t shade her vision and mess with her dart throws—was fucking irresistible.

My goddamn hands moved without my consent, sliding over her waist to pull her against me. Her head fell back so she could meet my gaze. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she tangled her hand in the front of my shirt as if to keep me in position. But there was nowhere else I wanted to be. The soft curves of her body pressed against me, and we gulped the same air. The sweet scent of rum on her breath reminded me she was a good two and a half sheets to the wind.

While I was completely sober.

And like a goddamn fool, I’d promised her she could trust me. I needed to create distance between us before carrying her up to my room. Thankfully, I was a master at pissing people off.

“I understand.” I peeled her fingers from my shirt. “Girls can’t shoot. Even in a video game. I get it.”

She shoved me, and I stumbled backward. “You listen to me, and you listen good.” Holding up a finger, she drained her glass and placed it on a coffee table. Glaring me down like a misbehaving child she was about to scare straight, she said, “I am an excellent shot. Take me to a gun range right now, and I’ll prove it.”

I eyed the empty glass. “Maybe when you’re sober.Ifyou don’t suck too much at the game.”

“I don’t suck at anything.”

I quirked a smile. “That’s unfortunate.”

She snorted. Looked surprised at herself and then laughed at the sound. “Fine. Show me what to do. And don’t cry too hard when I kick your ass.”

God, I loved her competitive streak. I started up the game and showed her what to do. Then, I proceeded to snipe her character in the head.

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