Page 29 of Hothead

No one said anything after that. It was so quiet, Bella started to fidget on her stool. Just one look at their faces and she knew they were holding back, biting their lips and not saying what they wanted to say. Not asking what they wanted to ask. Of course Cat was the one who looked like she was in the most pain.

Bella rolled her eyes. “Okay, go on, you can say it. If only for Cat’s health. She looks like she’s one second away from exploding all over the place.”

Surprisingly, Rachel was the one to crack first, grabbing hold of Bella’s arm and shaking her as she spoke. “I’m sorry, sugar, it’s just that we don’t wanna scare you off with our excitement.”

She was pretty damn excited all right. “And why exactly are you all so excited?”

“Because it’s Luke,” Cat said before downing her shot.

“He’s never, likeever, introduced us or any of the guys to a woman. Let alone publicly shown any sort of affection for one,” Libby added.

“And we’re not just talking about that kiss he laid on you the other day.” Rachel grinned. “I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”

“Let’s not forget when he went full-on Neanderthal and carried her out of here too.” Cat smirked. “Cody pulled that shit on me as well when I went on a date with Wade. He stormed into Casalingo, threw me over his shoulder, and stormed back out. It was kinda hot.”

“You dated Wade?” Bella cocked her head in question. It was hard to imagine. Also, does everyone know about the bar thing?

“Nope.” She popped her lips. “Didn’t make it past the breadsticks portion of date number one.”

Poor Wade.

“Anyway,” Rachel brought them back to the topic at hand, “we can all tell he likes you, that’s all. And now that we’ve had a chance to get to know you, we can all see why. Just don’t hurt him, okay? He may come across as tough and like he doesn’t give a shit about anyone or anything ... but it’s all an act. Deep down, he’s a teddy bear.”

Cat and Libby nodded in agreement while Bella found herself smiling. Luke really wasn’t fooling anyone with the giant wall he’d erected around himself. Wade wasn’t even friends with him, and he knew the man was, in his words, “soft as shit,” and here these women were too, referring to him as a teddy bear.

“You don’t have to worry about me hurting him. If anything, I think I’m the only one in danger of getting hurt.” When she noticed the concern marring their faces, Bella was quick to explain. “Look, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I don’t like Luke. I do. But I’ve only known him a week, and as you guys seem to be all too aware ... the man doesn’t do relationships. So ... whatever happens between us, it’s not going to go anywhere. And I need to remember that. Maybe tattoo it on my face.”

Only Cat seemed to enjoy Bella’s sarcasm. The others looked like they’d just found out Santa Claus wasn’t real.

“Okay, I think I need to dance now,” Bella declared, downing her shot and pushing up from the tall wooden top table.

“Yes!” Cat concurred and followed her to the dance floor.

Bella couldn’t take any more sad looks. She’d had enough sad to last her a lifetime. She needed to forget. That’s what whiskey was for. And dancing. No more sad. No more pain. Just music and distant memories.

***

Bella felt Luke’s presencebefore she’d even seen him. Like the last time she’d been on this very dance floor, she felt his eyes on her. Tonight was no different. When she finally decided to look up, her feelings were confirmed.

Luke was leaning against the bar. Big arms crossed. Giving her a look so intense that she was surprised she hadn’t yet burst into flames.

Maybe drinking all night wasn’t the best idea.

Granted, her control around this man when she was sober wasn’t the greatest, but with half a bottle of whiskey in her system, what hope did she have?

Her first test came when those muscley arms uncrossed and he began stalking toward her. A massive gulp that followed didn’t exactly fill her with confidence for what was to come. She needed a distraction. If only to get these damn heart palpitations under control.

As usual, he stepped into her space, dipped his head, and breathed her in, his brown eyes melting to black as he ran them down her dress. But she wasn’t going to get lost in him this time. Not yet. She had an idea. Picking up one of his hands, she placed it on her waist. She then proceeded to do the same with his other hand. Once she was done, she dared a glance up. He looked no less wild.

“Dance with me?” She ignored the liquid heat filling her belly.

“Is that what you want, angel, just a dance?” His deep rumble was enough to cause a goosebump breakout along her arms.

That can’t be good.

Letting her palms rest on his hard chest, she began to move her hips. They were going to dance. She was not going to flirt with him. And she definitely wasn’t going to kiss him.

It only took one minute for her to realize that this was not a very good idea after all. Actually, it was a terrible idea.

---