Page 200 of Sin With Me

And like only a true friend would, Grace took a third one. She’d laugh with you, cry with you, and drown your sorrows when there was a need in a bottle of tequila without caring that she’d be hugging the porcelain king later in the night. Grace threw another shot that shook through her body like she was a wet dog dryingoff.

“Ok, fill me in on what happened, before these toxins take over my brain.”

I went through my story, giving her all the details, sparing her the dangerous part of John Huntz.

The club began filling up. The lights dimmed and music sounded. The strength of the bass vibrated through my body, and I wanted nothing more than to lose myself to the songs. From the corner of my eye I saw Hunter sitting at the bar, chatting with someone and scrolling through his phone. He’d been keeping his eye on us the entire time, which I guess was more for Grace’s benefit than mine. He’d always been very protective of my friend.

“I haven’t seen you this distraught in a long time, Em. In fact, you look like me when I’m upset at Hunter.”

“I don’t follow.”

She thought for a moment, swaying on her legs. “You know what?” she screamed over the music. “I don’t think I follow me either. But if I love Hunter when you get that look on your face, then you must love Eric because that’s the look Ihave.”

Grace was definitely drunk.

We both burst out laughing and each grabbed another waitingshot.

“We want to dance now!” I could barely hear my voice over the loud music.

“Then we dance!” She pulled on my arm and squeezed through the crowd toward the center of the overpopulated dance floor. The smell of booze and sweat no longer botheredme.

I moved to the rhythm of music, at least I thought I was doing so. Everyone around me appeared to be moving in slower motion. But maybe it was the alcohol – actually I was sure the tequila was the cause for my twirling world. But it felt so good not to think about anything, to get lost to the sound and the words of the song I couldn’t make sense of. Oh, God, I’d definitely be paying for drinking so much in the morning. I lifted my hands above my head, snapping my fingers to the beat, weaving my hips from side to side, absolutely hypnotized. My veins were warmed by the buzzing alcohol in my body as I grazed first against one guy, then another, and all the tension I’d felt earlier in the night disappeared. Soon, Hunter made his way over to us. He took Grace’s hips, grinding against her, kissing her neck, and nibbling on her ear. Looking at them I missed Eric too much, so I turned around and fell into the arms of a handsome man with dark auburn eyes. They shined almost like gold as lights flashed above us, and the more I looked, the more familiar they became.

He gently took my hand and spun me around, only to catch me against his hard chest when I lost my balance and giggled. Now that I had a closer look at him, I found him to be much more than handsome. He was gorgeous. Not my type, but definitely a ten on the Richter scale because I swear I thought the ground had just moved underneath us. He pulled his fingers through his long hair that curled just over the collar of his well-fitted t-shirt and gave me a sexy crooked smile that had the strength to burn my entire body. His eyes seeped lust, and I knew there was only one thing on this man’s mind – but for the life of me, it had slipped my mind what itwas.

“Hello, Emma,” hesaid.

I searched my brain for the familiar voice.

“Cash? Cash Wagner?”

“Ah, you do remember,” He spun me around and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you here alone?”

How could I had forgotten one of Grace’s brothers.

“Nope. Grace and her boyfriend.” I pointed to the pair, but his gaze remained fixated onme.

“You look like you’re celebrating tonight.”

I wasn’t sure how my hips got into his hands or how my arms found themselves around his neck, but it felt good to be held. It felt amazing to let go of the stress and for once not think about anyone else around me. After all, that’s how others thought of me, right? I was a selfish brat, according to some people, so I might as well play the part and forget about the number of people I’d helped through failed marriages and relationships, the hours I’d put in at Cross Enterprises.

“I’m celebrating me.” I stepped up on my toes so that he could hear me without realizing that he’d already lowered his head to hear me. Our mouths were so close I could smell the sweet scent of rum on his breath, overpowering the tequila taste lingering in my mouth. My heart stilled.

“You’re a dangerous man, Cash Wagner.”

Cash lowered his body, pulling me closer. His fingers skimmed against my bare spine. The blouse I’d worn tonight draped down to my ass at theback.

“I thought you liked danger,” he replied. “But I’m not the man you knew a year ago, Emma.”

Wasn’t he? From what I remembered, all four of Grace’s brothers were pure scum, hiding behind their daddy’s name. My head hurt. I didn’t want to think about the Wagner family. I needed a break.

“Let me prove you wrong, Emma Cross. Let me celebrate you aswell.”

“Then dance with me until the morning,” I breathed heavily into his ear, my hands holding onto his biceps, feeling those ripped muscles bunch underneath my palms. God were they everhard!

“As you wish.” Cash dipped me back so low I thought my boobs were going to fall out of my bra. Thank goodness for fabric tape. When he brought me back up we were pressed against each other, swaying to the rhythm which I wasn’t even sure was slow. He held me in my spot with that hypnotizing dark gaze of his, and I felt a slight tug of guilt in my stomach. He must have sensed my discomfort because his grip eased and his genuine and utterly megawatt smile eased my concern. We were just two people having fun, right? And I needed some fun. I wasn’t stupid, though. I knew Cash was probably out tonight looking to score. My thought disappeared when he spun me around, holding me from behind, every inch of his fulfilling curve pressing deliciously against my back. The evening was about me – for once, all aboutme.

I let Cash lead me through the motions, yielding to his dips and succumbing to his turns. Cash had some smooth moves, always holding me close, never losing contact. We stopped by the bar a couple of times for a few more shots. Since I trusted that Kendra had Matt looking out for me, I knew that he’d drive me home when there was a need. Besides, Hunter would never let me leave with a total stranger, especially Cash Wagner. It surprised me he hadn’t ripped me out of Cash’s arms yet. I shook my head, letting the tequila wash away all those responsible thoughts that were flooding my mind. Tonight was all aboutfun.

After the last shot I was beginning to cross that border from a good buzz to completely wasted, and was running a chance of not remembering most of this night. As I moved past the crowd toward the center of the dance floor, pulling Cash behind me, I thought I saw Eric’s face flash between the dancers, but when I tried to find him again, I couldn’t. I shook off the paranoia that he’d somehow know what I was up to and kept swinging my hips to the rhythm, slightly grinding against Cash. He obviously liked it because he hadn’t left my side since I bumped into him. Yet the guilt tugging at my insides hadn’t left me for a moment. Deep down I knew that had Eric seen this, he wouldn’t have liked it; and then I felt bad for Cash who definitely had hope, but there was no way I’d leave the club with him. But I didn’t want to think about serious stuff at the moment. It was so rare for me to let go, and I wanted nothing more than to stay this way – oblivious to life and to the deep calling of my name far in the distance. The room spun like a Ferris wheel. The lights blended into one another, forming a prism of colors in the air. An aerial dancer flew right over my head making me laugh outloud.

“Maybe we should slow down, Emma?” Cash had a concerned look on his face. Why was he worried? I was fine, justfine.

“Maybe I should slow down so you can catch me.” And I felt my knees give out from underneath me as I fell back into a black hole behind me, before my world was swallowed by darkness.

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