Page 63 of Give Me Love

“Y’all leave the man alone.” Austin steps in.

“Whatever.” Claire pokes him in the chest. “Don’t turn on us because of some stupid bro code.”

“Bro code?” Austin’s brows lift.

“Yeah. Bros before hos and all that shit.” Claire waves her hand dismissively. Kat laughs.

Claire squeals, “Oh, this is my jam! Come on, Kat!” She pulls her friend from her seat.

“You’re making me spill my drink,” Kathrine says to the dancing queen. She takes a gulp and leaves it behind before she’s dragged to the dance floor. She turns back to give me a look.

I smirk. Damn, she’s sexy.

I lift my drink to my lips as I watch her move her hips while holding onto Claire. Her ass looks amazing in those jeans, and her wedges make her legs appear super long.

Austin gets my attention. “So, I know I’m doing a job for you, but can I ask you something man-to-man?”

The drink goes down smoothly, and I suck my teeth as I place it back on the bar. “Sure.”

“What’s the deal with you two?” He points toward Kathrine.

“Why do you ask?”

He shrugs as he takes a swallow from his beer. “She’s my friend, dude. I’ve known her and Claire for a long time. She’s been through some shit. I see the way you look at each other. I’m just watching out.”

I lift a finger to signal for Bobby again. “Need another?” I ask Austin.

He nods. “’Preciate it.”

“I’m not sure just yet. Is that a good enough answer for you?”

“Just be careful with her. They’ve both had some shitty relationships. Claire’s ex beat on her pretty bad, and she had to get a restraining order. And Kat had a miserable upbringing and then lands a douche for a boyfriend who cheats on her after two years.”

“Miserable upbringing, huh?” I observe the girl who’s making my whole world slowly turn upside down.

So, we have that in common.

“Any details on her past you wanna give up?” I lift my brow at him.

He smirks. “Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you. You’ll have to let her.”

I nod, liking this guy more and more. “I respect that.”

He looks out at the dance floor, and my eyes follow. I watch as Kathrine dances with Claire. She moves easily to the music, seeming so carefree in this moment.

Austin breaks my trance. “I’ll have to warn you, though. She’s not one to share.”

I laugh to myself. Don’t I know this already. Our refills sit behind us, and I stand when a mix of In This Moment’s “Adrenalize” comes on. “I’ve always loved a challenge.” I lift my glass and drain it before placing it back down.

He smirks and tips his beer toward me. “Good luck.”

The music is seductive, and the lights above us dance and twist. The club goes black with only white strobe lights spinning around on everyone’s faces and bodies.

I walk up behind Kathrine as she dances, eyeing her friend and signaling to let me dance with her girl. She smiles and tells Kat something before heading toward the restroom.

The DJ focuses on the slower part of the song, mixing it up so it’s bleeding sex, and the crowd responds by slow moving instead of raving. Kat turns as if she’s going to walk back to the bar, but there’s me.

A small gasp falls from her lips, and her hands land on my chest. She goes to move them, but I stop her.

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