Page 12 of Release Me

Her lips part. “But how about later?”

I jump at the feel of a palm smoothing over my groin; I don’t have to check to know it’s hers. I can’t get away, even if I want to. I’m surrounded by people in every direction, all of them clueless as the lioness server rubs my dick.

“I think you are incredibly sexy. Why don’t you give me your number and we can …”

From the corner of my eye, I notice Connor’s large frame about ten feet away, standing too close and menacingly to some lanky guy for it to end well.

Shit. “I’m sorry, I’ve gotta help my friend. Come by the table.” I skirt past her and push through, trying to will my erection down as I close the distance. I grab hold of Connor’s shoulders and squeeze. “Hey, what’s up, bro?”

“Look who I ran into!” Connor exclaims with mock cheeriness.

“I don’t know this guy.” He’s skinny and has a vibe to him—his pants are tapered, his shirt fitted and untucked. I can’t see his shoes, but I’d bet they’re polished and slightly wing-tipped. He’s nervous, that much is obvious by the way he keeps glancing around him, running his fingers through his shaggy brown hair, pushing it off his face.

For Connor to lose his charming edge, he must be pissed. And he’s a big guy. Whoever this hipster-fucker is, he better be afraid.

“Thisis Ryan’s ex, David,” Connor explains through gritted teeth.

Oh.

“He works at Wolf, in accounting. And that girl over thereworks in reception.” He nods toward a pretty, tall blond standing about five feet away.

Ohhh.

“I was telling David how sweet it is, the way he had his arm wrapped around her. You know, since he broke up with mysisterlast night.”

Fuck. The dick isn’t just with another girl. He’s with a hotel coworker.

Poor Ryan. She’s gonna hear about this by Monday morning. The fact that she has to work in the same place as her ex is bad enough, and now he’s dating someone else there. What is it with hotels and staffers banging each other like rabbits, thinking no one will find out about it? The outdoor crew guys have a bad rep, but these office people aren’t much better.

A quick glance around shows me that five different bouncers are watching, ready to move in. I don’t want to get kicked out. Not before I see Becca again. “Come on. You’ve gotta let Ryan deal with this in her own way. You’ll only make it worse. Let’s go.”

At first, I don’t think Connor’s going to listen. But finally, he moves away, carving a path straight to the bar.

“How the fuck doesheland a chick like that?” Connor yells over the music. “He’s got to be a hundred pounds soaking wet. Does he have a giant curved dick or something?”

“I don’t get it either,” I agree.

“I mean, my sister and him were one thing, but …”

“Ryan’s not exactly hard to look at.” She has a sweet, wholesome face and a killer ass.

“You know what I mean. She’s all scholarly, doing her master’s and shit.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Connor eyes me. “Why? Have you been checking her out?”

“No way.” It’s an automatic response. A lie, but a necessary one. Sisters are off-limits.

Connor leans over the bar, sizing up the choices. “Good. Because I don’t think I’d be okay with that.”

I snort. “Dude, then why do you keep trying to push her on me?”

“Because I like to bug the shit out of her. But if I ever thought she’d actually bite, I wouldn’t.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll bite. My dick. No thanks. I like it whole and attached. But you know what?” I pat Connor’s back. “I’m glad to see you actually do know how to be a good brother and give a damn about something besides getting laid.”

The bartender comes by. Connor orders and pays for the round, his gaze roving over the women around the bar. “Ah, well. She’ll find someone new soon enough. And speaking of getting laid …” He grabs two of the drinks and carves a path through the crowd, back to our table.

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