Page 18 of Brands

Dixon laughs, cutting me off. “He’s multi-talented. Don’t ever play cards against him though, he’s a damn shark.”

Blue steps to the microphone and his bright gaze finds me. “This is for the birthday girl.” His crooked grin makes my belly quiver.

From the first strum of his fingers, then when he adds his deep baritone, I’m transfixed.

His rich voice carries through the bar in a mesmerizing tune that has couples slow dancing below him.

Their bodies sway to his gentle tune. The soft notes feel as if they’re rocking me into a warm fuzzy blanket.

My straw gurgles when I reach the bottom of my glass, stirring me to glance away.

When I look back, it’s through the sea of drifting people, with him in the spotlight.

He’s glowing like a sexy angel, and his song is some sort of magic, drawing me to him.

I know the first thing on my list I want to do.

Lose my virginity.

To him.

Chapter Seven

Blue

I promised Lloyd threesongs in exchange for their table.

Watching Libby lean on her palm, her deep blue eyes fixed on me, it does something in my chest I can’t explain.

I don’t want to keep playing, I want to get back down there and whisk her around the dance floor.

To feel her body pressing against mine.

Fuck.

It’s wrong. Clay would kill me. I promised I’d help, not cross a line.

Pulling my gaze over the heads of the crowd is easier. Less distracting.

But when I glance back, she’s staring with that damn straw rolling against her tongue.

She makes me stumble over the lyrics. Doing that to an old John Denver song is sacrilege.

I have to focus.

Losing myself in the music, I manage to finish without any other missteps.

The last is an upbeat, fast paced newer hit that starts pulling people out of their chairs to gather below.

That’s when I see a younger man move towards Libby.

He slides easily into the seat next to her.

Why does a knot of irritation form in my gut?

She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself. I know she’s had no problem running off Char’s ex with a pistol.

I don’t think she’s armed tonight though.

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