Page 55 of Pucking Sweet

He glances over toward the railing and back to me. He doesn’t need to say a word. He wants to go find Poppy first. But he also didn’t miss my not-so-subtle diversion tactic from earlier. He doesn’t want me getting cozy with her any more than I want her cozy with him.

Shit, how the hell did we get here?

“Hey,” Rachel calls over to me, wedged between Sanford and a very territorial looking Compton. “Keep an eye on Poppy! Switch her to Shirley Temples at midnight!”

Fuck, is Poppy still down there draining cocktails like they’re water? Screw our alpha-posturing bullshit, Morrow and I need to go check on her, maybe get a cheeseburger in her. I look down over the railing, searching for her at the bar.

“Bust a move, Sanford,” Morrow calls from my side, waving the trio off.

“Yeah, have fun, Snuffy,” says Langley.

A few of the other guys laugh, watching as Doc Price hurries away with Compton, dragging Sanford behind her.

“Okay, a thousand bucks says we find allthreeof them in a closet within the hour,” I say at Morrow.

“No bet.”

I squeeze his shoulder. “Come on, let’s go get Poppy—”

Just then, one of the young rookies comes rushing up from behind us and tugs on Sully’s arm. “Hey, man. I think you need to come. DJ is lookin’ pretty bad.”

All three of us snap to attention. “DJ” is David Perry, one of our forwards.

“Where is he?” says Morrow.

“Out back in the alley, spilling his guts,” Westie replies. He looks glassy-eyed. Shit, he’s drunk as a skunk too. “I, uhh…he drank a lot of those Jax Rays things. Like, a lot.”

Sully groans, dragging a tired hand over his face. Heavy is the chest that wears the captain’sC. “I’m getting too fucking old for this shit.” He turns to Morrow. “Will you help me?”

Morrow gives me a long-suffering look before he nods. He’s too damn nice to turn down a direct ask from our captain. “Sure, yeah.” He puts his hand on my shoulder and leans in. “Pay my tab?”

“It’s done,” I say with a solemn nod. “I have all the tabs,” I assure Sully too. “Just go get that asshole before any of the press get pictures of him sitting in his own vomit.”

I follow them toward the back corner where a set of utility stairs must lead down to the alley. I nearly run into Morrow as he grabs the railing, glaring down at the dance floor. “Holy shit.”

I peer down too, my gaze locking instantly on Poppy. The lights flash purple and blue, reflecting off the angles of her face and golden hair. The music thumps a heavy beat as she sways, her hips pressedup tight against the crotch of some blond dick in khakis. He’s got his hands all over her. She leans her head back against his shoulder, her eyes shut tight, lips parted, like she’s a few seconds away from coming.

My heart stops. “What the actual fucking fuck?”

Next to me, Morrow grips tight to the rail. “Will you please go take care of her?”

My eyes narrow on the dead man grinding behind her. “I got it.”

He grabs my arm as I turn away. “Hey—and by ‘take care of her,’ I mean get her safely back to the hotel.”

“What, did you think I was gonna dump her in the fucking Potomac? I said I’ll take care of her, Cole.” I give him a shove. “You go deal with your drunk teammate. I’ll deal with mine.”

With one last look, he storms off, following the urgent calls of Sully and West. They disappear into the utility stairwell, and I take off for the main stairs, ready to track down my PR director.

20

The feeling out on this dance floor is carnal. I’m letting the music and the mood move me. My limbs all feel loose, and my body is heating up. I sway and bounce to the beat, tossing my head back, running my fingers through my hair.

Behind me, Kyle the investment banker dances like a frat boy. He’s not clumsy, but he’s not skilled either. But he’s sweet and friendly and he smells really good. That’s about all I can ask for in a one-night stand, right?

He cradles my hips with his hands, rocking to the beat with me. His thumbs brush little circles on my hip bones as his fingers inch perilously close to my bikini line. A little more to the left, and this man will be cupping my pussy over my dress.

I want this, right? What did Tina say? I am exorcising this freaking demon.

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