Page 16 of Torrid Love
“Classless tarts don’t care because they don’t have an ounce of decency.” The words come out harsher than expected.
Both Holly and Zoe turn in my direction and cock an eyebrow.
“Like I said, same old, same old,” I add quickly to save face.
As I watch the scene unfold, anger billows and blinds me.
Is it craziness on my part?
Yup.
I know I have no right to feel this way about my best friend, but I can’t help it.
As the guards escort Miss Classless Tart out of the building, the DJ starts playing music again. Already, the crowd is bouncing around to the sound of the beat.
Gabriel approaches and comes to stand next to us.
“Wow, that was quite the peepshow,” he says.
“I didn’t need to knowthatmuch about her,” Holly says.
“But it’smybirthday,” Zoe wails again.
“Too much info onyourbirthday,” Gabriel chuckles.
“My eyes still hurt,” I say.
“I can never unsee that. Ever,” he says.
Fuck this.
Two can play at this game.
“Let’s dance!” I tell Gabriel.
He flashes me a surprised gaze before grinning wide. “I’d love to.”
“See you later, ladies,” I wave.
“See you,” Holly and Zoe say.
Gabriel takes me by the hand and leads me to the dance floor.
Since he’s been hitting on me since I arrived and this isn’t the first time he’s shown interest, maybe it isn’t a bad idea to see where things go.
For several long minutes I’m able to pretend I’m unbothered by the disturbing scene and I lose myself in the sultry beat. A tap on my shoulder brings me back to reality. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is, so I ignore it. The second tap is more forceful. Rod is a persistent guy.
Unwilling to be ignored, he comes and stands in front of me.
“Can I talk to you for a sec?” he shouts over the music.
“I’m busy,” I shout back.
“The fuck you are,” Rod growls.
Gabriel comes to my defense. “She said, she’s busy, bro. Go find your own dance partner.”
Rod pins Gabriel with a deadly stare.
