Page 1 of Fair Play
Chapter 1
Billie
There’s nothing like a girls’night out.
Unless the girls you’re with are mean and the club is pretentious and the drinks cost a fortune. Not to mention, every guy in the place seems to be some kind of poser—actor, model, or musician-wannabes wearing too much after shave and not enough deodorant. I love to dance but the scene at this club is a bummer. Not to mention the attitudes of my roommates.
“Hey, sweetheart—wanna dance?” The guy in front of me can barely stand up and he’s so drunk his eyes are half-closed.
“No thanks.” I give him a friendly smile and start to turn away, but he grabs me by the shoulder and whirls me back around.
“I asked you to dance!” he snarls.
I step to the side and snarl right back, “And I saidno, thank you.”
“Think you’re too good for me?”
I roll my eyes. “I think I’m toosoberfor you.”
“Come dance!” He starts to tug on my arm but I dig my heels in and wrench my arm free. My older brother plays pro hockey and he’s taught me plenty of ways to defend myself against unwanted advances.
“I said no!” I yell, hoping to draw some attention from the bartender.
“Little bitches like you say no even when you really mean yes.” He yanks me up against him.
Ew. Gross.
“I promise—this is a genuine no.” I push at his chest, and when that doesn’t work, dig the heel of my stiletto into his foot.
“Ow!” He yelps and lets me go, hopping on one foot. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with you?” I counter. “Nois a pretty simple word. Go ask someone else.”
“Now you owe me one, you stupid?—”
“The lady has said no repeatedly.” A deep voice startles me, and I turn in surprise. “I suggest you move along.”
Sweet Jesus, whoever he is, he’s tall and broad-shouldered with really pretty eyes.
“I just wanted to dance with her,” my wanna-be paramour whines, still nursing his foot.
“And she said no.” My savior has his back to me so I can’t see his face anymore but now I have a view of a great ass.
“Geez, whatever, man.” The drunk guy finally ambles off and I let out a sigh of relief.
I can take care of myself for the most part but sometimes it’s a hassle.
Which is why I didn’t want to come here in the first place.
But my roommates insisted. I’m trying to have a good time, pretend like I fit in, but it’s been impossible so far.
“Thank you,” I say, touching my savior’s arm.
He turns and I stare into a pair of deep blue eyes.
Holy crap, he’s hot. In an older, mature kind of way. His brown hair has a touch of gray at his temples, and there are a few strays in his short beard. But he looks like one of those men who probably just gets better looking as they get older.
“You okay?” he asks in that gruff voice that puts my wannabe-assailant in his place.
