Page 39 of Cold as Stone
Ginger wolf-whistles. “Damn girl, you clean up nice. Lee’s gonna swallow his tongue.”
Andi grins, taking in my outfit with an approving nod. “You look fantastic. Come on, let’s get you inside before you lose your nerve completely.”
They flank me as we head toward the door, Ginger linking her arm through mine. “Fair warning - Tank’s already three beers in and challenging people to arm wrestle. Steel’s playing referee and losing badly.”
Sure enough, as we step inside, I spot Tank at a table, his massive frame dwarfing the prospect beside him—Steel, who’s trying to maintain order while Tank flexes dramatically.
“STEEL!” Tank bellows. “Tell this punk I won fair and square!”
Steel looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. “You cheated. You can’t tickle someone during arm wrestling.”
“Show me where that’s in the rules!” Tank grins wickedly.
My eyes automatically scan the crowded room looking for Lee.
Desperate much?
I find him by the bar, talking with Cash and Bones. When our eyes meet across the room, everything else fades away. The conversations, the music, the chaos—it all becomes background noise as he excuses himself and starts making his way toward me.
“Oh, you’ve got it bad,” Andi murmurs beside me, following my gaze.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Honey, you’re practically glowing,” Poppy laughs. “And he looks like he’s about to devour you whole.”
“I’m adding oral to our bet. There’s no way they’re making it to dinner,” Ginger stage-whispers to Tank as he joins us.
“You’re on,” Tank says, wrapping an arm around Ginger. “My boy’s got more self-control than that.”
“Better warm up that tongue. Your boy’s been eye-fucking her since she walked in,” Ginger retorts.
He flicks it out at her then laughs when she elbows him in the gut.
Lee reaches us, and without a word, he slides an arm around my waist, pulling me against his side. The possessive gesture sends heat shooting through me.
“Ladies,” he says, though his eyes never leave mine. “Mind if I steal her for a minute?”
“We were attempting to get to know her,” Poppy starts, but there’s a smile in her voice. “But, sure. Go ahead. Steal our new friend.”
“Looks like Ginger’s winning the bet,” Andi says with a grin.
Before I can protest, Lee’s guiding me through the crowd, his hand warm and sure on my back. He leads me to a quiet corner near the back windows, away from the main party.
“Hi,” he says softly, turning to face me fully.
“Hi yourself.”
“You came.”
“You doubted I would?”
“Maybe a little.” His hands settle on my waist, thumbs brushing along my ribs. “You look fucking incredible, by the way.”
The praise makes my chest tight. “Lee…”
He leans in, his mouth brushing my ear. “You take my breath away, you know that?”
My breath catches.
