Page 62 of Whiskey Lies

Despite having no interest in spending the night with Vanessa attached to my hip, I’m happy that my sister is enjoying herself. She rarely joins my brothers and me at the club, and if anyone knows how to make a night special, it’s my brother Chase. He never does anything half-ass, and tonight is no exception. An employee escorts us through the dark club to a private area with couches and bottles of every liquor imaginable. A cocktail waitress takes my drink order before I even sit down, and I turn my eyes to the dance floor. Although only a few feet separate us from the rest of the crowd, as well as a few bouncers and black velvet rope, it might as well be a mile because no one is getting up here unless we okay it. This is perfect for me. I don’t need any more photographers hanging around and taking pictures.

After this week, I just want to let loose with my brothers. I’ve earned a break. I throw back a shot of tequila, and Carter shakes his head. “It’s going to be one of those nights, eh?”

“Fuck off,” I say with a smile, as the alcohol burns down my throat. The beat of the bass thrums in my head, and I feel my entire body loosen.

Carter laughs and shakes his head. “Whatever you say. Check out that firecracker down there.” He points in the direction of a short redhead wearing knee-high boots and a short black skirt. Not his type at all. Carter always wants tall skinny women. At six feet three,he says it makes him look better with someone tall on his arm.

“How come?” I ask honestly, although my eyes have already turned to her friend whose hips are swaying to the music as she tips back her head in laughter. The way she moves is so carefree, so light, and so cheerful. When her head turns in our direction, I see her face, and mine breaks out in a grin. Fucking Grace. If I didn’t have faith before tonight, I’d convert and begin worshiping at her altar.

As it is I plan on worshiping her body all night.

She’s wearing a cream-colored dress which hugs her curves but still seems conservative for this crowd. Her hair is up in a ponytail and curled in layers above her head. I’m already itching to fist it while she kneels below me. Looks like I won’t have to wait until tomorrow after all. Now I just have to ditch my brothers.

I feel Carter’s eyes on me, and I turn to him sheepishly, aware he caught me staring at Grace.

“Eyes off her friend. You’re going after easy tonight and that woman looks anything but easy,” Carter says, slapping my back. He points back to Vanessa. “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”

I grimace as I look behind us. Vanessa and her sisters are dancing for everyone else’s enjoyment.

“You like a challenge.”

The cocktail waitress walks up with another set of shots, and I grab two as I remember Grace’s words. Knowing I’ll be taking her home, I decide to have a little fun with my brother.

“Hundred bucks says she’s easy for me tonight,” I say cockily, pointing at Grace.

Carter laughs and shakes my hand before taking the other shot from me. “I’ll take that bet. Let’s go.”

I throw back the shot with Carter and we head down to the dance floor. It’s darker down here than it seemed from above. With bodies moving in all directions, it’s hard to locate Grace.

I spot the redhead walking to the bar and signal to Carter that his girl is disappearing. Carter takes off, and my eyes look in that direction to see if Grace went with her. A hip bumps into me, and when I turn, I find the cream-colored ass that was shaking from above. She’s dancing with another woman, but she still hasn’t spotted me. I place my hand on her waist, as I whisper into her ear, “Mind if I join you?”

Her hand goes over mine and she shimmies against me, moving in circles against my growing erection.

I might snap that she’s dancing like this with just anyone.My grip tightens on her hips as her friend turns to dance with someone else and I pull her closer, running my hand up and down her leg as she dances on me. Her arm goes over her head, and she pulls on my neck, as she holds me close and grinds against me.

I spin her around, ready to give her a piece of my mind, and she raises her eyes to meet mine, as she swings her arms around my neck and gives me a coy smile. “Surprise.”

Little minx. She was toying with me the whole time.

She turns back around, lowering herself down my body and continuing her teasing game.This is not the Grace that I’ve known for the last few weeks. That woman was shy, demure, guarded. This woman is none of those things. And I’m hooked.

“So that’s the game you want to play?” I ask, pulling her up and holding her ass against me as I let her feel exactly how turned on I am. “Did you know it was me? Or is this how you dance with everyone?” I whisper into her ear. There’s anger in my voice and only one proper answer.

Grace turns around and pops up on her toes so I can hear her every word. “Oh, Whiskey, I could feel you watching me. Like an itch right between my shoulder blades, your gaze set fire to my skin, and as soon as I turned, I saw you walking this way, searching for me.” She pauses as she moves closer to me, raising her eyes to mine as if she really wants me to pay attention. “Your sister is watching us. You should walk away.”

“Fuck Cat. Fuck responsibility. Stop protecting me. You’re the only thing I want.”

Grace’s violet eyes are almost black in the dark room, but they shine as they grow bigger, listening to my demands. Her hand moves to my cheek, mimicking my actions, and she pulls me down to kiss her.

In the middle of the club, while others dance around us, I lift Grace up and kiss her like I need her to breathe. Her tongue swipes my own and I pull her closer, unable to get enough of the feel of her body against mine. It’s intoxicating, finally having oxygen after what feels like weeks without it. When someone bumps into us, I slip Grace down my body and take her hand, leading her off the dance floor.

“Where are we going?” she asks as she stays close to my arm.

I turn around and look down at her, knowing with certainty this is the right move. She’s getting a divorce. She’s not with Hanson. She doesn’t belong to anyone else. So this isn’t wrong. My family will just have to deal.

Stopping, I lean down and cup her chin, pulling her lips to mine. “I’m taking you home, Angel.”

Chapter 23

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