Page 16 of Turn Up The Heat

“Oh, ladies, allow me,” Marcus murmured, moving to join them.

Bellamy brushed his sleeve with her hand. “That’s really not necessary, Marcus. I’d like to have a quick conversation with Holly about our itinerary for the weekend. We won’t be long.”

Marcus got caught up in her use of multiple syllables like they were an IQ force field, and he gaped like a grouper on deck. “Oh, uh…right. I’ll just wait here, then.”

She pressed her lips together to hold in a smile, but as soon as Bellamy turned toward the bar, her smile died on the spot.

Shane was standing not ten feet away, leaning against the wall and staring at her with eyes so dark, they all but glittered black in the low light spilling down from overhead. Bellamy froze where she stood in the middle of the hardwood, unable to do anything but stare back at him, until Holly’s voice finally snagged her attention.

“Hello? Earth to Bellamy?” Holly followed Bellamy’s line of sight across the bar, eyes landing directly on Shane. He’d shifted his weight and casually turned his attention toward the absolute mountain of a guy next to him, but Holly caught him well enough in profile to put two and two together. Her mouth curled into a quick, wicked grin. “What’s the matter? Hot guy got your tongue?”

Bellamy’s cheeks went from zero to five-alarm-fire in two seconds flat, and she turned toward the bar. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said casually, flipping her hair for emphasis.

Holly snickered. “I’m notthattipsy. But whatever you say.”

Bellamy changed the subject with a smile. “Thanks for the save over there. I owe you one.”

Holly leaned one elbow on the bar, and within a minute, a fresh beer graced the counter in front of her. “So, Marcus is a no-go, huh? Not that I’m shocked, really. He’s, um, how should I put it…”

“Cheesier than Velveeta?” Bellamy supplied, and Holly choked out a laugh.

“I was going to say too enthusiastic. Is he really that bad?”

Bellamy sighed, linking her fingers around the frosty neck of her beer. “Yes. No.” He definitely wasn’t her type, but he didn’t seem like a bad guy. “I think I might need a break from men after all. Just for a little while.”

Of course, her eyes zeroed in on the spot where Shane had been standing. And of course, he was still standing there, unmoved, looking almost bored.

And wildly sexy.

“I think I need something stronger than this,” she mumbled into her beer.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Before Bellamy could protest, Holly had lined up two shots of top shelf tequila, along with one look of approval from the bartender.

“Jeez, Holly. Guess we’re not going halfway,” Bellamy laughed.

“Nope, not a chance.”

Holly lifted one shot glass and pushed the other one into Bellamy’s hand. Wait, what was the adage? Liquor then beer…no wait. Did that drink at dinner even count anymore? Beer then liquor…uh…

Fuck it.

Bellamy tossed back the shot, and it rode like a lightning strike to her belly. Shuddering slightly, she shifted her weight and leaned against the glossy bar, suddenly very aware of her body.

“Hey, Holly, I’ve gotta find the ladies room.”

Holly nodded, stopped short. “Oh, crap. Looks like Marcus has moved on to Jenna. Will you be okay to find the bathroom on your own?”

“Of course,” Bellamy said. “Go save Jenna. I’ll meet you back at our spot in a couple minutes.”

Bellamy turned, her eyes tracking the crowded bar for any sign of the ladies room. She was loath to admit that her brain was a little foggy on the heels of that shot of tequila, but she was still mostly sober.

“Okay. But if you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m coming after you,” Holly warned.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Bellamy promised.

Anticipation prickled through her as she casually surveyed the bar. Like her eyes needed another excuse, they landed on the spot where Shane had stood a few minutes ago, staring at her.

He was gone.

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