Page 13 of One Touch

“All right.” Duke dropped a heavy hand on the table and wobbled on his feet. “I’m calling it.”

I laughed and clamped a hand on his shoulder, but together we weren’t much more stable. “Are you going to be okay?”

Duke’s lips formed a thin line. “Yep. I’m getting a ride home. You?”

“Walking.”

The Miller vacation home was only a few blocks out of town and up a massive hill. The neighborhood was packed with vacationers, and while the trek home was a steep climb, I’d manage.

Duke squeezed my shoulder and pulled me in for a quick, awkward hug and a pat on the back. “Thanks, man. For all of it. Don’t fall off a cliff.”

I scoffed and downed the last of my beer. “I’ll do my best.”

Duke raised a hand toward the dance floor. He’d caught Kate’s attention, and she beamed at him and raised a hand in the air to say goodbye. “Keep an eye on her, okay?”

My tongue was thick and slow. I offered an unsteady nod, but he took it as an agreement and left me.

Alone at the bar, I didn’t have to hide my assessment of the youngest Sullivan. Kate was in the middle of the dance floor, moving and singing to the cover songs. Her friend Annie, a redhead with wild curly hair, danced next to her as they both shout-sang the lyrics. From where I was, it looked like Kate was about as half in the bag as I was.

A surge of protectiveness poked beneath my ribs.

Lee was off to the side, flirting with some random woman, and Kate seemed to be completely oblivious to the eager eyes of the man dancing behind her. My nostrils flared as his eyes dipped lower to her bare, toned legs.

Those goddamn legs had been on display all day.

I stood from my seat. I didn’t like the way the guy moved in closer and let his hand drag over her hip. Kate laughed but shifted, her body language clearly communicating that she wasn’t interested. The man leaned closer to shout over the music and signal toward the bar.

When he left, the girls leaned in to talk to one another. I stared at the man as he walked right up to the empty space next to me to signal the bartender.

“Two beers and a vodka soda with lime. Make that one extra strong.”

My shoulders bunched. I turned toward the cocky bastard, fury radiating through me. I tipped my chin at the mixed drink. “What’s that about?”

The man looked between me and the bartender and laughed. “Ah, sometimes you gotta loosen her up for a good time.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

The satisfying thought of grabbing him by the back of the head and slamming his face down on the bar coursed through me.

With his cocky, pretty-boy smile he gathered up the drinks and headed back toward the dance floor before I could act.

I stood and immediately caught eyes with Lee. With a grim face, I shook my head and tipped my chin toward Kate. His eyes whipped to his little sister.

Leaving behind the woman he was talking to, Lee made a beeline for Kate. As the douchebag went to hand Kate her overly strong drink, Lee snagged it and chugged it with a playful laugh. Kate laughed with him and swatted at his arm. Then Lee wound his arms around Kate and Annie to guide them off the dance floor, leaving the other guy stranded in the middle of the room.

Relief flooded my system. Kate was a pain in my ass, but the thought of someone trying to get her drunk andloosened upjust didn’t sit right.

I tossed some bills on the bar and tucked my wallet back into my pocket. I didn’t need to sit around and babysit her. Lee was here and could make sure she got home.

Not my job.

I was headed for the door when Kate’s breathless voice stopped me. “Had enough sulking for the night?”

I looked over at her. Her cheeks were flushed from dancing, and a strand of her silky brown hair had slipped from her ponytail. I fought the ridiculous urge to sweep it back behind her ear. Instead I stared at her, schooling my features into an impassive glare.

“I saw you watching me.”

My teeth ground together. “No, you didn’t.”

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