Page 14 of Loved By You

I turn and glare at him. “Don't you fucking dare.”

“Dude I’m joking. I’ve got my eye on little Ali cat over there.” He smirks looking over to the far corner where I see her and Gabby hugging and laughing with Ria, who has her hands overher face shaking her head, probably in disbelief at what she's just done.

“I can already tell she won't put up with your bullshit,” Brad mumbles from where he stands next to Harry.

I put my shirt back on that Harry hands me, button it back up, and head over to Ria. Looking flustered, she rambles, “Erm, thanks for doing that.”

Running my tongue over my bottom lip, remembering how her lips felt on mine, I lean closer and whisper, “Believe me when I say it was my pleasure.”

I can think of more places I'd like you to lick too.

We spend the next few hours chatting, drinking, discussing business ideas, but I can't help but stare at Ria all night. I'm not even being subtle about it, and I don't even care. I watch as she sways her hips from side to side to aRihannasong, dragging her hands up and down her body and into her hair, as Gabby and Ali dance around her. A flush of warmth makes my dick twitch at the thought of my hands doing just the same to her body.

A long time ago, I promised her brother I'd look out for her but she had Alex so I backed off and buried the feelings I had for her, but tonight hearing she's single again stirs up those feelings all over again. The want I had for her flickers inside me like a dormant fire waiting for her to fan the flames. I know it's a risk; she’s going through a break up and her brother happens to be one of my best friends and is fiercely protective of her, but I can't help but feel that maybe the universe has pushed us together for a reason and if there was ever a woman worth risking it all for, it would be her.

I watch her leave the dance floor, aWhitney Houstontrack coming to an end. She sways as she heads over to where I'm sitting. Flopping down in the booth next to me, it's clear she's drunk.

“How's it hanging, Jack Jack?” She giggles.

“Please don't ever call me that again,” I deadpan when she quotes the line from the movie,The Incredibles.

She laughs, giving me a playful tap on my thigh, sending a signal to my dick that now is apparently the time to stand to attention. I rearrange myself as discreetly as I can, clearing my throat.

“Sorry, my Lexi loves that movie. If it's not that on at home it'sMinnie Mouseor Princesses… ugh, I miss them,” she sighs, sounding sad.

“Are they with Alex tonight?”Thinking about that prick will definitely make my dick go down.

“Ha, you’ve got to be kidding,” she says in a sarcastic tone. “He's ‘on a business trip’,” she adds, making air quotes with her fingers. “Which is code for fucking his secretary or whatever poor soul he's convinced to open up for him.”

I wince at how bitter she sounds. “Shit… I’m sorry Ri, you deserve so much better.”

“Thank you,” she huffs, her eyes getting heavy and fluttering closed. “I just wasn't what he wanted anymore.” Her words becoming a mumble as her head rests on my shoulder.

I reach down and tuck away the stray hairs that have fallen over her face and I can’t resist pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.How could he cheat on her? How could you not want Ria?If she were mine, I'd spend every day making sure she knew she was everything to me. Whispering, I tell her, “I think it's time we get you home.” I glance around, looking for Ali and Gabby and spot Ali on the dance floor where she’s been most of the night with some of the girls from the bachelorette. I catch her attention, gesturing down at Ria and then pointing to the exit.

Ali appears a moment later, looking way more sober than Ria. “Come on, you lightweight. Let's find Gabby and get you outta here.” She drags an uncooperative Ria up from her seat and I instantly miss the warmth of her body leaning against mine.

“Use our driver, I insist, standing and pulling out my phone to call him.

“Oooh, you hear that, Ri? He's got a driver,” Ali mocks.

“No, no, we can get an uuuu-Uber,” Ria slurs then hiccups.

“I’m gonna text him right now” I fire a quick text to Graham and then wrap my arms around Ria’s waist, taking her weight as she leans into me.

“You don’t look like an Incredible actually…”

“No?” I ask, a playful tone in my voice.

Her hands drag over my shirt as she traces the outlines of my pecs and abs, making it hard to focus on what she’s saying. “LikeChristian Hougueor like an action man… yeah Ali’s right, you do look like an action man. I could do with a bit of action, man.” She giggles to herself like she's proud of her little joke, even though she’s not making any sense to me.

I lean in, my mouth pressed close to her ear. “Sweetheart, I’ll be your action man any day of the week.” She leans on me more, pressing her chest to mine, her heart thumping as she lets me hold her, which makes my already aching cock even more needy. “But you need to get home and get some sleep first.”

I look behind me, wondering where Ali disappeared to and I see her pulling a reluctant Gabby behind her, away from the bar where she was was standing with Brad.

“Sorry, had to tear this one away from the cocktail menu,” Ali says when she reappears.

“Ugh, I’m not ready to leave. I didn't get to try the Bloody Mary,” Gabby groans.

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