Page 111 of Skate the Line

I turn with the feel of someone grabbing my waist.

Disappointment lands abruptly on my shoulders when I realize it isn’t Rhodes.

Wait, what?!

“Hi.” Two dark-blue eyes stare into mine. A beat of silence passes before he smiles and shakes his head. “Sorry, that sounded lame. I just couldn’t not come say something to the sexiest woman in this club.”

A sarcastic noise falls from my mouth. “Yeah right,” I argue.

I look around, briefly catching the eye of Rhodes.Stop looking at me like that!

His eyes flare with…excitement?

Encouragement?

I can’t tell.

“Sounds like you need to be reminded what just existing does to a man.”

I put my attention back on the blue-eyed guy.

He’s close to my age, and he’s cute enough.

“Do you want to dance?”

“Dance?” I slowly swallow.

I’m fine.

I can do this.

“Sure.”

He wraps his arm around my waist, and I place my hand on his shoulder. The song switches, and it’s fast-paced. He tips the neck of his beer to my cup, and then we both take a drink. The more I drink, the easier it gets.

I know my limits, of course, but by the end of the song, my cup is empty, and I’m starting to feel flushed.

“Ready to be reminded?” My dance partner licks his bottom lip, and suddenly, the club is spinning, and I’m facing the other direction.

I snag onto Rhodes.

He locks eyes with me, and I exhale.

He’s sitting at the table, alone, with his hand on a full cup of beer.

He squints at me.

I’m fine,I answer silently with a quick shake of my head.

He raises his glass and winks, like he’s happy for me. Or proud? Both?

It’s definitelythe alcohol in my system that’s causing me to feel satisfied at the thought of pleasing him.

My attention is pulled away quickly when the hand on my hip flings me backward onto…what is his name?

“Wait, what is your name?” I tip my head against his chest.

His breath is warm and smells of beer. “Simon. You?”

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