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Darci loved her friend. No matter what, she knew she could always count on Carrie to have her back. “You’re sweet, but I’ll stick around. I’m sure I’ll have fun after another drink or two.”

Bradley glanced at her and shoved his drink in front of her and winked.Damn it Darci, don’t blush.But she couldn’t help the warmth that crept up her neck and cheeks, so she picked up the drink and finished it just so she could blame it on the liquor.

“Elise and Olivia want to dance,” he said as he leaned toward her and took the empty glass.

“Of course they do.”

“I wouldn’t mind dancing with you again, Miss Sanders.”

The wicked look he sent her made her want to squirm, but she laid her head on Carrie’s shoulder again and tried to ignore the intense lust she was feeling.

Everyone stood, so Darci reluctantly joined them. Garrett had his phone to his ear and when he put it back in his pocket, he gave them a thumbs up.

“Limo is around the corner and will be here by the time we get outside.”

Sure enough, as soon as the large group stepped out of the bar, a long limo pulled up. Darci had been in a couple of limos for charity events and meetings with donors, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever been in one like this.

“Where exactly do we dance on a Monday night?” Darci asked as they piled inside. Bradley left a space next to him, but she took the empty spot next to Samuel who immediately slid his arm around her. Bradley glared as Carrie settled next to him and winked at Darci. She was grateful to have a friend who could read her mind.

“I know a few places that are hopping on Monday nights.” Samuel winked at her and leaned across her to pull out a bottle of water. He passed it to Olivia who sat on the other side of it.

“You might be drinking to forget, but I will not be the reason you get alcohol poisoning. Drink.”

Olivia stared at him as she cracked the seal on the water. “Bossy. I like it.”

“What is it you do, Samuel?” Darci asked, leaning close to him. She caught Bradley’s clenched fists out of the corner of her eye. Why did it give her a little thrill to know she’d made him jealous?

Samuel smiled. “I work for my father’s investment firm.”

She quirked an eyebrow up. “Really? You strike me as a soldier.”

“Told you.” Garrett Oliver sounded smug. “I told you nobody would ever buy that you’re part of an investment firm.”

“You were in my office yesterday, Oliver. Shut it. And let me hook my phone up to the speakers in this thing.”

Darci laughed at their friendly banter. But she had a feeling Garret was right about Samuel. He was suave and full of confidence, but he had the eyes of a soldier and she suspected, under the three-thousand dollar suit he had the body of one too. Just like Bradley. And damn it. There she was, thinking about sex with the man sitting across from her again.

The limo filled with a familiar dance hit and Elise and Olivia started singing at the top of their lungs. Samuel kept the music flowing for the rest of the ride to their destination, occasionally handing her the phone to choose between two songs.

The nightclub they arrived at was indeed hopping, and there was a line to get in. Samuel helped her out of the limo and kept his hand on the small of her back as he ushered the group to the velvet rope and spoke in quiet tones to the bouncer who immediately let them in. “There’s a VIP booth waiting for you, Mr. Carter.”

Darci raised an eyebrow at Samuel and glanced behind her. Gage had an arm around Olivia and Elise was flirting with Garrett despite having a boyfriend. Darci had a feeling Noah didn’t care. He seemed content to spoil Elise and let her have her freedom when she wasn’t home with him.

Bradley was making small talk with Carrie, but he glanced up when Darci looked back at him. She quickly turned back to Samuel who was watching her closely. They made their way to the VIP section and were led to a booth that already had bottles set up in the center.

“Tell me, Darci. Are we just making Bradley uncomfortable, or do I have a chance of taking you home?”

Darci’s mouth fell open at Samuel’s whispered question. But she turned to face him before they all sat down and shrugged. “I doubt I go home with anyone, but I wouldn’t mind dancing with you before I dance with him. Just to make him squirm. He was kind of an ass earlier.”

Samuel winked. “Make him uncomfortable it is. And just so you know, I consider him a friend and would never even try to take you home.”

For some reason, that made her happy.

Samuel pulled the cap off a bottle of whiskey and poured everyone a glass. Elise downed hers and pulled Garrett onto the dance floor. Olivia sidled up to Samuel. “You gonna leave me hanging?”

Samuel laughed and lifted his head to look at the ceiling. “This was supposed to be a quiet drink with old friends,” he muttered.

Darci picked up her whiskey and tossed it back, then picked up a second glass that hadn’t been touched and finished it off too. Might as well catch up with Olivia.

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