Page 83 of Bound By Her

“I’d like another drink,” she said.

Not waiting for Seth to respond, she moved in brisk fashion to Eric.

“We are ready for our next stop,” she said.

Eric gave her an appraising look, but she ignored him and continued moving towards the door. She left with a smug self-satisfied expression, knowing most of the restaurant was watching her and the two beautiful men trailing behind her.

The second part of the plan was to go to a bar down the street.

“Ma’am, I’ll need to drive around the block to park,” Eric said. “Wait here for me.”

Adria felt light from the wine. Not wanting to wait, she draped her arm around Seth. “I’m sure we can handle ourselves for a few minutes.”

Adria pushed through the thick crowd, the bass thrumming deep in her chest. Saturday night, and the place was standing-room only. The air smelled of sweat, beer, and cheap cologne, a chaotic blend of bodies pressed together in the dim, flashing lights.

As she wove her way toward the bar, a loud cheer erupted to her right. A group of rowdy patrons—half-drunk and reckless—shouted over a game of darts. She barely spared them a glance, instead leaning against the bar, arching her back just enough to make her presence known.

Lifting two fingers, she caught the bartender’s eye. “Two IPAs, please.”

She turned to Seth, catching his hesitation before he nodded.

The beer was ice cold, the carbonation burning as it slid down her throat, but Adria drank anyway. Seth took a cautious sip, eyes taking in the room.

Leaning in, she brought her lips close to his ear, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the music. “When you go out with these women, do you ever have fun?”

Adria wanted to blame the alcohol. But the truth was, she was actually relaxed.

Seth’s fingers brushed her neck.

The warmth hit her instantly, seeping through her skin, and then—before she could react—he slid his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

His lips grazing her ear, his breath a whisper of heat. “Why? Are you looking to have some?”

She felt his body against hers, his presence swallowing up everything else. Blue eyes flicked across her from beneath thick lashes, his expression unreadable. The moment stretched between them, the pounding music only amplifying the pulse between them.

“Hey there, beautiful, can I buy you a drink?”

The words were slurred, barely comprehensible, but she caught the intent.

Adria barely turned before dismissing him. “No, thank you.”

She shifted her body away, already done with the interruption—until a hand clamped down on her arm, jerking her back.

“I’m talking to you.”

His grip tightened.

He reeked of stale beer and cigarettes, his black T-shirt stretched over a lean, unshaven frame.

Adria’s instincts kicked in. Her body tensed, her mind already calculating how best to make him regret this—her fist, his throat, one well-placed strike and he’d be gasping for air.

But before she could react, two things happened at once.

A force yanked her back, pulling her away from the man.

And in her place, stood Seth.

Thinking the confrontation was over, Adria let herself relax.

---