Page 44 of I Could Be Yours

His grin turns wry. “I’m going to use the bathroom.”

Rix is the first to notice us. She jumps up from the table and flounces over to Tristan, throwing her arms around his neck. “Did you use the tracking app to hunt me down?”

“I didn’t even think to check, to be honest. I was trying to give you girl time and not piss my brother off.” He nods my way.

“I’m getting a drink,” I announce.

“We have a bottle already; just join our table,” Rix says.

If you can’t get away from them, drink with them, I guess. My frown deepens as Essie’s smile widens. “You’re so gleeful about this.”

She passes me a glass full of liquid and ice. I take a tentative sip. It’s tequila.

“And you’re such a grumpy bear.” She presses her finger to the edge of my lips and tugs up. “You’re pretty when you smile.” She winks and brushes past me, linking fingers with Rix as they move to the dance floor.

It doesn’t take long for the couples to join them. Shilpa, Lexi, and Dred hang out in the VIP booth with Roman and Ash. I lean against the railing and observe from a distance, trying and failing to keep my eyes off Essie. And I’m not alone. There are plenty of guys checking her out. It’s fucking infuriating.

She crooks her finger at me, an invitation to join them. I sure as hell don’t want Flip dancing with her. I knock back the rest of my drink and make my way through the throng of bodies until I finally reach the group.

She settles her palm on my shoulder, and I bend until her lipsbrush the shell of my ear. “I can’t decide if you look angry or horny.”

“Definitely both, but probably more the latter than the former.”

She pulls me away from the group by my belt loop. No one notices, too caught up in their partners to pay attention to us. Essie drapes one hand over my shoulder. “What are you angry about? You showed up at the same club as us, not the other way around. If anyone should be annoyed, it’s me. Especially since you’ve been watching me like a hawk for the past half hour. You’re scaring all the prey away.” She waggles her brows.

I laugh. “You thinkyou’rethe predator?”

“People like pretty things. Even if they might bite them.”

“You haven’t bitten me.”

“Not yet, no.” Her expression softens. “I meant what I said. You’re beautiful when you smile.”

“You’re drunk,” I observe. But secretly I like that she thinks this about me.

“I’m tipsy and happy and horny,” she clarifies.

“Sounds like a dangerous combination.” And possibly my favorite.

She runs her nails down the back of my neck, sending a shiver along my spine. “Or the perfect combination.”

CHAPTER 14

ESSIE

Nate’s palm settles on my hip and he pulls me closer. I feel his belt buckle and, more excitingly, his erection pressed against my stomach.

I’m kind of obsessed with the dark look on his face every time his eyes find me. Serious, intelligent, broody Nate is attracted to me, even when I’m tipsy and not on my best behavior. Maybe especially then.

“You look good in this dress.” He’s still wearing his dark, annoyed expression.

“You look good all the time,” I reply. “Edible, really.”

He smiles faintly, and his gaze drops to my mouth.

“Thinking about my text messages from earlier?”I sure am. How good his hands felt on my body and how I could kiss him for hours and never get tired of his mouth has been on a constant loop all day.

His eyes narrow. “Is it that obvious?”

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