Page 47 of Defending her Heart

“It’s the thought that counts.” She brings her glass to her lips and stares at me while she sips.

We’re practically eye-level with me sitting and her standing. I swivel my stool so Iaccidentallybracket her legs with my thighs.

“You’ve been ignoring me.”

“Hardly. You’re Mr. Popular.”

My eyes gravitate toward her mouth as she sips from her glass. Her lips are coated with a sheen of water I want to run my tongue over.

“I could say the same about you.” I cock my head toward the dance floor.

“Jealous?” Her lip tilts for a second before it turns down into a frown. “I didn’t mean...”

I haven’t forgotten about the last time we were in a similar situation. Dancing. Flirting. Me attacking her mouth, then pushing her away and accusing her of being a tease. Of sleeping around.

It’s getting fucking hot in here, so I unbutton the cuffs of my shirt and roll my sleeves up to my elbows. Kendall follows the move with her eyes, and she latches onto her bottom lip with her teeth. Something I wouldn’t mind doing.

“Dance with me.” I don’t ask as I stand, my body pressing against hers. It could be liquid courage. It could be too many hits to the head. Either way, I take her hand in mine and pull her to the dance floor.

There are cat calls from the guys who are littered across the floor making fools of themselves dancing with each other, hitting on women, or dancing with their wives or girlfriends. Everyone is having a good time, and I’m not about to spoil it.

I’m an okay dancer sober, but with a few beers buzzing through me, I’m loose and fearless. I stare into Kendall’s shocked and appreciative green eyes as I move our bodies to a Jay-Z song. This is why the guys love the Whiskey Buckle. There’s always a mix between country and popular dance songs.

Whatever keeps the patrons drinking and dancing, I guess. The song ends and blends into another, and our eyes remain locked the entire time. “My jersey looks fucking good on you.”

Kendall lifts her arms, resting her wrists on my shoulders, and moves in closer. My cock hardens and I tilt my hips to grind into her when I’m yanked from behind and drawn into a circle of my teammates attempting to out dance each other.

“You’re on fire tonight, Hump. Let’s see how you do in a dance off,” Dec says as he drops to the floor into a painful looking split, then leaps to his feet.

“Fuck no.” I cup my balls. “My dick’s too big for that shit.”

They egg me on until I find myself making a fool of myself with the rest of them. When I’m sweaty and parched, I wave them off and head to the bar. “Water, please.”

“Make that two.” The gardenia scent flows with her words. “That was quite some show. I’m not sure if I’m more impressed with your performance on the field or on the dance floor.”

I eye fuck her over the rim of my glass.I’d love to show you my performance in the bedroom.I nearly choke on my words in my head and chase them down with the rest of my water. She’s on the verge of forgiving me for being an asshat—I think—I’m not about to blow it by saying something so asinine.

“There’s a reason why I don’t drink or dance much anymore.”

“Why’s that?” she asks.

“It’s exhausting.” I take out my phone to request an uber.

Kendall covers my phone with her hand. “You don’t need to call an uber. I can take you home.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I offered, remember?”

“I don’t want to cut your night short.”

“Early mornings mean no late night partying for me. I don’t mind, Potato. Really.”

I should say bye to the guys, but they’ll just prolong my exit, so I sneak out with Kendall. She’s uncharacteristically quiet during the car ride to my house.

She idles in my driveway, then puts her car in park. “I’ve been thinking,” she says as she lowers the music.

“Is that why you ignored me all last week?” Shit. I didn’t mean to sound like a petulant child.

---