Page 38 of The Pass Protection
“Fine.” Her lips stick out in a pout. “It’s just Brynn’s not here, and I just want to dance with my friends.”
He kisses the top of her head, and the gesture is so sweet. “Save me a dance!”
She nods excitedly before Cody pulls her over to a high-top table where other guys are standing.
“You good?” Crew’s voice cuts in from beside me where he puts his hands in his dark jeans pockets. He’s wearing a solid dark green tee which brings out his deep brown eyes and his sun-kissed tan skin.
My eyes find my brother, who is watching and scrutinizing me. It’s suffocating to be under a microscope.
I nod. “Yeah, I-I’m just not sure I want to drink. I don’t know if I’m ready to let my guard down.”
His shoulders turn rigid as he purses his lips together. “Let me watch over you tonight.”
My eyes fly up to his. Is he serious? And why do those words make me want to melt on the spot? I’m not able to reply because, instead, my big brother comes and interrupts us.
“What’s up, little sis?” His tone is deep, and he doesn’t look at me. No, Grant eyes Crew as if he’s reminding him I’m off limits. Which is barbaric.
Rolling my eyes, I brush my shoulders against Grant’s. “I’m going to get a drink.”
If Crew’s going to promise to watch over me tonight, I’m going to have myself a drink. But just a couple. Tonight is about taking baby steps.
Two hours later, sweat pours down my body. The dance floor is packed with people on top of each other. Everyone is moving to the alternative music Ecstasy has been playing for the last few hours.
When everyone was saying Ecstasy was good, they weren’t kidding. Their vocals are perfect for the alternative music they cover. They’ve played popular songs from the ’90s, early 2000s, and into today’s alt music. Cody and Chloe have been dancing beside me all night while guys from the baseball and football teams filter in around us. I’ve been nursing a few beers which I’ve either gotten myself or watched Crew get. Speaking of Crew, he hasn’t moved far from my sight all night. Grant has been close by as well, he’s been dancing on and off with a brunette, who Chloe told me was their friend, Savannah.
Overall, the night has been good. Except for the fact a raging surge of jealousy courses through my veins and mixes with the alcohol every time I watch a girl approach Crew to dance. It’s like a revolving door of women wanting to dance with him, and I can’t say I blame them, but for some reason, it makes me feel itchy.
Some girls he dances with, and others he politely declines their offers. I appreciate how kind he is with his rejection, it shows the type of person he is. Glancing over my shoulder, I can’t help the red-hot jealousy that pumps through my system. Even though his hands are on someone else, his eyes never stray from mine. But I can’t take it any longer.
Excusing myself from the group, I find a long hallway where the bathrooms are located. Should I be going alone? No, but fuck it. I need a minute. There’s a glass door at the back of the hallway which I cantell leads to the outside. I’m almost to the door when a hand reaches out and grabs my elbow.
“Where are you running off to, Rebel?” His deep voice is husky, which isn’t helping the whole ache between my thighs.
A scream escapes, but a hand is quickly placed over my mouth, silencing me as he shushes me. The panic subsides as I whirl around, and I’m met with my favorite mocha-colored eyes. Crew stands before me, sweat glistening on his skin. His blonde hair is mussed from his fingers running through it while his chest heaves as his gaze trails over my body. Electric shock burns through my system as I fight the ache building between my thighs.
Crew Riggsby looks devilishly handsome tonight. He moves us into a closet across from the bathrooms. Supplies line the shelves as the outside is silenced. The only sound in the room is the click of the lock.
Crew’s large frame leans against the door, arms crossed over his chest, allowing his muscles to bulge.
“Needed some air.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I try to mock his stance. I fail miserably as Crew tracks the movement.
“And why’s that?” He’s pushing and waiting.
We both know why I’m running.
“Because I can’t take the sight of other girls dancing with you. It’s making me unexplainably jealous.”
He hums as his eyes never leave mine. “I think I can explain it.”
Waving my hands out before me, I beg him to explain. “Please, explain it to me then.”
“I think you want me, but you’re afraid to want me.”
Damn this man.
With a lean and raised eyebrow, I stare back at him, refusing to let him see any more inside of me.
“And so what if I do?”
