Page 40 of Cross Check My Heart
Also, there’s that huge part of me that wants to block Lilly from the view of every guy in this bar. That’s a feeling I shove back down.
“Hey there. It’s Dean, right?” His smile widens as he nods enthusiastically at her. The bartender sets the two pitchers down, now full of beer, giving me an idea. Clapping a hand on Dean’s back, I nod toward the beer.
“Mind helping me get these back to the table? I was gonna grab a pitcher of water for us as well.” Lilly smirks but doesn’t say anything as she turns to Paige, who has Cory hanging off her every word. I feel my brows crease, as I remember Garrett’s very obvious crush on Paige.
“Oh right, yeah. Well, it was good to see you again, Lilly. Hopefully I’ll see you around.” He moves fast, grabbing the beers and turning to head back toward the guys. Yet I still can’t help grinding my teeth at that. Lilly looks at me with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. I simply shrug in response.
She’s a beautiful woman. I would be more surprised if she wasn’t getting hit on. That doesn’t mean that seeing other guys vying for her attention doesn’t spike a bit of possessiveness in me.
Cory gets cut off mid-sentence as Paige lets out a loud squeal. She jumps out of her seat, not sparing a glance back as she reaches blindly for Lilly’s hand and pulls her along. “Scream” by Usher plays and I chuckle, watching Paige twirl Lilly as they step onto the dance floor. Cory turns to set his drink on the bar and takes a step toward the dance floor, so I spare him the trouble.
“Might wanna wait and see if she comes back this way, dude. This seems like a “this is our song” moment for them.” His brows crease, but he shakes his head.
“Dude, don’t get me wrong, her friend is hot. But shit, it’s a bummer that Lilly is Coach’s daughter. That is…” I tense, not saying a word as he watches the girls dance. He doesn’t spare me another glance as he moves to rejoin a couple other guys, leaving his sentence unfinished.
I glance at Lilly, resisting all urges to openly watch her as she moves her hips to the beat, before heading back to Landon at the booths with the guys. I pick one of the open chairs that gives me a view of the entire bar. Specifically, it’s the perfect spot to keep an eye on Lilly.
“Where’s the water, Dom?”Shit.I shrug it off, flashing a smile at Dean.
“Bartender seemed busy, figured I’d wait a bit, so I don’t bug her too much.” Landon looks toward the bar with a frown, watching as the bartender hands a group of guys a couple beers. Thankfully, it had picked up a bit, otherwise that bluff would not have been so believable.
Everyone starts breaking off into small groups again, and I half listen as Landon talks to Dean and Greyson about his sister moving back after being away for college. Not that I contribute much to the conversation since my attention keeps snagging back to Lilly.
“Temperature” by Sean Paul blasts and more people have started to fill the dance floor. Whoever selected the playlist tonight is having a good time picking from a throwback list. A couple guys linger at the side of the dance floor, watching, most likely waiting for an opening to dance with them. Yet Lilly and Paige are oblivious to the eyes on them as they dance with each other. I try not to make it obvious that I’m lost in the way Lilly moves. She’s still in that purple dress from earlier, that was made for her body. Even over the music, it’s almost as if I can hear her laugh like she’s next to me as she throws her head back and sways to the song.
I sip my beer, nodding in agreement to something that Dean says even though I’m not listening. All I can think about is what it would feel like to dance with Lilly. I could see myself walking up behind her, gripping her hips so our bodies would mold into one. Lilly would reach up and behind her, tangling her fingers to the nape of my neck as her other hand intwines with mine on her hip.
Thoughts of her grinding her ass into me has me shifting in my seat, discreetly adjusting myself as I try to shake thoughts of her from my head.
The need to touch her right now is almost all consuming.
I tense as some guys finally get the balls to approach them and have to force myself to stay put. That’s when I notice that I’m not the only one watching them. Landon’s voice trails off and I force my gaze to look at them. Landon and Dean are sitting next to each other at the edge of their seat, both watching with narrowed gazes as the two guys awkwardly dance near Paige and Lilly. Greyson is standing just behind them, leaning against the booth as he sips his beer, but even he is keeping an eye on the floor. Carter and Reid are sitting in the booth that Greyson is leaning against, and even though they haven’t stopped their conversation, they’re watching as well.
Smirking, I turn my full attention back to the dance floor. Since everyone else is openly watching Lilly and Paige, I don’t even try to hide that I’m staring.
However, my smirk is gone faster than a toupee in a hurricane at what I see.
The girls have stopped dancing, and even from here I can see Lilly and Paige say no to the guys. I’m standing before I even realize it. Greyson sets his beer on the table with a scowl as he puts a hand on Dean’s shoulder, pushing him back into his seat. He’s on my heel within the next heartbeat, following me onto the dance floor.
I clench my fists as I watch one of the guys reach out to put a hand around Lilly’s waist. We’re close enough now that we can hear everything Lilly says as she attempts to twist out of the idiots’ hold.
“What part of me saying no thank you, do you not understand?” The idiot has the nerve to chuckle and before he can say anything else, I’m at Lilly’s side. Prying his fingers off her hips, holding his hand tightly in my grip longer than necessary before dropping it. Resisting the urge to wrap my arm around Lilly and tuck her into my side. I glance to the side as Greyson stands next to Paige so that both girls are between us.
“Is there a problem here?” The idiot pales slightly but attempts to stand straighter as I stare down at him.
“Nah, man. Just a miscommunication.” I quirk an eyebrow. Before I can respond, Lilly lets out a loud, sarcastic laugh.
“Miscommunication? You look plenty old enough to know and understand what the wordnomeans.” She crosses her arms, shaking her head at the guy and his friend. Paige must sense the brewing fight in Lilly, as she links their arms together and pulls toward the bar.
“Thanks for killing the vibe, assholes. Next time a girl says no, take it like a man and walk away.” She smiles over at Greyson. “Can we get you guys a drink for having our backs?”
Greyson walks next to me, glaring down at the two morons. After a moment, he finally turns to Paige with a rare smile.
“The question should be, can we get you ladies a drink to make up for the fact that those morons give men a shitty rep?” I keep an eye on the two squirrely looking guys, who still haven’t taken the hint to get lost, as Greyson follows Paige to the bar. Lilly captures my attention as she turns back to me.
“You coming, Dominik?” I nod, shooting one last glare at the idiots before turning to follow Lilly to the bar.
Paige leads the way, Greyson not far behind her, but my focus is on Lilly. As I approach, she watches me carefully. I pause a couple steps away and study her closely.
