Page 46 of Bombshell (Whiskey Dolls 1)

I jolted at the sudden reappearance of the waitress. I’d been so busy watching Marin I hadn’t even noticed her approach. Hell, for all I knew, the club could have caught fire and completely emptied, and I wouldn’t have realized.

“She’s more than good.”

She gave a little giggle and shook her head. “Drink up, honey. You look like you’re about to start drooling.”

I didn’t even look at the glass as I picked it up and brought it to my lips, savoring that initial burn as the first sip went down.

All too soon, Marin’s number ended, and I was left to wait for her next one. Because there was no way in hell I was leaving without seeing her dance again.

* * *

Marin

I was riding an adrenaline high that had nothing to do with performing and everything to do with the fact I was about to see Pierce as I headed out of the club after my shift ended.

I practically threw myself into my car and started it, eager to get rolling. I fished my phone out of my purse and shot off a quick text.

Me:Leaving the club now. You still up?

His reply was almost instant.

Pierce:Wide awake. Feel free to break some driving laws if it’ll get you here sooner.

I did an excited little shimmy in my seat and started out of the parking lot. The drive from Whiskey Dolls to Pierce’s house felt like it took a lifetime yet also seemed to pass by in a flash. A spike of frustration would shoot through me with every red light I hit, and by the time I finally pulled into his driveway and killed the engine, I felt like I was coming out of my skin.

My hands shook as I reached into my backseat to get my overnight bag. It had taken me forever to find the damn thing earlier that day. When I moved into my own apartment months ago, it had gotten lost in the shuffle, and I’d had to dig through the deepest, darkest recesses of my closet to find it.

I climbed out of the car on shaky legs. I’d been here nearly every day for the past several days, yet, for some reason, Pierce’s big, gorgeous house looked different to me now. Moving up the front walk, it evenfeltdifferent.

I’d just lifted my hand to knock when the door swung open. Pierce’s large frame nearly took up the entire doorway, and I felt a rush of arousal as I scanned him from head to toe, taking in the slacks and pressed shirt.

He was sans tie, and his sleeves were rolled up in what I liked to call his Pierce After Work Look. It was a damn good look.

“Did you go in to the office tod—” My question cut off on a shocked yelp as his arm shot out. His hand swept around and grasped me by the nape of my neck, and he used his hold to jerk me into the house. The door slammed behind me, and a moment later, my back slammed into it, and I found myself pinned between the unforgiving wood and Pierce’s rock-hard body from one blink to the next.

My chest was rising and falling on sharp, startled breaths as I looked up at his face. It was as hard as pure granite. His jaw was ticking, and his eyes looked positively wild. I wasn’t sure if I should be scared or incredibly turned on, but for some reason, my body decided to be a little bit of both.

“What’s wrong?” I panted, feeling panic and excitement coursing through my veins. “Did something happen?”

“I didn’t go to the office,” he growled, leaning so close he was all I could see. All I could smell.

“Oh. Okay.”

“I went to the club to see you.”

That threw me for a second, and I had to give my brain a beat to catch up. “You did?”

“I did. Caught both performances.”

I still couldn’t read his mood. All I knew was it was dark and overwhelming. But then again, so was everything about him. “Are you... are you mad?”

He stayed motionless for ten seconds. I counted each and every one of them, and it felt like it took an eternity. Then he slowly shook his head. “You were a goddamn vision up on that stage,” he said softly, closing the distance so his lips brushed against mine as he spoke. “Never seen anything like it before in my life. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I’m not sure I breathed the entire time you were dancing.”

Oh.Oh. Okay, so he wasn’t mad.

Nope, he wasincrediblyturned on. And all of a sudden my panties were uncomfortably damp.

I felt my lips curve up in a triumphant grin. “So I take it you liked the show?”

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