“You’re still here.”
“Of course, I am.”
She walked relatively straight to the sink and washed her hands. “I live across the street, remember? You don’t need to worry about me.”
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m rapidly sobering, because you’re a killjoy.”
“There’s a roomful of assholes who wouldn’t mind following you out the door.”
“First of all, the bartender would kick their ass. Colder and Cal don’t allow that bullshit here.”
“They can’t watch everyone.”
She rolled her eyes in the mirror. “And the girls wouldn’t let me get into trouble.”
“The girls are just as sauced as you are.” I ripped off a strip of paper towels and handed it to her.
“You made it abundantly clear that I wasn’t to count on you today. Now you’re gonna be all grr.” She blotted the wet towel on her throat and all the gold that glittered there drew my gaze. This wasn’t the business Dahlia from this afternoon. Even dressed down, there had been an air of professionalism to her.
Except when we’d gotten into that secret room in my house. There had been unchecked wonder in her eyes then.
Excitement that fired something in me I’d thought was long dead.
But this Dahlia was showing off everything. The legs I’d had wrapped around me. The neck that made me want to bite and lick. But most of all, those damn breasts were on display due to her plunging neckline.
And there had been plenty of men checking her out.
I’d noticed a few wolves circling the room, paying special attention to the back booth. There was a watchfulness that certain men—and women—had when they were on the make.
Worst of all, she’d been oblivious to the attention. The girls had been in their own little bubble. What would have happened when she left if I hadn’t been there?
“What is going on up there?” She tapped my forehead. “So thinky all the time. So few words that come out of here.” Her fingertip lowered to my lip. “Talented though it may be.”
I couldn’t resist nipping the tip of her finger.
Her eyes narrowed as she jerked it back.
The door opened, breaking the tension between us.
TJ and Avery slipped in, holding something that only a woman would call a purse.
“Damn,” Avery muttered. “I had twenty on you guys making out in here.”
Dahlia turned and her ass slid across my zipper. I resisted the groan, barely.
“So, you were going to interrupt? Or were you trying to critique?”
I gripped her hip. “Hellcat.”
“Hellcat?” Avery gave us a shit-eating smile. “You two already have nicknames? I don’t think your story time was detailed enough, Dahl.”
“We called a ride share and wanted to make sure you’re okay. Should we walk you home first?” TJ asked.
“I got her.” My voice was a step away from feral. Dahlia was making me mental.
She elbowed me. “I’m fine.”
TJ glanced from Dahlia to me, and her eyes narrowed. “You sure?”
Dahlia slipped away from me, and my fingers curled back into my palm. She hugged both of them, then she took the little bag. “I’m fine. He’s all bark.” She glanced over her shoulder at me. “Mostly.” She turned back and lowered her voice. “Think I might have found a solution for my kitty problem.”
What was wrong with her kitty?
Cat. It had to be the cat.
I didn’t want to think about the other meaning for kitty. And Christ, my body already hummed at the thought of helping her out with whatever she wanted right about then.
“Good luck.” TJ’s gaze crashed into mine. “I have your address and your personal information. If you do something to her, your life won’t be worth living.”
At least that threat was a little more inventive than Macy and Gideon’s. “She’s safe with me.”
“Hmm.” TJ hugged Dahlia once more for good measure. “See you Monday, girlfriend.”
“Bye, Dahl. We took care of the check.” Avery waggled her eyebrows before she ducked out the door, dragging TJ along with her.
“What’s wrong with your cat?”
