Allegiance - Chiah Wilder Page 0,4
to the buffet table. A thread of disappointment wove its way through him when there was no sign of the spitfire. Maybe she’s hiding out until after I leave. The sass in her words flashed through his mind. Nah. She’s no wilting flower.
“This is where I bow out.” Tank pulled himself away from Quinn as she glared at him. “I can’t spend all my time here with you. Go, spread your beauty around the place. There are dudes who look to be your type that I’m sure are waiting to meet you.”
“I don’t want to meet anyone, Drew. You’re the only one I want to hang out with tonight.”
That wasn’t going to happen.
“I already told you—I’m gonna grab some chow and head out. I’m itching for a ride.”
“I’d love to ride on your motorcycle. We can ride along the coast and make love on the beach. Doesn’t that sound romantic?”
“It does. You and Mason should do that when he comes to town.” Extracting himself from her grip, he headed back toward the catering table, his stomach grumbling something fierce. Or that’s what he was going to tell himself until he was face-to-face with the brunette again.
“I’ll go with you,” Quinn offered.
Fuck no!
Before Tank could say anything, the music stopped, and the sound of chimes rose above the chattering guests. Tabby’s father walked over to the microphone on the stage and began a long-winded toast to his daughter and her fiancé.
Two skinny women in slinky, backless gowns ran up to Quinn, hugging each other. Grateful for the distraction, Tank took advantage of the situation and got lost in the crowd. Making a quick stop at the bar for a double shot of bourbon, he then headed over to the buffet table where guests were lining up.
Spotting her talking to a waiter at the carving station, Tank sauntered over to the table.
“Smells good,” he said, eying her before looking at the prime rib, ham, and pork loin.
“So, you made it back. I was pretty sure you’d forget about the food with the stunning company taking up your attention.”
Tank picked up a plate. “Just goes to show you’ve got me all wrong.”
“That’s to be expected since I don’t know you. But, I admit, I thought a pretty face would win out over a full stomach.”
Tank slathered au jus over a piece of roast beef. “The right person with a pretty face would.”
A ghost of a smile played across her lips. “Well said. I suppose I misjudged you.” Arching her brow, she started to walk away.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“You aren’t the only guest at the party. I have a lot of work to do.”
“The least you can do is give me a name before you go. Seems fair.”
“Life isn’t always fair, is it, Drew?”
He gripped his plate a little harder. “That’s not my name—it’s Tank.”
She laughed. “So Drew’s a nickname?”
“Not exactly.”
She looked at the growing crowd behind him. “I have to run. Why don’t you come find me after the party, and maybe you’ll get it.”
He felt like he was being hit by an eighteen-wheeler when she looked down at the white tablecloth and back up at him through her lashes.
“Damn, you’re gonna be trouble, aren’t you?”
Smiling sweetly, she winked at him. “Is there any other way to be?” With that, she took off.
Damn. With his dick now hard, he quickly turned away and hurried across the room, toward the garden. Finding a seat under the twinkling lights, he leaned back and stared out into the darkness. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore filled his ears and calmed his nerves.
If he had it his way, the sassy brunette would be on her back behind the bougainvillea trees with his head between her legs before they could get to the whole name exchanging bullshit. She was teasing him, and he fucking loved it.
He looked back into the ballroom, knowing it was just a matter of time before Quinn figured out he wasn’t at his assigned seat. Picking up his plate, he moved toward the shadows in the back of the yard, then settled into a wrought iron chair.
He’d stay put until the shindig was over, just to find out her name and to spend some time with her.
He speared a morsel of beef with his fork and popped it into his mouth. Chewing slowly, he stared at the inky water below.
Game on, darlin’.
Lena
Lena peeked out the door and scanned the ballroom for the umpteenth time, searching for Tank. Since she’d left