Come Hot (Club Silken #2) - Jerrie Alexander Page 0,11

what I needed to hear.”

Kayla and I lean back and relax. She asks how Zack, Slider, and I came to be friends. I give a short explanation of how we met in the military and have been close friends since then. I realize I like her. She funny, energetic, and can handle her liquor.

The band reassembles and starts off the last set with “Dancing in the Dark.” I take her hand and we hit the floor again. After “Hungry Heart,” and then the last song of the night, “I’m on Fire,” she has to know I’m hard as steel, rubbing against her back. I can’t will the damn thing away, can’t multiply by three and make it go down, and I damn sure can’t dance with her any longer.

The applause brings the house down and the band performs an encore, but Kayla and I stay in the booth mopping our faces with the damp towels.

The overhead lights come up. It’s a silent announcement for the crowd to call it a night. I feel Kayla’s gaze on mine and drop my towel and look at her. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’d just had the best orgasm of her life. Her face is flushed, her blue eyes are dark, and her grin . . . it’s one I want to be responsible for, but not on a dance floor.

“I guess we should set an example.” I drop my towel and she does the same.

“You may have to carry me,” she says as she stands. “My knees are like rubber.”

“It’s not a service we normally provide but . . .”

4

Kayla

“Nick,” I squeal as he sweeps me into his arms as if I’m light as a feather and he hasn’t been dancing his ass off with me. “I was joking.”

“Too late now,” he says on a chuckle. He detours to the front bar and pauses. “Wave at the fantastic people who have made Gloss one of the hottest spots in town.”

“Thank you,” I say loudly. “I had a wonderful time.” The small group behind the bar smiles and tells me thank you. I’m not sure, but I feel like they’re looking at Nick as if he’s grown a second head.

The night air washes over me and I turn my face into the breeze. “You can put me down. I’m sober.”

“I’m enjoying this.” He stops next to his car and once the locks click, he helps me get seated. “I know you’re sober. We sweated every drop of alcohol from our systems.” He laughs while walking to the driver’s side and climbing inside.

Neither of us speaks for a few minutes. After we’re speeding along with the traffic, I study his profile for a minute. He’s hot from any angle.

“You’re staring.”

“You’re right. Thank you for tonight. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

“Me either.” Nick sets the air conditioner on max and adjusts an air vent to point directly toward me. I lean back and relish the cool air.

The traffic has thinned but the late-night crowd is out and Nick growls a couple of times at drivers who get too close. His attention is on the road so I take advantage and watch him drive. Nobody should be that gorgeous. I hadn’t noticed his thick and lush eyelashes until now. He’s got great cheekbones and a jaw that looks as if it were created just for him. I have a feeling he could cut you in half with a glare.

Nick breaks the silence. “I need directions or I'll have to take you home with me.” His eyes glitter as the headlights from a car meeting us briefly floods the interior of his car.

I realize I’ve spaced out on him. “I’m sorry, say that again. I think I missed something and my mind went straight to the gutter.”

“You’re saying having sex with me would be the same as being in a gutter?”

“Stop.” I laugh and smack him on his arm. I lay out the directions for him and we fall into what I think is an easy silence.

A few minutes later he pulls into the parking lot of my temporary housing. “I had a great time. I’m not sure I’ve ever needed anything more than tonight.”

Nick’s hand on my arm stops me. “I’ll see you inside.”

I open my mouth to remind him I’m a grown woman but he’s already out of the car on his way to my door. “Thank you,” I say when we get inside. I push the