Her gaze moved over the dance floor from where she sat in the shadowed corner, wondering if she could possibly escape while her friends were occupied. She should have never agreed to meet them. Not again. Not knowing that he’d be there, and the sight of him would torment her with memories better left forgotten.
God, she should just leave right now. Now, before her wants, her needs, overcame her good sense. It was obvious he didn’t recognize her, and even if he did, what good would it do?
Yeah, it was time she left before she made a complete fool of herself. Before years of anger, hurt, and betrayal drove her to do something completely irrational.
She’d driven herself, and she’d barely had half a beer. Getting home wouldn’t be a problem. Except she was certain her friends would give her hell over it.
She had promised to go out with them and have fun, after all.
This just wasn’t her idea of fun.
Come tomorrow they’d shake their heads at the fact Sallie had once again left alone, hadn’t danced, hadn’t flirted, or even tried to meet any of the eligible men there.
Because that was what she always did, she went home alone. She slept alone. It was safer. And it would keep her away from Jacob Donovan. And perhaps it would keep her friends and Jacob safe.
Setting the beer on the table, she restrained another sigh, caught sight of her friends, Lily and Shay, and decided they’d probably never miss her. When she got to the car, she’d text her goodbyes and let them know she’d given up on the “fun” part of the night and gone home.
It was probably what they expected anyway.
A second later, her gaze moved back to Jacob and she found herself caught, snared, her gaze held by his, and he didn’t seem in a hurry to release her. Her heartbeat sped up, and her breathing became heavier. A flush heated her face, her body, and her thighs tightened in reaction.
Her breasts felt heavier, her nipples hard and more sensitive as a heated warmth curled in the pit of her stomach and worked its way lower. She was suddenly aware of her own body in a way she never had been before. It was crazy. This hadn’t even happened the first time they’d met. Not like this, so deep and intense.
Sweet mercy, that look had her toes curling with pleasure. With memories that haunted even her dreams. With a certainty that Jacob Donovan had ruined her for another man’s touch, and she wanted more.
In the years since that single weekend she’d spent with him, the power of that look only affected her more. She knew the pleasure he could give her now, knew his touch and his possession. Six years hadn’t been long enough for her to forget.
But would there ever be a time she would forget?
Yep, she should go home before she managed to get herself caught in a mess that would have only one outcome.
Sallie’s broken heart.
Looking out over the dance floor one last time, she saw Lily and her sister still dancing and knew it would be a while before she was missed. They’d just have to be upset with her. She was not going to allow herself to become fascinated with the one man every woman lusted for, and it seemed, none of them had possessed.
She didn’t need the angst. She damned sure didn’t need to torture herself with a man she couldn’t have, even for a night. Because God knew, she could only become a problem. What followed her wouldn’t tolerate anyone standing in the way when she was found.
As she began to push her chair back, a broad, strong male hand placed another beer next to the half-full bottle she’d been sipping from. And beside it, a short glass, half full of what she was certain was whisky.
And oh, how she could use the false courage it might bring her.
Sallie stared at the bottle, damp droplets of icy water easing down the neck. She was all too aware of the man taking the chair next to her and leaning back, relaxed, watching her. From the corner of her eye she watched as he lifted his own bottle to his lips and drank, his gaze never leaving her.
This was a really bad idea.
Still, she turned her head and gazed back at him, fascinated by the hint of gold she glimpsed in the whisky depths of his