Wild - Jaci Burton Page 0,38
gasped. “What? No champagne tonight?”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t go with hot dogs. And frankly, I’m a beer kind of guy.”
She was falling madly in love with him. “A guy after my own heart. I’d love one.”
He grinned. “I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the throng of people milling about. Abby couldn’t believe the number of people here. Seth had told her events like this always brought a huge crowd.
“Fancy meeting you here.”
Her gaze shot up at Mike’s deep voice. “Mike! What are you doing here?”
He arched a brow and pulled up a chair. “I’m a member.”
“Oh. Of course. I didn’t mean it like that.” Flames of embarrassment licked at her face. She felt as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. But he knew damn well she was going out with Seth tonight, so why should she feel guilty?
“Having fun?”
She clasped her hands in her lap and forced the guilt demons away. “So far, yes. We had hot dogs. Seth is getting us beer.” And she felt stilted and nervous around him. But why?
“Good. You look beautiful. Your legs look sexy as hell in that dress.” His fingers brushed the edge of her hem, just lightly grazing her skin, and she jumped.
Holy shit! Now what was she supposed to do? Her body fired up under his touch, her pussy responding with a familiar ache of wanting. And she recognized it for what it was: a purely physical response. What woman wouldn’t react to attention from Mike? He was hands down one of the most dynamic, handsome, and compelling men she’d ever met. The kind of man that made a woman’s head turn. The kind that made a woman look twice. No, three times. And when a man like Mike Nottingham gave you attention, you wanted to start pulling your clothes off for him. He was that charismatic.
But she was on a date with Seth! She wasn’t supposed to see Mike tonight.
Now tell that to her body, which was jumping up and down in enthusiastic response to being near him.
But when his fingers began to creep inside her dress, she placed her hand over his.
“Mike, I . . . don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He moved his hand away and shrugged. “If you say so. But I really don’t think Seth will mind. We share all the time. We shared you last night.”
“That was last night, buddy. Tonight, I do mind.”
Seth stood at their table with two beers in his hand, looking not at all happy to see his best friend and partner.
mike was probably right. seth shouldn’t care that Mike had shown up tonight, that he’d slipped his hand up Abby’s dress, that he was fondling her in a way that normally would excite him just to watch.
But goddammit . . . he did care. More than he wanted to. In fact, seething anger made him place the bottles of beer carefully on the table and take a couple deep breaths before he said or did something that would cause irreparable harm to their friendship or partnership.
“You’re not serious.” Mike had a look of incredulity on his face that Seth found laughable. If the tables were turned, would Mike react in the same way?
No. Of course Mike wouldn’t think anything of it. Mike never formed emotional attachments to women. Mike didn’t care about Abby. And that’s where the difference was. Because, like it or not, Seth did.
“Mike, let’s talk. Outside.”
“Hey, you two. I’m sorry if I caused any—”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Abby,” Seth said, keeping his attention on Mike.
Mike arched a brow. “And I did? Come on, man. You know better.”
“Outside, Mike. Now.”
“Sure,” he said with a shrug. He scooted his chair back and looked at Abby. “I’ll be right back.”
No, Mike. You won’t.
The sultry summer heat slapped Seth in the face as soon as he opened the door, doing nothing to assuage his lingering frustration. He dragged his fingers through his hair and turned to Mike as soon as the door closed.
“I want you to leave Abby alone.”
Mike’s eyes widened. “Where did this come from? Last night it was fine for both of us to play with her.”
“That was last night.”
“I don’t think you get to make that decision, man. That’s Abby’s call.”
The rational part of him knew that, the voice inside him telling him it wasn’t his choice to make. But he wasn’t exactly thinking rationally right now. “I care about her, Mike.”
“So do I. Do you think I don’t?”
“Why are you here tonight?”
Mike looked around