Samhain Publishing Ltd, Ebooks and Books in Print

Dark. Loud. Crowded.

These impressions assaulted Abby’s senses as she walked into Cirque, the club where Kylie had chosen to celebrate her birthday. Eric’s hand rested on her lower back and Jett walked next to her on the other side. Flashing lights lit the dance floor filled with writhing bodies. Someone bumped into her, his drink sloshing over, and Eric had to pull her back to avoid it landing on her.

“There’s Kylie.” Eric gestured and they changed direction to make their way across the bar to where Kylie stood with her husband, Duncan, and a small crowd of other people.

“Happy birthday, Kylie!” Abby hugged her cousin, a pretty strawberry blonde, then Duncan. Eric and Jett shook hands with both of them. “Here’s your present.” She handed over a small box wrapped in glossy black paper with black-and white-spotted ribbon tied around it.

“I said no presents!” Kylie protested.

“I know, it’s nothing, really.”

“I’ll open it later,” Kylie promised, tucking the small gift into her purse. She eyed the two men with Abby with interest. “Why don’t you get a drink?”

The three of them moved to the bar and ordered drinks.

Abby leaned against the bar, relaxed and mellow after dinner with Jett and Eric. She hadn’t been surprised when Eric had included Jett—he did that whenever he could because Jett worked such horrendously long hours at the hospital and hardly ever had time for fun. They’d gone to a casual place, noisy and busy, and the two men had kept her laughing all the way through dinner. They were so funny together, so smart, and the light flirting they’d all indulged in had been harmless and amusing, easing the tension she’d felt since last night when Eric had gotten so intense. Even Jett had teased and flirted with her, making her shake her head, but also warming her inside.

Abby’s eyes met Eric’s over the rim of her martini glass as she lifted it to her lips. Heat flashed between them. Her core went molten and achy. Damn. He’d softened her up over dinner and drinks, with crazy antics and jokes. How was she supposed to resist him now?

He stroked a hand over her shoulder, left bare by the black halter top she wore, and pleasure trickled through her. She loved his touch. For a big guy, he was gentle. Most of the time. He seemed to know when she needed a rougher edge.

She shifted closer to him so their bodies touched there in the crowded bar, and inhaled the scent of his crisp aftershave that had already become so familiar to her. She closed her eyes for a moment. Why was she trying to resist? At that moment, she couldn’t really remember.

“Abby doll.” Jett’s voice spoke from behind her. “Come dance with me.”

She turned her head lazily and smiled at him over her shoulder. “Now?”

He smiled back at her. “Yeah.”

Abby glanced at Eric, certain that he’d be frowning. But he removed her martini from her hand, set it on the bar, and with both hands on her shoulders, he gave her a little spin toward Jett. She laughed and shot Eric a what-the-hell glance, but followed Jett to the dance floor.

She loved dancing and so did Jett. Eric not so much. Which was probably why he didn’t mind her dancing with another guy—took the pressure off him.

Jett moved up close behind her, hands on her hips, and they ground together. Abby lifted her arms in the air, swung her hair and…Jesus. Jett pressed his groin against her ass and he had a hard-on. A massive, exciting hard-on.

Her tummy did a little flip, and liquid heat drizzled through her. She leaned her head back onto his chest as they moved to the music, the beat of it injecting itself into her body, becoming part of her. Jett’s hand slid around her, onto her belly, holding her there.

It was like sex on the dance floor.

Ah, hell. Did she never learn? What was she doing?

The song ended just as she was about to tear herself away from Jett and abandon the dance floor. Trying to keep things light, she patted Jett’s cheek as she extricated herself from his hold and gave a breathy laugh.

“Thanks, Jett. I know Eric thanks you too, because now I won’t nag at him all night to dance with me.”

His eyes glinted and he followed her back to the bar where Eric stood, now talking to Duncan and another couple who’d arrived.

Melina and Gavin.

Abby’s heart gave a little palpitation at seeing them.

When Melina saw her, a bright smile widened her pretty mouth. “Abby!”

Abby walked into her arms and they hugged tightly. “Hi, married lady,” she murmured into Melina’s ear. “Haven’t seen you since the wedding.”

“I know.” Melina drew back. “I just met your friend Eric.” She gave him a sidelong glance. “I heard you’ve been seeing someone.”

Abby lifted one shoulder, tried to look cool and casual. “Yeah.”

Melina turned her head so she faced away from Eric and mouthed, “Hot!”

Abby grinned.

“Hey, I want a hug, too.” Gavin stepped forward and Abby moved into his arms. Big, solid, warm and safe feeling. Okay, sexy too, but…she waited for the sizzle that didn’t come. Since the last time she’d seen him and Melina, she’d started dating Eric, and for some reason, the two people to whom she’d once been so fiercely attracted no longer lit her up.

She stepped out of Gavin’s embrace, and Eric handed her the martini she’d left behind earlier. “Thanks.” She shot him a smile.

“Have fun on the dance floor?” he asked.

She eyed him. Had he watched them? Was he jealous? But no. His eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth lifted.

She didn’t want to make him jealous. Really, she didn’t. But his lack of jealousy made her wonder if maybe she’d misread things. Maybe he wasn’t getting all serious and lovey mushy on her. Maybe it was all good.

And why did that thought make her feel like scowling?