This is Reckless (Checkmate Duet 3)

“What do you mean?”

“He just stands there like he has a stick up his ass.”

Her blunt words make me stop and turn. Looking at her, I can tell her guard is down.

“He’s just a little—”

“Wound up tighter than a virgin on prom night?” She giggles, sipping from her drink that is probably all tequila, and my plan to escape her goes out the door.

“Jesus Christ, Court,” I groan, brushing a frustrated hand through my hair.

“Oh, come on!” She yanks on my arm. “It’s a wedding, for God’s sake. Loosen that tie and dance with me!” she pleads, her eyes staring into mine, making it impossible to deny her. I know how she gets when she’s been drinking, but this time feels different. I never pictured her naked or imagined the sound she’d make when she came or wondered what her breasts under my hand would feel like until now.

Shaking the images from my mind, I grab her hand and lead her to a nearby table. “I think maybe you need to set the drink down and—”

“Oh my God!” she screams, stopping everything I was just about to say. “I fucking love this song!” My heart nearly jumps out of my chest at the urgency of her tone, and I’m pissed when I find out it was due to a damn song.

“Court—”

“Come on, Deputy! Dance with me!” She grabs my hand before I can pull away and something inside me follows her anyway. I’d rather be the one she’s clinging onto than some random guy just looking for a one-night stand.

I make sure to keep as close to her as I can. Viola and Travis are nearby, but they’re in their own little world with each other. Several of Travis’ and my friends from college showed up for the reception and are on their way to getting just as wasted as Courtney is right now. They’re only looking for a quickie, and although I know them, I don’t trust them around Courtney one bit.

“I warned you she was a handful,” Viola shouts over the music as she dances in front of me.

“Oh, I know.”

“She’s just having fun, you know?” She smiles, but I can tell she’s exhausted. It’s been a long day for all of us.

“I can see that; however, every guy in here is looking at her like she’s a piece of meat.” My jaw clenches, and I’m sure Viola takes notice.

“Chill, Drew,” she says casually. “Courtney can take care of herself.” Viola’s pulled away by another bridesmaid before I can respond. I take another look and see Courtney surrounded by other chicks, so I walk back to the bar where Logan is sitting.

“Quite the party,” he mutters, taking a sip of his whiskey.

“So I’ve been told,” I say, grabbing the bartender’s attention. “Brings you back, huh?”

His lips pull back into a sly grin. “College was an experience, that’s for sure.”

I order my drink and turn around to face the dance floor. “I think that one chick is into you,” I say, making conversation. “The petite brunette.” I nod my head toward one of the bridesmaids.

“No time to date.”

“I wasn’t suggesting you propose. But one dance? Or a drink?”

He shrugs his shoulders, uninterested, so I drop it.

“What about that roommate of yours?” he asks, staring a little too intently at her.

“What about her?” My jaw ticks again and I take another swig of my drink.

“She hasn’t taken her eyes off you all night.”

I chuckle into my drink. “Courtney’s my best friend.”

“That’s it?” His brows raise, and I know he’s testing me. Bastard.

“Yeah.”

“So, you’d be okay if I asked her to dance?” His lips tilt up, and I know what the fucker is doing.

I shrug as if it doesn’t bother me one bit. “Go for it.”

He swallows down the rest of his drink and sets it down on the bar. “Good.” He pushes off his stool and begins walking toward her.

Before I can think twice, I follow right behind him and grab his shoulder, stopping him immediately. “Get the fuck out of here.”

He chuckles with a knowing grin and lets me walk ahead of him.

“That’s what I thought, Fisher,” he calls out.

“Fuck off, Knight.” I grin, although he can’t see me, but dammit, he got me this time.

CHAPTER TEN

COURTNEY

“Dance with me,” I hear from behind. I recognize the voice, but it sounds deeper than usual. Once I spin around, I smile as I see Drew’s perfect face.

“Finally in the dancing mood?” I ask, letting him take my hand. My body presses against him, but since I took my heels off about seven songs ago, we’re no longer at eye level.

“I guess you could say that.”

He’s looking down at me as if he’s waiting for something. As if right on cue, the song changes to Fallin’ for You by Colbie Caillat—which is quite fitting, considering—and everyone around us starts slow dancing. Figuring Drew won’t want to slow dance, I take a step back, but he pulls me right back into him.