His slightly-curly, brown hair was a tad shaggy, but it worked on him. Added to his rugged good looks. A light blue T-shirt stretched across a wide chest, and hip-hugging blue jeans encased his long legs.
Perfect. Kissing him could definitely make her feel better.
When she lifted her gaze and saw a smug smile on his lips, she realized she’d just given him a blatant once over. Heat flooded her face as he turned away to speak to the dark-haired guy next to him. Gina was astonished to discover she was having trouble catching her breath and forced her attention away from the very nice fit of his faded jeans.
Her gaze lit upon Jackson and Grace just in time to see him lower his thumb from her bottom lip to trail his hand across her overflowing top that, in reality, was nothing more than a fancy bra covered by a sheer blouse.
She glanced down at her own modest V-neck shirt and clenched her teeth. All right, fine. Maybe she didn’t fill a double D cup, and maybe her legs didn’t stretch for miles…but damn it, she could still attract a man if the occasion called for it. Suddenly, this one did.
With a determined smile for her friends, she picked up her empty glass and started for the bar, mentally preparing to sweet-talk Mr. Sexy. His back was still toward her, and her heart thumped in her chest with each step.
Halfway across the floor, she spontaneously reversed direction and headed for Jackson’s table instead. His blue gaze met hers, and a satisfied smile stretched across his mouth as she approached. He was pleased she was coming to him.
We’ll just see how long that lasts.
“Gina, imagine seeing you here.” His choice of words indicated all of them being in the same club tonight was no accident; Grace had known her plans for tonight.
She smiled at the confirmation of Jayne’s suspicion, and then reached over to grab a drink off the tray of a passing waitress. “Jackson, Grace. I’d like to make a toast.” She waited for the two of them to get over their hesitation and pick up their own drinks. They deserved each other. Barbie and Ken, with all the depth of plastic.
“To new beginnings…for all of us.”
She leaned forward, glass raised to clink against theirs. Instead of drinking with them, she emptied hers in Jackson’s face.
He jumped back with an angry exclamation as she slammed the empty glass on the table and spun around to leave. Obviously, that move didn’t convey the message that she didn’t care, but it felt damn good.
She stalked back to her own table, her stomach flip-flopping at the sight of her target still at the bar with his friend. Their backs were turned, so hopefully he hadn’t seen what she’d just done. Jayne finished off her beer as Britt gave her a grin of approval.
“That was awesome. Good for you.”
“Thanks.” She reached out to scoop up her sweater and slung it over her arm. “I’m going home. See you guys tomorrow at the gallery.”
“Aw, come on!” Jayne protested. “That’s not fair!”
Gina flashed a smile even as pride demanded she head for the bar to make good on her toast and the dare. A brief glance over her shoulder confirmed Jackson’s furious gaze following her progress. Good.
She came up behind her target and happened to meet the gaze of his friend for a brief moment. The exchange alerted her guy, and she took a deep breath to prepare as he turned around.
His eyes were a warm, chocolate brown and she’d guessed right earlier; they were incredible. As was his smile—even if it was filled with that all-too-familiar male satisfaction that she’d sought him out.
“Hi,” he greeted, his voice raised over the music.
Without giving herself a chance to change her mind, she smiled up at him through her lashes while moving in close to lay her palms on his chest. Firm muscles registered as she lifted her five foot-three inch frame onto her tiptoes and ran her hands up to his shoulders so she could link her fingers behind his neck.
His eyes widened in surprise, but as she pulled his head down toward hers, he offered no resistance.
The instant his mouth touched hers, electricity jolted clear down to her toes. Her initial plan to sister-kiss him and leave was fried in a single heartbeat. His lips moved against hers, and in the next second, strong arms encircled her ribs. He pulled her against the full length of his body while his tongue slid along her lips, seeking entrance.
Caught up in the unexpected sensations pulsing through her, she opened to him with a soft sound of surprise and met the first intimate exploration of his tongue with her own, then the next, and the next. He slid a hand up into her hair and tilted her head to deepen their connection even further. His hard body against hers was so warm she’d swear flames licked her flesh from chest to mid thigh.
Her senses were reeling when she gradually became aware of loud cheers and catcalls from the crowd around them.
What the hell am I doing?
She pushed against the stranger’s chest, pulling back even as he leaned forward in an attempt to prolong the kiss. Then it seemed he also became aware of the encouragement from their audience and released her with obvious reluctance.
Those brown eyes of his met hers, darker now than before.
Shit. During the past ten minutes, she’d never once considered what would happen after the kiss. Now what?