“Why would you buy a drink here?”
“I was blending in, Ford,” Dana snapped. “What should I have asked for, huh? Tap water?”
Ford looked like he didn’t care. “Yeah, why not?”
“Because there are no fucking taps!” Dana barked, making Ford look around anxiously before he gripped Dana’s elbow and dragged him to a dark corner behind the DJ stand.
Ford pushed him up against the wall, the bass from the sound system vibrating his back while Ford pressed his hard chest against his front. “Calm down,” Ford growled.
Dana breathed through his nose. It’d been a while since his partner had checked him, and Dana didn’t bite back, knowing he’d be striking a heated feud. Things had changed between them. And no matter how ticked off Dana was… Ford was right. He shouldn’t be causing a scene. If Duke and Quick had been in there, that would’ve been his ass. Ford taming him felt different now, after what happened between them last night.
“I’m cool,” Dana said, close to Ford’s chin.
Ford leaned in, bracing his arm on the wall. He spoke directly into Dana’s ear to be heard over the music. “Good. Because as much as I don’t want to do this, because you might take this wrong, I have to show you.”
Dana wanted to wrap his arms around Ford’s waist but he didn’t think it was that type of establishment. Instead, he brought his hand up and discreetly brushed it across Ford’s thick beard. He heard and felt Ford’s sharp breath. “Did you do what I told you to do?”
Dana moaned and closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He knew what Ford was talking about. Oh god. All he wanted was one simple touch. He wanted so badly. All that bulk and brawn right there. A big bear playground for his mouth and hands. “I am. I mean, I will. She’s out of town. But as soon—”
“Stop right there,” Ford bit out, pushing Dana harder against the wall with his massive frame. Dana wasn’t a little guy, standing at six foot one, one hundred and eighty pounds of tight muscles, but when Ford loomed over him, he fought the urge to tuck his tail and roll over for him.
“No. I swear, I’m going to do it.” Dana looked in Ford’s mature eyes, begging for him not to doubt him. “If I have even the smallest chance with you, no one is going to stand in my way. I just don’t want to send her a text, Ford. That’s foul, ya know. I’m not like that.”
“That’s not it, Dana. I believe you,” Ford whispered. “But look to your left. Nine o’clock. Curved booth in the corner.”
Damn. He’d lost focus for a moment, but it only took Dana a split second to get back into hunting mode. He casually turned his head, thinking Ford was pointing out their bounty’s girlfriend or even better, one of their bounties, but his mouth dropped when he saw Jessica sitting at the booth with several people. Five to be exact. Dana was surprised to see the woman he was supposed to be dating hugged up with another man… right here in town.
He turned and looked back at Ford. He didn’t like the cynicism he saw. He hoped Ford didn’t mistake his look of shock for anger or hurt. Because he wasn’t angry or hurt. It did suck that his girlfriend had obviously been cheating on him, but most of all he felt foolish… played. “Now looks like as good a time as any.”
Ford gripped his arm when Dana tried to walk towards the booth. “Not here,” Ford demanded. “We’re working.”
Dana stopped to think. As usual, Ford was right. If Dana went over there and told her it was over, there was no doubt it wouldn’t go well and would probably get Dana and his guys thrown out.
Dana looked back over at the booth then turned away. He didn’t know when Brian had slid up next to him his huge body there signing something to his brother.
Ford shook his head repeatedly. “Things could get heated, Brian, if she gets mad.”
Brian and Ford communicated some more before Ford finally translated. “Brian thinks you should go over there and act like you aren’t mad and see if… if she knows anything about Diamon. All we need is a car make. She’s got a reserved booth, so she might be a regular. Brian said… use her now… dump her later.”
Dana groaned in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Use her. That’s not even my MO, Brian, you know that.”
“She’s a bitch.”
“Whatever. I don’t care. She can go on and be happy now,” Dana said. “Let’s go, fellas. No one will talk to us here. Let’s just sit on the place. Maybe we’ll spot her coming out.”