Pure Temptation (Priceless)

She keeps her eyes on me, still moving to the music, but as I draw closer I can see the glassiness in her eyes. She’s been drinking. I don’t think much, but she’s had a few drinks at least. Something I’ve never known her to do before. She’s not even twenty-one. Not that I care. If she wants to have a drink, have at it. I just want to be close by, but still I think something is wrong. I can sense it.

To my surprise, she doesn’t protest when I motion her to put her hands into mine. I pluck her from off the bar, fighting a groan when her body slips down the front of mine. I don’t put her all the way down. I keep her pressed against me, her feet dangling from the floor so she can’t get away from me.

“You’re late,” she huffs.

“Had to help the SWAT team with a raid.” She stiffens in my arms for a moment before she pulls back to run her eyes over me.

“Everything go okay?”

“Yeah, we got who we were looking for.”

“I meant you. Are you okay?” She grabs my hand, seeing my red, busted knuckles. She gently rubs her soft fingers over them. Even the briefest of touches from her turn me on.

There is no missing the worry in her eyes. As much as I don’t want it there, it gives me hope that Addilyn cares for me a whole lot more than she’s willing to admit. Probably even to herself.

“Damn perfect at the moment.” Her cheeks, which are already flushed, brighten a tinge more, that innocence that I know she keeps tucked away bleeding out for me to see.

She always tries to be strong. It’s something she thinks she needs to be, but I don’t want her doing that with me. I find myself wanting to be the one she leans on when times are tough. Hell, I find myself wanting to be her everything. Not something I ever thought I’d want.

I see the way Jason and Archer are with their women. Always so worried over them. I told myself I’d never be that way. I didn’t want that hassle. Now I’m starting to realize having that isn’t a hassle at all. It would be a damn privilege if Addilyn let me take care of her.

“Want a drink?” she offers.

To my surprise, she wraps her arms around my neck. She’s not one who wants to be manhandled. Hell, I’m not a man that goes around manhandling women, but with her I can’t help myself. My fingers are always itching to grab her and keep her tucked where I want her. In my lap, preferably.

“No, I want to take you home.” Away from all the men checking her little ass out.

“I’m actually done for the night. I was hanging with Vee while Arch was handling some business.”

“You saying I can take you home?”

“Are you really asking? Pretty sure you’ve been taking me home for a while now.” She is smiling so I know she’s not pissed about it.

“If you want to stay and hang with Vee, then I’ll stay and watch out for you.” She doesn’t let her hair down enough. As much as I want to steal her away from here, I also want her to have some fun. I’d rather the fun be alone with me, but we’ll get there at some point. Baby steps, I remind myself. I don’t want to overwhelm her.

“You know I don’t need someone to watch out for me, right?”

“I enjoy watching you,” I respond carefully, knowing I need to tread lightly when it comes to this. I beg to differ. In my opinion, she needs someone to watch out for her. Not because she can’t handle things on her own, but because she’s been doing it too damn long already.

“You’re always watching me, Captain.” I know she gave me the nickname a few weeks ago to try to poke at me, but it’s not working. I’ve come to enjoy her calling me that. Especially after I found out about her love of Captain America.

“Can you blame me?” I squeeze her ass with one of my hands. Her mouth falls open in surprise.

“Squeezing a girl's ass is not a Captain America move.” I don’t agree with her on that. I think Captain America would squeeze his woman’s ass. But it would be the only ass he squeezed. A loud squeal steals Addilyn’s attention away from me. I don’t have to look to see what is happening.

I know Vee’s squeal by now. She’s been my little sister’s best friend for years. I’m sure Archer just plucked her ass off the bar. The same as I’d done with Addilyn.

“I think the party's over. Time for you to feed me,” she demands. “Some diner food might help drown my sorrows.”