Pieces Of Us (Angel Sands 6)

“I’m right here, guys,” Griff murmured. “And whatever’s going on between me and Autumn is none of your business.” He took another mouthful of beer and turned to look at his friends. “And by the way, I think those guys are making the moves on your wife and sister.” He inclined his head to the floor and watched as Lucas’s brow furrowed.

Two men were dancing behind Ember and Caitie, looking down at them as though trying to catch a glimpse of their cleavages. Lucas was usually as mild mannered and laid back as Griff, but he was already tapping Breck on the shoulder and pointing at the dancefloor. Breck frowned as he followed Lucas’s direction. “Should we sort this out?” he asked him, his jaw tight as one of the men slid his arms around Caitie’s waist.

“Sure we should.” The two of them walked across the VIP area and to the stairs.

“Completely whipped,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “Good job I have you, bro, and you’re not at all interested in Autumn.”

Griff opened his mouth to tell Jackson to shut up, but then two more men were walking over, heading directly to the spot where Autumn and Harper were dancing. His jaw tightened and he glanced over his shoulder. “We should go down too,” he told Jackson. “In case the guys need our help.”

Jackson grinned. “Sure, man. Whatever you say.”

By the time they reached the girls, they’d already given the strangers the brush off, and Ember looped her arms around Lucas’s neck and was smiling up at him as she asked him to dance with her. Lucas placed his hands on her hips and began to sway with her, leaning down to press his lips against her forehead.

Griff looked at Autumn, who was still swaying to the beat, oblivious to the interested stares she was attracting from guys all over the dance floor. “You okay?” he asked her.

“I’m great.” She grinned at him, her eyes sparkling as their gazes met. “And you?”

“I’m good.” His body relaxed as soon as he caught her stare. It didn’t matter who was looking at her, she was looking at him. “Enjoying my party. Thanks for arranging it.”

“Any time.” She pulled her lip between her teeth. “You want to dance?” she asked him, stepping to the right to make a space for him.

“With you?”

“Yeah. Isn’t that what friends do?”

He raised an eyebrow. “I’m good for that if you are.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her, her eyes sparkling beneath the flashing disco lights. Even in her skyscraper heels, the top of her head only grazed his chin as he held her hands, moving them both to the sensual bass.

“You’re a good dancer,” she murmured.

“Probably uses the same muscles as surfing.” God, she smelled good. He wanted to bury his face in her hair and inhale deeply.

The next song was slower, enough for him to pull her in close and have her arms wrapped around his neck. He could feel every inch of her pressing against him, the sensation making him grit his teeth.

“You’re very handsome,” she whispered. “But you know that.” Her eyes were a little fuzzy from the champagne.

“Thank you.” He winked at her.

“Seeing you in those pants does things to me.” Her voice was still low, enough for the beat to swallow her words up. But he still heard them.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “Everybody keeps asking me what’s going on between us.”

“What did you tell them?” His eyes met hers.

“That we’re friends.”

“We are,” he agreed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Good friends.”

“Friends with amazing benefits.” That drink had definitely gone to her head.

“Amazing?” he repeated, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Really, really amazing.”

He cleared his throat. “You probably want to stop grinding your body against me soon, or those amazing benefits might happen in front of everybody.”