He grabbed his drink from the table and savored a swallow.
He stared out at the floor filled with young, pretty girls who had imbibed well past the limit. He doubted many of them were even legal.
“I just wish I knew what this Matt guy looked like. Brown hair and tattoos isn’t a hell of a lot to go on,” she muttered.
“We need to be clear, Meredith. If Matt does show up, like I told Bryce, you let me handle him. You’re not to try and interfere. If you say or do anything that raises his suspicions, he’ll bolt. And trying to track him down again, in here, would be impossible. Okay?”
“Yes, I understand. I also understood when you said that the last dozen times. Sheesh. I’m not a moron. I’ll have you know that I was on the dean’s list at Texas A&M.”
He glanced down at her. “You mean before you dropped out and got married.”
Ever so slightly, she pulled away from him. He could sense the anger riding in waves over her. “Why do you always have to do that? Bring up all the bad things you know about me? Yes. I was stupid and fell for the first guy who made me think I was something special to him. If it makes you feel any better, I was quickly reminded how true love wasn’t meant for me when I found him two months later, bare assed with a blonde IHOP waitress on our new leather couch.”
Guilt hit him low in the gut. He didn’t know why he kept throwing this shit at her. He tightened his arm around her shoulder and leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “I’m sorry. I’m an ass.”
“You’re right about that. Do you think that you can try and stop the insults and digs? I know I deserve them, each and every one. But can I just take a pass, for tonight?”
“Deal.” He didn’t even know why he kept lowering himself to that level. It wasn’t her fault she was stirring all of these crazy longings. Another song started, and from the sounds of the excitement from the crowd, it was popular. “We probably ought to dance.”
“Wait. What? You want to dance together? Out there? I don’t—I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“If we don’t, we’ll only stand out. Besides, it will give you a chance to see everyone up close. Maybe Darcy’s here, on the dance floor now—we won’t know unless we get out there.” Not that he thought the chances were good, but he needed to find a way to get Meredith out there.
It seemed to work as she rose from the chair and grabbed his hand. He hated the way he nearly jumped at the intimacy of her soft, smooth hand holding his. He willed himself not to react and met her gaze.
“I hope you know how to dance better than you make conversation,” she warned. “All bets are off if you turn into a spaz. I have appearances to keep up.”
“Of course.”
He let her lead him. Satisfied with the opening on the floor, Meredith turned to face him and moved her hips to the rhythm. Even if he’d wanted to step back and watch her sexy, confident movements, the crowd surrounding them made it impossible as they were pressed closer together. He returned his hand to her waist and moved with her, trying to ignore the way even here she fit so well against him. Her mouth dropped open, not able to hide her shock at discovering that—despite his geeky teen beginnings—he could hold his own.
He hazarded a glance to the loft behind them. The guy from the booth was now standing at the rail that overlooked the dance floor, flanked by a girl on each side. Watching them.
Travis pressed his mouth to her ear and said loud enough for her to hear over the music, “We have an audience. Make it good.”
She barely nodded acknowledgment as she continued to gyrate against him. Hell, she was good at this. If she ever became penniless, she could have quite the career as an exotic dancer.
He gripped her hips again and brought her almost impossibly closer. The heat and sweat of her body were heady, and it was difficult not to get caught in the frenzy of the pulsing bodies around them as they moved together.
Her dark eyes, so hurt and angry before, now filled with something else. Heat. Passion. Lust.
And most shocking of all…trust.
Something hit him hard in his stomach. Protectiveness? Possessiveness? He didn’t know but was sure it was some combination of both.
He stared at the curve of her full bottom lip. He could still taste her from their last kiss. And wanted more.
This time it was Meredith who moved against him first, pulling his head down and taking his lips in a hot, enticing kiss. It wasn’t acting when his hands immediately brought her hot body to mold against his. He had to try and remember why they were there and not let himself get swept away in her lushness.
She broke the kiss first, her breath hot and sweet. “Good enough for you?” she asked, her tone mocking.
He couldn’t even respond. She was killing him.
It took him a moment to process the tapping on his back until it became a harder pat and he turned his head to find Bryce staring expectantly at him.
“That guy’s here. Standing over at the bar.”
Meredith’s eyes rounded, and he knew she must have heard Bryce’s comment. Sensing she might whirl around and announce their interest, he pressed his hand to the back of her neck and forced her to meet his gaze again. “Casually, Mer. Don’t be too eager.”