Four Flames for Angela

“Did she say something?” Rock was still trying to figure out what was wrong with Angela.

“We were talking and she called me ‘lover,’ and I think Angela heard.” Hunter watched as River got up to join Sawyer and Angie on the dance floor.

He continued watching as they danced and flirted and had Angie laughing with them. He and Rock were sitting there enjoying the show when Melanie and her friend Nina walked up to the table.

“Hey, guys,” Nina said, leaning over on the table so that the men could get the full effect of her low-cut top and cleavage.

“Hi, Nina,” Rock said carefully.

“Mind if we sit?” Nina asked, starting to slide into the booth.

“Actually, we’re with someone,” Rock answered, sliding toward the outside of the booth so there wouldn’t be room for the women to get in.

“That’s too bad,” Melanie said, trying to push her way in on Hunter’s side.

“You’re not all with that little girl Hunter had in the restroom, are you?” Melanie asked and reached to run one finger down Hunter’s arm.

“She’s not enough woman for all of you,” Melanie laughed. “Nina and I could take all of you on, couldn’t we, girl?”

“Oh yeah, I’d like that,” Nina said and tried to push her way into the booth.

Rock stood and turned just in time to see Sawyer and River leading Angela back to the table. This could turn bad fast, and he didn’t know how to stop it.

Melanie leaned into Hunter and pulled his face to hers. “Don’t tell me you don’t want some of this. Remember last time, lover?”

Sawyer saw the two women at the table, but it was too late to stop Angela. She was laughing and walking with River’s arm around her, having a good time. They had danced to several fast songs together, and the last slow song she danced alone with River. Then they had decided to sit the next one out and get a drink.

Sawyer stopped so fast that River and Angela almost ran into him. “What’s going on?” River asked, taking Angela by the hand and walking around River. “Oh,” he said when he saw Melanie and Nina standing at the table.

“Come on, baby. We’re going to have to face the bitches eventually. Don’t let go of my hand, and if they say anything to you, ignore them.” He and Rock should have prepared her for women like Melanie and Nina.

They had all danced with both women but had made sure never to lead them on. Nothing had happened outside of the bar, but Angela didn’t know that. He’d seen both women be catty toward other women when they had danced with them and had no idea what they were going to say to Angela.

Angela held tight to River’s hand. Sawyer stood very close behind her, and they walked the few steps back to the table. Melanie and Nina were still trying to push their way into the booth when River approached them.

“Excuse me, ladies, those are our seats,” he said loudly to be heard over the music that had started again.

Melanie turned around and walked right up to River, ignoring Angela. “I thought Nina and I would join you guys,” she said with an inviting smile.

“Not tonight,” River said, pulling Angela close to his side. “We have all the woman we can handle.”

“But there’s four of you,” Nina said, turning and leaning close to Sawyer who had moved up to Angela’s other side. “Surely this little girl won’t mind sharing.”

“I said, not tonight,” River said even louder.

“But, lover,” Melanie said, trying to push Angela out of the way.

“Look, I don’t know what’s happened in the past or what’s going to happen in the future, but I do know that tonight I am here with all of these men and we don’t want you to join us. Either of you,” Angela said and pushed Melanie and Nina out of the way. She grabbed one of River’s hands and one of Sawyer’s and pulled them with her. “Excuse me, we are going to sit now.” She sat down beside Rock and slid into the booth until there was room for Sawyer and River to join them.

“Well, I never,” Nina said, looking very offended.

“And probably won’t,” Angie said from her position in the back of the booth between all four of the men. “You really want to move on now. Go find someone else to play with tonight.”

The two women flounced away, but Angie could feel them staring daggers at her.

Chapter Eleven

River signaled the waitress and got a round of drinks for all of them. “Way to go, Angie. I didn’t know how we were going to get rid of them without causing a scene.”