Contingency Plan (Blackbridge Security 3)

Heads turn when we enter, but I’m under no delusion that it’s me they’re staring at. The women smile, fluffing their hair and making sure ample amounts of cleavage are showing. The guys size up the men surrounding me, no doubt finding themselves lacking.

Sasha waves like a mad woman, and I know after tonight, I’m going to cut all ties with her. She told me last night that she had a previous engagement she couldn’t get out of and wouldn’t be coming tonight, but it seems she made a sacrifice. It wasn’t me, and as we approach, her eyes are on Ignacio on my left, not the person the party is for.

“Tha am boireannach sin seòlta,” Finnegan mutters in a language I don’t understand.

“Fìor fhìor,” Ignacio returns. He grins when I look at him.

“Scottish?”

“Gaelic, lass. Spend a little time with me, and I’ll teach you a million things,” Finnegan says, leaning in closer with a twinkle in his green eyes.

“Enough,” Flynn snaps, positioning his body between his friend and me.

I look around his large frame. “What did you say?”

Finnegan shrugs before walking away with his eyes scanning the crowd.

“He said your friend is crazy and I agreed with him,” Ignacio explains with a wink before also walking away.

I’m grinning at the two of them when a finger crooks under my chin. Looking up into blue eyes, I get lost.

“I’ve missed you today.” I know it sounds silly. We were together all night, and considering I slept so late, it hasn’t been long since I was in his arms.

For the briefest second, his thumb sweeps over my bottom lip. My core clenches with need. How will I survive this damn party? I open my mouth to tell him to get me out of here, but his eyes narrow as he looks down at me, making me pause.

“No drugs tonight, Remi, and don’t get too drunk.”

I could tell him I no longer do drugs and haven’t in months, but his tongue sneaks out, licking at his lower lip and distracts me. I nod my head in agreement instead.

“Have fun, okay?”

I nod again, knowing he isn’t going to touch me in front of his friends. I’ve decided that’s the problem. He wants me. He wants to do dirty things to me, but he’s working. It must be killing him not to touch me, so I tease him a little, running my hand down his stomach and over the erection straining his slacks before spinning away and heading to the dance floor.

The music is loud, the drinks flowing for my friends as I dance, my skin growing damp with sweat at the exertion. One song fades into the next, and I let myself get lost in my own little world, honestly surprised that I can have a good time without powder in my nose and alcohol coursing through my veins.

The guys, mostly Flynn, keep me hydrated, passing me bottles of water and asking me if I want something different. It was part of the protocol Flynn insisted on for tonight. I’m not to take a drink from anyone but him or a member of his team. I thought it was ridiculous at first, but now that he’s walked up to me several times—refusing to dance each and every damn time—I’m happy to see his face often.

“Plan on taking a break anytime soon?” Ignacio asks, handing me a fresh water and moving a little to the beat as I crack the top and take a long sip.

“Not a chance!” I yell over the music, passing him back the bottle when I’m done.

He grins, his eyes darting over my shoulder as he places the half empty bottle on a nearby table.

“How about that dance?”

My smile grows, knowing exactly what he’s doing, and let me tell you, I’m here for it.

He pulls me closer, his hands in a respectful position on my hips.

“Is this okay?” I nod, biting my lip and resist looking behind me. “What about this?”

He slides closer, pulling my body to his chest, one of his legs sliding between mine.

“Is he watching?” He grins with a nod. “Is he pissed?”

“Fucking livid.” His smile is wide, matching my own, as he guides me around the dance floor. He never turns me so I can face Flynn because we both know the jig would be up if he did. “Are you going to nurse my wounds after he beats the shit out of me?”

I scrunch my nose, unsure if he’s joking. I don’t know the man well enough to know if he’s serious about wanting to do things with me in that way.

“I knew I liked you.” I squeal in delight as he pushes me away only to spin me around and pull me right back against his chest. “Just a warning, he’s coming this way, and he isn’t happy.”