I hadn’t liked it when some zombie pushed us from behind, and I hadn’t liked it any better when it was some superhero I didn’t know. At this rate, our drinks were at risk of being knocked out of our hands, Rosie might get hurt, and I might have to punch some drunk idiot in a mask.
Checking on Rosie’s glass to see if she was done with her drink, it was physically impossible to stop my eyes from wandering around. All the way up to her face. Down her neck again. Hopelessly dipping back to her neckline.
It wasn’t the first time I’d done it tonight, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. I seemed unable to help myself.
Not when the swells of her breasts were pressing against the neckline of her dress in a way that made my blood swirl and flow to certain areas of my body that were starting to feel a little tight against my clothing. I was only a man. And I could only take so much when that soft-looking skin on display was making me think thoughts not appropriate for the current venue. Or company.
“You okay?” Lina asked, forcing my eyes away from Rosie. Lina tilted her head. “You look… weird. Are you hungry or something?”
I schooled my face into the easiest smile I could summon. “I’m always hungry.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rosie snickering. “Other than that, I’m okay. Gracias, prima.”
As if on cue, someone bumped into me and Rosie from behind. Again. Probably someone else trying to place an order at the busy and slightly chaotic bar.
With a curse, I finally stepped to the side and parked myself behind Rosie. Then, I snaked an arm around her side and leaned my elbow on the bar top, creating a wall behind her.
Rosie moved her head, her hair swaying with her scent.
Damn, those peaches were starting to drive me a little crazy.
It made me want to dip my head and place my nose at her neck. Take a good, honest whiff, as if I were nothing more than an animal. Like the unsophisticated man I was.
Aaron met my gaze and nodded his head with approval. Wondering what he could be approving of exactly, I returned it.
“Thank you, Lucas,” Rosie said, her voice drawing my attention back to her. Those green eyes of her were dancing with warmth, with the awareness I was feeling, too. “You don’t really have to, you know, protect me or something. But I appreciate it.”
I don’t really have to?
Dios.
I had told her once how much I hated how low she set her standards, and I’d meant every word. It infuriated me that someone who brought to life romance heroes, love stories people longed for, wouldn’t expect all those things from real life. Because she really seemed fine not expecting any man to live up to her heroes. She was fine with it.
“There’s nothing you should thank me for,” I told her, stepping a little closer to her body because I just couldn’t keep myself in line. My gaze trailed down again in time to watch her swallow, and that slow motion of her throat, and the way her breasts followed with her next breath, was enough to make me twitch in my pants. Jesus. Some friend I was. “I’m happy to protect you, Lady Rosalyn.”
Rosie didn’t answer, and when I met her gaze again, her eyes were… different. Surprised, hooded. Probably mirroring my own.
“How about dancing?” Lina suggested with bubbly enthusiasm, breaking the spell. “I think we’ve hung out here long enough.”
Aaron remained silent. Rosie hesitated. And I… shrugged. My leg was sore after standing for so long, but I’d follow them to the dance floor if that was the plan.
“Come on,” Lina insisted.
But before any of us could answer, someone else pushed into me, forcing my front to come into full contact with Rosie’s back. Without thinking, my arm snaked around her just as I felt her ass press against my crotch. A new shot of awareness sparked across my body, making my dick stand to attention.
“Yes!” Rosie yelped. “Let’s dance!”
Without giving me or Aaron any choice, the women linked arms and walked into the moving crowd.
Aaron shot me a glance, and whatever he saw in my face made him chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” I asked him, summoning a casual expression.
His eyes scanned the sea of people in front of us and zeroed in on a point I assumed was his wife. “You didn’t have to say anything,” he said, gaze forward. “You know, it doesn’t get easier. But it does get better.”
I forced out a laugh, pretending I knew whatever he was talking about.
But you know what he meant, a voice countered. Although it won’t ever get better. Because she’s not yours. And you are leaving anyway.