“A’righty, then. What can I get you to drink?”
JJ served their drinks, and as they walked away from the bar, Dash said, “That’s him, isn’t it?”
“Who?”
He pulled her closer, speaking directly into her ear. “Your Ferris wheel kiss.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“Because I know you.” He pressed a kiss beside her ear. “He implied that your missed dance wasn’t a first, which means you trust him. You rolled your eyes instead of blushing at his comment about your looks, which means you’re very comfortable with him. That could be from growing up together, but my guess is it’s from something bigger than that. And when I introduced myself, he looked at you like he was a little disappointed that you hadn’t told him yourself, which means he trusts you. And I’d bet my paycheck that he’s still watching us.”
Amber glanced over her shoulder, and sure enough, JJ was looking right at them. “That’s crazy that you could tell all of that from one quick conversation. You missed your calling. You should have been a detective or a psychic.”
“I’m at the top of my game in every way these days, and that’s because of you, sweetheart. You make me want to be the best man I can be, more like my old self. You should have seen me at my speaking gig yesterday. I nailed it.” He lowered his face beside hers, his voice low and seductive. “I can’t wait to see how you inspire me in the bedroom.”
And just like that she caught fire again. The man was a walking aphrodisiac.
“Come on, sexy. Let’s see if we can find a table.”
The endearments he used sounded so genuine, they made her feel even more like his girl and sexy. They headed into the crowd, nearly bumping into Brindle and Morgyn. Brindle was all dolled up, with smoky eyes, soft-pink lips, a body-hugging black top that showed off her cleavage, skintight jeans, and knee-high leather boots. She’s the only woman Amber knew who could have a baby and look ten times hotter afterward. Morgyn had her own brand of sexy, in a magenta dress with sprays of color, a gray fitted denim jacket with wide lapels and long fringe hanging from the sleeves, and cowgirl boots that she’d embellished with sparkling gems. She wore several necklaces, and her blond hair hung in messy waves over her shoulders. Amber had always envied how comfortable her sisters were in their own skin.
“Hey, you two. We heard you were going to be here, and we got a big table.” Brindle hugged Amber and whispered, “Just friends my butt!”
Amber gave her a please-don’t-embarrass-me look as Morgyn moved in for a hug and said, “He’s even cuter with you on his arm.”
Amber had a feeling that being hot and bothered was the least of her problems. With her sisters tag teaming her, God only knew what she was in for. “Dash, you know Brindle and Morgyn.”
“Yes. It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too,” Morgyn said. “Graham’s looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Is he here? I’d love to catch up with him.”
“He is. Why don’t you go say hi and we’ll be over in a few minutes?” Brindle said encouragingly, making Amber one hundred percent certain she was in for an interrogation. “He’s at the table with Trace and Sin.” She pointed through the crowd to a table where the guys were talking.
Dash took Amber’s hand, drawing her into a kiss. “Want me to take your drink to the table?”
What she wanted was to go with him, but she knew Brindle wouldn’t be put off that easily. “Sure.” She handed him her glass.
He gave her a quick kiss and nodded to her sisters. “Have fun, ladies.”
As he walked away, Brindle and Morgyn flanked her, dragging her toward the dance floor.
“You look like he’s already buttered your biscuit tonight,” Brindle said excitedly.
“Shh.” Amber looked around to see if anyone heard her.
“Nobody’s listening.” Brindle pulled her deeper into the crowd. “You’re the one who looks all dreamy-eyed and is wearing the fuck-me dress we bought last year.”
“Brindle!” Amber was now seriously questioning coming to JJ’s. Brindle had always been some kind of sexual psychic, sensing people’s sexual connections even before they did.
Morgyn stepped in front of them and began dancing to one of Surge’s hit country-pop songs. “She means that you look beautiful and happy, like Dash is taking good care of you.”
“Isn’t that what I said?” Brindle ran her eyes down Amber. “And that you dressed to get laid, but hey, I’m all for that. Come on, shake that bootie for your man.”
Amber fell into step with them. “I’m not dressed to get laid. I’m dressed to…” Her sisters eyed each other knowingly. “Okay, fine. I want him to think I’m sexy. So what?”
Brindle and Morgyn squealed and hugged her.
“Stop.” Amber playfully shoved them away. “Can we just dance?”
“Yes, but you know how you always say you wear dresses because they’re comfortable?” Brindle didn’t wait for an answer. “After tonight, you’ll know the real benefit of wearing a dress. We’ll have to start calling you Easy-Access Amber.”
“Brindle!” Amber swatted her, and they fell into fits of laughter.
As they danced, Brindle peppered her with intrusive questions, which Morgyn tried to ease by twisting Brindle’s words. It had been this way for as long as Amber could remember, Brindle pushing while Morgyn softened the blows. Before long, they were cracking up. Amber didn’t know how it was possible that her parents had raised seven very different children, or how her sisters could take her from one extreme to another so quickly, but she wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.
“Tons of women are checking out your man, but Dash hasn’t taken his eyes off you.” Brindle danced closer. “Let’s sex it up for him. Show him your moves.”
Amber glanced at the table where Dash was sitting, and their eyes connected with the heat of a thousand flames. Based on the way he was looking at her, she didn’t think she needed to sex up her dancing. Or maybe she did, and it would turn him on even more. She wasn’t sure she could handle that any better than she could handle staying away from him any longer.
“Sorry, you guys, but I’m going to the table.” She weaved through the crowd with her sisters on her heels, and Dash’s gorgeous eyes remained trained on her, his words whispering through her mind, You’re enough for me.
He stood and reached for her hand, drawing her into his arms. “You were the sexiest girl out there.”
Thrills skittered through her as they took their seats.
“Yeah, she was,” Morgyn said as she sat next to Graham.
“And she didn’t even have to sex it up for you,” Brindle said, making Amber blush.
Trace pulled Brindle down beside him. “Get over here, Mustang, and stop making your sister blush.”
Dash put his arm around Amber and gazed into her eyes. “That adorable blush is one of the first things that drew me in.”
“Which I followed up by immediately running away from you. It wasn’t exactly a great first impression.”