It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(87)
Author: Cherise Sinclair
All red and black with gold accents, the upscale nightclub was a young professional favorite. Men wore button-down shirts and blazers, even a few two-piece suits. Women wore cocktail attire—especially LBDs—or, like her, tight-fitting pants and sexy tops.
At the store, Uzuri had talked her into a silky strappy cami-top that whispered over her skin like cool air. Saxon liked it too. He rested a hand on her shoulder, his fingers toying with the thin strap. And stroking her bare skin.
The red and gold VIP alcove Raoul had reserved was far enough from the speakers they could talk without shouting. Being elevated a few feet, the nook had an amazing view of the dance floor slightly below them.
Murphy couldn’t keep from bouncing a little to Tomsta’s energetic hip hop tune, “Put Ya Hands Up.”
As she finished off her drink—a screwdriver—her blood buzzed in her veins.
When “The Heart of a Star” by Oasis came on, Saxon took her hand. “Come, pretty maid. This is a waltz. Let’s go practice some more.” Over the past two days, he’d given her lessons on ballroom dancing, saying the band at the gala tended to toss in a few ballroom tunes.
“Right. Okay.” As they left the alcove, she leaned against his muscular body. “You never said how or why you learned this stuff.”
His golden hair spilled over his shoulders as he smiled down at her. “Jake’s family basically adopted me when we got to be friends in vet school. His mom, who is a total sweetheart, taught me to dance so they could drag me to all their charity functions.” His grin indicated he hadn’t minded. Because they’d made him part of their family.
“I thought you went out of state for your surgical residency.”
“I did.” He veered around a table and guided her onto the dance floor. “And Jake took off to serve in the Army Veterinary Corp. But we stayed in touch and got back together afterward to open our clinic.”
With an arm behind her back, he pulled her closer. He laid her hand against his chest. “One-two-three.” He counted with the music and winked at her.
She considered hitting him—but her feet caught the rhythm. And…she did love to dance.
She just wasn’t used to having to follow someone else’s steps when she did. Or stepping on someone’s foot. “Sorry,” she muttered.
His fault. He had awfully big feet.
He chuckled. “Close your eyes and trust me, sweetling.” He brought her close enough she could feel exactly where he was moving.
This was simply a different form of trust. One where she had to have faith that he’d steer her safely. That he’d protect her.
After a minute, she sank against him and breathed in his darkly masculine scent of smoky leather and pine. She just…followed…and it was divine.
She even managed the spin-out and return without missing a step and let out a subdued whoop in response.
“You got it now.” Grinning, he pulled her fully against him and rested his cheek on top of her head. Yes, he loved protecting and guiding as much as she loved being the recipient.
Then she felt his hand on her butt, pressing her against his thick erection. Well. It seemed he was enjoying more than just her trust.
He really was big. And as his fingers eased under her shirt, his hand was warm against the bare skin of her back. So warm. He moved so his thigh was between her thighs, pressing on her increasingly sensitive clit.
As the music finished and changed, they headed back to the table…and her body was humming with arousal. And she laughed. “I never realized a waltz could be so”—sexy? Carnal? —“stimulating.”
“Mmmhmm.” His teeth flashed white in the darker area away from the dance floor. “Makes me want to push you into a closet and fuck you brainless.”
At the sheer wave of heat, she stumbled over her feet.
And his hearty laugh sounded. “I think I’ll find us a closet.”
Laughing, she thumped her hand against his rock-hard abs.
Halfway to the alcove, she heard a chiming sound from his pocket.
“Ah, hell.” He pulled out his phone and checked it. “It’s the clinic. I’m sorry, Murphy. I need to take this.” He answered the phone, saying to the other person, “Hang on till I get somewhere quieter.”
After escorting her back to the table and giving her a light kiss, he disappeared out of the club through the nearby exit.
“What’s up?” Kim asked from where she sat beside Raoul.
“He got a call from his clinic.” Murphy took a sip of her drink. “They call him if any of his surgical patients are looking off.”
Raoul nodded. “He’s an excellent doc. It’s why Kim takes Ari to him.”
“I bet your guard dog doesn’t trust easily.” Ari, the giant German shepherd was a fierce guard dog—and a total gooey-heart with women and children.
“Not even close,” Kim said. “But he loves the doc.”
“Of course.” Murphy remembered her introduction to pet play, the feeling of safety and authority radiating from Saxon. She laughed. “Don’t we all?”
Raoul tilted his head, warmth in his dark brown eyes. “Someone is falling for our Saxon, yes?”
Had she been so obvious with her mooning over the blond barbarian? Oops. Time to escape and regroup. “Ah, if you’ll excuse me, I need to hit the restroom. Anyone else?”
The others shook their heads, and Kim added, “I’ll come if you want an escort.”
“Nah, this place is safe. I’ll be back in a minute.” Murphy patted her pockets. Phone, wallet, keys. Carrying a purse was such a pain in the butt that she avoided it whenever possible.
The restroom was clean and wonder of wonders, had no line.
In a good mood—and with a happier bladder—Murphy started back across the bar. Maybe Saxon would be back by now. If not, maybe Kim and Rainie would want to dance again. She hadn’t realized how fun it was to dance with crazy girlfriends. It was a whole different dynamic, much like the uninhibited fun of pet play.
As she passed the entrance, she smiled at the big bouncer.
Just as she reached the front of their alcove, someone stepped in her way.
She stopped. Oh look, she’d reached Murphy’s Law #1538—Anytime you’re having a great night, your ex will show up. “Ross.”