“Do what?” Then she glanced at the front door, and her face instantly flushed when she saw who’d just walked into the bar.
Garrett.
Not just Garrett. The McMillan brothers were behind them. The way Josh and Noah had taken to Garrett, Blair wouldn’t be surprised if they sent out an adoption announcement officially changing Garrett’s last name to theirs.
Blair narrowed her eyes. “Are you kidding me?”
“We didn’t plan this,” Libby said, looking worried. “Josh and Noah were supposed to meet Garrett in his hotel bar, which is right around the corner. There was no way they knew we’d be here.”
Garrett looked around, and his eyes found Blair. Though she could hardly believe this was a coincidence—particularly after all of the other coincidences that had been piled into her lap lately—the shock in his eyes was undeniable. And like a moth to a flame, he came right to her. Her eyes were so laser-focused on him, she barely registered that the McMillan brothers were following him.
He stopped in front of her table. “Blair.”
She couldn’t believe he had the nerve to come over to her after admitting he’d gone to Neil’s office. “Go away, Garrett.”
He swallowed, looking nervous. “Give me one dance.”
She looked around the bar, incredulous. “No one’s dancing, Garrett.”
“I don’t care. Dance with me.”
She lifted her chin and held up her left hand. “I’m engaged.”
“So I heard. I rented a tux today. Black with a red tie. Classic. Good choice. I think I’m standing on the end of the line.”
She jumped off her stool and stumbled around Libby to stand in front of him. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re still in the wedding?”
He smiled, but his eyes were sad. “Nope. Nana Ruby still insists.”
She poked her finger into his chest. “Then grow a pair of balls and tell her no!”
“No. I won’t. But Neil can.” His eyebrow rose. “Did you know that? He could tell her no, but he hasn’t. Why not?”
She knew, but she wouldn’t admit it to him.
“You obviously don’t want me to be in your wedding. Have your fiancé kick me out.”
“How about you do the right thing?”
His face spread into a slow lazy grin. “I am doing the right thing.”
“Then quit.”
“Dance with me.”
She tried to sort it through in her head, but her mind was fuzzy from the alcohol. One dance and he’d quit the wedding. It seemed safe enough, even if the thought of dancing with him spread a pool of heat between her legs. She reached across the table and took a big gulp of her drink before turning back toward him. “Okay.”
He looked surprised by her easy acceptance. Maybe she should have negotiated for more.
He took her hand and interlaced their fingers as he pulled her away from the table. A distant part of her mind realized Libby and Megan and the brothers McMillan were gaping at them in surprise. Her hand tingled from Garrett’s touch, and she wondered what else he could make her feel. If it would be even half as good as it had been in the past. Based on her current reaction, she was sure it would be a thousand times better.
He tugged her around a booth and led her into a dark corner with two empty tables, giving them privacy from the rest of the patrons. He stopped and looked down into her eyes, making no move to touch her other than their still-linked hands.
“I thought we were going to dance,” she murmured, her gaze drifting to his lips.
He grinned. “We are, but not yet.”
“Why not?”
“It’s the middle of a song. I want my full dance.”
“So we’re just going to stand here and wait, looking like idiots?”
“No one can see us, Blair. I’m the only one who can see you right now, and I definitely don’t see an idiot.”
“Why are you doing this, Garrett?” Her voice hitched as she said it, and she just wanted to slap herself silly.
The song ended and a new one started, a nineties ballad with cheesy lyrics. Blair barely heard it. He took a step toward her, making her hyper-aware of how close they were.
His hand reached for her waist, slowly skimming her dress before coming to rest on the small of her back, his eyes holding hers. He stepped even closer, leaving barely an inch between them. Her skin tingled, and she automatically lifted her hand and rested it on his shirt. His chest rose and fell under her hand.
“Just a dance,” she whispered, his eyes captivating hers.
He smiled and pulled his other hand free from hers so he could rest it on the rise of her hip.
“Were you really scared to ask me out?”
His grin spread, and he leaned down toward her ear. “More than you could ever know,” he whispered. “You still scare me.”
“How do I scare you?”
Rather than answering, he lowered his face to the nape of her neck, his breath hot against her sensitive skin. Shivers shot down to her toes. She cupped the back of his neck, her breath coming in short pants.
“Do you have any idea how sexy you are in a deposition?” he asked, moving his mouth to her jaw, her breath fanning her cheek.
“No.” She could barely think, barely breathe—all she knew was that she needed him.
“You’re like a panther, slowly circling its prey, looking for any sign of weakness. And then when you strike . . .” His teeth skimmed her jaw, lightly nipping. “It’s so damn sexy.”
Her toes curled, and she pressed against him, trying to get closer.
“I want you.” He pulled her tighter to him, leaving her with no doubt of how much he meant the words. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.” His mouth hovered over hers.
She could smell beer on his breath, and she was sure he could smell the whiskey on hers, yet he didn’t kiss her . . . and it was driving her crazy.
“I’ve tried so hard to forget you, but you’re burned into my brain, imprinted on my heart.” He placed kisses at the corners of her mouth, and her body felt more alive than ever before, each nerve ending pinging and begging for release. “Give me another chance, Blair. We’ll get it right this time.”
She turned her head, trying to capture his mouth, but he lifted it millimeters from hers. “Garrett,” she pleaded, and he groaned, drawing her lower lip between his teeth and nipping lightly. She tugged on his neck, trying to pull him closer, but he resisted.
“You are the sexiest woman I have ever met, and I want you, Blair. I need you.”
She rose on her tiptoes and captured his mouth, and he released a deep groan, his kiss devouring her. He pressed her back against the wall, one hand skimming up her waist and to her breast. His thumb brushed her nipple, sending a jolt of electricity through her, and she wrapped her leg around his and pulled his erection tighter against her.
“Blair. Wait. Stop.” He pulled back, his chest rising and falling, his eyes hooded with desire.
Her back was still against the wall, her hands on his chest, as the horror of what she’d just done washed over her. She tried to break loose, but he held her still.
“I’m sorry. Just listen to me.”
Everything had a weakness. With enough pressure, even the hardest metal bent and twisted. Garrett Lowry was hers. She’d been drawn to him, coaxed to the edge of surrender. She had completely lost control. And Blair could not afford to lose control.