Assured (Soul Serenade #2) (4 page)

She whimpers, and I have to fight my grin.
Fucking finally!
Leaning in, she rests her head against my chest. Looking down, I watch as her eyes flutter closed, see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She wants this just as badly as I do.

As the song changes from slow to sensual, I rock my hips against her, and it’s like that move alone caused some type of switch to go off. She lifts her head, flashes me a flirty grin, and mimics my movements. My cock takes notice to the point that it’s painful. Not willing to lose an opportunity to touch her, I take the lead as our bodies grind to the beat.

Push and pull.

Pain and pleasure.

I want her.

Again, the music changes, and I send a mental high five to the DJ. Stacy’s big eyes find mine. “I want to run my fingers through it.”

It takes me a minute to figure out what she’s talking about. My hair.

“What else do you want to do to me?”

She flashes me a sexy smile and opens her mouth, but the words never come because Logan and Kacen appear beside us. “Stacy, you mind running up to the room with me? I want to change these shoes, and if my husband goes with me, we might not make it back.” She giggles as Kacen kisses her neck.

She immediately removes her hands from around my neck and steps back. Reluctantly, I let her go.

Logan reaches for her hand, pulling her toward the exit. “We’ll be right back!” she yells over her shoulder.

“You’re drooling.” I elbow Kacen to get his attention. Luckily, his eyes followed his new bride so he didn’t notice that I ogled the lovely Stacy until they were out of sight.

Turning to look at me, he’s wearing a goofy-ass grin. “She’s mine.”

Such a simple statement, yet it means so much more. I can’t help but get sentimental. “I’m happy for you, man. You deserve this.”

“Thanks, C.” He turns back to stare at the door where the girls disappeared.

“Let’s get you a beer.” I clamp a hand down on his shoulder and turn us toward the bar.

“I’m good,” he says, taking a stool.

I raise my eyebrows in silent question.

“Dude, she’s my fucking wife. As soon as I convince her that we’ve spent enough time down here,”—he points to the dance floor—“I’m taking her upstairs and ravishing her. It will be a cold day in hell that I’m not sober enough to remember sliding into her as my wife for the first time.”

I nod, because really, what else can I say? He has a valid point, and even though I’ve never been the settling-down type, I can see where he’s coming from. There are just some moments that you want a vivid memory of that will last you a lifetime.

“So, you and Stacy looked cozy.”

I nod again, before bringing the cold beer the bartender just handed me to my lips. “She’s hot as hell.”

“That she is, but she is also my wife’s best friend. Your friend’s best friend.”

Is he warning me to stay away from her? We’ve had conversations like this before, since the boys and I have run off a few of the band’s personal assistants over the years. It’s not our fault they thought they could “change” us.

“And?”

“And don’t fuck with her. Logan is my wife. She’s permanent. Stacy is her best friend—also permanent. I don’t want things to be awkward. We all spend a hell of a lot of time together, and we don’t need that shit. None of us.”

Fuck me.

“They’re back. Think about it, man.” He doesn’t say another word until Logan is within reach. “There’s my wife.”

She giggles. “Miss me?”

He doesn’t answer her, instead pulling her to him before kissing the fuck out of her. Turning away from them, I see Stacy reaching for another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

Setting my half-empty beer bottle on the bar, I snake my arm out and pull her close. “You good?”

Bringing the glass to her lips, she tips it back and drains it. With a coy smile, she says, “Yep.”

My eyes follow her lips as her tongue slips out and licks a tiny of drop of champagne.

“Let’s do this,” Logan’s voice breaks through my haze of lust as she pulls Stacy onto the dance floor.

I watch her. Every fucking step she takes, my eyes are glued to her. It’s obvious from the slow, easy sway of her body to the beat of the music that she’s more than a little tipsy. I’m glad she’s out there with Logan; dancing her ass off will help sober her up.

I’m going to need her sober.

I’m drunk. Not “I won’t remember tomorrow” drunk, but enough to let my inhibitions go. Enough that I’m actually considering taking Cole up on his offer for some sexy time. He’s hot as hell and has been coming on strong all night. I’m drunk enough to consider it, to consider
him,
but not enough to go through with it.

At least not yet.

I close my eyes and let the music guide me, blocking out the fact that the sexy guitar player is more than likely watching me. Throwing my arms in the air, I sway my hips and use the image of those big brown eyes on me as my motivation to drive him crazy. After all, he’s been relentless from day one. I usually just flirt back or blow him off. Not tonight. Tonight, I’m stepping up my game. I’m going to torture him like he has me for months now. He knows it won’t work for us. He knows that us giving in to this . . . chemistry will cause nothing but awkwardness between our group, and no way am I going to let that happen.

“I need a drink!” Logan yells over the music.

I nod my agreement—a drink is exactly what I need. Logan grabs my hand, guides us to the bar, and orders us a shot of tequila each.

Perfect.

“Bottoms up, bestie.” Logan pushes both shots toward me as she uncaps a bottle of water.

Wait, what? “Logan?” Her eyes sparkle and I know. She’s pregnant. “Does Kacen know?”

Her smile is blinding as she nods. Holy shit! I quickly down both shots, one right after the other, and slam the glasses down on the bar. I turn toward Logan and throw my arms around her. A baby!

“I can’t believe this! Were you trying?” I ask after stepping back, allowing her room to breathe.

Logan throws her head back and laughs. “Not at all, but we’re happy about it. Kacen is ecstatic. I actually just told him earlier tonight. My wedding gift.” She beams with happiness.

“Holy shit!” I let my earlier thoughts fall from my lips. “You’re going to be a mom.” Logan nods as I reach out and rest my hand against her belly.

“What are you ladies doing over here?” Kacen asks as he slips in behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Oh, you know, just girl talk.”

“Is that so?” Kacen nuzzles her ear.

“Congratulations,” I tell them both. Kacen looks up and smiles.

“Thanks, Stace. We’re happy about it.”

“What am I missing?” Cole asks from beside me, his arm suddenly wrapped around me, hand resting on my hip. How did I miss that?

“I didn’t know if she was ready to tell people. I just found out myself,” Kacen explains.

“Found out about what?” Cole asks again.

“My wife and I are having a baby.”

The newlyweds are wearing matching grins as they wait for Cole’s reaction. I admit that I’m a little curious as to what he will say as well. I don’t have to wait long.

“No shit?” he asks. A slow smile tips his lips before he steps forward and wraps them both in a hug. “Congratulations, guys. You
are
naming him after me, right?”

Not at all the reaction I suspected. For some reason, I didn’t see the “playboy” Cole Hampton being happy for his friend and fellow bandmate. I expected him to spout some bullshit about the upcoming tour or something to that effect.

Feeling a little off balance from those last two shots, I step back to lean against the bar and stumble. Cole is there, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me toward him. “I got you, sweets,” he murmurs, his hot breath hitting my ear.

His scent surrounds me. “You smell good.”

I can feel the vibration of his chest as he pulls me against him. “And you’re cute when you’re drunk.”

“Not drunk,” I mumble into his chest. Not that he can hear me.

“I think those last two shots did her in,” Logan says.

“I got her. You guys go ahead,” Cole tells them as he wraps me tighter in his arms.

I attempt to pull away from him, but his hold is firm. He’s warm and comfortable and smells good enough to eat. I don’t put up much of a fight. Definitely the alcohol.

The three of them are talking—about me, I’m sure, but I just can’t seem to make myself care what they’re saying. I’m going to lean here against his solid chest. Let him wrap those strong arms around me, and relish the feeling. Drunk or not, this is something I’ve thought about since I first met him, but would never let my guard down long enough to allow happen.

Tonight, I’m breaking all the damn rules. I’m going to soak up this feeling for just a few more minutes. At least I can blame it on the alcohol.

“Take your wife upstairs and ravish her. I got this one.” I give Stacy’s hip a gentle squeeze.

“Cole,” Kacen practically growls my name.

“Dial in the inner caveman there, Daddy. I told you I got her. I’ll make sure that she gets to her room safe and sound.” I smirk at him because he’s making this too damn easy.

I want to fuck her. This is common knowledge—I don’t hide my feelings from anyone, especially her. However, I want her to remember it. I want to ruin her for other men. She has me wound tight, and yeah . . . she’s gonna need to be sober for what I have planned.

“Dammit!” Kacen exclaims.

Logan darts her eyes back and forth between the three of us. She doesn’t seem to be as concerned for her friend as she is for her husband; she’s more worried about Kacen and the words that are flying from his mouth.

“I fucking told you, C.”

“You’re right, you did, and I heard every fucking word.”

“Babe, he’ll take care of her,” Logan tries to calm him.

Logan has always been that way. No matter the rumors she’s heard about us, she’s always taken our side. Not just because of Kacen, but because that’s the kind of person she is. She knows I would never take advantage of a drunken girl, ever. I may like to play around, but I’m not an asshole.