Page 33 of Protected
Samuel made a face, but looped arms with her and Olivia and led them to the dance floor where he let the girls make a Samuel sandwich and dance. Darci was having fun, but it wasn’t anything like the dance she’d shared with Bradley at the benefit the other night.
Determined to forget about that or the way they’d wound up in bed after, she threw her arms around Samuel’s neck and let the liquor take over her movements.
Soon she was coated in sweat and somehow she’d become the middle of the sandwich, so she was grinding against Samuel and faced Olivia who was giggling as she swayed to the beat and rested her hands on Darci’s hips.
Olivia lifted her hand and spun her so they traded places. Darci turned in Olivia’s arms so her back was to her, and came face to face with Bradley who pulled her away from the group and crushed her to him.
“Are you trying to kill me, Darci? Because you’re doing a damn good job of it if you are.”
His hands were rough as he moved them to the music, keeping their bodies pressed tight together. She could feel his erection through his slacks, and her own hormones were raging as she inhaled his scent. But she wasn’t going to give in to him that easy. She couldn’t.
“You weren’t even supposed to be here tonight.”
“And yet, here I am. When are you going to realize that the universe is pushing us together, Darci? I’ve been inside you. I’ve tasted you. I’m fucking addicted, but you keep pushing me away.”
His hand slid up her back and delved into her curls, where he tugged until she winced. The entire time he spoke, he ground himself against her, never faltering. Anyone watching them would think they were just dirty dancing and enjoying each other. Only the two of them could feel the wide range of emotions flowing between them as they moved.
“Fuck, Bradley. I don’t know what you want me to say. I want you. I’m addicted to you, too. But I don’t know how to separate your work life and whatever life we would have together. Not to mention if you dated me, I would tank your career. I’ll never be anything more than a low-level lobbyist because I choose to live my life so openly.”
She gasped as he ground his hips more provocatively against hers and pulled her even tighter to him—if that was even possible.
“That’s a lot of words, Darci. But you said you want me, so the rest just sounds like lame excuses not to give yourself what you want. Do you always self-sabotage?”
“Fuck you.” She tried to shove him away. Not because he was being rude. But because he was right.
But he held her close, and she was no match for his strength. Then he crushed his mouth to hers and she couldn’t resist him anymore. When he broke the kiss, he tightened his grip on her hair and pressed his lips to her ear. “I should find a dark corner and spank you raw for trying to make me jealous of Samuel.”
She whimpered at the thought but recovered and put some sass in her response. “It was his idea.”
“I’ll have to have a talk with him. Come on. I’m tired of sharing you with the rest of the dance floor.”
He pulled her back to their booth where he poured her another drink and sat with his arm around her.
Samuel appeared a few minutes later with a sweat soaked Olivia clinging to him. He handed her a glass of water and watched as she drank.
“Where are the others?” Samuel asked.
Darci nodded to the dance floor. “Elise is wearing Garrett out and if I had to guess, Carrie is in the ladies’ room talking to Peter and doing something dirty. And Gage? Who knows? I’m sure he found someone to make out with.”
Samuel gave her a wry smile and settled into the booth next to her and Bradley. Olivia reached for a bottle of liquor, but Samuel stopped her. “You’ve had enough for now, woman.”
“Oh fuck off. I own a bar. I know when I’ve been over-served.” She leaned forward and snatched the alcohol anyway and poured herself a healthy glass.
Darci laughed at her friend’s belligerent tone but still worried about her. Olivia liked to party, but she rarely got that drunk.
Bradley handed her another drink, but she sipped it instead of downing it like her last few.
“Should we call it a night? I don’t want her to wake up and regret anything.”
Samuel gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder and winked at her before looking at Bradley. “She’s a smart girl, Givens. You might consider not being such an ass in the future and she might let you stick around.”
“I’m working on it asshole. In the meantime, maybe you could keep your hands to yourself.”
Darci shook her head and patted his knee. “Down boy. He was a gentleman on the dance floor. You’re the one who was sticking your tongue in my mouth and threatening spankings in dark corners.”
Bradley stood and pulled her with him. “Finish your drink. I’m taking you home.”
“I already told you I’m not going home with you tonight.”
