She looks over my shoulder at all of the football players warily. “I’ll come with you.”
I suppress a smile, knowing she’s still racked with nerves and isn’t quite comfortable enough for me to leave her yet. Not that I want to. At all.
“Come on.” I extend my hand to her and lace our fingers together, leading her over to the crowded bar.
We stand there, trying to fight our way up to the counter to place our order. As soon as a small opening becomes available, I urge Olivia forward. She slots herself between two people and leans against the bar. I’m right behind her, my front pressed against her back. I reach forward, resting my hands on the edge of the bar to bracket my arms round her, protecting her from the crowd.
I scan the staff behind the bar, and luckily my eyes lock with Toby from the basketball team. He grins, holding up an index finger to me before grabbing three shot glasses and disappearing to the other end of the bar. He’s back in a flash, taking our orders.
“Two waters,” I tell him, holding up my index and middle finger to signal to him.
He quirks a brow. “Two waters?” he repeats quizzically, knowing I usually order a beer or a round of shots for the guys.
“Two waters,” I confirm.
“You got it, man.” He disappears to grab us two waters.
Olivia cranes her neck to look back at me. “You can drink if you want to, Bronx. Don’t let me stop you from having fun.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. You’re here, that’s all I need.”
She gives me a soft, appreciative look before turning back around, her attention focused on the hustle and bustle of the staff while mine is focused on the rather large patch of her skin on full display for my greedy eyes. I observe the soft, smooth lines of her back, realizing now that the back of her top has a decently sized cutout, a delicate bow tied at the back of her neck to hold the front up. What I also realize is that with this shirt she’s not wearing a bra.
Fuck me.
Damn it, Finch.
Clearing my throat, I take a step back so I’m not plastered up against her anymore, not wanting her to possibly feel anything and be scared off, but I keep my hands still firmly planted around her on the bar.
Toby comes back with two plastic cups filled with ice water. I immediately take a large gulp, needing to cool down.
“Want to dance?” I ask Olivia.
She looks at the packed dance floor hesitantly, nervously nibbling at her bottom lip. “Maybe in a little bit?”
I nod. I get it. Baby steps.
“All right, Finch. ’Cause you know you’re going to have to dance with me at some point tonight, right?” I grin.
She lets out a light laugh. “I figured.”
We wander back over to the team and take a seat on one of the couches, making light conversation. In no time girls flock over to our section, finding their favorite player to try to shoot their shot. A couple of girls take a seat next to me, trying to strike up a conversation, but I pay them no mind. Even with my hand resting on Olivia’s knee, none of them really seem to get the hint that I’m not interested. Some of them even full out acknowledge my hand on Olivia’s leg, giving her a rude, sideways glance, and making my blood boil.
By the time a fifth girl approaches me I’m thoroughly annoyed, and I can tell Olivia is extremely uncomfortable with all the unsolicited attention. Fed up, I stand, plucking Olivia’s water from her hand and setting it next to mine on a table where Brennen has his feet kicked up, talking to some random chick giving him googly eyes. “Watch these,” I instruct him, and he gives me a thumbs-up, flashing me his infamous pearly whites.
I turn back to Olivia, finding her also standing, alarmed.
“Dance with me.” I grab her hand and lead her to the dance floor before she can protest.
Brushing past people, I pull her through the crowd to the middle of the dance floor. Finding some space, I turn around to face her and put my hands on her hips, moving to the beat of the music thumping through the speakers.
She hardly even sways, her body strung tight as her eyes dart around the club.
“What’s wrong?” I yell over the music.
“Everyone’s looking at us.” I don’t exactly hear her soft voice over the loud music, but I’m able to read her lips.
I give the room a quick once-over, noting that many people are indeed staring at us, but I’ll be damned if I let them ruin our night.
