"I don't remember." She hiccuped, then covered her mouth with her hand and burst into giggles again.
Noah looked at Rick, who wasn't even trying to hide his grin. Noah gave him a nod, then moved around to gather Claire's purse and jacket while Rick sidled up next to her. "Hey, Claire… this is an alcoholic beverage. And a pretty potent one."
"Wh-what? That's not right. He said it was an iced tea. OMG. Am I drunk?" She blinked up at the lights. "I thought it was the strobes messing with me. You know, epileptics and flashy lights?" She snorted and laughed again.
"Definitely a lightweight," Rick whispered to Noah.
"Right," Noah said. "Let's get you back to your room, okay?" He put one arm around her and Rick took the other side.
"Hey, she was having fun. Party poopers!" Larry cried foul, and Del snickered.
Noah glared at them. "What is wrong with you two? Did you have anything to do with this? She has a medical condition, you morons!"
Their faces turned serious. Del held up his hands and shook his head. Larry went still.
"I didn't know. I thought she was just loosening up," Del said.
Larry jumped in. "Noah, you know I joke around a lot, but I would never get someone drunk on purpose. She came over with that drink and I never thought twice about it. We were just having a good time. Telling stupid jokes."
Claire belched. All eyes turned to her and everyone burst out laughing. Noah let his anger go. What was wrong with him? The guys wouldn't do this on purpose.
Rick laughed. "You okay, Claire?"
"Yeah. You walking me home, Rick?" Claire's question shifted Noah's focus back to her as he and Rick guided her toward the door.
"Yep. Don't worry, Noah and I will make sure you get to your room safe. That's what good teammates do for each other."
"You are such a nice man, Rick. You're going to be such a great daddy." Claire beamed up at him, and Rick's face turned pink. Noah figured that must be what it looks like when someone's heart melted.
They frog-walked Claire up the street to the hotel and Rick left them at her room door, trusting Noah to get her inside safe and sound. Noah found her room key in the outside pocket of her purse and held her steady while opening the door.
"C'mon, Red, let's get you comfortable," he said as he sat her on the bed and took off her boots. He tried to recall if she'd mentioned any ill effects with her medication from drinking alcohol, but all he could remember was her mentioning sleeping hard.
"You want to stay the night, handsome?" She reached her hand out and touched his face.
Noah froze. Why, yes. Yes, I do. "Not a good idea, cupcake. Everyone saw me walk you home. What kind of rumor do you think that would start?"
"I don't care." She stuck out her lip in a pout, then fell over sideways on the bed. "Lucinda thinks you're hot, too."
He paused. "Does she, now?" He wasn't sure what to do with that information.
"Yep. She told me. And she thinks you—," Claire poked his chest as he bent over to lift her legs up onto the bed.—"like me. A lot."
"I see."
She giggled while he found the room's extra blanket to drape over her so she wouldn't get cold.
His lips twitched at her silliness. Claire was a happy drunk.
Her eyes drifted shut, but she opened them again as he pulled the blanket up to her chin. "I wouldn't mind, you know. If you stayed? We've slept together before." She smiled dreamily and ran her fingers up his arm and into his hair.
God, she was tempting. But not like this. He gently pried her fingers out of his hair and tucked them back under the covers. He bent over and kissed her forehead. "I'd like you to be you when we sleep together again." He brushed back a strand of hair. "Sweet dreams, Red." When he pulled back, she was already breathing deeply.
Noah filled a glass with water and placed it on the nightstand, then put her room key on the dresser next to her purse. He looked around to see if anything else needed his attention, and seeing nothing, took one more look at Claire. His heart melted. She looked like an angel with a fiery red halo.
He smiled before stepping out and softly pulling the door closed behind him. A quick twist of the knob confirmed the door was locked. Satisfied she was safe, Noah headed back to the party down the street. He wasn't interested in the club, but wanted to protect her reputation and make sure no one thought he'd stayed in her room overnight.
Chapter 29
