Matt glowers at his friend, but his shoulders sag as he looks at me again. “Find me if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Matt.” I nod and then grin at Miles, ignoring the weight of Dominic’s silent attention. “And thankyou, my knight in shining armor.”
Miles laughs wholeheartedly. “I’m far from knightly, but I’m at your service anytime.”
Eager to avoid any more of Dominic’s scrutiny, I walk away, heading straight to where my friends sit on another driftwood log.
Beer bottle in hand,I listen to Ezra go on about which Halloween costume he’s going to wear. Beside me, Chiara laughs at his ridiculous choices—he’s set on either a cowboy or an astronaut—and loses her balance. She clutches my shoulder as she tilts to one side, and for a second, I’m sure she’ll take me down with her. I instinctively grip Ezra’s knee, and he grabs my wrist and pulls me upright. When I’m steady, he leans over me and helps Chiara too.
I drape an arm over his shoulders and pull him in for a side hug. “Thank you so much.” As I release him, his masculine scent invades my nose. I rear back, studying his face. Soft features, deep brown eyes, full lips—God, my life would be so much easier if I were into him.
Tugging at the hem of my dress, I plaster on a smile to hide my tumultuous thoughts. “You just saved me from giving everyone a show. You’re the best!”
He grins and winks at me. “Anything for you.”
Still smiling, I shift a couple of inches so we’re no longer touching. As I move, I feelhisgaze on me. Not Ezra’s—Dominic’s. I ignore it, breaking into laughter when the rest of my friends do, even though I missed what Jeff was saying.
I’m still trying to focus on my friends’ conversation when the shift in the atmosphere becomes palpable. The air is heavy, the scrutiny I’m under dark and menacing once again.
My eyes involuntarily dart around the crowd. Dominic isn’t the only one watching. Miles is looking at me too. Only Matt, who stands up from the log and heads toward the cooler, is oblivious. My heart gallops, my pulse thundering in my ears.
I know what Dominic will do next. He’ll seize this opportunity while Matt isn’t watching.
The crackling sound of the bonfire fades, and the waves lapping at the shore go quiet. The voices and music become static as he sets down his beer bottle and stands. With controlled steps, he eats up the space between us. Behind him, Miles’ eyes narrow, flicking from Dom to me. When he catches me watching, he shoots me a wink and tilts the neck of his beer toward me slightly.
My heart lurches. Miles knows. There’s no way he doesn’t.
I’m still processing the implications when a shadow looms over me, and I force my head up. Dominic. Without hesitation, he grabs my wrist and pulls me to my feet.
“I know what you’re doing,” he murmurs, voice quiet.
I lift my chin. “Did I do something wrong?”
Ezra stands, confusion etched into his brow. “Hey, man, she?—”
“She’s coming with me.”
Ezra scoffs. “I don’t think she wants to.”
I expect Dominic to growl out a command, to put him in his place, but he doesn’t. In fact, the voice that responds doesn’t belong to him.
“She does,” Miles says. His tone is low, but it doesn’t leave any room for negotiation.
My knees almost buckle. What the hell is happening?
Dominic pulls me away, and I don’t fight him, even if I’m still confused about Miles’ involvement. Dom leads me past a row of trucks nearby, and the moment we’re out of sight of the bonfire, he pushes me against the cold metal of a vehicle and presses his body against mine, every muscle pulled taut, his hands gripping my waist.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asks in a low voice.
I narrow my eyes at him, ignoring the heat in his irises. “Yeah. What’s wrong?”
His fingers sink into my flesh, setting my skin on fire. “You let that guy touch you, let him put his hands on something that’s mine.”
A harsh laugh escapes me. “That’s rich coming from you.”
His lips turn down in confusion.
“He kept me from flashing the crowd,” I bite out. “And if we’re talking about whose hands are on who, let’s talk about how little you minded your ex’s hands all over you.”
