Stripped Down. Kelli Ireland

where he stood.

      “Dalton!” Gwen wiggled her way to his side and slid an arm around his waist.

      He casually draped an arm over her shoulder and released Cass’s beer. “And how’s my favorite bride tonight?”

      Said bride preened a little. “Better, now that you’re here. We’re under full-frontal attack from the natives.”

      “Hmm. I’m more a rear-approach kind of guy.”

      Cass choked on her beer. Ignoring Gwen’s waggling eyebrows, she wheezed and gasped, eyes watering.

      Gwen absently waved a hand in her direction. “Don’t pay any attention to her. She likes sex but has to warm up before she gives good innuendo.”

      Her mouth fell open. “Warm... I don’t... Up...”

      Gwen tipped her chin to bat her eyes at Dalton. “Want to dance?”

      Tapping the tip of her nose, he gave a single nod. “That’s what I came for.”

      Sharp irritation cut through Cass as the two wordlessly abandoned her for the dance floor. What the hell was wrong with her? She was normally so smooth and in control of situations involving men, situations like this. She’d teased and flirted with the bartender without thinking about it. With Dalton? She was one short step from needing behavioral anti-seizure medication. Embarrassed, she stewed a bit and watched her best friend and...whatever he was get their groove on.

      They moved together so easily, Dalton complementing Gwen’s every twist and turn. His hands slid over her in a casually suggestive manner. She followed his direction. They were good together, and Cass found herself scowling. An uncomfortable sensation she was entirely unwilling to consider burned behind her belly button. Wrapping her free arm around her waist, she fisted the hem of her shirt and continued to sip her drink as she fought to ignore what she feared was jealousy. She was not jealous.

      “You’re looking a little fierce, beautiful.”

      She glanced toward the owner of the voice.

      The bartender stood behind her, a towel thrown over his shoulder.

      Her attention drifted back to the dance floor, and she rolled her head from side to side. “The night isn’t going the way I planned.”

      “It goes against every fiber of my being, but if you want to make him sit up and take notice, I’ll help out.”

      This time she faced him. “Every fiber of your being, huh?”

      “Pretty much, yeah.” Hands on his hips, he dropped his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. Then he took a deep breath and focused his light blue gaze on her. “Let’s go.” He tossed his towel on the bar, grabbed her hand and hauled her toward the dance floor. Waving at the DJ booth, he gave a signal and received a nod in return. “My name’s Todd, and you’re going to owe me a drink.”

      “I’m Cass. And if dancing with me is that much of a hardship, why do it?”

      “After seeing how you moved earlier? Dancing with you is no hardship at all. I just have a feeling that not taking you home is going to be one of my life’s greatest regrets.”

      She arched a brow. “You seem certain I’d go home with you. I don’t know whether to admire your self-confidence or suggest you kiss my ass.”

      His mouth feathered up at one corner. “I’d settle for your admiration.”

      Cass laughed. “I believe I’m rather fond of you, Todd.”

      The song wound down and the DJ’s voice, deep and suggestive, came across the sound system. “This one is designed to help you ladies get under his skin.”

      Music poured out of speakers, the electric tempo fast. Every solitary bass note pounded through her core and settled between her thighs.

      Todd lifted her arms over her head. Her shirt slipped up, and he traced his fingertips down her bare sides. Hands at her waist, he encouraged her to turn away from him. “Listen to the lyrics and do whatever feels right.”

      She closed her eyes and began to move, following the soft suggestions of his hands, letting him mold his body to hers. The drumbeat fell into the song. At the same time, the lyrics registered—lyrics that promised uncomplicated, no-strings-attached sex. Her irritation morphed to sensual hunger as everything in her tuned in to the seduction of the music.

       4

      ERIC SUSPECTED HE’D irritated Cass when he led Gwen to the dance floor. Part of him reveled in the snap of energy between them while the other part warned him he was fueling a flame he had no hope of controlling. She wouldn’t dial it back because he told her to. Granted, he’d just met her, but a large part of his job was reading women, and he was good at it.

      He also knew himself, knew he was skating the fine line between casual flirtation and dangerous intent, and, for the first time, he wasn’t sure which side of the line he should come down on.

      “I get the impression your body’s here—” Gwen rested a hand between his pecs “—but your mind’s dancing with someone else.”

      He automatically smiled charmingly. “I’m good.”

      “Oh, you’re the best.”

      “What’s with that look?” Spinning her, he settled her back to his chest so he didn’t have to see the almost sympathetic compassion in her eyes.

      “You’re attracted to Cass but you’re pulling the same bullshit maneuvers she always has to deal with. I had higher hopes for you.”

      Eric froze. “Excuse me?”

      “Don’t get all bent.” She kept dancing as she spoke. “You’re blindly poking a stick through cage bars, not sure whether you’ll tag a lion or a lamb.”

      He started to move again, slower now. “Which is she?”

      “That’s for you to figure out, handsome.” She faced him, her gaze fierce. “Just don’t be stupid about it. Now, go dance with Cass.”

      He found himself smiling at the pissed-off pixie staring up at him. She had no problem putting him in his place. He respected that. Chances were good Cass would be the same way, and the thought made his blood run hotter. Leaning in, he placed a soft kiss against Gwen’s forehead.

      “You’re a little scary for such a wisp of a woman.”

      “I come from a long line of terrifying wisps.” She glanced around him and grinned at whatever she saw. “Wow. That’s hot.”

      Eric didn’t want to know what had Gwen smiling manically, yet he couldn’t help but look. What he saw lit him up brighter than holiday fireworks.

      Other dancers had given the pair a little extra space, watching as they moved against each other in a sensual feast of touching and caressing. Lips parted, Cass made love to the music. The bartender’s hands traced over her body, brushing the soft curves of her hips. A faint smile teased her lips when he bent low and whispered in her ear, but her eyes remained on Eric’s.

      Eric didn’t recall starting toward the couple. All he knew was that he was halfway to them when Gwen grabbed his hand and stepped ahead of him so it appeared she was pulling him across the floor.

      “I want to switch,” she called out to Cass over the music.

      Cass moved her eyes away from him with slow deliberation. “You got first pick.”

      “Doesn’t matter. I’m the bride, and I want to switch.”

      Cass frowned. “That excuse is getting old.”

      “Maybe, but it doesn’t make it any less true.” She slipped in between the bartender and Cass. “Hi. I don’t need your name. I’m just going to call