Distraction (Club Destiny #8)(36)

Scanning the room once more, Dylan decided he’d give it a few more minutes, then he’d probably head home. The idea of Devotion was obviously more impressive than the real thing. At least for a single guy like him. Now, if Sarah were here, that might be a whole different…

“Bill. Seriously. I can’t believe you did this. What were you thinking?”

Dylan’s entire body went rigid when he heard the woman’s voice. It sounded so familiar. Too familiar. But there was no way that could possibly be…

Turning, he scanned the few couples standing nearby, and his gaze landed on the one woman he never would’ve expected to see there. Then again, based on the tone of her voice and the incredulous expression on her face, she probably hadn’t thought she’d be here, either.

Seriously. What were the odds?

“Come on, Sarah,” Bill countered with a self-righteous huff. “We’ll stay for a little while. Let’s mingle. You’ll love it. I know you will. Just let go of some of that—”

“What?” she questioned, her body going stone-cold still.

Dylan couldn’t look away, wanting to know exactly what Bill would say next.

The man sighed. “You don’t have to play coy with me, Sarah. I’ve seen those books on your shelf. This is the real thing,” Bill said defensively, waving his hand.

“Books?” Sarah’s anger appeared to take on a life of its own. “Those books were written by one of my friends. I’m not … into that stuff. It’s fiction.”

Dylan grinned. Sarah must have Ashleigh’s books on her shelf. It made sense why Bill would’ve thought she’d be interested at least. His sister wrote erotic romance, and to hear people talk about them, they were rather steamy. Not that he’d ever read any of them, nor did he have plans to.

“Come on.” Bill grinned. “I know you can’t be that much of a prude.”

What a fucking dick. The guy had absolutely no game if he thought that shit was how to win a woman over.

“Look, I forked over the money for the hotel and the limo, even the dress. Plus I got you in here. The least you can do is appear appreciative. You haven’t even given it a chance.”

“I can’t believe you!” she squealed, then pulled away when Bill attempted to stop her.

Dylan was instantly on his feet, moving toward them.

Bill reached for her again, his hand sliding around her bare upper arm.

“I’m not staying, Bill,” Sarah hissed.

“Yes, you are.” His tone took on a hard edge. “For a little while anyway.”

“Let her go,” Dylan commanded, his tone hard, a red haze clouding his vision at the sight of Bill’s hand on her arm.

Bill jerked away from her, obviously shocked by the rough tone. Sarah spun around to face him, her eyes wide.

“Dylan?”

He offered a smile as he regarded the two of them briefly before meeting Sarah’s stunned gaze.

“Come on, Sarah,” Bill said, grabbing her arm again.

Sarah jerked away from him, stumbling slightly in her heels. Taking advantage, Dylan placed a firm hand on her shoulder to steady her, then moved closer, his eyes never leaving Bill’s. The guy looked rather pissed to see Dylan twice in one day. Not that he gave a damn.

“Dylan? Oh, my God. What are you doing here?” Sarah whispered harshly, staring up at him.

“Some friends of mine own the place,” he told her. Not a lie.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Bill stated, reaching for Sarah again. “Sarah’s here with me.”

It wasn’t Dylan’s place to take her away from Bill, but she merely needed to say the word and he’d do just that.

Sarah jerked back from Bill, moving closer to Dylan. “No, I’m not,” she argued.

Bill sighed heavily, closing his eyes as though trying to rein in his temper. Dylan didn’t move, remaining right next to Sarah.

“Look, Sarah…” Bill opened his eyes and pinned them on her face. “I brought you here with me tonight; therefore, you are obligated to remain with me.”

“Obligated?” Sarah squealed. “You’re insane. And you’re also a jerk. I can’t believe you’d bring me to a sex club without even talking to me about it. Why would you think this was okay?”

And call her a prude, Dylan thought. He could testify that she was far from a prude. But he didn’t mind that Bill thought so considering that meant they likely hadn’t been too intimate. He hoped.

“I can’t leave you alone,” Bill countered. “You’re my guest. Either you’re with me or you have to leave,” he told her, his blue eyes boring holes into Sarah’s face.

Sure enough, the asshole was pissed.

“Then I’ll leave.”

“She’ll stay,” Dylan stated firmly, putting his hand on her lower back. “She’s my guest now,” Dylan added before Sarah could offer a retort. “Problem solved.”

“What?” Bill’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t do that. She’s here with me. I took responsibility for her when I signed her in.”

Dylan’s hand, which had come to rest on Sarah’s hip, tightened possessively, but Sarah didn’t pull away from him. He considered that a good thing. “Not anymore she’s not.”