No Weddings (No Weddings #1)(65)

Through the torture, I focused on Hannah. She seemed to be having a great time. In the middle of all the people who infiltrated my daily life, she felt comfortable. She belonged.

Tiffany had rotated in and out through the conversation and now appeared with a tray holding six green-glowing martini glasses. When one was handed to Hannah, I arched a brow at her, surprised.

Nudging me with her shoulder, she laughed. “I’m experimenting; it’s a girl thing.”

She hummed with pleasure after the first sip and licked her lips.

And I now liked that drink.

I also became hyperaware of everything to do with Hannah as she grew more relaxed. Her windblown hair, low-cut top, and glistening lips were only the start of it. The way she stretched her legs out, then pulled them back and flexed her calves. The way she curled her fingers into my thigh, scraping lightly with her fingernails while she listened to the girls.

As the level of frothy drink went down in the martini glass, her sensuality went up. Her entire forearm now rested on my thigh, and her hand had fallen to the inside, her fingers drawing small circles.

My body went bowstring tight, and I had to focus to breathe steadily. No longer interested in staying at the club, I turned my attention to the guys. They seemed to have written me off, absent as I was, and two other guys had joined in on their conversation. They were in a heated debate over something to do with baseball.

Before I lost my mind, I slid my hand into Hannah’s, pulling her up from the couch. “C’mon. Let’s get out of here.”

Her eyes sparked with amusement. I set my jaw, trying not to smile. She’d known exactly what she was doing to me, getting me worked up beside her. Pride radiated in her expression.

I gave her a stern look and mouthed the word “bad.”

She grinned back at me, clearly pleased.

I shook my head. If only I could give her a proper punishment tonight for her crimes. I started a mental list. That kind of fun would have to wait, but I intended to fully collect not long from now. Payback for teasing me mercilessly would be a delicious bitch, and I couldn’t wait.

Ben pegged me with an accusing stare. “Leaving together so soon, Just Friends?”

I shot Ben my best don’t-f*ck-with-me glare.

Hannah shrugged. “I have to get up early. Gotta make the cupcakes.” She flashed a warm grin and waved to everyone before turning and colliding into my side.

I righted her, holding on to her shoulders for a moment to be sure she had her balance. “You okay to walk out of here?”

She arched a brow. “What’s the other option? You gonna finally go all-out caveman and toss me over your shoulder?”

When the corner of her lower lip disappeared behind her teeth, I’d had enough of her teasing. Faster than she could process, I shoved my shoulder into her waist and grabbed the back of her thighs, hoisting her up. Hannah squealed and struggled, but I clamped my arms around her legs, holding her tight.

“Put me down, Neanderthal!”

As I turned toward the door, Mase shouted behind us, “You are so a thing!”

I chuckled. Now I was the one pleased with myself.

The bouncer at the rope grinned, winking at me as he let us through.

I smacked her ass when she began to kick. “Stop flailing. You’re going to hurt someone.”

What felt like her fist pounded into my lower back. “Put me down!”

“No. You started it.” I smirked.

Cool air rushed around us as we stepped out from the covered entrance, and it was a welcome relief to the stifling air from all the warm bodies in the club. By the time we made it to my bike, Hannah had stilled on my shoulder, accepting my control for the time being.

Taking care, I bent with my knees, lowering her down until she found her balance on the pavement in those high heels of hers. A hard slap stung my back the moment I released her.

When I stood up enough to lift my head, she stared at me, indignant. A mix of fury and passion sparked in her eyes, and her wild hair matched her expression. Her chest heaved up and down.

My gaze dropped to the tempting rise and fall of her breasts. Feeling a little wicked, and a lot Neanderthal, I blasted a scorching look at her, thinking about several of the animalistic positions I wanted her in.

Her gaze heated in seconds. Then she swallowed hard, backing up a step. “Stop looking at me like that.” Her voice was breathy, low.

I took a step closer. “Like what?”

“Like…you want to devour me right here.”

I exhaled a slow breath. “I do.”

And she did too. Hannah had actually come farther than she realized, but the safety of her denial made her blind to the signs.

I saw it clearly from her unfiltered actions. She let go the moment she got out of her head—when she lost herself in the fun of my friends and family; each time she focused on her baking. And in every verbal sparring match we’d ever had, she let down her guard and let me in without recognizing her defenses had vanished.

She sucked in a shaky breath, took a deep, considering look at me, then gave me a small smile. “Okay, I cry uncle. I know I started it, but I was just having fun in there.” She smirked. “You’re fun to tease.”

I inhaled deeply, but it did nothing to cool the heated blood in my veins. I was well aware she’d put the brakes on, but I didn’t want to stop the playful banter between us. “Fair warning. I’m keeping track. I’ll play nice for now. But you have no idea what teasing is. I intend to teach you that lesson. With pleasure.”