Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(59)

Without thinking anything besides gratitude, I stepped up and hugged him, sliding my arms around his neck and pressing in close before backing off again.

Focus. Don’t make an ass of yourself.

“My God you smell good,” I muttered, his presence eating away at my focus.

Adam had a grin on his face, and stupid William had that blank look again. I looked around for Boobie McGee but she and her friend had been replaced with other blond girls a little better looking.

“Still ugly.”

Ty asked, “How did you get that bouncer under your thumb? That guy is a dick to everyone!”

“Oh now,” I said, “You just have to know how to talk to people, Ty. Seriously guys, am I the only drunk one here? What was in those drinks?”

“No, Candace is pretty tore up, too. She is down dancing, or using the restroom, or God knows what.” Ty looked at the dance floor as he said it.

“I have enough booze in me to make a spectacle of you on the dance floor,” William chimed in.

I just shook my head. “Does anyone have rope? Because I need to tie my hand behind my back to get some competition around here!”

Adam and Ty broke down laughing. William just shook his head and looked me over.

“Rules,” William said to Adam, still looking at me.

The heat of that gaze made my limbs tingly, vibrating down, headed to one part of my body. My dreams flashed through my mind and I involuntarily leaned toward him.

Was it just my imagination, or did he lean in toward me, too?

Before I could reach a hand to his gorgeous pecks, Adam stepped up and said, “Okay, let’s have some rules. But why you can’t just go dance is beyond me.”

“Rules are important for cheaters. This one,” I gestured toward William, “will probably find some hot chick to dance with that has moves and helps him win. Ain’t no guy helpin’ me out. Guys can’t dance for shit!”

“Did you really just get trailer trash on me?” William said with a smirk.

I shrugged, nonplussed.

Adam continued, “Right. Dance off. Here’s the rules: one, you’ll dance by yourselves, but can dance alongside someone else—without touching. Two, no taking off clothes.” He looked pointedly at me when he said that. Sexiness must have a slight edge. Luckily I knew how to exploit that talent of mine while still clothed.

“Three, you’ll each take turns dancing. Two songs a’piece of my choosing. I ain’t judging so I’ll be fair. Watching the other person is up to you since I can’t imagine you’ll use each other’s moves.

“After the songs are done for each, you’ll dance the same song, but not together. After that you dance the next song together. That should give the judges enough to work off of for a final decision.”

“Jesus, should someone be writing these down?” Ty asked, his air pen braced over his palm.

Adam continued. “Four, you will not get people to cheer for you, or try to create a circle of dancers for yourself.” That one confused me a little but I let it go. “And five, don’t hurt yourself.”

“Oh well, William, you should probably just get out now,” I said.

Ty smirked.

A moment of clarity made me realize that this all sounded a little stupid. At least, these rules were stupid. If I wasn’t so competitive I would have just said forget it, grabbed Apollo, and ripped his shirt off. Well, I would have tried, anyway.

Lightning bolt. “Has this been done before? I mean, for reals?”

All eyes on me. Including those of the guys and girls at the booth, currently crowding around.

“Oh yes,” Adam responded. “I must admit, usually it’s a couple a’ girls…or more. But this is doable. I am confident in my man Willie.”

“Wha? Your man? What happened to impartial judging? Or ref’ing? Or whatever you are doing?”

Adam shrugged. “Let’s get this goin’.” He signaled someone behind me.

William and I were still squaring off, bodies pointed at one another. Shadows were playing across his face, his eyes on fire. His mouth curled up in a half smile as he imperceptibly looked down my body.

I felt a rush of air inflate my lungs. My auxiliary sexual power turned on, revving at his sexual scrutiny. Begging for a green light. Begging to jump on him.

I stepped up with a slinky saunter, putting my desire on display. We were inches apart when I looked up into his eyes and slowly ran my palm up his chest, lingering for a fraction of a second on his deliciously defined peck. I intended to rub my palm back down, more for my own benefit than his, but Adam laid a big paw on my shoulder and turned me away.

“Rule six, don’t try to seduce the opponent for an edge.” Adam gave a pointed look at William, then back to me.

Oh my God! Was William playing me? I think he might have been playing me! How did he do that when it was my idea? Was it my idea?

I am too drunk for this inner conversation.

I backed up, giving Adam my best petulant child glare. I looked back at William with a “you’re going down” look, but stuttered in my intent when I connected with his eyes. They were still smoldering, immediately turning my insides to spaghetti. I wanted to step closer. To give in to it. To let him do whatever he wanted.

My God, he was good. He was playing me like a violin.

Focus!