Fever (Breathless #2)(101)

“I’m so glad Jace isn’t here to see this,” Bethany hollered over the music. “I think he’d kill me!”

Mia giggled and then her eyes rounded. “Oh shit.”

“What?”

“I was about to say that I was glad Gabe hadn’t made it yet either, but, uhm, he’s here.”

Bethany whirled around and nearly toppled over when the room kept moving after she’d stopped. The heels she’d worn, which at the time seemed a good idea because they were totally sexy with enough lift to make her legs look damn good, suddenly didn’t seem like such a good idea because she damn near tripped and broke her ankle.

It had felt good to dress up even though she wasn’t going anywhere with Jace. She’d chosen a really kickass sparkly cocktail dress that fit her like a dream and actually gave her the appearance of curves. She was still slim—too slim from too many missed meals and the life she’d led—but ever since she’d met Jace, she’d put on at least ten pounds, five of which had to have been on her boobs. Not that Jace was complaining about the new plumpness to her chest.

She’d carefully done her makeup, pulled her hair into a loose knot so tendrils floated down her neck and worn huge dangly earrings that she thought looked pretty damn hot.

It was a far cry from the tattered jeans and threadbare shirts she’d worn for so long. She felt pretty. Actually, she felt . . . gorgeous. Like someone worthy of attention from a man like Jace.

“Ah, whoops!” Mia said, catching her arm so she didn’t face-plant on the floor. Then they both dissolved into giggles when Gabe’s eyes narrowed as he took in just how tipsy they were.

“I vote we don’t go over there just yet,” Bethany said. “He, uhm, well . . . he looks kind of intense.”

“Hell no,” Mia said belligerently. “Let’s give him a show instead.”

Bethany’s eyes widened as they turned away from Gabe. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

Mia laughed. “Oh yeah. Because after? When he drags us home? He’ll be so hot for me that we won’t even make it inside the door of his apartment and he’ll be tearing off my dress. Although he’ll leave the heels on because my man loves me in these heels.”

Bethany’s mouth fell open as she stared back at Mia’s mischievous smile.

Mia winked. “Drunk sex is the absolute best. I bet Jace will be the same with you. A tipsy, sexy woman in the heels you’re wearing and in that dress? He’ll be all over you the minute you step back into his apartment.”

A shiver worked over Bethany’s shoulders. “I’d planned to sober up before we went back home. I didn’t want Jace to know I got drunk. He’d worry and probably disapprove. But if what you’re saying is true . . .”

Mia bumped into Bethany’s side and threw her arms up in the air. “Oh it’s true,” Mia shouted. “He won’t be able to resist!”

“In that case, let’s get our drink on some more!” Bethany shouted back.

“After we give Gabe a show he won’t soon forget,” Mia said with a wink.

Bethany laughed and the two got into the beat of the music. Caroline joined them a moment later, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling with happiness. The three put on a show that later would mortify Bethany when she thought back on it, but it was so much fun, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d really let loose and had such a fabulous time.

When the song ended, Mia grabbed Bethany’s arm and the two fell all over each other getting back to the table where, predictably, the waitress was waiting with another round of drinks.

Gabe’s lips were twitching in amusement when they teetered up to the table. His eyebrow lifted when both Bethany and Mia reached for their drinks and downed them in two seconds flat.

“You girls are tying one on tonight,” he observed. His gaze drifted lovingly to Mia. “You going to pass out on me, darling?”

Mia grinned cheekily and then lifted up on tiptoe to plant a scorching kiss on Gabe’s mouth. Then her mouth slid over his cheek and she murmured something in his ear that had Gabe’s entire body tightening. His jaw clenched and his eyes darkened.

Bethany’s stomach churned just witnessing his reaction to whatever it was Mia said, and Bethany was convinced it was extremely naughty. Apparently she was absolutely right about this drunk sex thing.

She waved to the waitress and held up her glass for another.

Gabe put his arm loosely around Bethany and pulled her close so she could hear him.

“You okay, sweetheart? How much have you had to drink?”

She flashed him a bright smile. “I’m fine! And Mia said you were getting us home tonight so I didn’t have to worry about how drunk we got.”

His arm tightened at her waist. “Damn straight. I’ll be taking you home to Jace, so do what you want. I just want to make sure you can handle it.”

She smiled again. “You’re sweet.”

He rolled his eyes. “Sweet isn’t a word I’d use to describe me.”

No, she supposed it wasn’t. Power emanated from him just the way it did with Jace. There was a glint in his eyes, particularly when he looked at Mia, that just made her shiver from head to toe. Even now when he’d put his arm around Bethany to steady her, he had a lock on Mia’s wrist and he made certain there was little space between them.