Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy #2)(76)

That, I could understand. Even if the marriage was forced, it would still change things. Knowing Blake was attached to another girl in such an intimate way would drive Ginger insane.

“Well,” I said, needing to lighten the mood for him, “next time Kai tries to, um, bust your balls, you can give it right back to him, because he’s got a girlfriend now, too.”

His almond eyes rounded for a moment and he held out his fist.

I bumped his knuckles with mine and he started snickering, bringing that same fist to his mouth.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“You said balls.”

“Shut up.” I hit his arm, unable to keep the smile from my face as he cracked up.

“For real, though,” he said. “I’m glad you two are together. He’s been such a punk, all heartbroken and shi—iiiz.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not this again, Blake.”

“I’m tryin’ to be good! Consider it a personal challenge to myself.” He grinned. “And I meant what I said about you and Kai. You just gotta be careful. I worry about him when it comes to . . . you know.”

“What?” I asked. “Work?” Or lack of . . .

He nodded, appearing serious.

“I know,” I agreed. “Me, too.”

We made it to Kaidan’s apartment in record time. Part of me wanted to curl up in his soft sheets and nap, but Blake wasn’t having any of that. He went to the entertainment center and when he hit the power button we both jumped back at the ear-blasting, screaming lyrics: “Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage . . .” Blake fumbled for the volume control while I winced. “Then someone will say what is lost can never be saved . . .”

He finally figured it out, cutting off the jarring song.

“Dude,” Blake mumbled to himself while he sifted through the music, “someone’s got anger issues.”

He found something with a techno beat. The sound of it immediately started his feet moving, followed by his arms and hands in smooth motions.

“That’s more like it. You ever dance, Anna?”

Oh, gosh. I liked to dance, but I remembered Blake breaking it down on the dance floor at that New Year’s party in Atlanta. He had definite moves that put my hip-shaking, arm-waving “dancing” to shame.

“I don’t know,” I said as he moved closer, taking my hands. I wanted to pull away and break into giggles. Jumping from a plane might be less embarrassing than this.

He moved one hand around to the small of my back, bringing us closer. When our thighs and hips met, it felt unnatural to stay still while he was in motion. My body tried to match his, which matched the beat of the song. The next thing I knew, we were dancing. It was sexy, but not sexual. It made me feel good to move, but I knew his intentions were only friendly.

“That’s it, girl.” He spun me so my back was against his chest, guiding my arms to the side and above my head. “Hey, I know what we’re doing tonight,” he said, suddenly breaking away and snapping his fingers. I spun to face him, watching a joker-faced grin spread across his face. I put my hands on my hips.

“Should I be worried?” I asked.

“Nope. You’re gonna love it.”

I should have been worried.

Blake was taking me clubbing. He’d done an excellent job so far of occupying our time, and though thoughts of Kaidan were always present at the forefront of my mind, the anxiousness was kept at bay. It was difficult to worry when you were trying so hard to learn an impromptu dance routine. We’d spent three hours getting the moves just right, laughing hysterically when my feet tangled with his and I went sprawling. He never lost his balance. Ever. It was kind of freaky.

“Dude, you’re a good dancer,” he’d told me, sounding surprised. “You just gotta channel that inner sassy girl when you feel the beat.”

I gave him my best rawr!

He frowned and clucked his tongue. “You can’t be smiling when you do that.”

Dang it. I shook out my arms. Okay, enough roaring. Time to move.

Once we had the dance down, we left to find the perfect outfits. Blake knew just where to go—swanky, over-the-top stores with glittering shirts for women and tight shirts for men. Only certain types of boys could pull off the club look, and Blake was one of them.

The night was hot, but I felt self-conscious in the backless halter top Blake picked out. I kept trying to hike up the low-rise black pants, to no avail.

“What if this thing comes untied?” I asked, feeling the bow at my neck and lower back as we walked down the darkened sidewalk. “Are you sure you can’t see in through the sides? I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

“Don’t worry, I double-knotted it, and all your goodies are safe. You look hot. Kai would kill me if he knew I let you out in that.”

My self-consciousness waned as we entered the club and I saw that my outfit would not be getting any special attention. The giant room was three stories high, with balconies tapering down to a view of the dance floor in the center. Next to me, Blake hollered so I could hear him over the blasting music.

“Ever wondered how it would feel to have thousands of eyes on you? ’Cause you’re about to find out.”

He started forward and I grabbed his hand, suddenly terrified.