Fade Out (The Morganville Vampires #7)(49)

Luckily, Vee keeps her top on, and I can tell she’s never once done this before. I can feel her limbs trembling as she awkwardly tries to ride one of my legs, her knees knocking painfully against my thigh.

I’m starting to think this might not be so bad. Ari’s just here to support Vee, who is about as nervous as a trembling snowflake in August. I’ll hand her over to Gavin in a second with a stern word to keep his eyes on her. Then I’ll end the party before Ari can even think of shedding that dress for any of these losers—supporting her friend or not, I’ll be damned. It’s so out of character for her—I don’t care how much she wants to help Vee. This is over the f*cking top.

I’ll also put a hurt on Gavin real soon. Just for the fact that Ari is walking around in stripper clothes.

My gaze darts around the room as Vee tries to adjust her bikini bottoms…and I find Ari.

My heart stops beating. Just stops dead in my chest. My lungs cease to breathe, and they burn painfully. She’s dancing in front of Beck, damn near grinding against him, wearing next to nothing.

I hear Vee’s yelp, and I realize I’ve seized her arms. “Sorry,” I say through clenched teeth. Then I’m looking into her eyes. “What the f*ck is she doing?” I seethe.

She attempts a shrug, and I loosen my hold. “I honestly don’t know. I told her—” But I cut her off as I move her over to Gavin.

“Do not—” I get right in his face, narrow my eyes “—let this girl give anyone else a dance. Do you hear me?”

His head jerks back, stunned. I don’t give him a second to say anything stupid. “She’s Ari’s best friend,” I continue. “And I will cripple you next practice if another guy so much as looks at her. Take her to a private section.”

Eyes wide, he nods. “Yeah, dude. That’s cool.”

Then I’m stomping toward Beck, my hands curling into fists, my teeth gritted so hard my jaw aches from the pressure. I see red. As Beck’s fat hand snakes up Ari’s back, fingers grasping the string to her top, blood red pulses in my vision.

My hand clamps around his and I squeeze. Hard.

“Ah! Mother fu—” Beck breaks off as his eyes meet mine.

“Get off him,” I grind out.

Ari’s head whips around, her dark curls slashing Beck across the face as she leans over him. I’m still crushing Beck’s hand as she looks me over. “No.”

My stomach hits my boots. “Get. The f*ck. Off him.” I do not like who I am right now, but I’m going to hate myself in a matter of two seconds if she doesn’t do just that.

Her eyes gleam defiantly in the soft blue light, her mouth set in a stubborn line. “I’m tired of being told what to do. Wait, how’d the whole thing go again?” She cocks her head, pretending to think. “How to act, what to wear, what to do for the rest of my life? Isn’t that the way you put it?”

Anger scorches my chest as I force out a heavy, hot breath. “I didn’t mean it like…” I turn my head away, collect my thoughts. Then I look down at Beck. “I’m going to kill you if you do not get your f*cking crotch away from her right now.”

His hands fly up. “Ryde, it was just messing around.” My glare reinforces my threat. He gently pushes a scowling Ari upright by her shoulders, but my fury doesn’t diminish in the least. All I can do is stare at where her naked thighs touch his big, fat, jean-clad knees.

My head pulses in sync to the beat vibrating the walls, sound whooshing in and out of my ears, as my anger mounts. There’s no reeling it in. I’m grabbing Ari around her trim waist and pulling her away before she can protest.

“Hey! I’m sick of you manhandling me,” she snaps. “Like some freaking caveman. What, are you going to throw me over your shoulder again?” She smacks at my hand.

She means it as an insult, but I’m thinking that idea sounds pretty damn good right about now. Anchoring my hands to my hips, I survey the small room. Most of the guys’ attention is on the stage, where Carly is still dancing, and the others are waiting their turn for private dances.

“Are we done?”

Ari’s annoyed voice draws my focus back on her. Arms crossed over her chest, pressing her silver bikini top upward, her glittering breasts pushed over the triangles. What the f*ck happened to all her modest layers?

I shake my head. “Far from it,” I say to her. “Get your clothes.”

“The hell I am,” she mutters, then starts to walk off, but I catch her arm. “I came here for Vee. And I’m going to dance.”

“What are you trying to prove?”

Her eyes hold mine, then she steps into my personal space. A mischievous glint lights her eyes as she presses her body against mine. I suck in a quick breath at the feel of her hands on my chest, roaming down, as she swivels her hips against me. Fucking hell.

Hollers rise around us, the guys cheering Ari on.

“I came here to dance, Ryder,” she says again. “And I’m not asking for your permission. I’m not asking for anyone’s permission.”

Tension thrums through my body. A shout sounds out about me finally “getting some,” and I snap. Just like that first night, I swoop down and haul Ari into my arms, but this time, I grab her around her back and legs. Not wanting the guys to stare at her bikini-clad ass.