Chapter 23
Elias
Breathe, just breathe. Shit. Her citrusy scent.
I clench my jaw as Harmony leads me onto the dance floor where the energy is charged with sexuality and forbidden desires. “No” was on the tip of my tongue when she asked, but if I prevent her from dancing, she’ll just ask to come again. Or worse, she’ll sneak away. And dance with someone else.
Her question is on a continuous loop through my mind. Do you know anything about Sully and why he would pay for my protection himself? He never told me he was paying for Harmony’s case out of his own pocket. Why is he?
Once we’re in the center of the dance floor, Harmony stops and turns to me.
The bass pounds through me, and I’m about to crawl out of my skin.
Bodies are crushed together, almost as if everyone is dancing in one big wave.
The air around us reeks of alcohol, cheap cologne, and bad decisions.
Harmony pulls me closer and wraps her arms around my neck, effectively removing Sully and my anxieties from my brain.
There’s still a canyon between us, but I can’t complain.
This is all pretend.
My heart jackhammers against my ribcage, and my jaw hardens when Harmony steps into my personal space, pressing our bodies together.
The feel of her warm body against mine makes my cock strain against my jeans and I force the least sexy thoughts to enter my brain.
Math equations. Mowing my aunt’s front lawn.
The guy who smelled like rotten chicken noodle soup back at the truck stop.
That does the trick. Keeping my eyes on the people around us, I spot groups of women sticking together, not allowing any guys in while other couples grind on each other.
Nothing seems out of place, and no one pays us any attention, but if someone wants to strike out against Harmony, they won’t be right out in the open.
I try to scan the area surrounding the dance floor, but other tall men block my view.
Harmony’s hips move under my hands, swaying to the music and I instinctively tighten my grip on her. Everything about the way she moves, the way she looks up at me with a heat blazing in her eyes … Fuck. I’m already lost to her.
She pushes up on her toes and whispers in my ear, “Give in and let loose. Nothing is going to happen to me here.”
I groan, and the loud music swallows up the noise. It would be so easy to get lost in her and enjoy this, but I can’t let my guard down. If something happens to her because I lose focus … I can’t even finish that thought.
I dip my head and say, “Did you turn into a party animal while in college?”
She shakes her head and the lights flash across her flushed face. “I just want to have a good time. To have this experience with you.”
I’m suddenly pushed into Harmony as people shove past me from behind, and I grab onto her, pulling her flush against my heaving chest. Her focus is solely on me when dangers lurk all around us. I wish I had that luxury.
A server in what looks like a lacy bra and a mini skirt carries a tray full of tubes.
She weaves around everyone with expert precision, raising the drinks over her head when people won’t move out of her way.
Harmony spots her a second later, and she squeals, but the sound is mostly drowned out by the music.
The woman stops and hands Harmony one while I pull out my wallet and give her a twenty.
Harmony downs the contents as I wave away my change.
Working at Cutesy’s and getting tips really made me appreciate the serving class more.
Harmony pushes back into me, our chests together again.
I snake my arms around her waist, and she turns around and grinds on my dick.
As much as I’ve been trying to not let my cock wake up, he’s at full attention now.
I grind my molars. I can’t help but let myself wonder if she actually wants me …
Please, don’t let it just be because of the alcohol.
She faces me, and once again pushes up on her toes. Her eye lashes flutter. “Did you ever think about me while I was gone?”
Harmony is so close I can barely think straight. “Yeah, of course, I did. All the time.”
Her pupils are dilated as she stares up at me. “What about at night?”
I try to feign confusion so she might drop it. “At night?”
“Yes, at night. When it’s dark, and you’re all alone.” Her mouth is so close to my ear that if I turn my head, our lips will touch. “It’s been four and a half years, and my vibrator just isn’t cutting it anymore.”
I choke on air. Her what? My straining cock pulses, and I swallow hard. I need to go back to thinking those non sexy thoughts now. She’s drunk, and I’ll never take advantage of a woman who is under the influence. My training. Yes, my training. I need to remember it, or she might get hurt.
Harmony suddenly collapses. I catch her a nanosecond before she hits the floor.
Her cranberry vodka crashes to the floor, spilling all its contents over a dozen random people’s feet.
I check her pulse, still strong. A double and a tube shot may affect her, but not make her fall.
And she barely touched her second drink.
No one sees us, or they just don’t care.
Lifting her into my arms, I carry her off the dance floor, shoving through any dancer in my way.
A couple of people throw glares at me when Harmony’s feet hit them.
I make it outside and we’re immediately enveloped by the freezing winter air and I hold her closer to keep her warm.
The moon beams down on us, giving me more light than those blinding flashing lights inside.
I turn her to face me, but her eyes are closed.
Harmony mumbles something incoherent, and my chest tightens. Blood roars in my ears. I have to get her to somewhere safe. She is alive, but she seems … confused? This is too much, even if she is a lightweight. That can’t be why …
Her breathing staggers, and my heart twists.
“My head hurts.” Her eyes open for a moment and then flutter shut again. “Bring me to my mom.”
I heave out a breath of relief that she’s still conscious. But her words don’t make sense. All of this is too much for the amount of alcohol consumed.
“Can you hear me, Harmony?”
“Mom, I’m so happy you’re here.” Her words come out like she’s out of breath. “Do you have ibuprofen?”
Shit. Is she hallucinating?
Then reality slaps me in the face. She’s been drugged.