And it was turning her on.
No, wait, that was nuts. She couldn’t actually be turned on. The sweltering air and the two shooters she’d drunk must be to blame, because there was no way Reed the Jerk Miller was getting her motor running.
When she felt his gaze on her, she tipped her head and was floored by what she found. Blue eyes burning with…jeez, was that desire?
Anger?
Defeat?
It sure as hell looked like all three, but only the anger part made any sort of sense. Reed always seemed pissed off when she was around, which was actually kind of insulting since she prided herself on being a very likable person.
“How long are we going to keep doing this?” he said in a strangled voice.
She frowned. “Doing what?”
“Dancing.” Sounding even more tormented, he eased away so their lower bodies were no longer touching, but kept his hands on her hips.
If she didn’t know any better, she’d have thought he’d inched back so she wouldn’t feel the evidence of his arousal pressing into her belly.
But of course Reed wasn’t sporting a stiffy in her presence. The only response she’d ever evoked in him was visible irritation and mild indifference.
The memory of his past behavior was like a splash of cold water to the face, propelling her to release his shoulders and take a hasty step back.
What the hell were they doing, grinding to the music like two people who were actually into each other? They weren’t even friends.
“You’re the one who forced me on the dance floor,” she snapped at him. “And you’re the one who decided not to let me have fun tonight, remember? So if you don’t want to dance with me, then don’t. Frankly, I’m not interested, either.”
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and flounced off, but she should’ve known better than to think he wouldn’t follow her. He did, hot on her heels as she pushed her way through the crowd toward the exit.
“Darcy—”
“Go away, Reed. You win, okay? You’ve officially ruined my night and put me in a shitty mood, so now I’m going home just like you wanted. Congratulations.”
Shooting him one last glare, she spun on her heel and marched out the door.
Chapter Two
“Darcy, wait. Seriously. Come on, wait up.”
She kept up the brisk pace, ignoring Reed’s increasingly annoyed shouts from behind her. Her heels snapped on the pavement in an angry click-clack as she barreled down the sidewalk. She’d taken five more steps when a heavy hand clapped on her shoulder.
“Must you always be so damn difficult?” His aggravated rumble heated the back of her neck.
Darcy twirled around to face him. “Dude, just go away.”
His lips twitched. “Can I at least apologize first, dude?”
“No.”
He grasped her arm before she could walk away. “What do you mean, no?”
“Should I say it in a different language so you can understand? Fine. Non. Nein. Niet. Nej. Nai. Um—”
“Nai?”
“That’s Japanese,” she said haughtily. “Duh.”
“Do I even want to ask why you can say the word no in so many languages?”
She blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. “I’m a teacher, Reed. I know things.”
His deep chuckle sent an unexpected—and extremely unwelcome—shiver scurrying through her. Before tonight, she’d never felt anything even close to warmth or awareness toward this man, but somehow her system had short-circuited, and now she couldn’t stop staring at his mouth. His firm and surprisingly sensual mouth.
And all that dark stubble sweeping across his strong jaw… She wanted to run her fingertips over it and feel those bristles scratching her skin.
No, you don’t.
Right. Of course she didn’t.
God, what on earth did the Krib’s bartenders put in their drinks? Those shooters were obviously messing with her head.
“Look,” Reed said, “I really am sorry for acting like such an ass. I had no idea you and AJ broke up. I honestly thought you were messing around on him.”
He looked befittingly repentant, and Darcy supposed she understood how it could have looked to an outsider who didn’t know that she and AJ were kaput.
“Fine.” She sighed dramatically. “I forgive you, Reedford.”
He made a rumbling sound. “Why do you always call me that? I’m not an English prince.”
Darcy laughed. “It makes you sound like you have manners. I like you better that way.” She reached into her purse and rummaged around for her tiny can of mace. “Okay, now that everything is all sunshine and rainbows between us, I can go home and not have to lie awake all night plotting your death.”
Reed’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Did you call a cab already?”
“No need. I only live six blocks from here.”
“You’re planning on walking? At this time of night?”
She snickered. “It’s barely ten o’clock. I think I’ll be just fine.”