“Do they always do this?” Kai asked in the background.
“Hell if I know,” Jace muttered. “Nothing like being intimidated by being rated the next day. That’s a hell of a lot of pressure to put on a man.”
The women giggled and then Mia put her hand in. “On three. Let’s go get our men.”
They slapped their hands in a pile in the middle. “One, two, three!”
They raised their hands, breaking away from the huddle. Josie stumbled away, scanning the floor for her shoes.
“My shoes! I have to have those shoes,” she complained. “It will ruin everything if I don’t have the shoes!”
“Looking for these, darling?”
She looked up to see Ash standing there, her shoes dangling from his fingers. His eyes were bright with laughter, but his gaze smoldered appreciatively over her body. She did an experimental wiggle, hoping her dress covered everything it was supposed to.
His eyes gleamed brighter and he reached over to adjust the top, his fingers brushing over the swell of one breast.
“That sight is just for me,” he murmured. “Not that you don’t look delectable, that hint of nipple, but no one else gets to see that.”
She slapped her hands over her chest in horror and then stared anxiously at the other men. “Oh my God. Did they see my nipples!”
Laughter went up and there was a series of shaking heads. Ash leaned in to kiss her, pulling her into his arms. His entire body shook with laughter.
“No, baby. Nobody but me saw.”
As he spoke, he turned, sending a pointed glare in the direction of the other men who immediately shook their heads and donned expressions of complete innocence.
“I need to put my shoes on,” Josie grumbled.
Ash eased her down on the couch and then gently slipped her heels back on her feet. There was something extremely decadent about having a man put her shoes back on. His hands were warm and soothing against her skin. He squeezed one foot before stepping back to offer his hand to help her up.
She rose, experimentally testing her legs. She hadn’t worn the shoes for most of the drinkfest and the last thing she wanted to do was face-plant now that she had them on.
She was shaky, but Ash firmly grasped her elbow before pulling her into his side. She sighed and melted against him, savoring the heat and scent of this gorgeous male.
“Thanks for looking after them,” Ash said to Brandon as they walked toward the door.
“Hey, what about me,” Jace sputtered. “Just remember, it’s your turn next time.”
Ash grinned. “Looking forward to it.”
Ash started toward the door, holding Josie tight against his side. She stumbled a bit and he slowed his pace, matching it to her unsteady one. She was melted against him, so soft and sweet that he wished they weren’t so damn far from his apartment. He wanted nothing more than to strip her out of that dress and fuck her in those shoes until they both passed out.
Gabe and Jace had definitely not lied. He was insanely jealous of them for having experienced this before. But now he had Josie. Josie was a part of his circle of friends, just like he’d wanted. He looked forward with immense satisfaction, secure in the knowledge that from now on, he would have this.
Other guys might bitch about girls’ night out. Some didn’t like it when their women went out without them. Hell, if they had this to look forward to? There’d be an instant run on sexy dresses and sparkly fuck-me shoes.
He grinned again as he led Josie toward the ramp leading down to the dance floor. Brandon appeared with another bouncer, flanking Ash and providing a protective barrier so they weren’t jostled by the other club goers.
When they got outside, he directed Josie toward the waiting car and helped her inside. When he slid into the backseat, Josie was already indelicately sprawled all over the seat, her legs extending sideways. One of her shoes dangled precariously from her foot, and he slid it back on, cupping her ankle as he did.
She opened her eyes and bestowed a goofy, sweet smile on him.