“Well, there you go,” he said, in the kind of voice that suggested I’d just corroborated the theory of gravity. “Upstanding. Respectable. Honest work. You wouldn’t take a job serving drinks topless or sliding up and down a pole.”
“Wouldn’t I?” My voice was icy. My stare even more so.
“Would you?”
“It’s my body, and if I can make more in a four hour shift dancing with a pole than I can pulling eight hours behind a desk, why wouldn’t I? Especially if I was working my way through school or had a kid to feed.”
“Nah, you’re just being contrary. I like that in a woman.”
Oh, dear god, just shoot me now.
I glanced feverishly around the room, hoping to see Tyler seething in a corner, about to come and rescue me. I knew he’d seen the two of us together, because I’d caught him looking our direction when I’d first slid into Murray’s arms. But there was no sign of a knight riding to my rescue now.
Tyler Sharp either had serious willpower, or just didn’t give a damn.
I really hoped it was the first.
I suffered through another five minutes, then excused myself to go to the ladies’ room. I didn’t need the facilities, but I dampened a towel and pressed it to the back of my neck. It was my trick for calming myself down. I can’t say that it was working particularly well at the moment.
Still on edge from my unpleasant turn with Murray, I headed back out. My plan was to go home and regroup in the morning. Instead, I bumped into Reggie, aka the Ass Pincher.
Fuck.
“There you are,” he said, bathing me in the scent of old beer. “I thought you’d escaped.”
“I thought I had, too,” I said, with a smile that was both cold and simpering. All around me people were laughing and dancing and having a good time. And here I was, stuck in my own version of hell.
“Another dance?”
“No. Thanks, but no.”
He moved closer. I took a step back.
“I thought we hit it off.”
“We really didn’t.”
He laughed as if I’d just said the funniest thing in the world, then slid his arm around my waist.
I jerked away. “Watch the hands, buddy.”
“You are so fucking beautiful.”
“You’re going to want to take a step back,” I said, somehow managing to speak despite my gritted teeth.
“What I want is to taste you.”
My hand curled into a fist. “Dammit—”
“I’d do what the lady says.”
Tyler.
I jerked free of the Ass Pincher even as Tyler yanked him away from me.
“I mean it, Reggie,” Tyler said. The charm that had colored his voice earlier was gone, replaced by a steel-edged hardness.
“I—I didn’t realize she was with you, Tyler. Honestly. I mean, she danced with me, and—”
“Sloane shares my interest in supporting charitable causes.”
“What?” Reggie’s brow furrowed. “But this isn’t a charity event, and—” His mouth snapped shut as anger and insult flashed across his face. “I’m the charity? Now, you listen to me, Sharp. No way am I—”
“Yes,” Tyler said smoothly. “You are going. And right now.”
Reggie’s eyes cut to me. “You can do better.”
“Than you? Oh, most definitely.”
It was a low blow, but the guy was a prick, and I felt nothing but satisfaction when I saw the angry red start to creep up his neck. “Fuck it,” he said. “You two deserve each other.”
Tyler turned to me, ignoring Reggie’s retreating back. “First thing that man ever said that’s made any sense at all.”
“I could have gotten rid of him myself.”
“I believe that.” He glanced down at my still-clenched hand. “But I didn’t think Angie would appreciate it if you laid him out. Fancy hotels like this add an up charge to the cleaning fee when blood is involved.”
I laughed. I also relaxed. “Fair enough. And I suppose I should thank you for the rescue. Even though it took you long enough.”
“Is that a criticism?“His hand slipped around my waist, but rather than jerk out of his embrace as I had with Reggie, I had to force myself not to press closer.
“Just an observation.”