A Betting Man

Chapter Two

He leads me onto the dance floor, amongst the crowd of bodies and sweat and heat. His hand grasps mine firmly until we reach a suitable spot. He suddenly turns around to face me, our chests nearly flush. He's almost a full head taller than I. I stare up at him, into those intense brown eyes, which now regard me shrewdly.

Involuntarily, I blush. What is going on...? No man has ever elicited such a reaction from me before. He grins. Can he see me flushing in the dark? The strobe light pounds over our bodies, giving me brief glances of his perfect face.

Suddenly, he pulls me flush against his body, and I gasp at the new contact. His hand is still grasping mine as he begins to move, his other hand sneaking to my hip - and he leads me. He's a great dancer. I realize that dancing is easy with a knowledgeable partner and some proper guidance.

Justin never breaks eye contact with me. I want to look around and find Fey, but I can't tear my gaze away. His eyes have captured mine, unrelenting and unwilling to release. He's the predator, and I'm the prey.

I lose my balance for a moment, nearly stumbling backwards in my heels - but before I can move away he's gripping me harder, pulling me tight against his body again. I'm embarrassed, but thankful that he's a good enough dancer for the both of us. I see silent laughter flickering in his eyes - stretching upwards.

I bring my lips closer to his ear and say, "I told you I wasn't a good dancer."

I inhale on the last word, getting a whiff of musk and spice and man. He smells delicious. I unconsciously lick my lips...

"You're doing great," he says, his words seductive again. Is he trying to talk this way? I figure he is - he's on a mission, too. I mustn't forget that. "Trust me, Addie. I was watching you for a while - I couldn't take my eyes off you."

Wow. What a line...I'm sure he uses it often. He certainly isn't a beginner at this little game.

"Thanks," I mumble. I doubt he hears it over the loud music.

"I've never seen you here before - you come here often?"

"Not really. Just a few times."

"I guess that's good for me or else someone surely would've snatched you up by now."

Is he suggesting that he's "snatched me up?" The cocky bastard...well, two can play at this game.

I shrug my shoulders innocently. "I guess I'm not that easy to catch." He's probably reeling over what Nolan has told him about me now...that should give him something to think about.

Before he can respond, I get bumped, rather harshly, in the back by another dancer. It pushes me even harder against his chest - if that's even possible at this point. I turn to glare at the offender and see that it's Fey, still dancing her ass off with a big burly man with light brown hair. She winks at me and mouths "Oh my God..." She's referring to Justin and his fine piece of ass.

I grin and turn back to Justin to witness him having a similar exchange with burly man...minus the "Oh my God" girliness. Do they know each other? This should be interesting...

I stretch up again, getting as close to his ear as possible. I greedily suck in his scent while I'm at it. "Do you know him?"

"Yes, he's a good friend of mine."

Oh good Lord. Did Nolan include Fey on his little bet somehow? I may need to warn her...

A few songs later and we're both sweaty and panting. It's kind of...hot. I don't really want to stop, reveling in the feel of being pressed against this gorgeous stranger, but Justin has other ideas. He grabs my hand and pulls me to the bar. Both Devon and Nolan are nowhere to be found.