Page 73 of Pressure Point

“Dude, if you like her, just tell her,” Elliot said.

“And we know you like her,” Chance added. “It’s written all over your face.”

Liam couldn’t deny it, he did like her. A lot. Giving his buddies a shrug, he turned back toward the beauty to his right, smiling at her.

“How about we show these guys just how well you move in those shoes?” he asked her, wiggling his eyebrows.

“I’ve gotten better!”

“I know. And I think we should show that off.”

“Then lead the way, sir,” she giggled.

Liam grabbed Avery’s hand, guiding her out to the dance floor. Her hand felt so small in his, yet so perfect, like it was made to fit right there. They moved in time with the music—or at least he did. In true Avery fashion, she moved with all the grace of a newborn colt trying to take its first steps. Liam didn’t care one bit though. It was part of what made her so damn irresistible. He let out a laugh as he watched her, the look on her face letting him know that she knew he was laughing at her but was having too much fun to care. As much as he would rather not be here, surrounded by strangers, even he had to admit that getting to dance with her lifted his spirits. She was everything he’d never realized he needed in his life, and now that he’d known what life was like with her, he didn’t want to imagine it without. Now, if only he could find a way to tell her what he was feeling.

The music slowed a bit, the still heavy beat surrounding them, and Avery stepped closer to him. Liam wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in the rest of the way, so their bodies were flush with one another. Despite the slight chill in the night air, a wave of heat washed over Liam as he held her tight, moving as one. Her eyes seemed to glitter as she stared up at him, a look that he was pretty sure she only gave to him. It was the same one she’d given him that night at Club 404, that she’d had as she’d climbed on top of him in the sports med room during her photo shoot, and right before she’d kissed him yesterday in her bedroom. It wasn’t a look of lust though. It was so much deeper than that, and it made his pulse kick into overdrive.

It’s now or never, dude…

“Do you have any idea how perfect you are?” he asked, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

Avery’s breath hitched just before she let out a long sigh. The sound went straight to his groin, and he suddenly had a deep urge to kiss her.

“I thought I simply looked beautiful,” she responded, her voice careful.

“You do look beautiful, but there is nothing simple about you, Avery. And I’m not talking about how you look. I’m talking about you.”

“I don’t under—”

“Padre!” Dash’s loud booming voice called over the music, cutting her off. Avery quickly stepped back from him, and the rush of cool air that hit him was more than just a physical shock. No, it cut through him like a knife.

“Dash!” Avery said, her voice overly excited. Liam’s stomach sank as she let go of him, turning toward Dash and giving him a hug. “Happy birthday!”

“Thank you. I’ve been looking for you two. I don’t know how I missed you out here, shining like the most beautiful star in the sky.”

“Oh, well, ummmm, thanks,” she tittered, her cheeks turning pink.

“May I cut in?”

* * *

Cut in? Dash wanted to dance with her?

Dash wanted to dance with her.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…

“I'm not interrupting anything, correct?” he asked, looking between her and Liam.

“Not at all,” she said, the words rushing out of her before she could stop them. “We were just dancing.”

Glancing at Liam, she forced a smile onto her face, feeling more ridiculous than she had in a long time. What was the matter with her? This is exactly what she wanted. Exactly what she had been prepping for these last few weeks. Although suddenly it was feeling like maybe it wasn’t. Liam smiled back at her, but it felt stiff, like he was putting it on just for show.

“Padre, go get a drink while I entertain the pretty señorita.”

Dash grabbed her around the waist, spinning her around. Avery let out a nervous giggle, the move catching her off guard. She heard Liam grumble something but was unable to make out what it was over the music. She turned to ask him what he said, but Dash’s hand slid to her lower back, distracting her. His hand felt weird there—somehow out of place. How was that even possible? It wasn’t any different than what Liam had done moments ago. Except Liam’s had fit into place perfectly.

Liam.