Page 124 of Pink and Country

“Go ahead,” I said, pointing to the empty space next to the bar.

April shook her head, and I lifted one brow.

“There,” she said, her finger pointing to the lower-level dance floor.

I cringed, not thrilled about the idea. What if people recognized her? What if a fight erupted, and she got stuck between throwing fists?

I inhaled, trying to let go of the control. “Carter, I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.” It was true, at least, with her words.

Or a clicker.

I fought a smile at the memory of that night. Back then, desperate for April’s attention, I had found a million different ways to be close to her. It felt like a lifetime ago. Every day spent with her erased the memory of one without her in my life. I barely remembered how my life had been before her. Somehow, I liked to pretend she’d been around forever.

“Okay, but Taylor will stay close by.” My security detail nodded and followed the women down the stairs. In the short time they’d spent together, April and Taylor grew closer. I caught them, a few times tonight, exchanging knowing glances and laughter. Another one who couldn’t resist her charm.

“April is a good person, Carter,” he’d said earlier, raving about her. “We’re friends. I wanted to tell you first. I hope you don’t mind. She’s pretty persuasive when she puts her mind to something.”

I clapped his back. “It’s fine, man. Keep her safe, that’s all I’m asking. As long as she’s safe, you can be friends with her as much as you want.”

Taylor lowered his voice. “You know she booked our flights herself, paid for my tickets too. She refused my help or me asking June for a favor.”

I let out a loud chuckle. “April’s her own woman.” I shook my head. She never ceased to amaze me. She had not a care in the world for the money in my bank account. The opposite of every other woman I ever knew or dated. And for this reason, it itched me to take care of her.

I’d never let her squander her savings to follow my lifestyle. We should talk about it. No. I’d talk to her about it.

April and June made their way toward the middle of the dance floor, and June gripped April’s hips while my girl locked her arms around June’s neck. They exchanged a few words, and April threw her head back, laughing. Longing for her throat, I felt like a vampire lurking around his prey.

I watched the two of them, my hands splayed on the banister overlooking the dance floor below. The alcohol April drank removed some of her inhibitions. The girls moved to the rhythm of the music. April raised her arms over her head, mussing her hair with her fingers as she did.

Sexy as hell.

Cock-hardening vision.

My girl lifted her gaze as if she knew I’d been watching her this entire time, and our eyes met. She licked her lips in slow motion, and I almost threw my load in my denims at the sight of her.

Two guys, one tall with sandy-blond hair and the other, smaller with a dark crew cut, both dressed in dark suits, prowled their way.

A dark shadow clouded my gaze, and I clenched my teeth.

The blond guy clamped my girl’s hips from behind and flashed her a five-thousand-dollar sly smirk when she cocked her head to look at him. Her smile faded at his sight, and she searched my eyes from where she stood.

Everything went black in my head. My feet brought me to the staircase, and I pounded down, keeping my head low to avoid being recognized, and padded through the dance floor. Ed followed me, stretching his arms to keep people at a distance without raising suspicions about who I might be. With his buzzed, ash-blond hair, dark denims, and a black blazer over a simple white T-shirt, he looked like a regular guy instead of a bodyguard.

Ed took the lead, not wanting me to cause a scene.

Too late.

Taylor had already brushed both jerks aside when we reached them. My hands itched to punch the fuckers, no matter how far they stood now from what was mine.

“Don’t you ever land a hand on my girl again, you dickhead. Get the fuck away before I make you.” His cocky attitude never faltered. My fingers knitted with April’s, and I placed my other hand on June’s back, leading them away. “We’re leaving,” I said, my tone urgent. I sent a warning glare to the two dickheads. The short guy stared at me.

“Don’t let your girl act all slutty if you don’t want any trouble. She was asking for it.” I blinked, fury blinding me.

“What did you just say?”

My hands fisted at my sides, ready to throw the first punch if I needed to. We exchanged a few heated words until the blond guy gave his two cents. He stepped forward. He was about two inches shorter than I. Unlike his friend, he could be a problem. But he had no chance with Ed and Taylor by my side if things went sour.

“Dude, you have no right to tell her shit. She’s not your girl. Which means she’s free to suck any dick she wants or dance with whoever she wants. A hot piece of ass like her shouldn’t be all by herself on a dance floor, dude.” Did he just “dude” me? Twice? My eyes grew wide, and my nostrils flared. The guy pivoted to face April, who stood a foot behind me. “Tell him you’re not his, sweetheart.” His smirk reached his ears. My self-control slipped off at high speed. I was seconds away from letting my fists do the talking. I balled my hands and closed my eyes for a split second.