Page 42 of Forbidden Kisses

"I'm going to sit for a bit," I informed them.

"All right," Julia replied. "Want me to sit with you?" She and Christine were dancing as if their lives depended on it.

"No, no. It's all good. You two have fun."

I went to the edge of the perimeter where they'd set up some low chairs and dropped into one of them. Out of reflex more than anything else, I took my phone out of my clutch, checking if I had any missed calls. Although, who would have called me at this hour?

I pressed the button that showed me the last calls and sighed, focusing on Duncan's name. Next thing I knew, I was calling him.

Holy shit. How the hell did that happen?

I tried to press the red button to end the call before it rang at all, but I kept missing the button, and then Duncan's voice resounded through the speaker.

"Riley? Is everything okay?"

I put the phone to my ear. "I'm so sorry. I called you by mistake. Just go back to sleep."

"I wasn't sleeping. Where are you?"

I licked my lips. "Still at the club."

"Everything okay?"

"Yes. I took a break from dancing and sat down. I've had four shots already."

"Jesus!" he exclaimed.

"Hey, what's with the judgy tone?"

"Not judging. I'm worried."

"I'd say you have no reason, but I'm not very good at holding my liquor. I don't get sick or anything, but I can feel myself getting a bit drowsy. Anyway, I was looking at the phone and got to thinking how much I would have rather spent this evening with Jeremy and then just with you alone…"

I stopped talking, covering my mouth with my hand.Oh my goodness. I said that out loud?

Maybe I just imagined it.

"Fuck, you're sweet."

Okay, I didn't imagine it."I'm sorry I blurted that out. I can't stop thinking about you." Clearly, I couldn't keep myself in check. That was the unfortunate effect tequila had on me.

"Riley!" His voice was lower. "I've been thinking about you nonstop. Oh fuck…"

"I'm sorry I started this conversation. I don't want to make this uncomfortable. I should probably go home."

"I'll pick you up."

Tendrils of heat immediately went through me.

"You want to drive out here and pick me up? I can just Uber."

"I don't want you getting in a car with some stranger right now."

That made me laugh. "That's the point of Uber, and it's safe. It's?—"

"I won't hear of it. I want to be the one to drive you home. Are your friends coming too?"

"No, they'll probably be here until the morning."