with you, Iâd just go about it the old-fashioned way.â She tipped her cup up to her lips and with only her eyes showing, wiggled her eyebrows.
Dean was intrigued, despite his best intentions. âAnd what is the old-fashioned way?â
Violet swallowed and stepped closer to him, laying her free hand against his chest. Dean stood frozen, holding his breath as she looked up at him from beneath the fan of her black lashes. Slowly, she stood up on her tiptoes and put her mouth next to his ear, her breath warming his ear and his cock stirred to life as he breathed her in.
âWell, Iâd start by getting closer, giving you light, brief touches on your arm, handââshe moved her hand lightly across his chestââmaybe even the front of your T-shirt.â
God help him, where the hell had this come from? She couldnât have shocked him more if sheâd stripped naked and danced around him. Maybe appearances were deceiving; she looked like she should be leading her church choir, not whispering sweet nothings to him in public.
She dropped back onto her feet, and Dean wanted badly to pull her back and press his aching hard-on against her.
He glanced toward Tyler, but he was back to being completely absorbed in Tracy.
âThat. . . ahem . . . Thatâs all it would take?â Dean asked.
âWell, I hope not. If youâre that easy, then where is the fun?â
Dean choked, and Violetâs laugh drew Tracy and Bestâs attention.
âWhatâs so funny?â Tracy asked.
âNothing, Dean and I were just getting to know each other. Right?â
Everyone was looking at him, but while Tracy and Tyler did so with curiosity, Violetâs gaze held a definite challenge. Was she daring him to spill the beans or agree with her?
âWe were just talking about the concert, and I told Violet that I was just glad I wouldnât have to sit through Gaga.â
Tracy crossed her arms over her chest. âOkay, I know youâre lying, âcause Violet loves Lady Gaga and would never laugh at you dissing her.â
âActually, Trace, I have a confession . . . â Violet paused, and Dean saw Tracyâs eyes narrow. âI actually hate Gaga. I just went to all those concerts to be a good friend.â
Tracy put her hand to her forehead and pretended to faint. Best caught her in his arms, grinning at Violet and Dean. âIs she always this dramatic?â
âShe was a double major at Sac State,â Violet said. âEnglish and theater.â
Tracy blinked up at Best with a sigh. âThank you for catching me.â
âAnytime.â Best almost sounded sincere, except Dean knew his buddy well. Tracy would be lucky to get a phone call after tonight.
Tracy looked at Violet with a grim expression. âI forgive you for this horrible betrayal.â
âThatâs magnanimous of you,â Violet said.
âOne of my many qualities.â Tracy fixed Best with a sly grin. âIâm also incredibly generous.â
On that note . . . Now that their friends were distracted again, he asked Violet, âDo you really hate Gaga?â
âNo, do you?â
âYes.â
Violet winked at him, the action comfortable and disarming. âI wonât tell if you donât.â
Damn, it was one thing to be attracted to her, but to actually like her and enjoy the way she surprised him made her hard to resist.
She raised her cup to her lips, her eyes closing. When she lowered it again, she licked her lips and sighed. âSo much better.â
âWhat did you get?â he asked.
âWine. Want a sip?â
She held the cup out to him, and all he could do was shake his head. Why the hell couldnât he look away from the bridge of her nose, where a dozen or so small freckles kissed her skin? He had never thought freckles were sexy before, but on her they were irresistible.
She was getting to him. He had let his guard