shoulder and run away with her. To where, he had no idea. Probably the first hotel he came across.
The Spartan decor of the back of the stage was at total odds with the plush interior out front. They nearly ran down a long corridor, his hand clinging to hers. Several performers called out greetings as they passed.
He ignored them.
Without warning, he slid to a stop and pulled her into a corner.
Grace crashed into him.
Justin spun, grabbed her and pressed her up against the wall. “I need you.”
Wide, green eyes stared up at him, her pupils blown with desire. “Feeling’s mutual.”
Twining their fingers together, he dragged her hands over her head. She arched into him, and he groaned. His lips met hers in a desperate duel for dominance. Her mouth offered endless pleasure while her body smelled like sin. She rubbed against him, hooking one leg around his as he wedged a thigh between hers. Her soft mewl was nearly his undoing.
He craved her so badly and felt slightly guilty for dragging her back here without even talking to her first. If someone had treated either of his little sisters this way? Hell, he’d kill them. The shock of his behavior washed over him as effectively as a bucket of ice water. This was no way to treat a woman he liked and respected, a woman he’d wanted to ask out for three years. Jerking back, he stared down at her, panting. “I’m sorry.”
“No talking.” She leaned up and reclaimed his mouth, nipping his bottom lip before soothing the sting with the tip of her tongue. “Not yet.”
He pulled away. “I don’t do this. Ever.”
She sighed, and relaxed against the wall. “Believe it or not, neither do I.”
Dropping his forehead to hers, he closed his eyes. “Want to get out of here?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll meet you out front in ten minutes.”
She kissed him quickly. “Make it eight.” Then she pulled her hands free and slipped under his arm, heading back the way they’d come, hips swaying hypnotically.
“Door to the club’s on the right,” he called.
She raised a hand in acknowledgment but never slowed down.
With a huff, he pushed off the wall and jogged toward the locker room.
He figured he had six minutes to come up with a decent plan that ended with her naked in his arms.
He’d borrow Levi’s car, though it rankled that he didn’t have his own. They could go to a late dinner. Maybe add something fun in there. Or a trip to his favorite dessert place for something sweet. The little restaurant he had in mind wasn’t fancy but it was intimate. They could talk. He could show her he was better than the sum of his behavior so far tonight.
A dark smile spread across his face as he headed for his locker.
Maybe he’d go straight for the kill shot and try to talk her into breakfast...tomorrow morning.
* * *
G RACE SLIPPED TO her table where her girlfriends were chattering like songbirds.
Meg reached out and grabbed her by the wrist. “Holy crap, girl! You’re the luckiest woman I know.”
“Yeah?” She grabbed her purse. “I’m about to get luckier.”
“Shut up.” Lynn, a close friend, leaned across the table. “You aren’t going out with him.”
“Nope.” She grinned and let the wickedness of her thoughts show. “I have the distinct impression we’ll be spending the evening in.”
Meg whooped and Lynn laughed. Gretchen, the most levelheaded of the group, sipped her drink and watched Grace over the rim of her glass. “You think this is a good idea? You don’t know him.”
“I actually sort of do.” They clamored for more information, but she waved them off. “We met in the psychology department. No, I had no idea he danced here. Yes, he’s a fantastic kisser. No, you won’t get more details than that, so don’t ask.” She looked at Gretchen. “Just this once, I want to live a little.”
Gretchen nodded. “I get that. I do.” She took another sip, her brow furrowing as Grace watched. “And I can’t believe I’m saying this,