One Lucky Hero by Codi Gary Read Free Book Online Page B

strings taught in all the right places.
    â€œNo, I’m just considering,” she said.
    The music slowed, and all around them, people wrapped their arms around each other, swaying in time to the melody.
    Dean slid behind her and circled his arms around her waist, splaying his hands across her abdomen. She shivered, desire pooling between her legs. His lips pressed just below her ear, trailing kisses down her neck to her shoulder. Violet closed her eyes and chewed her bottom lip.
    â€œHow about now?” he asked.
    Violet released a breathless laugh. “You’re bordering on likable. You should stop that.”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Dean stopped kissing her neck.
    Disappointed, she made a face he couldn’t see. “I said stop being likable, not the kissing,” she said.
    Dean’s warm breath rushed against the back of her neck as he chuckled, but he didn’t kiss her again. Instead, he swayed with her to the beat of the music, and Violet found herself relaxing into his body. Dancing with Dean was definitely a new experience, one she was enjoying way more than she should.
    The song ended, but Dean didn’t release her. As Meghan Trainor said good night to the crowd, Tracy was suddenly in her face, ignoring Dean behind her.
    â€œHey, so I love you, but I’m going to take Tyler back to my place. I’ll call you in the morning.”
    Violet had known this was going to happen, but she didn’t imagine it would occur so early. “Um, excuse me, but how am I going to get home?”
    Tracy looked behind her, presumably at Dean. “You got this, right?”
    Dean’s chuckle ruffled the back of Violet’s hair. “Yeah, I’ll make sure she gets home safe.”
    â€œYou better, because if she ends up in the Sacramento River, I will hunt you down like a dog and gut your ass.”
    Violet pulled away from Dean, uncomfortable that they seemed to be planning all of this without even considering how she might feel about it. “Can you hold my wine for a second?” Before he could answer, she placed her cup in his hand and dragged Tracy off a ways before hissing, “Okay, the very fact that it crossed your mind you may be leaving me with a deranged psychopath and you’re willing to roll the dice on my safety anyway is making me reconsider the whole best friends thing.”
    â€œOh, please, you’ll be fine. Otherwise you wouldn’t have let him suck on your neck like a vampire for the last four minutes,” Tracy said.
    Violet’s whole face burned. “He was not!”
    â€œPlease, don’t even try. I saw you with your eyes closed and your mouth open like ‘Oh yeah. Oh, right there . . . ’ ”
    â€œI think I hate you.”
    â€œOkay, for reals. If you are really uncomfortable and want nothing to do with him, I’ll take you home with us and you never have to see him again. It’s up to you.”
    Violet pursed her lips, considering. It was now or never; did she want to take a chance on Dean or go home to her cold, lonely bed?
    Just because he agreed to take you home does not mean you have to sleep with him. Unless you want to.
    Finally, she rolled her eyes. “Go on. I’ll stay here and enjoy the rest of the concert.”
    â€œGood, ’cause my offer was bullshit and I was going to ditch your ass anyway.” Tracy threw her arms around Violet and squeezed her until her back cracked. “Love you!”
    Violet bit the inside of her check to keep from smiling. “I don’t believe you!”
    Tracy didn’t respond beyond blowing her a kiss. Tyler was talking to Dean, and Violet saw him hand Dean something before Tracy grabbed his arm and dragged him away.
    Dean ambled toward her across the grass, avoiding dancing couples, and stopped in front of her with a grin.
    â€œGuess you decided to trust me, huh?”
    â€œDon’t get cocky. I know self-defense, and if you try to put my