Through The Pieces by Bobbi Jo Bentz Read Free Book Online Page B

crowd until I saw Echo waving. I grabbed Annie's hand, and we weaved through the crowd to Echo's table.
    Dressed in her typical black shirt and jeans, she gave me and Annie a hug.
    "First round’s on me. What will you have?"
    "Two Bud Lights," I answered. Annie and I took our jackets off and set them on the chairs as Echo made her way to the bar. There had to be about two hundred people in the club already. On the stage the band was setting up. We had a drink, then two. Soon the band was playing cover songs of rock bands. We were laughing and having a great time. I didn't realize how much I needed this.
    "Shots!" Echo hollered over the music and headed for the bar.
    "This is so much fun!" Annie squealed. "I want to dance!" I nodded agreement.
    Echo returned and handed around the shots. I tossed mine back. It went past my tongue smoothly enough, but then the afterburners kicked in and it scorched its way down my esophagus. I curled my lips in disgust. "Yuck! What was that?" I took a long pull from my bottle of beer.
    "Tequila!" Echo sang out. "Let's dance!"
    We went out to the dance area just as they began to play The Killers Human . Echo, of course, knew all the words to the song, I was just enjoying the beat. Some guy decided I was his dance partner, and he kept blocking my view of Annie and Echo.
    I tried to walk away but he grabbed my arm and slurred, "Where are you going honey?" He was in my face. I jerked away from him and turned to leave, when I ran right into what felt like a brick wall. Another pair of hands grabbed me. I was ready to say let go when I looked up and I saw Buck standing there looking over my shoulder.
    "You okay, Claire?" he asked, eyeing the man next to me.
    "I’m fine."
    His stare pinned me in place, it wasn’t possessiveness it was concern. "You look gorgeous, Claire. It's no wonder every guy in here is drooling over you."
    What was he talking about? I looked up at him, confused. The tequila made my insides burn. Or was that Buck?
    "You really didn't notice the men in here have been watching your every move?"
    We stood in the middle of the dance floor, people dancing around us.
    "No one is staring at me, Buck, except you."
    He let out a puff of air, it skimmed my face, and I had to keep myself from closing my eyes. "Look around you, Claire. There are at least a dozen men looking at you with lust in their eyes."
    I chanced a look around and noticed a few people watching us. A slow song came on. "I think they’re only looking because we’re the only ones on the dance floor not dancing."
    "Well then dance with me, Claire." He wrapped his arms around my waist.
    My hands were pinned between us as I continued to stare at him. He looked at me in a way that set my body on fire. We slowly swayed to the music, never breaking eye contact. He brought one hand to my face. I didn't flinch as he brushed my hair over my shoulder. I leaned against him, sighing.. My eyes fell shut. He was my drug. I could never think straight with him around. My body had a mind of its own and right now it wanted to be touched and touched only by Buck. I felt him cup my face and my head tilted to meet his hand. I opened my eyes to see him gazing at me intently. I could feel his uneven breath on my skin. He gently rubbed my lip with his thumb. I felt weak at the knees. The song ended and we held each other a few moments longer. I was about to invite him to the table when I heard Annie.
    "BUCK!"
    "Hey, Annie. You look quite amazing tonight." Annie hooked her arms between the both of us and ushered us to the table. There were at least six empty shot glasses and three full shots on the table. Echo and Annie were way ahead of me. There were conversations and secret glances at Buck. I took my shots and was about to ask for water when Annie brought me another beer. I could feel Buck's eyes on me as the night went on.
    "I'll be back. I need to go to the ladies room," I announced. I glanced back at the table, only to find Buck staring at