Her brows shot up in surprise. “I thought it was just me and the twins.”
Running a hand through my hair, I replied, “Yeah, well, Jake asked me to tag along. I don’t think he liked the thought of you out alone with Gabe and Eli. Well, I guess more precisely being alone with Eli.” I couldn’t help letting my gaze dip down to hungrily take in her appearance. Her long, dark hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders and back. But that wasn’t what had me practically stupefied with lust.
It was the fact she was wearing one hell of a red dress. Unlike the one she’d had on at Saffie’s, this one molded against her body like a second skin, showing every curve in delicious detail. With its one strap and tight bodice, her cleavage was cinched up again, causing my dick to jerk in my pants. “Of course, I don’t think he would have let you out of the suite in that dress.”
“This is utter bullshit!”
“Tell me how you really feel about me going,” I teased.
Throwing one of her hands up in frustration, Allison challenged, “I’m an adult. It’s none of Jake’s business what I do.” She closed the distance between us in two angry strides. “And I sure as hell don’t need you tagging along.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah it is. I desperately need to have some fun tonight. Not be constantly reminded of the past.”
Her words had a greater effect on me than she could have imagined. While I had to get her to fall out of love with me, I didn’t want to hurt her now or ever. The thoughts that what she had experienced with me in Savannah caused her pain caused an ache in my chest. I drew in a deep breath. “Look, Allison, I can never express how truly sorry I am about what happened between us. More than anything, I just want you to be happy.”
Narrowing her eyes at me, Allison drew her shoulders back. “Yeah, well, fuck you and your bullshit apologies!” She then proceeded to stomp past me. I stared open-mouthed at her retreating form. When she flung open the door, she turned back to me. “Ready, Mr. McGowan?”
“What the hell is this ‘Mr. McGowan’ business?” I demanded, as I joined her at the door.
She shrugged. “I figured since you were my chaperone, I should address you formerly. And since you’ve made it very clear that you want nothing to do with me on a romantic level, I figured calling you that kept the distance you so desired.”
I blinked at her several times. This was a side of Allison I was not used to. Immediately, the expression “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” flashed in my mind. “Um, okay,” I finally managed.
When we got out into the hallway, Gabe and Eli were waiting for us down by the elevators. The sight of Allison in her dress caused both of their eyes to bulge, but Eli stepped forward to draw Allison against him. “Damn, you look mighty fine tonight,” he said.
Allison gave him a girlish giggle. “Thank you. It’s one of Abby’s old dresses. I just made some alterations to it.”
Eli pulled away to grimace at Allison. “Ugh, you just totally killed all the naughty fantasies I had running through my head about you by telling me that dress was my sister’s!”
As Allison smacked Eli playfully on the arm, I rolled my eyes. At the rate it was going, it was going to be a long, fucking night, and Jake was going to seriously owe me. That was if I managed not to get arrested for throttling Eli.
After taking the elevator downstairs, we hopped into the limo waiting for us. Eli was a quick bastard. After he allowed Allison to get in first, he then slid in behind her. I was left to sit across from them, giving me a fucking eyeful of Allison’s legs. I wasn’t sure just how happening a nightlife Boise had, but I sure as hell hoped I could get a few good beers in me to numb my mind.
It wasn’t too long before the limo pulled up outside a club. Once we got out, we bypassed the others in line and headed straight inside. Not that there was a massive line like it was the old Studio 54 or something, but it was enough to show we were VIPs.
As we made our way through the crowd, multicolored strobe lights lit up the darkened dance floor. Couples, of different sexes and different arrays of dress, gyrated to the beat. “This place is amazing!” Allison called over the thumping bass of the music.
When Eli’s hand came to rest on the small of her back, I momentarily saw red. Quickly I tried getting a hold of my raging testosterone-fueled emotions before I went into full-on Hulk mode and ripped Eli’s arm from its socket. “Come on. We’ve got a table reserved in the VIP section,” Eli said.
I snorted. “You mean this place actually has a VIP section?”
Ignoring my comment, Allison tilted her head up at Eli. “Oh, so am I a VIP tonight since I’m hanging out with you?”
He flashed her a cocky grin that made me want to punch him. “Maybe.”
After we took the stairs to the second floor, the hostess motioned to our table. From our seats, we could see all the action on the dance floor, but at the same time, we were hidden from view. Considering how dark and foggy it was from the smoke machine, I hoped we wouldn’t be recognized.
“What can I get you all to drink?” a waitress in tight, black spandex shorts, and a halter top asked.
Rubbing his hands together, Eli said, “Mmm, I’m in the mood for shots tonight. Who else is in for a bottle of 1800 Silver?”
“Me,” Allison replied, which caused Eli to grin. He then glanced from her over to me.
“What about you, man?”
With my eyes fixed on Allison’s, I replied, “No thanks. Tequila really isn’t my thing.”
She sucked in a harsh breath as she took in my words. I knew it was a real fucking asshole thing to say considering our history with tequila. But I had to keep pushing her away and get her to forget about me. Once Allison had recovered, she gave me a sickeningly sweet smile. “I’ll take Rhys’s shot then. I adore tequila.”
Eli chuckled. “Ooh, I like your way of thinking tonight.”
“So a bottle of 1800 and what else?” the waitress asked.
“A Bud on tap,” Gabe replied, while giving the waitress his best sexy grin.
“Bud in a bottle,” I replied.
The waitress bobbed her head. “Be right back.” As she walked away, she gave Gabe a lingering look over her shoulder to which he winked at her.
“Dude, out of all the chicks here, you’re macking on the waitress?” Eli questioned.
Gabe shrugged. “She’s hot.”
It was then that a drunken brunette, with cinched-up cleavage and her ass hanging out of her skirt, staggered up to our table. Her gaze honed straight on me. “Hey baby, wanna dance?”
Ordinarily, I might’ve been tempted, but there was no way in hell that I was going to hook-up with a chick tonight. I’d promised Jake to keep an eye on Allison, and it would be pretty hard to do if I was banging some chick in the bathroom. Besides, regardless of how I was trying to push Allison away, I refused to be a douchebag and dance with the chick to get at her. The tequila line had been shitty enough. “No thanks.”
Her glassy-eyed stare fixed on Gabe next. “What about you?”
He shrugged. “Sure, why not.”
“What about the waitress?” Eli asked.
Gabe winked. “The night is still young.”
“Ugh, you’re disgusting,” Allison said, wrinkling her nose.
I got up so Gabe could slide out of the booth. With one hand on the chick’s ass, Gabe led her off to the dance floor.
When I sat back down, Eli was eyeing me with a curious expression. “Why did you pass that one up, man? She looked like a sure thing.”
“Brunettes aren’t my type,” I lied.
Allison’s eyes bulged at my low dig. Cocking her head at me, she demanded, “And just what is your type?”