Amy manages to get me in the short skirt and halter top. She even threatens to hold me down to do my hair and makeup. By the time I’m walking out of the hotel room, I feel like her own personal doll. But my stomach is rumbling and I’m more than ready to relax with a few drinks, so I quit fighting her. It’s not like anyone knows me here anyway.

We have dinner at a nice steakhouse, then she drags me to a club. We both order a drink and find a table in the back. My eyes skim over the crowd of people dancing in the center, almost like I’m checking every face for the one I really want to see.

“Hopefully we can find some cute guys to bring back to the hotel,” Amy leans in and whispers in my ear.

I roll my eyes. “Not happening.”

“Why not? You’re not dating anyone,” she points out, and it only reminds me of Liam and the way he kissed me, and then left town without reason. Maybe he’s not interested at all.

Then why would he kiss me?

Maybe because you kissed him, and he didn’t want to hurt your feelings.

No, he liked it. He pulled me onto his lap.

Ugh, I’m losing my mind. I finish off my drink and stand to order another. As I’m waiting at the bar for my fresh drink, a cute guy with dark hair comes to stand at my side.

“I’m Trever.”

“Ves,” I reply.

“Can I buy you a drink,” he asks with a grin as his eyes take me in.

The bartender hands me my glass and I hold it up. “Thanks, but I already got one.” Without another word, I turn around and walk back to my table, choosing to ignore his advances.

“What’s wrong with you? That guy was totally digging you,” Amy points out.

“He was?” I turn and look at him again from over my shoulder

She gives me a look that says, duh.

I shrug and take a sip. “Oh well,” I say, not bothered by my loss, or lack thereof.

“Ves, you can’t put your life on hold for that guy.”

I frown. “What guy?”

“Liam. I know he’s keeping you on the hook. You need to break free—live a little.”

“If living a little means sleeping with that guy, I’ll pass. He’s not my type. Did you see how tight his jeans were? Tighter than I wear mine.” I point at my chest with my eyes wide. “I’m not sleeping with any guy that wears tighter clothes than I do.”

She laughs. “You have a point there.”

“Can we just hang out tonight? Get drunk and dance, and forget all about guys? Just for tonight?” I give her the praying hands she usually gives me and pooch out my bottom lip.

“Fine.” She picks up her drink and finishes it off with an eye roll.

After several rounds, we finally find our way to the dance floor. We laugh and spin around, moving to the beat of the music while ignoring everyone else in the bar, even though there are several guys that seem to be watching us.

Amy grabs my hand and drags me over to the bar, ordering two more drinks.

“It’s so hot,” she yells over the music, fanning herself.

I open my mouth to agree when one of the guys that’s been watching me, cuts between us. “Hi. I’m Dillion.”

I smile as I look him up and down. “Ves.”

“Would you like to dance, Ves?”

Amy peeks over his shoulder and nods yes.

I’m feeling pretty buzzed, so I accept. “Sure.” Plus, he isn’t bad to look at. His short dark hair is styled nicely, and he isn’t dressed in tight clothing. He’s a little shorter and thinner than I like my men, but I know a dance won’t lead to anything. I’m only here to have fun and forget about men.

He holds out his hand and I place mine in his, as he leads me onto the dance floor. He releases my hand, holding me by the hips and pulling me against his chest.

“Where you from, Ves?” he whispers in my ear.

“Colorado,” I answer, beginning to move my hips.

“Did you move here?”

I shake my head. “No, just here for the weekend.”

“Lucky me,” he coos.

I roll my eyes but keep dancing to pacify Amy. She can’t stop once she’s on a roll.

His hold on my hips tightens as I feel him grow hard against me. I pull away to tell him goodbye, but over his shoulder, I see Liam walk in. I freeze. There is a crowd between us, and it’s dark with only multicolored lights flashing around, but it’s him.

Our eyes lock from across the club as if he sees me and his lips twitch like he’s going to smile, but then his eyes fall to the guy who still has his hands on me, and his face tightens up like it’s made of stone. His jaw flexes and his chest puffs-out.

I step away from the guy I’m dancing with, making my way toward him. The guy yells from behind me, but I don’t turn back. He’s not the one my body longs for.

Liam watches me with his eyes darkening as I walk closer, but before I can reach him, a tall woman with giant boobs and sleek, straight blonde hair steps up to his side. She places her hand on his stomach and looks up at him as she is saying something.

I freeze as he tears his eyes away from mine and looks down at her to reply. Without another look back, they walk away together, across the club and up the stairs to the VIP section. I feel my heart crack, and everything goes silent. He does have a girlfriend.

Once they’re no longer in view, I turn and grab Amy by the wrist, spinning her around to face me. “Hey, you done dancing?”

“Liam is here. With his girlfriend,” I add on.

Her eyes double in size. “Are you serious? Where?” She stands on her toes, looking over the crowd.

I motion with my eyes up to the second story. “Up there. In the VIP section.”

“Ugh, what an asshole. I can’t believe he’s been leading you on this whole time.” She shoves a drink in my hand and takes a sip of her own.

“Did you know he was here in San Diego?”

I take a long drink. “No idea.”

A look of wicked amusement crosses her face. “Well, two can play that game.”

“What does that mean?” I feel my face scrunch up in confusion.

“He’s here with her, making you jealous. Go back to your guy and make him jealous.”

“No,” I shake my head. “I can’t do that.” I take another drink. “Can I?”

“I would.” She smiles.

I quickly finish off my drink and find the guy I was dancing with. “Sorry for walking off and leaving you hanging. I just… needed a minute.”

He grins. “That’s okay. I’d wait for you all night.” He reaches out and takes my hand, pulling me back to the dance floor.

I wrap my arms around his neck and move my hips against his. His hands rest on my hips, squeezing them as he rubs against me. As the music changes from one song to the next, I spin around, putting my back to his chest as I continue to move.

“You’re sexy. You know that?” he whispers in my ear.

I look over my shoulder at him, giving him a shy smile, but when I turn my head back around, my eyes land on Liam’s. He’s at the bar, watching me dance with another man. Instead of walking over to him, I turn around and wrap my arms back around Dillion’s neck. He wraps his hands around my lower back, pulling me closer.

“You busy later tonight?” he asks.

Before I can reject his invitation, he’s being pulled away and Liam’s taking his place in front of me. He looks down at me with his eyes darkening and pulls me against his chest while moving along with the music.

“What are you doing here, Ves?” he asks casually.

If he can act nonchalant after what happened between us, then I can too. “Just a little getaway weekend with Amy. You?”

“Why are you trying to make me jealous?” His voice is low and deep, and his dark eyes lock on mine, burning with anger and jealously.

“You kissed me and then ran off without an explanation. Then you show up with another girl, but I’m making you jealous?”

“It’s not what you think,” he clips out.

“Really? Care to explain?” I stop dancing and so does he, but he doesn’t pull away.

“I will, but not now. I have to go.” His eyes quickly flash over to the stairs where I assume blondie is.

Without warning, he closes the distance between us, pressing his hot mouth against mine. His hands tangle into my hair, keeping me close while his hot tongue dives inside my mouth and twists with my own. I’m completely lost in this kiss, forgetting that he’s here with another girl, forgetting about the guy I was dancing with, forgetting everything… but him.

He breaks the kiss but looks into my eyes while his hands stay tangled in my hair. “Come to the ranch on Monday. We’ll talk then.” Without another word, he releases me and walks away.

I stand there unmoving, breathless from that kiss and trying to let my heart calm down. When I turn away and look up at the stairs, he’s walking up with the other woman. His hand is on her lower back as he guides her up. He looks over at me and our eyes lock. But he turns his head and continues his journey.