“Excuse me?” I tried to sound stern but it just came out breathy.

He clenched his jaw and his eyes roamed my barely covered body. “You heard me. You’ve only had two drinks since you’ve been here. Did you drink before you came?”

I jerked my head back and tried to regain my footing so I wasn’t leaning into his hand. “No. And how do you know I’ve had two drinks? You only sent me one.”

“I saw when you came in.”

“Really?” I said with mild irritation.

“Yes.”

Hmmm, what does one say to that? I was slightly overjoyed that he noticed when I came in. With all the attention he’d been getting it’s a wonder he even saw past the swarm of . . . what did Macie call them? Oh yes, flies.

I pulled my arm out of his hand and stood as tall as I could. “Well, thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. Just enjoying the music.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “I can see that.”

“Is that a problem?”

“It is when you’re dre . . .” Turner wasn’t able to finish his sentence before a blonde with long wild curls stepped in front of me as if I wasn’t standing there.

“Hey there, handsome. What’s a guy like you doing all alone?”

He looked at her as if she was a nuisance he would shoo away. “Actually, I wasn’t alone.”

She smiled up him with wonder in her eyes. Turner was apparently the answer to her loneliness for the night. Did she even hear what he just said? By the way she was inching closer, I’d say no. It didn’t take long before another blonde approached but didn’t say anything. I didn’t understand how these women couldn’t read his expressions. His face was puckered, like he’d just bit into a sour lemon.

Lifting her glass, the presumptuous one said, “I’m running a little low. Mind buying both of us a drink?”

My mouth dropped open. Turner gave her a slight head shake. “Nah, I’m good thanks.”

Well, at least he was being polite.

“Awe, c’mon. Maybe it’ll loosen you up enough to dance.”

“I don’t dance.”

The one who’d remained quiet up until this point piped in, “Everybody dances with enough liquid courage.” Her smile looked like it came straight from a temptress in hell.

He wasn’t backing down. “Not happening.”

Poking my head around the mess of curls from the first woman, their temporary distraction gave me enough time to absorb the sheer beauty of Turner. Standing this close, he had the most perfect shadowing of facial hair I’d ever seen. It was a darker color which complimented the sandy blonde hair he’d styled. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I swear I could smell him. It was something I’d never smelled before. Definitely some sort of aftershave, which was weird because he clearly hadn’t shaved, but not a cologne my nose was recognizing.

Interesting.

“Run along girls, he’s not interested,” I stated in an overly bold manner, getting them to realize I was there.

One with wild curls turned and sneered at me. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” I was never one to cause a scene, but my annoyance had reached its peak.

The other blonde had the nerve to laugh. “Wow, since when did Warehouse let uptight bitches in?”

I could sense the tension flowing off of Turner and he was about to step in. No sir, this chick was making it personal now. “Probably about the same time they let easy bitches, with bad roots in. Now run along, I’m sure there are a dozen other men who are desperate enough take you ladies home tonight.” I leaned forward, just to push my point. “Make sure they have their beer goggles on. Between you and me, you’re both prettier from far away.”

I was certain that last comment was going to earn me a slap or hair pull. Fortunately for me, Turner chose that moment to step in front of me, momentarily blocking my view.

“I think y’all are done here,” he stated firmly.

If looks could kill, I’m sure both he and I would be a melted puddle on the ground the way their laser eyes were shooting beams at us. Of course, that could have just been the strobe lights that suddenly shifted to all red. Or maybe the alcohol really was getting to me.

When they walked away with their dignity tucked between their legs, Turner had a very amused expression plastered on his face. “A little possessive don’t you think?”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

A deep chuckle bubbled up his throat. “You might as well have hiked up your leg and marked me.”

Okay, that pissed me off. Even through my nice little buzz I had going on, he wasn’t going to throw around those kind of assumptions. “No, not even. I just don’t like presumptuous women that think they can march around flashing their assets and can get whatever they want.” I then added for good measure, “And I hate men that fall for it, even more.”

I was glaring at him, but it wasn’t even phasing him. His amused appearance remained. Before he could come back with something that I knew would cause me to give him a tongue lashing, Keegan came bouncing up to my side.

“There you are! I was wondering where you went.” She sounded out of breath, but she looked at Turner out of the corner of her eye.

I faked a smile. “Here I am.”

“What are you doing out here by yourself?” she asked.

I gestured to her brother in law. “I’m not by myself.”

Her smirk indicated she knew exactly why I was out here with Turner.

“I liked the song that came on, so I came out to do a little dancing.”

Her head tilted to the side. “Mhmm. And you dance?”

“Of course.” I twisted my hands together. “It just takes a bit for me to get comfortable.”

“Or a fruity cocktail.” Turner piped in.

Clever man. I bit my lip to hide my smile. I may find him slightly annoying, but his sassy comebacks were entertaining me.

Keegan’s eyes darted between Turner and me. “Uh, am I missing something?”

I shrugged. Turner put his arm around Keegan. “How about I buy you a drink, Beautiful.” He changed the subject.

“I could certainly use another one,” she said emphatically. Although I could tell she was three sheets to the wind and probably teetering on waking up with a killer hang over in the morning.

Turner flagged down a waitress. He handed her his credit card and said, “She’s closing out her tab, put all their drinks on this.”

I could have sworn she said she wanted another one. What was he doing?

Keegan placed a hand on his shoulder and got up on her tippy toes to kiss his cheek. “You’re sweet, Turner, but you didn’t have to do that.” Turner saw she’d reached her limit as well, and she was too drunk to even notice he didn’t buy her another.

Peering down at her endearingly he said, “If my brother just saw you do that, he’d have my ass, you know that right?”

She laughed. “Yep. But he’s not here, so it’s fine.”

He shook his head. “Alright, so enough sweet talk. I think it’s time to get your girls home.”

“Oh it’s okay, Annabelle is the designated driver tonight.”

At least I had the sense to look guilty. Turner cocked his head to the side watching me. “Hmmm, well, that might be a problem.”

Keegan’s glassy eyes were trying to focus on me. “Why’s that?”

“I may have pushed her over her limit,” he admitted.

“Hey, I’m a big girl, I could have refused the drink.”

He raised his brow. “You wouldn’t have.”

“Awfully sure of yourself.”

“Maybe, but I know women, Annabelle.”

His arrogant remark washed over me, reminding me just who he was, and what his last name was. The fun little charade was over, and I needed to remember that I wasn’t interested. Based on how he sank down into his shoes, I think he realized his comment may have come across more crass than he’d intended.

Too late.

“I think it’s time for that ride home now.” The coldness of my voice was heard loud and clear. He effectively categorized me with every other woman in here that had approached him throughout the night. I was ready for my pajamas and my bed.