Rome took my hand. “Stay here, okay? I’ll be back soon, and I’ll take you out for dinner before we head to the club.”

“No can do. I’m taking her home to get ready now,” informed Ally with a saccharine smile.

The look Romeo shot her should have had her recoiling in fear, but she simply smacked his arm and said, “Don’t bother pulling that shit on me, Rome. You can be without her for a few hours.”

His eyes narrowed menacingly. “I don’t want to be. I’m taking her out, end of discussion.”

I put my hands on his face. “Go eat with the guys and come to our house at nine. Please… for me.”

“Fine. For you. But I’ll be there at nine on the dot and you’d better be ready,” he growled and branded me with a fiery kiss before smacking me on the arse, a bit harder than was deemed playful, and walked back to the field in a dark, sullen mood.

I sighed. “Great, now he’s pissed off with me.”

Ally shrugged. “He’ll get over it.”

“You’d better be right.”

* * *

“What do you think?” Ally asked as she uncovered my eyes in front of the full-length mirror.

“Fuck me!” I whispered as I stared at the girl in the reflection, catching the girls giggling in the background.

“Looking like that, Molls, I may just do that!” Cass joked, flicking her tongue out suggestively.

“Told you I was good,” Ally said smugly.

“That you did,” I replied, still struck by the sight.

Ally had certainly delivered. I didn’t even recognise the girl looking back at me. She had long, smooth hair, straight at the top and loose barrel curls at the ends. Slices of caramel lifted the espresso colour, giving it a sun-kissed feel, and her skin was brightened by a bronze shimmer. Smoky eyes made her golden-brown eyes striking and her hourglass figure was flattered by the short fitted, body-con black dress, strapless with a structured sweetheart neckline, with high black cowboy boots finishing off the look.

My staring in the mirror was interrupted by a fervent knock at the door, and Cait entered the room. “Hey Ally, Rome and the guys are waiting for you downstairs.” Cait blinked in surprise. “Molly… I almost didn’t recognise you. You look drop-dead gorgeous, honey.”

“Thanks, Cait,” I replied with a deep blush.

We headed down the stairs, and I saw Romeo at the bottom, dressed in a red plaid shirt, folded at the sleeves, and low dark jeans—he looked so bloody gorgeous.

Austin, who was in his usual all black, saw us first. I watched as his eyes widened on realisation that the girl at the back was me. Rome was sharing a joke with Jimmy-Don as he casually leaned against the door, and Reece began tapping at his arm. Romeo swung his head to him, scowling in annoyance, but Reece ignored his stern stare and pointed wordlessly my way.

As Rome looked up, I almost laughed at his reaction. He jumped from leaning against the wall and pushed through to the bottom of the stairs. As I walked down each step, I grew in confidence, and if the over-awed expression on Romeo’s face was any indication, I’d say that Ally’s plan had worked.

When I got to the bottom step, we were almost the same height. My thumbnail was gripped between my teeth as I squirmed under everyone’s silent attention.

Stealthily, Romeo’s hands reached forward, grasping my backside, and he jerked me to his hard body. Sparks of desire flew from his hot brown eyes. I knew in that instant that tonight would be a test to our control. My insides griped almost painfully in sexual lust; a ravishing heat had taken over my body. And by the feel of Romeo’s rough, wandering hands and his jeans against my pelvis, he was fighting to keep his composure too.

Romeo leaned in and pressed his smooth lips against mine. I played with the wisps of hair at the back of his neck, and he whispered, “Fuck, Mol. You’re tryin’ my restraint lookin’ this beautiful. How the hell am I meant to get through the night? I’ll be fightin’ off the guys with a stick. They’re gonna get in trouble if they even look at you for a second.”

“I only want you, baby. You know that,” I assured and watched as a wave of tranquillity flashed across his face. I reached around, lacing his hand in mine. “Let’s go. I’m excited for you to teach me how to two-step.”

He guffawed as he wrapped his arm around my neck. “Fuck two-steppin’. I want you pressed right against me, slow dancin’ all night long.”

14

Club Flux was packed from wall to wall with drunken Tide supporters who’d been at the game, and as soon as we arrived, Romeo was accosted with praise and congratulatory handshakes. He gripped onto me tightly, his arm around my shoulder and my head tucked against the crook of his neck.

Our group was given a booth in the corner of the club, the benefit of being with the Romeo Prince.

We were heading to the cornered-off area when a drunken student sporting a Tide jersey grabbed hold of my arm and jostled me to his sweaty chest. “Bullet’s good luck charm! You’re saving the season, darlin’! You deserve a big ol’ thank you kiss!”

The guy was immediately pushed away from me and Romeo held him up by the neck of his shirt. “What the f**k do you think you’re doin’?”

The Tide fan instantly paled and held up his hands in surrender. “Bullet… I-I was j-just showing my appreciation.”

“Then appreciate her from afar. Touch her again and you’ll be starin’ up at us from the f**kin’ ground. You get me?”

“Yeah, yeah, I get you, man. I’ll back off. S-sorry…” Romeo dropped him to the ground and the shell-shocked fan immediately rushed away through the crowd. When Romeo turned back to me, I stood glaring at him with folded arms and a pissed-off scowl.

“Baby…” He tried to placate, inching forward.

I sliced my hand through the air, gesturing for him to shut up and stop. “No need, Romeo! Absolutely no bloody need for what you just did. You didn’t have to be so damn aggressive to the poor guy!”

Romeo’s full lips puckered into a pout. “But he touched you.”

“So you threaten him?”

“You’re mine and he touched you. I didn’t like it.”

“Christ, Rome, that was completely over the top.”

He blew out a long sigh. “I f**ked up again, didn’t I?” He looked so lost.