A shiver worked over Bethany’s shoulders. “I’d planned to sober up before we went back home. I didn’t want Jace to know I got drunk. He’d worry and probably disapprove. But if what you’re saying is true . . .”
Mia bumped into Bethany’s side and threw her arms up in the air. “Oh it’s true,” Mia shouted. “He won’t be able to resist!”
“In that case, let’s get our drink on some more!” Bethany shouted back.
“After we give Gabe a show he won’t soon forget,” Mia said with a wink.
Bethany laughed and the two got into the beat of the music. Caroline joined them a moment later, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling with happiness. The three put on a show that later would mortify Bethany when she thought back on it, but it was so much fun, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d really let loose and had such a fabulous time.
When the song ended, Mia grabbed Bethany’s arm and the two fell all over each other getting back to the table where, predictably, the waitress was waiting with another round of drinks.
Gabe’s lips were twitching in amusement when they teetered up to the table. His eyebrow lifted when both Bethany and Mia reached for their drinks and downed them in two seconds flat.
“You girls are tying one on tonight,” he observed. His gaze drifted lovingly to Mia. “You going to pass out on me, darling?”
Mia grinned cheekily and then lifted up on tiptoe to plant a scorching kiss on Gabe’s mouth. Then her mouth slid over his cheek and she murmured something in his ear that had Gabe’s entire body tightening. His jaw clenched and his eyes darkened.
Bethany’s stomach churned just witnessing his reaction to whatever it was Mia said, and Bethany was convinced it was extremely naughty. Apparently she was absolutely right about this drunk sex thing.
She waved to the waitress and held up her glass for another.
Gabe put his arm loosely around Bethany and pulled her close so she could hear him.
“You okay, sweetheart? How much have you had to drink?”
She flashed him a bright smile. “I’m fine! And Mia said you were getting us home tonight so I didn’t have to worry about how drunk we got.”
His arm tightened at her waist. “Damn straight. I’ll be taking you home to Jace, so do what you want. I just want to make sure you can handle it.”
She smiled again. “You’re sweet.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sweet isn’t a word I’d use to describe me.”
No, she supposed it wasn’t. Power emanated from him just the way it did with Jace. There was a glint in his eyes, particularly when he looked at Mia, that just made her shiver from head to toe. Even now when he’d put his arm around Bethany to steady her, he had a lock on Mia’s wrist and he made certain there was little space between them.
“Just don’t make yourself sick,” he said. “I want you girls to have fun and not to worry about anything else. When you’re ready to go, I’ll get you all home.”
“Thanks!”
“Let’s dance again, Bethany!” Mia yelled.
Gabe groaned. “Got to tell you, baby, that dancing you’re doing? Should be illegal. I’m going to have to beat every man’s ass who’s staring at yours.”
Mia grinned and then snagged Bethany’s hand, dragging her toward the dance floor again.
For the next hour, they danced, drank and then danced some more. And then drank again.
The last time they left the dance floor and got to the table, Bethany knew she couldn’t tolerate another drink. She was fuzzy and completely enveloped in a warm haze. She laughed at everything, whether it was funny or not. Gabe wore a perpetually amused look and Brandon grinned when he checked in on them again.
“I think I’m done,” Bethany said breathlessly. “But I don’t want to ruin the night for the rest of you.” She stared up at Gabe, who was holding Mia upright. She had her own tight grip on the table, worried that if she let go, she’d hit the floor with a resounding thud.
“No, I’m ready too,” Mia said. “You ready, baby?” she asked Gabe.
“Been ready,” he growled.
She giggled. “We have to get Bethany home first. I imagine Jace is fit to be tied by now.”
“I texted him,” Gabe said dryly. “He knows what to expect.”
“Let me go grab the others,” Mia said. “Caro is hanging out until Brandon gets off work.”
“I’ll call for the car,” Gabe said. “You’re not walking out of here without me. You’ll fall on your faces.”
Bethany grinned and waited, still holding on to the table, while Mia rounded up the rest of the group.
“Tonight was fun,” she hollered at Gabe. “Thanks for getting me home. Mia is great.”
Gabe smiled, his eyes warm and affectionate. “Glad you had fun, Bethany. And yeah, Mia is the best. No problem on getting you home. No way I’d let you go home by yourself. Jace wouldn’t allow it either. If I hadn’t come to get you, he would have.”
Mia returned a moment later with Chessy, Trish and Gina. They were all as drunk as Mia and Bethany were and giggling like lunatics. Gabe rolled his eyes and then motioned for Brandon.
Brandon appeared with one of the other bouncers and they guided Chessy, Trish and Gina toward the exit while Gabe put an arm around both Mia and Bethany.
Bethany teetered and then giggled when Gabe’s arm tightened around her.
“Jesus, how much did you two drink anyway?”
Mia looked innocent and then held up her hand, trying to count. After three attempts of staring at her fingers in confusion, she threw up her hand and said, “A lot.”
“I’m getting that,” Gabe said with a chuckle.
He guided them out to the waiting car and stood patiently while Brandon and another bouncer got the other three girls inside. Then Brandon flashed Gabe a sympathetic grin.
“Good luck, man. Looks like you have your hands full.”
“No shit,” Gabe muttered.
He got Bethany and Mia seated and then slid in to sit beside Mia.
“You’re aces,” Chessy said, flashing a grin in Gabe’s direction.
“Absolutely,” Trish and Gina both chimed in.
“We told Mia if she ever lets you get away, she’s an idiot,” Trish said solemnly.
Chessy nodded just as solemnly. “But just so you know, if she ever is that idiot, I’m more than willing to step up.”
The girls dissolved into laughter while Gabe sent his eyes heavenward in a seeming plea for help.