Page 4 of Allegiance
“That’s true” She giggled. “You know me so well. Come on, let’s have a good time.”
“Not before you understand you can’t treat people like that, and you don’t own me.”
She blinked dramatically, as if she were about to burst into tears. But he knew better. They’d played this game too many times.
“Look, we’re friends. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you when we bumped into each other at these bullshit parties, but that doesn’t mean I owe you anything. We’re not dating, we’re not even sleeping together, so back off the possessive shit. Got it?”
“Yes, Drew.” Her lips twisted into a snarl, and then she evened them out into a seductive smile. “Can we dance now, please?”
“And stop calling meDrew. Only my mom can call me that.”
“ButTanksounds weird. Anyway, you were Drewin high school, and that’s where we met.”
He rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Before he could argue much else, she drew him onto the crammed, wooden dance floor, with her designer perfume permeating his clothes as they swayed to a slow R&B song.
Quinn sighed happily against his neck, causing his muscles to tighten as she molded her body to his. He was sure as hell going to disrupt her feeling of contentment, because he was still pissed about the way she treated the caterer, and her feeling of having some monopoly over him was beyond annoying. He didn’t owe her shit.
“So, no Mason tonight?”
After the way she’d acted back at the buffet table, Tank didn’t even try to play nice with the subject of her long-distance fiancé. Mason was rarely with Quinn at any of the social events in town.
She pulled back, a frown creasing her forehead. “He’s working in L.A. He didn’t have time to fit the party into his schedule.”
“Of course. L.A. is about a two-hour drive from here, so I can see how difficult that would be to fit in on a Saturday night.”
She narrowed her eyes. “It is. I’ve told you how hard he works. We both do.”
“Right.”
Workwas code for fucking around with other people. She had explained to Tank that she and Mason had an open relationship. Their engagement was all for show to make her daddy happy, so whenever Mason made his way up to Santa Teresita, they played the loving couple. But Mason wasn’t in town often, leaving Quinn with plenty of free time on her hands. Tank knew that no matter how much she professed to be a rebel, pissing her parents off with her antics, there was no way in hell she’d evermarrya man who wasn’t in her social class. Though she’d deny it, Quinn Fitzgerald was a snob through and through. But she gave a mean blow job.
Leaning back into him, Tank’s eyes wandered back to the buffet table. A thread of disappointment wove its way through him when there was no sign of the spitfire.Maybe she’s hiding out until after I leave.The sass in her words flashed through his mind.Nah. She’s no wilting flower.
“This is where I bow out.” Tank pulled himself away from Quinn as she glared at him. “I can’t spend all my time here with you. Go, spread your beauty around the place. There are dudes who look to be your type that I’m sure are waiting to meet you.”
“I don’t want to meet anyone, Drew. You’re the only one I want to hang out with tonight.”
Thatwasn’t going to happen.
“I already told you—I’m gonna grab some chow and head out. I’m itching for a ride.”
“I’d love to ride on your motorcycle. We can ride along the coast and make love on the beach. Doesn’t that sound romantic?”
“It does. You and Mason should do that when he comes to town.” Extracting himself from her grip, he headed back toward the catering table, his stomach grumbling something fierce. Or that’s what he was going to tell himself until he was face-to-face with the brunette again.
“I’ll go with you,” Quinn offered.
Fuck no!
Before Tank could say anything, the music stopped, and the sound of chimes rose above the chattering guests. Tabby’s father walked over to the microphone on the stage and began a long-winded toast to his daughter and her fiancé.
Two skinny women in slinky, backless gowns ran up to Quinn, hugging each other. Grateful for the distraction, Tank took advantage of the situation and got lost in the crowd. Making a quick stop at the bar for a double shot of bourbon, he then headed over to the buffet table where guests were lining up.
Spottinghertalking to a waiter at the carving station, Tank sauntered over to the table.
“Smells good,” he said, eying her before looking at the prime rib, ham, and pork loin.
