Kiera’s cheeks flamed as she glared at me. Amid the laughter in the room, my own included, I playfully told her, “Just saying…” Her heated eyes grew downright ferocious. God, she was cute when she was mad at me. If she didn’t react like that, I wouldn’t tease her half as much as I did. I’d never tell them anything real, Kiera. And besides, I knew you’d stop me.

Knowing I needed to simmer her down a little, I let the love I felt for her show in my face and in my voice. “You’re such an adorable drunk, Kiera.” I love you so much for letting me harass you.

I really wasn’t sure how she’d react to me embarrassing her while she was buzzing. A playful smack of reprimand, or a semi-angry stomp out of the room…making me chase her, pin her down, get her to forgive me with my undivided attention to her body. Hmmm…

I was just about to decide for her when she stood from the table and playfully motioned me over to her. She wanted to kiss me, in front of all these people… She usually objected to my very public displays of affection. She was definitely feeling no pain right now. Good. Neither was I.

Rising from my seat, I leaned over the table and tasted her; warm, soft, and sweet like the drinks she’d been sipping. Perfection. The connection instantly turned me on, and I savored the moment, even if it was punctuated with whistling and laughter.

“All right! We playing spin the bottle?”

Knowing that voice all too well, I broke apart from Kiera and glared at my bassist. As I straightened to standing, Griffin clapped me on the back with a giddy grin on his face; spin the bottle was one of his favorite party games. “No, we’re not, Griffin.” There’s not a chance in hell that I would let you kiss Kiera, buddy. You will die tonight if you try.

Not intimidated by the look on my face, Griffin found an empty bottle on the table and spun it. Jackass. Gonna test me, huh? Crossing my arms over my chest, I stared him down. This isn’t happening, Griffin. Well, if it landed on Kiera, it wasn’t happening. I really didn’t care if Griffin wanted to kiss someone else.

But then the room exploded in gut-busting laughter. Confused, I looked at the bottle to see what was so funny. And that was when I saw it…the neck of the bottle was pointed perfectly…at me. Well, fuck. I hadn’t considered that possibility. That was a redo, right? He wouldn’t…

Shit…yes, he would.

My eyes instantly snapped to him. When he looked up at me, I said, “Nuh-uh,” and firmly shook my head. No way in hell, dude.