Chelsea was still talking as Adam launched off his barstool and stalked to the far end of the bar where he found Abby in the middle of a circle of men. They were cheering her on as she sprinkled salt between her thumb and index finger. She wore a low-cut black top that showed off some rather significant curves, as well as deep red lipstick that highlighted her full mouth. With her dark hair loose around her shoulders, she was like a living, breathing wet dream.

In all the years that Abby had dated Grant, Adam had never thought of her as anything other than pretty, probably because she was his brother’s girlfriend. As he stared at her now, though, he realized she was hot. Smoking hot and about to take another shot of high-test liquor. That snapped him out of his stupor to take action.

He pushed through the crowd of guys and grabbed the hand that held the shot glass, sloshing tequila all over her audience.

One of the guys fought back. “Hey, dude, what the hell are ya doin’?”

“Party’s over,” Adam said as he yanked on Abby’s arm and pushed the protestor back.

She resisted his effort to extricate her. “Cut it out!”

“No wife of mine is going to behave this way in public,” Adam said, full of righteous indignation.

“Whoa,” the mouthy guy said, hands in the air. “She never said anything about being married.”

“She tends to go a little crazy when we’re on vacation away from the kids,” Adam said with a good-natured grin. “But you can’t blame her. Six kids in six years would make anyone crazy.”

“Six kids? Shit, man. Do you need a drink?”

“I’m good. Come on, honey. Time to call it a night. Say good night to your new friends.”

Abby muttered her good-byes and stared daggers at him as he half walked, half dragged her toward the lobby.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Chelsea watching in amusement as he marched Abby out of the bar.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing?” Abby fought against the grip he had on her arm. The slight slur to her words told him she’d gotten in a few shots before he arrived.

“So the drinking is going better, but the swearing still has room for improvement, huh?”

“I can’t believe you ruined everything! I was having fun! Now they all think I’m married, so none of them will sleep with me. Thanks a lot!” She pushed him away and swayed erratically.

Adam put his arm around her and guided her to the stairs. “You don’t want to sleep with one of them.”

“Yes, I do! Why can’t you get that through your thick skull?”

“Because I know you, Abby. You’re not like that.”