Free Exquisite by Ella Frank Page A

away. He knew she’d come straight from work and tonight she was in one of those classy little skirts he was coming to like a whole lot. It was snug and curved over her hip and finished just above her knee, which meant that right now perched up on this stool it had ridden up to mid thigh. Oh yeah, he liked those skirts, a lot . Her baby blue blouse was tucked neatly in at the waist and her hair was pulled half up on her head and the rest spilled down to her waist. He wanted to wrap his hand around all that hair and pull her in close to him. He also wouldn’t mind wrapping her hair around other parts of his body, but since she was still actually seated beside him, he figured he should keep that enlightening piece of information to himself. “So how was work?”
    She tilted her head to him and smirked. “Really? You’re going to ask me about work?”
    He shrugged then tried a different question, “Okay, how do you like the weather tonight?”
    The last thing he expected was for her to bust out with a huge peal of laughter. He felt his mouth twitch at her hilarity and took a sip of his beer. “Are you done laughing at me?”
    “Oh come on. That was the worst opening line ever.”
    “Well it isn’t like this is our first date and I need to impress you.”
    She ran her tongue across her top teeth and nodded, “No that’s right. You threw me out of our first date Langley.”
    He nodded with a serious look and replied, “Well you were being mean to me.”
    She was still smiling at him, which he now knew was a huge accomplishment on his part, so he continued playing with her, “You hurt my feelings.”
    “Did I?”
    He nodded, “I think you should make it up to me.”
    Her left eyebrow arched up in a way that was now becoming familiar. “I’m almost afraid to ask how, but ok you win, how?”
    He looked over toward the band then back at her. She followed his gaze then turned to him shaking her head. “No.”
    “Yes.” he replied standing and signaling the bartender. When a young blond girl stopped in front of him he gestured to his coat. “Do you stow the coats for us so we can dance?”
    As the bartender nodded and took his he heard Lena protesting through gritted teeth.
    “No! Mason.”
    He reached over past her and grabbed her coat giving it to the bartender as well just as Liam walked by. “Oh stop giving the boy a hard time Maggie and go dance with him.”
    Mason stopped and pivoted slowly towards her, “Maggie?” he asked slowly.
    Narrowing her eyes at him she stood, “Don’t even think about it Langley.” and with that she stormed off toward the band leaving him to follow.
     
    Great! She thought as she marched toward the dance floor as though it was her execution. Just what she needed, him closer to her . Wasn’t it bad enough he knew she thought he was attractive? Now she had to press up against him for, how long was a song anyway , around three minutes? Fantastic. As she reached the edge of the dance floor she noticed other couples swaying to the slow beat that was now pulsing through the pub. The women with their arms wrapped around the men, their legs tangling as they moved about the floor. It all looked so intimate and it made Lena want to run. She was just about to turn and bolt for the nearest exit when she felt two big hands gently rest on her upper arms. She could feel the warmth of him seep through her blouse and skirt to stroke her skin and all she wanted to do was lean back into him. Instead she stiffened and felt him tighten his grip as he leaned down to her. “Not this time. This time you don’t get to leave until we’re done.”
    The threat shivered down her spine and he moved in front of her released one hand while grasping the other and tugging her into the crowd. She moved in close and let him guide her palm to his shoulder. When it was there he looked down at her other hand.
    “What do you plan to do with that hand?”
    Lena grinned. “Smack you with it?” she watched as a