Free Fever by Melissa Pearl Page B

made my insides dance. For once it wasn't a nervous dance, but an excited, giddy one that made me forget all about my boyfriend.
    As the minutes ticked by I stopped looking at my watch and started to think that if Morgan and Brad never showed up, I would have been okay.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

    COLE

    Sexy.
    I'd wanted to say that her being a good girl was sexy.
    Because to me, it was. Her sweet smile, her innocent look. She was a total turn on. I couldn't wrap my head around it. Unlike so many girls I encountered, she’d never throw herself at me. Her purity was attractive, which felt weird, but true.
    Malachi eyed me from the other end of the bar, his eyebrows bobbing as he checked out my favorite customer. I gave him a quick glare that told him to stop being so obvious. He chuckled, slapping my back and making sure he kept his tail down the opposite end of the bar.
    I finally had a second to breathe, so I headed back to Ella.
    “Can I get you a refill?”
    She popped down her empty glass and held in a chuckle. Her cheeks turned bright red as she crunched through a piece of ice.
    I laughed. “An ice eater. Interesting.”
    She swallowed her mouthful with a laugh. “David hates it, but it just tastes so good and it's all Sprite-like and sweet now.”
    “It doesn't bother me. Crunch away.” I leaned my hands against the bar, watching her with a grin.
    She smiled back. It wasn’t as shy and tentative as before, and I was glad she felt more relaxed.
    “So, are you meeting David here?” I had to ask. If my best friend was about to walk through the door, I wanted a heads-up.
    “No.” She frowned. “He has to study for some big test on Monday.”
    “Flying solo then, huh?”
    “Kind of.” She leaned closer to me so she didn't have to yell so loud. “I'm supposed to be meeting Morgan and Brad. They were telling me about Chaos.” She pointed over at the small stage area. “They're really awesome!”
    “Yeah, they are. I found them at a talent quest last year.”
    “You found them?”
    I blushed, wishing I hadn't worded it that way.
    “Are you their manager or something?”
    “Not quite! I just like to convince Malachi to let bands play here. Liven the place up a bit.”
    “Well, it's working. I bet your boss loves you for it.”
    I looked over my shoulder at the tall Irishman and grinned. “I hope so.”
    Ella's sunshine smile took over her face, and I swear I wanted to freeze time.
    “Oh my gosh, Ella!” Morgan's voice made us both turn. We looked over to see her brush past the table and rush up to Ella's side. “I'm so sorry we're late. We couldn't catch a cab!”
    Brad trundled in behind Morgan, raising his eyebrows at me and lifting his finger.
    “What's your flavor?” I called to him.
    “I'll start with a bottle of Bud.”
    “You got it.” I turned to fill the order, watching Ella out of the corner of my eye. Her hand was on Morgan's arm, her head shaking as Morgan apologized again.
    “It's really fine. Cole's been keeping me company.” She flicked her thumb at me. Morgan looked over Ella's head and gave me a grateful smile. If only she knew how much I'd been enjoying it.
    “Come on, Ella Bella! Let's dance.”
    I grinned at the nickname. Morgan took her little friend's hand and they trotted off to the dance floor. Brad took the vacant seat and lifted his bottle. “What's the bet I don't even get through half of this before she drags my ass out there. ”
    I laughed with him, but couldn't understand what he was complaining about.
    I would have done anything to be out on that dance floor. I moved so I could see Ella through the crowd. Morgan was into it, jiggling away with fluid moves that surprised me. She was really good. Ella watched her with a grin, slowly warming up and copying her talented friend. My eyebrows rose as I watched her leather-clad legs move around the floor. She was pretty damn good, too.
    It was easy to sense their closeness as they laughed away together. Morgan lifted her hands,