Free Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls by Sara Jane Stone Page B

to erase the hurt she’d left back home, and later she’d come just for fun. Glancing over her shoulder at the crowd of people, couples mixed with groups of mostly girls dancing as if they didn’t have a care in the world, Katie wished she could lose herself in that carefree feeling just for a little while.
    “What do you want?” Liam kept his hold on her as he signaled the bartender.
    “Something fruity and fun.”
    He raised an eyebrow.
    The bartender came over before she could reply. Liam relayed her instructions to the young man and ordered a glass of water for himself.
    “We don’t do fancy drinks here, man,” the bartender said. “Will vodka and cranberry work?”
    She glanced over her shoulder at the crowded dance floor. The rhythm made her want to move, to feel Liam pressing close, dancing with her. Katie turned to the bartender. “Can I change my order to a shot of tequila?”
    The bartender cracked a smile. “Sure thing.”
    He returned a minute later with their drinks. Katie downed hers and turned to the dance floor. “Drink up. We need to get out there.”
    Liam set his water back on the bar and took her hand, leading her around the side of the dance floor. On the edge of the crowd in a dimly lit corner, he drew her close.
    His hands on her hips, he allowed her to set the rhythm. The shot combined with the frantic, building beat of the unfamiliar music and left her feeling bold. This man, this solid wall of enticing muscle—he’d made his desire clear the other night in the restaurant. And out here, in this wild crush of people, she wanted to lead him past words, drawing him headlong into touching, feeling.
    She ran her hands down his chest, over his chiseled abs, and around to his back. Drifting lower still, she pressed her palms against his butt. He allowed her to pull him close.
    “Katie,” he growled.
    “No words this time,” she said. “Show me.”
    “Here?”
    She nodded.
    Without warning, he spun her around and drew her back flush against his chest. His arms banded around her, his palms pressed flat against her stomach. He guided her back, away from the dance floor and into the shadows. As they moved closer to the large subwoofer resting on the floor, shaking the ground beneath their feet, it was impossible to hear anything but the music. If he wanted to issue commands, he would need to use his hands and body.
    Katie let out a low moan. This was her seduction. But the way his hands moved, brushing her thigh, running up the bare flesh, dipping below the hem of her skirt—he’d taken over.
    His touch—it was wild and wicked. She’d craved this for so long, the way he never held back. She knew desire. But Liam ignited her needs in a way no other man ever had.
    His hand moved higher, slipping beneath the fabric of her dress. Drawing soft, teasing circles on her inner thigh, sweeping closer and closer, then pulling away. She shifted, trying to guide his hand to her center. There were people all around, but she no longer cared. She needed this, him—now.
    “Patience, honey.” His lips brushed her ear. “I’ll get you there.”
    His voice blended with the music, barely audible, but still she clung to the promise. His fingers circled higher, brushing the fabric of her underwear. She widened her stance, offering him access. But he didn’t take it. His fingers remained outside the barrier, gliding back and forth. Teasing her, playing with the pressure, he drew her closer and closer.
    She reached behind her, grabbing hold of his thighs, wanting to touch him. Again, she waited for his hands to slip beneath her underwear, but instead he brushed the pad of his thumb over the one place that needed him most.
    “Liam,” she gasped. “Oh God, Liam.”
    The music was too loud. He couldn’t hear her. But she couldn’t stop saying his name, hoping he’d deliver more. She rocked her hips, arching her back, asking with her body for what she wanted.
    Without releasing her, he drew her further