Free Pippa's Fantasy by Donna Gallagher Page A

a quick tumble in the sack, and that seems to be all the women around here want.” He added with a sad shrug, “Don’t suppose you’d take pity on an ol’ country bumpkin and take a few spins around the dance-floor with me? I don’t mind the odd dance, but I’m hesitant to ask any of the unattached females… It just isn’t worth the hassle—they’re all so forward, it scares the hell outta me!”
    Pippa could tell Gareth was genuine. He had acted so politely towards her all night, checking her drink and chatting with her. Gareth had spoken at length to her of his hometown, mentioning one girl’s name more than once in the conversation. Pippa knew there was a story there but didn’t want to pry. The country-bred man seemed to have a sadness around him, and Pippa understood that emotion well, so she agreed to his request for a dance.
    “Sure thing, Gareth, it would be my pleasure. I think both of us could use a friend right now—I know I can at least. I don’t mind protecting your virtue from the hordes of hungry city womenfolk,” Pippa added with a grin as she took his offered hand.
     
    * * * *
     
    The DJ had made the announcement for last drinks, telling the crowd that he was only playing a few more songs and that if they had put off dancing, it was now or never. Pippa was still on the dance-floor with Gareth.
    When the DJ changed to a slower mix, Pippa grimaced and looked up at Gareth, unsure whether she should make an excuse to end their dance. He just smiled and took her in his embrace, but held her at a respectable distance from his body. Pippa was relieved that Gareth had understood her uncertainty. As they moved around the floor, Pippa could see Cassie and Riley swaying to the music, snuggled up against each other. A couple of the other guys were also up close and personal with women that they had only just met tonight.
    Pippa was caught by complete surprise when Rook appeared next to Gareth, and whispered something to him.

Chapter Twelve
     
     
     
    Rook had reached his breaking point. Seeing Pippa dancing and having a good time was too much. He had tried to keep himself occupied and it had been a busy night, but his gaze seemed to be drawn back to her time and time again. When Gareth headed to the dance-floor with her in tow, her hand in his, after spending a good chunk of the night with his head bent towards hers in deep conversation, Rook nearly crushed the glass he was holding.
    “Would you just go and dance with her, and stop mooning about like a love-sick puppy?” Rook was taken aback by the comment from his barman—he hadn’t realised he was acting so obvious.
    “It’s not that easy, Mick.”
    “Yeah, boss, it really is. Walk out on the dance floor and cut in. If the guy doesn’t go, get Jerome to kick his butt to the kerb. That’s why you pay him the big bucks, boss-man—to clear out the unwanted.” Mick the barman laughed.
    So Rook had done exactly that, convincing himself all the way out to the dance-floor that he was just looking out for Gareth. He was a shy country boy—who knew what the likes of Pippa could do to crush the guy’s heart? Gareth needed his captain to look out for him.
    “Yeah, right, ’cause I’m the type of shmuck who does know,” Rook mumbled to himself, then tapped Gareth on the shoulder.
    Gareth relinquished the floor to him without argument. Rook held his hands out to Pippa to take up where Gareth had just been standing.
    “Sorry to spoil your fun, princess, but I just thought I should remind you that Brodie does not think much of staff dalliances, and Gareth is important to the team.” Rook had only spoken to her so he could explain that his actions were purely for the team—trying hard to convince himself as well.
    Unfortunately, the moment Rook took Pippa into his arms and felt her softness against him, all sanity was lost to him. His body heated and his cock hardened in recognition of her, remembering the pleasure she had bought him. But he