Free Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett Page B

and then freshen up my appearance.
    I make my way back out to the dance area and see James sitting at our table. I plop down in the seat next to him. He motions to the waitress to bring another drink but I tell him I'd like a water instead.
    Glancing out to the dance floor, I don't see Tina or Tonya anywhere, or the guys they were dancing with.
    I lean in toward James so he can hear me over the music. "Where’s Tina and Tonya?"
    He slides his seat a little closer to mine and puts his arm around my shoulders. "They took off with my buddies. Said they were going to go grab some food."
    What? I can't believe Tina and Tonya would leave me here. I dreaded having to walk home alone this late at night. But I suppose I could just get a cab. Even though my trust was cut off, I still had some cash on me.
    "Well, I probably should be heading home." I give James a small smile and reach for my purse.
    Before I can grab it, James leans over and places a hand on my knee. He wraps his other arm tighter around my shoulder and draws me close to him. Placing his lips near my ear, he whispers, "Don't go, baby. You and I can still party together."
    His hand starts sliding up my leg and when it hits the hem of my dress, I reach down and grab his wrist firmly. "Sorry, James. I'm not into partying like that."
    I still have a slight buzz but nothing to the extent that I would miss the flash of anger in his eyes. His hand grips my leg hard for an instant and then he releases me. "It's no problem, baby. How about I walk you home?"
    He gazes at me and I note how bleary his eyes look. He has been pounding liquor all night and I hate dealing with drunks and their unpredictability.
    He moves his eyes down my body, resting on my breasts while he licks his lips. That's just nasty and I sense danger. I'm not sure why I'm so uncomfortable though. I'm sitting in a packed nightclub. He's released my leg and he's offering to walk me home, but ultimately my instinct tells me to leave this one alone for the night.
    "That's alright. I can make my way home," I assure him.
    His hand goes back to my leg and he squeezes it again. Not hard, but it's menacing to me. "I insist. It wouldn't be right for me to let you leave out of here all alone." His voice is oily, like a used car salesman.
    I sit up straight and try to look as tough as possible. "No, James...I'm going home by myself."
    He just grins at me then runs his eyes down to my chest again. His hand squeezes and relaxes, squeezes and relaxes. "Darling...you can walk out of this club, but I'm coming with you. Now, do you want anything before we leave?"
    My mind is racing. The intimidation from this guy is causing what little bit of a buzz I had to quickly fade. For all I know, he could just be a weasel that will walk me home and try to cop a feel. Or he could be something far more sinister, hoping to take advantage of me.
    I could kill Tina and Tonya for leaving me.
    I also know that he's very drunk and I need to deal with him delicately so as not to incite him. I try to put on my most flattering smile. "Okay, have it your way. Let me run to the restroom one more time. All that water just runs right through me."
    "Sure thing. I'll settle up our tab. Just meet me back here."
    I stand up and I'm dismayed that I'm a little shaky, but it's not from the alcohol. It's from extreme nervousness. I walk toward the bathroom and when I reach the hallway that leads to the facilities, I take a glance back. James is still sitting there, watching me. Leering. I give him a small smile and enter the hallway.
    Once I'm in the bathroom, I pull my phone out. I can't call Fil because she's probably passed out. Ryan is at an away game in Philadelphia. There's no way I'm calling Danny since she's pregnant. She's not getting anywhere near this mess.
    I call the one person who I shouldn't but more than anything I want here right now to rescue me from this mess.
    The phone only rings twice before it’s answered.
    "Hello," Nix says. I've