Free Under My Skin (Shady Falls Series Book 2) by Shelly Davis Page A

seen him drink enough to smell so strongly of liquor; had he been drinking before he picked me up? Suddenly the bloodshot eyes made complete sense. This night was going to get worse if he was drinking this heavily already. “This is it, Mia. I ain’t giving you up again. You’re mine.”
                  One of his hands sat low on my back, and fingers grazed the flare of my ass. His other hand slid up my ribs, gliding over the swell at the side of my breast. His hands were everywhere, sliding over my body with more aggression than ever before. I did everything I could to avoid his touch, especially when he slid one of his hands between us and tried to grasp my breast. I tried to pull away, but every time he pulled me right back in. I could feel his whole body as he moved us around the dance floor. As he pressed harder into me, I could feel arousal pressing into my stomach, and it made my stomach roil.
                  His hand slid lower, and this time he grasped my ass. I jerked back and stared at him wide-eyed.
                  “What?” He snickered. “You don’t like that?”
                  “No,” I growled.
                  “Mind if I cut in?” a deep, smooth voice asked from behind me. My heart leaped at the sound.
                  Grant’s eyes narrowed and he glared at the man behind me. “No, I think we’re fine.”
                  “Don’t you think the decision belongs to the lady?” It was Jake. I’d know his deep baritone anywhere.
                  “Sure,” I said instantly.
                  Grant turned his glare on me. “Fine,” he growled and pulled away.
                  Jake stepped to me. He took my hand and pulled me out of Grant’s arms.
                  His strong, muscular arms held me gently as he guided me away from Grant. The hint of tattoos peaked from beneath both sleeves. I focused on the black ink until he stopped and turned in front of me, then I was consumed by Jake’s brilliant blue eyes.
                  The song turned slow as Jake guided me across the floor. He wrapped one arm around my waist, pulling me gently to him. Taking my other hand, he placed our joined hands on his chest near his heart. He led us around the floor to Alexander Jean’s, Roses and Violets, holding me gently in his arms.
                  I’d dreamt of being held in his arms for so long, once it finally happened, I didn’t know how to react. My heart thudded and my whole body hummed at his touch, craving so much more.
                  “You looked like you needed a break,” he said without any real emotion.
                  I sighed, knowing how it must have looked with Grant pawing at me the way he was. “Yeah. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” I didn’t know what more to say. My mind was a jumble of nerves and hope. I was in Jake’s arms for the first time in at least seven years, I didn’t want to think about Grant or anyone else. All I wanted to do was to get lost in Jake’s jewel-like blue eyes.
                  The song continued on while we moved across the floor, Jake holding me sweetly and pulling me tighter in his arms. I rested my head on his chest next to our clasped hands and closed my eyes. I allowed myself to enjoy the comforting yet thrilling feel of his strong body against mine and the sound of his heart drumming in my ear. The beat of his heart seemed to mimic the rhythm of the song.
                  “What’re you doin’ here tonight?” I asked, looking up at him. I hoped to prolong this dance for as long as possible.
                  This had to be a dream, Jake had barely acknowledged my existence most days. I saw him every day at the gym, and I knew he saw me. But we never talked. If we spoke, it was a tense greeting and nothing more. Things