Free Ashes - Book 2 (New Adult Romantic Suspense) by Leslie Johnson Page A

when some drunk weaves against us, says a slurred ‘sorry’, then staggers the other way.
    Amber grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. Rumor was true. The DJ is fantastic. And I see where he gets his name, Trunk. The man is as big as a Redwood tree.
    Bodies are everywhere, some wiggling in place and others taking up yards of room in their crazy display of dancing. I’m facing Amber, but soon feel someone at my back, their arms stroking up and down my arms before circling around and hugging me from behind.
    Amber winks at me and yells, “Hey Sophie!” to her friend. I turn and soon have Sophie grinding against me. Much shorter than her friend, Sophie has dark hair, dark eyes and, for a moment, I see Beth again.
    Fuck.
    I turn back to Amber.
    Amber wiggles around me and speaks to her friend, her hand cupped around her ear so she can be heard. Sophie grins and digs open the tiny little purse hanging against her hip. She pulls out a key, then a condom. She hands them both to Amber.
    “My itch is getting really, really bad,” Amber says, her lower lip pouting out before she grabs my hand, pulling me from the floor. I look back at Sophie, but she’s grinding on another guy.
    Damn. Thought I’d have another tale to tell Ken tomorrow.

Chapter 14 — Beth
    “What?” I yell at Steph, trying to hear her above the music. It’s so loud I can feel the bass pounding in my cells.
    “I need another drink!” she yells and picks up her empty glass. I nod and look around. Hannah’s glass is still full, but Jenna, Leigh and Cici all need refills.
    I give her an ‘I’m on it’ grin and she links her arm through mine and we weave our way to the bar.
    “This is so much fun!” Steph yells and pulls at the top I’d loaned her for the thousandth time. She looks gorgeous in the color; the jade silk halter compliments her green eyes and light coloring. But she’s not used to wearing anything cut that low and seems to be worried to death that she’ll flash a little boob.
    “Stop it,” I say and slap her hand away as she tugs on the top again. She slaps my hand back, playful as ever.
    “What can I get ya?” the bartender asks and I turn, my eyes widening in surprise. Damn. Gorrr-geous doesn’t begin to describe him. I glance down at his hands. Rainbow ring. Shit. Figures.
    “Six lemon drops,” I say, raising my voice to be heard and he gives me a wink. I turn back to Steph and her eyes are wide and she’s fanning her face. ‘Wow, he’s crazy beautiful ,’ her expression says. I nod and take a peek at the bartender’s ass as he bends to grab a glass.
    A couple minutes later, I’m handing my credit card to the bar-god when someone reaches over me. “Here, let me get those,” the deep voice says and another credit card is thrust into the bartender’s hand. I look up and a smiling face is looking down at me. Damn … I really hate being this short.
    “Please, let me,” he says before I can argue. I catch my breath — was every person in this place struck with the beautiful stick when they were a baby?
    Stephanie elbows me and then sticks out her hand. “Thank you,” she says and thrusts one of the drinks at me. Hannah weaves through the crowd, to help carry, I can only assume. Her eyes widen when she catches a glimpse of the guy who is still holding my hand.
    “Need help?” she asks, grinning, and Steph hands her two drinks.
    Steph gives me an ‘are you coming’ look and I give her a little shake of my head. She gives me a little frown and I frown right back. ‘Okay, okay’ , her eyebrows say. Then her eyes shout ‘be careful’ before she turns and weaves through the crowd, glancing back with an ‘I mean it’ look.
    “I’m Tanner,” the blond hottie says, lifting his glass to his lips.
    “Beth.”
    He leans in close and his hand slips to my back, his thumb caressing the bare skin that my strappy dress has exposed. I’d gone shopping yesterday, looking for a new club dress. I’d also gotten