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Steve nodded and sipped his wine.
“What else is there?” she asked.
“Law enforcement,” he said putting his glass down. “That interests me more than show boating in a courtroom.”
“But there’s no glamour in law enforcement.”
“I’m not interested in glamour or fame. I’m interested in justice.”
Tracy tilted her head, studying Steve. “You really are a white knight,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Ever shoot a gun?” Tracy asked, causing both Je
“Yeah. My grandfather was a cop. He taught me to use a gun,” he replied. “You?” he asked Tracy.
“A hunting rifle,” she replied. “My dad took me on a hunting trip once. Holding a weapon that could kill in an instant was scary and thrilling at the same time.” She shrugged. “But I couldn’t shoot Bambi.”
Steve seemed to be sizing her up in that moment. “You don’t scare easily, do you?”
“Not particularly,” Tracy replied. “I like watching scary movies when I’m alone.”
“So, what scares you?” Steve turned the tables, digging.
“Things I can’t control,” she replied without hesitation.
“Doesn’t seem like there are a hell of a lot of things that would fall under that category? Be more specific,” he said, stroking her ego and questioning her at the same time.
“You know…things…,” Tracy said, shifting uncomfortably.
Steve glanced over his wine. “No I don’t know. Enlighten me.” He took a sip without breaking eye contact.
Tracy smiled. “Things that go bump in the night.”
Steve laughed and glanced at Je
Tracy laughed. She took the last bite of the meal and stood, clearing the plates. “I’ll clean up.” She smiled over her shoulder. “You two go relax.”
“You sure?” Je
“Yes. Go relax,” Tracy said.
Steve put his plate in the sink. “Thanks, Tracy.” He pulled Je
“You were interrogating her.”
“So? She was interviewing me.”
“She isn’t a suspect. Don’t treat her like one.” Je
“All right,” Steve said after their kiss broke. He glanced at the panoramic view and sighed. “Isn’t Thursday party night here?”
“Yes. We usually go dancing.”
Steve raised his eyebrows. “Then I think we should.”
Je
“You don’t think I can dance?”
Je
“I got moves, baby,” he said and twirled her around.
“I know that, but can you dance?”
Tracy appeared, wiping her hands on a cloth. “What’s so fu
“Steve wants to go dancing.” Je
“I’m in,” Tracy said. “Assuming I’m invited,” she added as an afterthought.
“It’s Thursday night and I figured some of the fraternity brothers would be out before the big night,” Steve said with a shrug. “And Je
Tracy looked him over. “Oh yeah, I bet you smoke on the dance floor.”
“Tell her that.” He pointed to Je
“It’s not nice to laugh at your boyfriend,” Tracy said. “Especially when he’s in the room with us.”
“I’m sorry, I just can’t see it,” Je
“Are you ready to go, or do I have to wait until you two get all decked out?”
“Five minutes,” they said at the same time and ran down the hall.
Je
“You almost ready?” Tracy called from the bathroom.
Je
Tracy was touching up her makeup and glanced at Je
Je
“Yep,” she said pressing her lips together to blot the lipstick.
They walked out of the bathroom, grabbing their IDs from their bedrooms, and met in the hall, walking out to meet Steve.
Steve turned when he heard them coming and his jaw dropped. A slow wicked smile crossed his lips. “I’m going to be the envy of every man in that place,” he said and put his elbows out.
* * * *
The atmosphere pulsed with a hip-hop beat. Even though it was early in the evening, the dance floor was already crowded.
“You ready for this?” Steve gri
Tracy took the shot and sniffed. She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “This smells better than Jose Cuervo.”
“That’s ‘cause it is. I upgraded to Tequilame.”
Je
Steve started the tequila procession by licking the skin between his forefinger and thumb, pouring a small mound of salt onto the wet skin. He licked the salt, downed the shot and pressed a lemon slice between his lips sucking away the bitter taste in his mouth and replacing it with the tartness of the lemon. He dropped the lemon back on the tray and smacked his lips together with a shudder. “Your turn,” he said, and the two of them followed suit.
Tracy threw back her head and let out a whoop as she set the shot glass upside down on the tray.
The slow heat of the shot relaxed the tense muscles in his shoulders and he stood, putting his hand out to Je
Je
“You coming?” Steve asked Tracy.
Tracy looked up at him, raising her eyebrows.
“I can handle you both. Besides, I’m not leaving you stranded out here alone.” He glanced around the bar, sca
Tracy stood and took his other hand.
He led them out onto the dance floor and let loose, smiling at the stu
He glanced over at Tracy and she nodded, slipping through the crowd back to their table.
“You certainly do have the moves,” Je
Steve sca
* * * *
“It suits you,” Je
Steve laughed. “No, you suit me. I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for you,” he said in her ear. As the song ended, he twirled her around, dipping her low. He led her back to the table. “Another round?” he asked. They nodded. He disappeared through the gathering crowd at the bar, retrieving another round of tequila shots.