Bree’s head started to feel too heavy to hold up, and she was overly warm. Maybe if she moved away from the fire a little bit. No, that wasn’t helping any. Fresh air—that might help. When she stood, she was glad Kaleb was still as close as he’d been. She gripped his shoulder in an effort to get the room to stop spinning. It didn’t work. She weaved again, and Kaleb pulled her back down onto the cushions. Except, instead of landing on a cushion, she landed on his lap. He held her tight, and it felt so good. She rested her head against his shoulder.
“How the hell much did you give her to drink?” she heard Jace growl through her haze of temporary happiness.
“Go away, Jace,” she heard herself say. “Go back to Blondie over there, and jus’ leave me alone.”
“Did you hear that? She’s slurring her words.”
She opened her eyes and saw Jace moving closer to her.
“I’m taking her home,” he said, trying to push Kaleb away.
“Uh, no. You’re not.” Kaleb put one arm under her knees and the one around her shoulders tightened. He picked her up as though she didn’t weigh a thing.
The room was spinning again, just a little, so she closed her eyes and rested her head on Kaleb’s shoulder.
“Give her to me,” she heard Jace demand.
“Jace—” That must have been the blonde, thought Bree. Serves the bitch right. That made her giggle again.
“Bree, are you okay?” That was Jace’s voice.
No, she wasn’t okay. At least not with him. Kaleb? He was another story. She was perfectly okay with Kaleb. Maybe if Jace went away, Kaleb would kiss her again. She’d like that. She moved her head just enough that her lips could brush against Kaleb’s neck. She kissed him there and heard him take a deep breath. Instead of moving from where they were standing, Kaleb sat back down. That was unexpected, but Bree didn’t care.
He turned his head and kissed her again. Yes, that was what she wanted. She kissed him back. When she thought he might pull away, she put her hands on each side of his face to hold him where he was.
“Jace, what do you want to do?”
That sounded like the blonde again. Maybe she’d be able to get Jace to leave. And if he left, Kaleb might keep kissing her. In the meantime, she’d rest her head on his shoulder again. Maybe close her eyes and take a little nap while they waited for Jace to leave.
“Look at her,” Jace shouted. “She’s passed out. What did you do, drug her?” He was fighting mad now. He’d never seen Bree have more than a drink or two. Now here she was, passed out in the arms of a stranger. What had happened in the last couple of hours?
“Hey, bro,” a woman pushed passed Jace. “What ya got goin’ on here?”
“Nothing, Kalie. I think the altitude and alcohol hit her a little hard.”
“See it every day, don’t we? Cab is out front. Do you know where she’s staying?”
“She’s staying with me,” Jace stepped forward. “I’ll get her home.”
“The hell, you will,” answered Kaleb. “You’re welcome to follow, but I’ll be taking Bree home, and I’ll be the one to make sure she gets there safe and sound.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Kalie groaned. “Just get out of here before this turns into something more than it needs to. And you,” she said to Jace, “I want to talk to you for a minute.”
Jace didn’t have much choice other than to follow her, since she had a death grip on his arm.
“I don’t know who you are, but I don’t put up with people causing trouble in my bar.”
Ben walked up behind Jace. “Hey, Kalie, what’s goin’ on?”
“Do you know this guy?”
“Sure do. This is my cousin, Jace.” Ben turned to Jace. “Jace, meet Kalie Akerman. She bought this place from Matt.”
Jace didn’t care who bought what from anyone. He turned to look for Bree, and didn’t see her or the guy who’d said he was a cop. He bolted for the door, trying to catch them, but when he got to the top of the stairs, he saw the cab driving away. His truck wasn’t very far, so he ran toward it. Right before he jumped in, he turned and looked back across the street.
“Go,” shouted Ty. “Ben will give us a ride back to the ranch.”
“Thanks, Ty, and sorry about this.” Jace closed the door and sped off in the direction he’d seen the cab go in.