Twelve Nights Of Temptation

“You came alone?”

“I drove with Alex. Matt, I’ve been going out at night on my own for the past six years.”

“Not while my boats were being sabotaged all around you.”

“We don’t know that they are being sabotaged. Honestly, I’m beginning to regret sharing my suspicions with you.” The last thing she’d expected was for him to go all bodyguard on her.

“We don’t know that they’re not. And don’t you dare hold anything back.”

She stopped dancing. “Matt.”

His hand contracted around her shoulder. “I didn’t mean for that to sound like an order.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Had there been some development? Was there a danger she didn’t know about?

“I heard TJ ask you out.”

The statement took her completely by surprise. “That was a long time ago. You can’t possibly suspect TJ.”

Sure, she’d turned TJ down. But he and Matt were good friends. He wouldn’t take out his anger with her by harming Matt. Plus, he hadn’t even seemed to care that much. He was still friendly to her.

“I don’t suspect TJ.”

The song changed to a Christmas tune. It wasn’t the best dance music in the world, but Matt kept leading, so she followed.

“Then why are we talking about him?”

Matt seemed to be reviewing their conversation so far. “It was Caleb.”

“You suspect Caleb?” That was even more outlandish than suspecting TJ.

“Caleb’s the one who got me worried about the sabotage. He’s worried about Jules, which got me to thinking about you. And then TJ mentioned that he’d asked you out.”

“Caleb worries too much. And TJ was months ago.”

“So, you’re not interested in him?”

Tasha was more than confused here. “Did he ask you to ask me?”

One minute, she thought Matt was romancing her, and she braced herself to shut him down. And then he seemed to be TJ’s wingman. Their kisses notwithstanding, maybe she was reading his interest all wrong.

Before Matt could respond, she jumped back in. “TJ’s not my type.”

Alex appeared beside Tasha on the dance floor.

She took Tasha’s arm and leaned into her ear. “James offered me a ride home.”

Tasha pulled back to look at her friend. “Is that a good thing?”

Alex’s eyes were alight. “You bet.”

Since Alex had a done a whole lot more dancing than drinking, Tasha wasn’t worried about her. And Tasha had known James for months. He seemed like a very upstanding guy.

“Do you mind if I bail on you?” Alex asked.

“Not at all. I’ll see you later.”

Alex grinned. “Thanks.” Her walk was light as she moved away.

“So, you’re driving home alone,” Matt said. “I’ll follow you.”

Tasha rolled her eyes at him.

“I’m serious.”

“Thanks for the dance,” she said and pulled back from his arms.

She was going to have another drink. She was going to chat with Henry and the other mechanics. She didn’t need a bodyguard.