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 Jennifer and Steve to blink in her direction.

“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 Jennifer. She sent him the evil eye, willing him to stop hoping the warning was clear. He took the cue and backed off. “I’ll have to remember that if I get up in the middle of the night.”

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?” Jennifer asked, bringing her plate to the sink.

“Yes. Go relax,” Tracy said.

Steve put his plate in the sink. “Thanks, Tracy.” He pulled Jennifer into the living room and onto the balcony, wrapping his arms around her. “What was the warning glance all about?” he whispered in her ear before sucking her ear lobe.

“You were interrogating her.”

“So? She was interviewing me.”

“She isn’t a suspect. Don’t treat her like one.” Jennifer kissed him before he could argue.

“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.”

Jennifer laughed.

“You don’t think I can dance?”

Jennifer shook her head, still laughing.

“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 funny?”

“Steve wants to go dancing.” Jennifer laughed.

“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 Jennifer here thinks the idea of me dancing is the funniest thing she’s heard today.”

Tracy looked him over. “Oh yeah, I bet you smoke on the dance floor.”

“Tell her that.” He pointed to Jennifer, who was in hysterics at this point.

“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,” Jennifer said, winding down.

“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.

Jennifer threw opened her closet and stepped in, flipping on the light. She grabbed a Maya blue dress with a flare skirt and fitted top. When she leaned down to grab the matching shoes, she saw a flash of red at the back of the closet. She jumped out of the closet with both the dress and shoes in her hands, slamming the door as quickly as she had opened it. Staring at the door, she tentatively reached out, her fingers grazing the icy doorknob.

“You almost ready?” Tracy called from the bathroom.

Jennifer turned away from the closet, peeling off her clothing. She threw the dress on and hustled into the changing room.

Tracy was touching up her makeup and glanced at Jennifer. “Nice choice.”

Jennifer put on a little make up and lipstick, ignoring the sensation of being watched. She sat on the stool and ran a brush through her hair while slipping her shoes on with one hand. Standing, she glanced in Tracy’s direction. “Ready?”

“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 grinned at the two of them and waved at the tequila shots he brought to the table.

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.”

Jennifer tentatively picked up her shot, looking at the two of them.

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 Jennifer. “You ready to own that dance floor?”

Jennifer took his hand.

“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, scanning the crowd and cataloguing each face, each possible threat before glancing back at Tracy.

Tracy stood and took his other hand.

He led them out onto the dance floor and let loose, smiling at the stunned expression on Jennifer’s face. She really hadn’t believed he could dance, but the years of karate training gave him grace of motion that most of the other guys lacked. When the fast beat turned slow, he put his hands around Jennifer’s waist and pulled her to him and her breath caught in her chest.

He glanced over at Tracy and she nodded, slipping through the crowd back to their table.

“You certainly do have the moves,” Jennifer said, breathless from more than dancing.

Steve scanned the room again then gazed at her. “I haven’t done this in years,” he admitted. Leaning over, he gently grazed her lips. “It feels good.”

* * * *

“It suits you,” Jennifer said, looking up at him. He looked radiant, his face flushed from both the heat and alcohol and the edges of his hair wet with perspiration. He smelled like a spiced summer breeze mixed with an undertone of sweat, which made her heart flutter.

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.