Read Online Whatever It Takes by Marie Scott - Free Book Online Page B

returned. She turned down a few guys who asked her to dance and was
content just to watch the people on the dance floor. As she was grinning at a
couple who were putting on a good show, one of Trey’s frat brothers by the name
of Rusty approached her with an open beer in his hand.
    “Hey, Laurie,” he said, stopping in front of her. “Trey said
to give you this.” He thrust the beer toward her.
    She looked at the bottle for a moment and then narrowed her
eyes at him.
    “Do I really look like that big of an idiot?” she demanded.
    Rusty pulled the beer back and met her eyes. The color that
stained his cheeks was a dead giveaway. Laurie wasn’t sure what was in that
beer but she was glad she hadn’t taken it. He took a step back and she opened
her mouth to protest. She worried the next girl he offered it to might accept
the beer and fall victim to rape. She was about to demand that he dump it out
when another voice broke in.
    “Why don’t you let me have that before you get yourself into
trouble?”
    That voice washed over Laurie and she didn’t have to look to
know who was standing beside her. Her heart pounded and she turned to gaze at
Mason, who was leaning against the bar beside her. He pinned the younger man
with a deadly gaze that seemed to hold him entranced. Rusty handed over the
beer with a trembling hand and wide eyes. Mason snatched it away and leaned a
little closer.
    “Get the fuck out of here. Now. If I see your punk ass again
tonight, you’re going to the hospital. Got it, fuckhead?”
    Rusty looked as if he might pass out but he held it together
long enough to nod and dart toward the exit.
    Mason turned to the big, intimidating bartender who appeared
to be a friend—if the wide smile and zealous handshake the man gave Mason were
any indication. Mason spoke to the bartender for a moment then gave him the
beer, which he dumped down the sink.
    “Pretty lil’ thing like you shouldn’t be sitting over here
all alone,” Mason said, turning back to Laurie and leaning close so she could
hear him over the music. “It makes you look like easy prey to assholes like
that. Where’s your man, Angel?”
    “I’m not sure; he was here earlier.” Laurie glanced around
the immediate area and gave a shrug.
    “Come on over and sit with us where you’ll be safe.” Mason
grabbed the two bottles of beer the bartender set before him with one hand and
used the other to grip her arm and tug her off the barstool.
    Before Laurie could protest, he was pulling her through the
crowd on the dance floor and toward a private booth where Dewayne and the
redhead were sitting. She wasn’t sure her nerves could handle being so near him
after their last encounter. She racked her brain for an argument but couldn’t
come up with anything, so she gave up and allowed him to lead her.
    “Where y’ at, big guy?” Dewayne greeted Mason. “I see you
brought a hostage.” He made a point of looking at Laurie’s arm where Mason
gripped it.
    Mason followed his gaze and quickly released her with a
sheepish look.
    Dewayne chuckled and then greeted Laurie with a nod. “Good
to see you, lil’ girl.”
    She smiled back at him before sliding into the half-circle-shaped
booth and settling beside his date.
    Mason slid in behind her, sitting close with his arm draped
on the seat behind her. To the outside observer, they might look like a couple
on a date. Instantly, she realized she’d have to climb over either him or the
table if she needed to escape. A warm tingling spread through her at the
thought of sliding her body over his.
    The gorgeous redhead smiled and held out a hand to Laurie. “I’m
Mona Delcorso.”
    She looked to be in her late twenties and had a disarming
smile. Laurie was comfortable with her right away. She accepted her hand and
gave it a shake.
    “Laurie Donovan.”
    “Mason Pierce. I am impressed.” Mona grinned at Mason then
turned her attention back to Laurie. “You are just adorable.”
    Laurie laughed