Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) by Siobhan Muir

chose that moment to kiss her neck and she dragged her focus back to the present.
    Fantasies can wait…and he’ll star in all of them from now on.
    The elevator bumped gently to a stop and John staggered back, dragging Lindsey with him as the doors hissed open. A solid wall of sound and heat flooded over them and Lindsey resisted clapping her hands over her ears. She’d forgotten how loud the club became after midnight.
    “Fuck yeah, let’s dance, baby!” John grabbed her in a stumbling waltz pose and thrust her out into the melee of churning bodies on the floor.
    She dropped her head, pretending to watch her feet as John propelled her into the crowd. Gyrating bodies jostled them and they made slow progress toward the exit. Lindsey nearly lost her balance and dragged them both down beneath the stomping feet, but John lurched against her weight. He let out a raucous laugh at a few folks’ grumbling complaints as they shoved their way through the press of undulating flesh.
    Lindsey hoped the darkness and flashing lights would disguise their faces from the cameras perched in every corner of the club. Madam e LeBeau would recognize her and her sailor immediately. She scanned the little alcove normally hosting the madam, but her gaze snagged on two hatchet-faced men plowing through the crowd. Bouncers. Gut-churning anxiety ate at her and stiffened some of her limbs. John shot a glance at her before he stopped and dragged her against his chest.
    “Oh, come on, baby. Don’t be like that. You know you want me.” He reached around and grabbed her ass, turning her until her back faced the edge of the dance floor near the seating area.
    Two bouncers shoved past behind her, one of them clipping her hip in his passage. The pain from his pinch made her jump, but she swallowed the indignant squawk. They just had to get out to the safe house and none of this would matter.
    And I’ll lose John .
    The thought hollowed out her heart, but she firmly reminded herself he’d never really been hers. Just finish the mission and get clear. Easier said than done.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    John felt Lindsey jump as the bouncers walked by and stiffened his arms to keep from swin ging at the bastards. The jackasses took advantage of the press to fondle the women they passed. He’d love to kick each over-muscled butt out the back door, but getting out undetected trumped retribution. Ain’t that always the case?
    Frankly, John was surprised the bouncer s got away with it considering what kind of racket Madame LeBeau had going on. He doubted she’d take kindly to men having the upper hand, even in her club. John blearily steered Lindsey around the dance floor, trying not to jostle the other revelers, but the drugs kept him unsteady. It worked fine for the role of drunk boyfriend he played, but it hampered his ability to escape the club efficiently.
    “Ms. Black, I see you’ve gotten a new boy toy to play with.”
    John released Lindsey as they swung around to face an elegantly dressed woman in crimson seated at the bar. The other woman scanned John from head to toe with lascivious interest and he let his features go slack with exaggerated drunkenness. Something about her perusal soured his stomach.
    “Yes, I found him here at the Club. I’m looking forward to seeing what all he can do. ” Lindsey’s shoulders straightened and she ran a hand possessively over John’s chest. She wrapped her fist around his tie and tugged on him until he looked her in the eyes. “And you’re going to do everything I ask you, aren’t you, Mr. Smith?”
    John swayed as he nodded dumbly. “Uh-huh. Yeah.”
    “Good boy.” Lindsey turned her gaze back to the woman in red. “Where’s your toy, Lady Katy?”
    The other woman shrugged with a negligent toss of her head. “Oh, it expired recently. I’m waiting for a new replacement.” Her gaze fixed on John and she licked her lips, her eyes full of avarice. “Do let me know how this one works out for you. I