Playing to Win

girlfriends?” Savannah asked.
    Cole downed his shot, which was replaced right away by a tall glass of what she assumed was ice water. That Kara was efficient.
    He smiled at Savannah. “Lulu is a friend.”
    “She doesn’t like me being here.”
    “She’s protective. I get a lot of women hanging on me, trying to get something from me. Lulu watches out for me.”
    “So, she’s like your bodyguard.”
    “Not exactly. But I’ve helped her out in the past. She thinks she owes me the same.”
    Savannah had no idea what that meant. Helped her out how? Financially? Or did he beat up an ex-boyfriend for her? It was none of her business, really, she was just curious, especially since Lulu kept shooting scathing looks her way, and it was the kind of look a woman gave another woman when said first woman was trying to move in on the other’s boyfriend.
    Maybe Cole was unaware of how Lulu felt about him.
    And maybe Savannah needed to watch her back tonight, especially considering Lulu wasn’t the only one giving her looks that might kill. Cole was obviously a regular here, and several womenstopped by to hug him or kiss him on the cheek. They lingered only long enough to say hello once they saw Savannah, but they glanced contemptuously at Savannah as they walked away.
    “I’m not very popular here,” she said as he hugged one of his many admirers and took his seat next to her.
    He frowned. “What?”
    “Your female friends are shooting daggers at me.”
    He scanned the crowd. “No, they’re not.”
    She shook her head and turned around to face the bar. “From your friend Lulu to every woman who’s come up to greet you. Every single one of them has given me a look that would drop me dead to the floor if it had a weapon attached to it. Obviously you’re very sought after.”
    “Nah. They’re just my friends.”
    “Maybe from your perspective. Not theirs. Open your eyes, Cole. These women are in love with you.”
    He snorted.
    “Okay, fine. They’re at least in seriously heavy lust. And they don’t appreciate that you’re not here solo tonight.”
    Cole had no idea where Savannah was getting her ideas. These were his party friends, his drinking buddies, and his dance partners. None of them were girlfriends. While it was true he never brought a date here, he never made any promises to any of these women that would give them hope of being exclusive. So why would they be pissed that he brought Savannah?
    But as he sat and talked to Savannah, he kept his gaze on the women hovering around them.
    She was right. They weren’t happy. Whenever he happened to glance at them, they were all smiles. But as soon as he turned away, they folded their arms and gave Savannah the death glare.
    Huh. Who knew? He tried to be honest with them and let them know how the game was played.
    Maybe they hadn’t been listening.
    “Let’s dance,” he said to Savannah.
    Her eyes widened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “It’s a great idea.” He held out his hand.
    She shook her head. “Remember what I told you about this not being a date? I’m merely here to observe.”
    “Good.” He took her by the waist and lifted her off the bar stool, then grabbed her hand. “You can observe me on the dance floor.”
    She narrowed her gaze at him. “Do you ever take no for an answer?”
    “Absolutely. I’m not that kind of guy, Savannah.”
    She sighed and moved in closer to him on the crowded dance floor. The music was loud, the beat gyrating, and Cole got into watching Savannah dance.
    She had moves, and once she relaxed and got into the music, she could shake her hips just right.
    His objective in getting her on the dance floor was to shake loose some of his groupies. Now that he knew they were getting possessive, he wanted to put an end to it, let them know that when he was here with a lady, they needed to go about their business and find their own fun. It was one thing when he came to the club as a single. Then it was a free-for-all and he didn’t mind choosing one woman after another to dance and party with.
    But them claiming ownership of him at the club? His life didn’t work that way. He was a free agent and no woman was going to put a claim on him. If he wanted to bring a date—even though Savannah wasn’t really a date—then he’d damn well do that.
    Except he wasn’t checking out the other women to see if they’d found other amusement. He was concentrating on Savannah, on the skintight dress she wore