He grasped her by the wrist , running a thumb along the sensitive skin underneath. "Then let me call you Mine for a dance or two"<br /><br />She grinned but someone was suddenly between them, a tall, powerfully built person. Sam. He ripped the stranger's hand off of her wrist. "She's spoken for," he growled, all too close to the young man's maked face. The stranger's friend was behind him in an instant, his bronze eyes fixed on Sam.<br /><br />Celaena grabbed Sam's elbow. "Enough," she warned him.<br /><br />The masked stranger looked Sam up and down, then held up his hands. "My mistake," he said, but winked at Celaena before disappeared into the crowd, his armed friend close behind.<br /><br />Celaena whirled to face Sam. "What in hell was that for?"<br /><br />"You're drunk," he told her, so close her chest brushed his, "And he knew it, too."<br /><br />"So?" Even as she said it, someone dancing wildly crashed into her and set her reeling. Sam caught her around the waist, his hands firm on her as he kept her from falling to the ground.<br /><br />"You'll thank me in the morning." <br /><br />"Just because we're working together doesn't mean I'm suddenly incapable of handling myself." His hands were still on her waist.<br /><br />"Let me take you home.