CHAPTER NINE
“A re you sure that’s him?” The most recent inquirer doesn’t bother to whisper.
“I’m willing to bet on it,” another voice babbles.
“He’s alone.” As if that isn’t obvious.
“Won’t be for long.”
My jaw clenches as I glare straight ahead into the thick crowd. It’s easy enough to block out the curiosity while a loud buzz circulates around The Paddock. But then a similar conversation begins on my opposite side.
“From what I’ve heard, Brody hasn’t left the farmstead since the funeral.”
A willowy exhale steeped in pity follows. “Such a shame what happened to his mother.”
“Very tragic. At least the aneurism took her fast and she didn’t suffer.” A double dose of sympathetic sighs fills the short pause. “It sounds like Dennis is still in rough shape,” the first speaker adds.
The pit in my stomach—that I’d previously been able to ignore—yawns with a sharp ache. What a considerate topic to discuss during happy hour. Damn gossips and their lack of boundaries. I’m not here for their entertainment, which is the reason I chose the most secluded seat in the joint. They’ve descended regardless.
Their incessant chatter burns at the walls I’ve built around myself. My mood is sour and getting fouler by the minute. If they’re trying to make me uncomfortable, I’ll gladly return the favor. The couple on my right freezes when I turn to face them. I flick the underside of my cowboy hat to give them a good look at what burns in my gaze. Their eyes bulge before quickly dropping.
Whatever response I might’ve shot at them fizzles when a commotion at the front door demands attention. The blonde bombshell strutting inside steals the spotlight. Victory tilts my lips into a rare smirk. I’ll have to thank Bianca for the accurate intel. She unknowingly gave me an advantage that I plan to exploit.
My gaze follows Paisley while she weaves into the sea of people like a strand that corrals the chaos. Everyone turns to greet her as she passes. It’s obvious she’s a regular, but she doesn’t blend in. Quite the opposite as her radiant energy glows in the dim dive bar.
Paisley’s smile is blinding, aimed at the swarm like a free dose of sunshine. I’m willing to bet her expression would shutter if pointed at me. But the desire to get that joy from her solidifies into a demand inside of me. I want to earn it. Tonight. Right now.
I rise from the corner spot that’s blanketed in shadows, snagging my drink to keep me company. Clusters of locals part in a rowdy wave as I stride across the packed space. Their murmurs chase me, but I don’t hear them. My riveted attention roams over Paisley with a hearty appetite.
She’s not wearing her cowgirl uniform for a change. Instead of jeans and an athletic top, there’s a denim dress showing off her curves. There’s plenty of bling stuck to the material, confirming that she sparkles on purpose. The hem stops at mid-thigh to expose smooth, toned legs. A rhinestone belt is snug around her waist, reflecting a blinding shimmer whenever she moves. Heavily tooled boots complete the outfit that’s been stamped into my fantasies.
Too damn much.
But her performance isn’t done. She twirls and the briefest tease of what’s hidden underneath taunts me. My fingers tighten around my bottle of Coors, imagining something much more supple filling my palm. I tilt the beer to my lips and polish off what’s left. The single gulp does little to soothe the fire in my throat.
Slack jaws and dumbfounded expressions are left in my dust when I approach the rail. Paisley is leaning over the counter and speaking to a bartender. The guy is ogling her tits instead of listening to what she’s saying. I toss my empty in the nearby trash, which redirects the dude’s leer. One glance at me has him rushing off to do his customer’s bidding. Maybe he’ll bring me a fresh one while he’s at it.
Once Paisley straightens and lowers her boots to the floor, I step behind her to make myself known. I bend until my mouth almost touches her ear. “Sure know how to make an entrance, Twinkles.”
Paisley whirls until our gazes collide. “Brody,” she gasps. “What’re you doing here?”
“Appreciating the decor.” I wave at the interior design that resembles an old-fashioned saloon. Seems fitting since the place looks exactly the same in my fuzzy memories. “Maybe I’ll try my luck while I’m at it.” My arm arrows at a sign boasting their weekly meat raffle, which hangs above the pull tab station.
Just as predicted, the brightness in Paisley’s features fades slightly as she scrutinizes my random appearance. “The Paddock doesn’t seem like your vibe.”
“That’s presumptuous. I used to frequent this fine establishment several days a week.”
One skeptical brow curves upward. “Was that in the previous decade?”
“You wound me,” I deadpan. Not that I can completely discredit her assumption. “For the record, I won the Stuck on Bucky bull riding contest at least a dozen times. Most recently was two years ago. I came out of retirement for that one.”
Which I only agreed to compete in as a bet. My cousin is a cocky shit and needed to be taught a lesson. The bragging rights were well worth the unwanted attention. I lost count of the phone numbers and lewd suggestions stuffed into my pockets. It’s a shock I made it out in one piece.
It takes me a minute to realize Paisley is unusually quiet. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip while checking me out. A deep blush stains her cheeks when I catch her in the act.
“I was there that night,” she murmurs. “It was the first time I saw you.”
“And you’ve been madly in love with me ever since.”
Her laugh is loud and free. “You wish.”
“Sure would make our arrangement easier,” I drawl.
“We don’t have an arrangement. ”
“Yet.”
She didn’t tell me her terms, which has grated on my nerves. But we’ll get it settled. Eventually.
Paisley rolls her eyes as if hearing my stubborn determination. “Who are you here with?”
“You.”
“Me?”
I nod. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
A hint of her genuine smile fondles my ego. “Or you’ve missed me, boss.”
I chuckle as she throws my words back at me. “Well, you arrived just in time. How about we—”
“Holy horse manure!” A redhead behind Paisley whistles. “Brody Benson is crashing ladies’ night.”
I grind my teeth at the interruption, but tip my hat at her. “Ma’am.”
The woman wrinkles her nose. “Oh, you did not.”
“Excuse me?”
She huffs. “I’m barely over thirty, not approaching fifty.”
I glance from her to Paisley. The latter is waiting for me to acknowledge her smug grin. “Care to clarify?”
The twinkly cowgirl snorts out a giggle. “You ma’amed her.”
“Is that a verb?”
“Mhmm, and it’s not sexy. Makes us feel old.”
“Wouldn’t want that.” I’m not shy about roving my blatant appreciation along Paisley’s hourglass figure. “Not that there’s a chance of that happening. Are you even legally allowed to be in a bar?”
“Want to peek at my license?” She leans close, giving me a whiff of vanilla and reckless abandon. “That’ll prove I’m too young to fake date you. ”
I clench my hand into a fist to stop myself from grasping her hip. “There’s nothing wrong with an age gap, Twinkles. A mature guy like me can take better care of you.”
“Pretty promises for a contractual obligation.” Paisley clucks her tongue and moves away to point at the redhead. “This is my cousin. Cassidy is partial to Knox Creek, but she decided to visit us in Cloverleaf Meadows for a change.”
I tip my hat. “Nice to meet you, filly. I’m surprised they let you in without getting carded. You’re probably breaking the law.”
Cassidy nods in approval. “Now that’s more like it.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” Paisley chirps. “This charm is an act. He just wants something he can’t have.”
“Girl, give it to him.” Cassidy lightly shoves her cousin at me. “Make sure to get yours too.”
Paisley rights herself before I can catch her. “You’re a horrible influence.”
“I like her,” I counter.
“You would.”
“How about we discuss this somewhere more private? I have a table reserved in that dark corner.” My thumb hitches in the general direction.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Paisley plants her boots into the concrete floor for emphasis.
“You’d rather get more intimate where everyone can see?” I step forward until our bodies nearly brush. “Fine by me.”
Her breath hitches at our proximity. She glances from left to right, most likely noticing the attention we’re gathering. “What are you doing?”
“Setting the mood.”
Baby blues widen at me. “You’re making a scene. ”
“Then put an end to it,” I urge.
Her unblinking gaze narrows into a glare. “You’re doing this on purpose.”
I shrug. “Let them talk.” Maybe the rumor mill will be somewhat useful tonight after all.
“Nope, you’re not using me as a pawn.” Paisley shoos me toward the door. “Buh-bye.”
I loop an arm around her waist, tugging until she’s flush against me. “I’m not leaving without you, Twinkles.”
Her palms flatten on my chest, ready to shove me away. The slight curl in her fingertips is the only sign of hesitation. Our eyes lock and hold. One breath extends into two. Her body presses closer to mine with every ragged exhale. The buzz around us goes quiet. I search her gaze while she gets lost in mine. My heartbeat quickens under her touch. Warmth spreads between us.
The urge to pull her even tighter against me flexes my arm. Paisley blinks, casting her gaze around the crowded room. Red blooms on her cheeks and she breaks free from my hold. I release her but my eyes remain glued on her fiery blush. There’s no hiding her reaction to me.
“You’re playing dirty,” she mutters.
“Whatever makes you mine.”
“Never gonna happen.”
“No?” In a fluid motion, I remove my cowboy hat and put it on her head. A collective gasp ripples across the bar. I smirk as the gossips prepare to do their thing. “The town will say otherwise.”
Paisley is quick to rip off my claim, clenching the straw brim in an unforgiving grip. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Ready to fake date me yet? ”
Fury blazes in the blue depths she pins on me. “Not even close.”
I return her stare and weigh the options. There are only so many that will confirm what I’ve started without pushing too far. It’s about authentic presentation, which is somewhat of a specialty.
“Fuck it,” I rasp and haul her against me.
Paisley inhales sharply just as I seal my lips over hers. Silence rings in my ears while our very public display is witnessed around the room. That allows me to hear her soft whimper. The quiet sound sets off a chain reaction.
Lust crashes into me, flooding straight to my dick. Paisley stiffens at the hardening evidence of my arousal but almost immediately relaxes again. That encourages me to glide my tongue along hers, obliterating the boundaries of what’s meant to be a chaste kiss. She fits herself to me like a missing piece. A sense of completeness accompanies an unfamiliar craving. The comfort gives me pause until her teeth gently clamp onto my bottom lip. That slight motion spins me out of control. Lines blur in my mind to defeat the purpose.
It’s suddenly unclear who I’m trying to convince. That’s why I’m the one to pull away, which is more difficult than I want to admit. The cloudy haze in Paisley’s eyes doesn’t notice. Her heavy lids blink slowly, tempting me to steal another taste. Somehow I manage to resist. At least until she lifts onto the balls of her feet to reclaim my mouth.
I smile into the kiss. “You’re mine now, Twinkles.”