Chapter 23 Easton
EASTON
I misjudged her. Big time.
Collie is a boss at pool. Not quite enough to beat me—at least I’m hoping not. But she’s good. Really good.
“Kinda sexy watching you bend and shoot.” Not sure where my confidence comes from, but I feel like a new man because of it. Long gone is the Easton that lived for everyone else. Let’s just hope it sticks.
“Oh yeah?” she challenges me. “I kinda like you better quiet. Maybe then I wouldn’t hear the shit talk I know is coming after I kick your ass.”
I bark out a laugh, examining the object balls scattered across the board. “If I’m counting right…” I call each ball by name, emphasizing the three she still has left to sink to my two. “I seem to be the one kicking your ass.”
“For now.” The clashing of the cue ball to Collie’s orange-striped number thirteen echoes against the framing, sending it directly to the right pocket.
“Take that, sucker!” she shouts, jumping up and down.
“Okay. I see you, lost girl. I see you.” I tick my tongue, mapping out a plan to win in my head while Collie fidgets with anticipation.
It’s a tie, and we both know what’s at stake here.
“See that solid green six?”
“Sure do. Looks a little lonely over there.”
“It’s cute when you doubt me. Makes proving you wrong that much more fun.” I trace the path from the cue to the green object ball, measuring the distance between them.
I’m just shooting the shit. I know nothing about measuring distance, and anyone semi-decent at pool could look at my technique and tell you the same thing.
But Collie’s walking on pins and needles, and that’s enough to have me enjoying my performance far too much.
“Left pocket,” I call out before firing it into the hole.
Clean shot.
“You bastard.” Her expression deceives her words because she’s cheesin’ wide and proud.
“How sexy did I look bent over the pool table, Collie? I know you liked it.”
She rolls her eyes. “Can you please go back to being reserved and timid? I don’t know what to do with this unpredictable side of you.”
“Not a chance. You brought this out of me. You get to deal with it,” I remind her. “Now, answer the question.” I circle around the table to her side, putting myself an arm’s length away. “How sexy did I look?” My voice drops just above a whisper.
I expect her to fight me just for the hell of it. Not make my dick bulge even more. “Ten out of ten. You’ve got one of the best asses I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot.”
As much as I hate to hear about her with other men, I appreciate the honesty.
And also her need to be so upfront. Especially with the things she likes and wants.
“Is it really that big?” I circle my back, pretending to search behind me for the eye candy she claims to love. “Do I have a bubble butt?” I joke.
“It’s a great ass.” Collie swats it playfully. “Consider yourself blessed.” The giggle from her lips brings me a level of happiness I could never have prepared for. Honestly, not just her laughter, but her company.
Makes me wonder how I’ll be when I get back to Salt Hollow. Will my sheltered personality return, where all I do is work and sleep? Or will I be open to trying new things? Learn who I am without my past holding me back?
I hope for my sake it’s the latter.
“Not to be crude, but can we get this show on the road, please?”
She’s anxious, and I’m stalling conversation the best way I know in order to edge her. Hell, I’m edging myself. It’s been over a year since I’ve been inside a woman, and I’m fucking terrified.
Hopelessly ready, but still…terrified.
“Is someone ready for my cock, lost girl?” I lift my whiskey to my lips and guzzle back the last sip before slamming the glass on the table. “Itching, are we?” I press a slow kiss to her cheek, claiming a personal victory at the sound of her sharp intake of breath.
I love knowing how much I affect her.
“I have been for days. At this point, I couldn’t care less who wins or loses. I just want you inside of me, East.”
East. She called me East. Feels a lot like a declaration of love with the way my heart reacts. It’s nowhere close, but the sentiment matters.
There’s no way I’ll make it another minute without having her. Not after that confident declaration. “I forfeit.” Abandoning our glasses and pool sticks, I grab Collie’s purse and launch her over my shoulder, ass up, fleeing the bar in a hurry.
We need privacy. Or maybe not. Maybe we won’t make it that far.
“We really suck at these bets,” Collie shouts through the loud music now drifting farther away.
“Don’t care.” I smack her bottom. “We’re doing what feels right for a change, and I’ll never be sorry for that. Never.”
The moment Collie relaxes against me, I know that’s her way of allowing me to lead. I’m grateful for the chance. Even if getting closer to her comes at a cost.
A cost I’m not strong enough to think about right now.
Maybe tomorrow, but not today.