6. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Kai
I pulled my gaze slowly down Kora’s body, then back up as she approached the table. The sweater she was now wearing was slightly see-through, and I could make out a dark bra under it. My eyes stayed there for a beat and my crotch pulsed in response. I forced my eyes to continue their way up her body. She had sexy curves and was fit, yet not skinny. She was perfectly proportioned. I liked what I saw, and my gaze caught hers. Those deep brown eyes sucked me in, and I struggled to pull away. Even when they narrowed, like me still being here was not a happy surprise, my pull toward her was impossible to ignore.
Summer gave her a nudge.
“Sorry about making a mess,” I said when she was next to me, the only place left around the tight high-top table.
A flash of irritation slid over her features, and she tilted her head to the side.
“Looks like you found something to wear,” I continued.
“Yeah. I did.” She slid onto the stool next to Darlene and turned her back to me.
Who could blame her? I did just douse her with beer, even though I was helpful earlier, but she did think I came across as rude. I shrugged. Women. You can’t live with them, and . . . well, you can’t live with them. That’s why I was thirty-one and still single.
Darlene looked between me and Kora. “Do y’all know each other?”
“Yeah,” I answered and took a pull from my beer. “I helped her change her tire this morning.”
Darlene choked on her margarita.
“You weren’t as helpful as you’re trying to sound, then you poured your beer and our pitcher of margaritas all over me a bit ago,” Kora answered. Her voice sounded a bit bitter. “You okay, Dar?”
Darlene nodded and wiped her mouth. “So, you helped Kora this morning? She told us about getting a flat tire.”
“Did she? What else did she say?”
“Nothing of any importance.” Kora gave Darlene a death stare. “He also dumped margaritas and beer on me.”
Darlene shrugged one shoulder. “Fine. You owe us a pitcher of margs,” she said. “We like them on the rocks.” She held up the empty margarita pitcher and shook it in the air as their server came to the table. “Hey, Barb. Can you give us a refill? On the new guy.”
Barb, a mid-forties server, turned toward me. “You’re the only one new at this table, handsome. Is Darlene telling the truth, or just trying to get you to buy them a round?”
“Yep. I owe them.” I smiled.
“Sexy dimple.” Barb winked. “You got it, sugar.”
“That’s Barb,” Bryson said. “She’s a sweet single lady always looking for a good time, and I mean a good time. You better watch out. Age has never been a barrier for her, and she seems to be impressed with your dimple.”
I chuckled. “Forty-something is a bit above my limit. I like them a little younger and a lot spunkier.” My gaze darted to Kora, who was working hard to ignore me.
“Dammit.” Bryson had looked at his phone. “Patrick won’t be able to make it tonight.” He glanced at me. “Please tell me you know how to play cornhole.”
“I might’ve thrown a few bags in my time.”
“Great. I need a partner and we’re up.” Bryson clapped me on the shoulder.
“I may be a bit rusty, but I’ll give it a go.” I followed Bryson to the tournament area, and it blew my mind how into the competition everyone seemed to be. The pub’s outdoor area was filled with people. There was the cornhole area and a sand volleyball court, and tables were scattered everywhere. The music from inside played from speakers throughout the outdoor area. It was a great concept, and to keep with the fire department theme, there was a miniature fire truck for the kids to climb on.
We shook our competitor’s hands, and the game started.
It didn’t take long, and there were a lot of cheers and groans, but we emerged as the champs of the night and were headed to the championship round the following Saturday. “Kai, I think Patrick just got replaced. You’re available next week I hope?”
“Sure am.” Not that there was anything else for me to do. Not yet anyway.
“Looks like Triple H will be back with us again next week,” Summer commented as she got up from her seat.
“Triple H?” Bryson questioned.
“Hot, handsome hunk. Not you, Bryson,” Summer replied. She squeezed Kora’s shoulders from behind. “See ya girls later. I gotta run. Triple H, it was a pleasure to see you again.” she said. “You’ve improved the atmosphere around here a bit.” She tipped her head to Bryson and left.
“Excuse her lack of manners,” Bryson said. “She tends to hold grudges and doesn’t like me much.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Kora cut in. “Congratulations, guys. Now, Darlene, we’re out of margs again.” She shook their empty pitcher.
One thing was for sure, the women could drink. I watched Kora as she talked with Darlene. Her face was flushed which just added to her attractiveness. “Do you think you really need another pitcher?”
“What are you, the liquor police? Tomorrow’s Sunday. All I must do is some grading. I have all day to recuperate. I’ll get Trevor to refill us.” She walked to the bar.
I felt compelled to follow. I couldn’t explain why, but I had a desire to stay near her. I couldn’t remember the last time I needed to be near a woman, except for when I had to protect my little sister.
Kora gestured to Trevor for a refill. He nodded and held up a finger.
I leaned on the bar next to her. Even though she was wearing a tequila-soaked bra, she smelled like vanilla and strawberries. Was it her shampoo, lotion, or perfume? I couldn’t tell, but it smelled good enough to eat.
“You hoping to spill something else on me?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Nope. Just need some water.” Trevor placed a new pitcher of margaritas in front of Kora. “Isn’t that your third pitcher?” I asked as I waited for my water.
“Don’t get in the way of her and Darlene and their margaritas. They’ve been putting them back since high school. They were my pretend customers before any of us were old enough to legally drink,” replied Trevor as he placed a glass of water on the bar.
“Yeah, we were.” Kora’s words were only a little slurred.
“Here let me get that for you.” I grabbed the pitcher and walked away. She’d follow without much complaint. I had her alcohol.
As the third pitcher of margaritas hit Kora’s system, she relaxed, and the night became more fun. Bryson and I hit it off and made plans to practice a bit Friday night at his house. Yeah, it was just cornhole, but there was no point in competing if winning wasn’t the goal, and Darlene and Kora were quite the entertainment once the tequila kicked in.
I learned all about what the girls were like in high school, and more about the town and the population than I really needed to know. Darlene and Kora went way back, and somewhere in there Bryson’s brother, Rowan, came into play, and Trevor was his best friend. Kora even talked about Trevor. They dated for two years in high school. That bit of knowledge caused a flicker of jealousy to lodge in my chest, and I watched their interactions closer all night. I caught hints of Trevor flirting with her, but Kora didn’t seem interested in any of his advances. That was good to know.
I pulled into the back lot of Shear Perfection after midnight and entered into the kitchen with the key I got from Diane. I was exhausted and wanted to hop in bed but unpacked first.
It was strange being at the hair salon alone. The quiet was deafening after the hours at the pub with the loud music and conversations. I put on some music, made the bed, and jumped under the covers, but sleep eluded me.
My brain was its typical hyper self and wouldn’t let me get the night out of my mind, or more to the point, Kora. She invaded my thoughts. That bra that peeked through her sweater all night teased me now that I was alone. Was it black or navy blue? How did it look on her without the sweater? How smooth was her skin?
“Fuck.” I raked my fingers through my hair. Sleep wasn’t going to happen. I needed to either work or take a cold shower. I picked up the sledgehammer and slammed it into the wall. Demolition was a great substitute for what I wanted to do to, or with, Kora. It should get my mind relaxed and off the brown-eyed beauty with a body that left me horny as hell.
I turned on some heavy metal, perfect for destruction, and got to work knocking down walls. Between the heavy music and the rhythm of the demolition, my mind became busy, I got quite a bit accomplished, my muscles grew tired, and soon I was ready for sleep. The clean-up process could wait until morning.