Chapter 7 #2
Santiago grabs my seat and turns me back toward him. “I feel like I’m supposed to challenge you to a duel or something for insulting my way of life.”
I scoff and let sarcasm seep through my words. “What is this? The wild west? Is your ego that delicate?”
“No, but I don’t want this to end.” He hops up, grabbing my hand. “How about a game of darts?”
This is definitely the distraction I need right now.
“You’re on, player.” I jump off my stool just like he did and let him lead me across the bar to the dart board in the back corner. I ignore the stares from the nosy townsfolk as we go. “You do know that Levi taught me darts when I was twelve, right?”
Retrieving the six darts when we get to the board, Santiago hands me three and keeps the other three for himself.
I’m not sure if he saw the curious looks, but if he did, he’s brushing them off well.
He leans down, whispering in my ear, “Who do you think taught him?”
Shit.
I don’t want to lose, but I don’t think I’m actually upset about this. Teenage Blake is jumping up and down for this one-on-one time with Santiago Ramirez.
Not to mention the flirting.
I could be making it all up in my head, but I’ll let myself live in this fantasy a little longer.
“Ladies first,” Santiago offers with a smile.
“Don’t mind if I do,” I return. Getting into position, I hold up the first dart and aim. I keep my eyes on the target and prepare to let the dart fly.
But before I can, a pair of hands land on my hips, and I’m pulled back into a firm body. My nose is filled with notes of oakmoss and leather, and I feel my heart race in the best way.
“You’re doing it wrong.” Santiago’s lips brush the shell of my ear, and my core begins to ache.
Dear God. I don’t want this to end. Even if it’s just for tonight, I’ll take it.
Allowing myself to lean back into his body, I reply, “I was doing it just fine.” My rebuttal comes out more husky than I mean for it to.
Santigo’s tongue lightly traces the tip of my ear. “Why settle for fine when you can have it so much better?”
My panties flood with need. Trying to come up with something to say back is like running through knee-deep mud.
“I—Um—I—” Clarity hits me like a ton of bricks. Pushing off of him, I spin and point a finger. “Santiago Ramirez, are you teasing me so I mess up?”
He shrugs. “Sounds like something I’d do, but” he tilts his head to the side, “no.”
“I don’t know if I believe you.” Spinning on my heel, I quickly aim and release the dart, hitting the board right in the middle.
“How about we make this more interesting?”
Turn back to face him, I place my hands on my hips and size him up. “You’re right. Your pride isn’t a high enough price.” I purse my lips and see my opportunity. “I win, you teach me how to ride.”
Santiago’s eyes widen. “A cowboy?”
If I had a drink in my mouth, I’d spit it out all over Santigo. “A horse,” I correct him.
“You’re born and raised in Wyoming and don’t know how—” Santiago starts, but I cut him off with a look. “Fine. Deal.” Santiago holds his hand out to me and I take it. We shake, but before I can let go, he pulls me close. Leaning down, his mouth is close to mine. “But when I win, you owe me a kiss.”
The lack of space between us has my brain going all fuzzy. “Just a kiss?” I breathe out.
“If I ask for anymore, I could be arrested for solicitation,” Santiago jokes.
I smile up at him. “You’re on.”
A few minutes later I’m close to winning, and Santiago suggests, “Best two out of three?”
“Not a chance.” I shove his shoulder teasingly, and a thought occurs to me. “What if I want to cash in for both?”
Santiago’s brows lower. “Both?”
“Your prize and mine,” I clarify as my stomach flutters with nervous energy. Normally, I don’t have a problem being bold, but this is different. This is Santiago. I’ve dreamed of something like this since I was a girl. Rejection from him will land differently.
Santiago’s hands find my waist, and he pulls me into his body. “I won’t complain.”
I swallow, gathering more courage to push further. “And what if I want more than a kiss?”
“How much more?” His brows furrow adorably.
He really doesn’t know what I’m trying to say. Time to let Bold Blake out to play.
My mouth curves into a mischievous half smile, and Santigo’s expression becomes more confused. I reach up, grabbing the top of his hat and snagging it from his head. Taking a few steps backward, I place his hat on my head.
Santiago, with his mussed waves, stares at me like he can’t believe what I just did, so I push a little more. “What’s the saying? ‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy?’”
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Blake Jennings.” It’s like he’s warning me, but his red flag looks to be a lovely shade of green.
“You forget. I grew up here. I know exactly what I’m doing.
” Returning to the position he had me in before, I angle my head so he can look me in the eyes and know I mean what I say.
“I know what I want. And I want you.” Raising up on my toes, I place my lips in a gentle kiss on his jaw.
“Take me home, cowboy. Show me what kind of vaquero you really are.”
“No sabes en lo que te metiste,” he growls. You have no idea what you just signed yourself up for.
Santiago spins me around and ushers me to the exit, grabbing our jackets along the way. He leads me to the passenger side of his Ford and crowds me up against the door.
He tilts his hat back on my head, enabling me to see him more clearly.
In the next moment, his lips are on mine, and it’s my turn to stand there in disbelief.
He rests his forearm on his truck next to my head, and his other hand goes straight to my ass.
He urges my hips forward, allowing me to feel his hard length.
After a couple blinks, I fall in. My fingers dive into his hair. I give his strands a small tug, and the growl he places on my lips has my panties soaking. I open my mouth, inviting him and he takes the offer eagerly.
Holy shit.
I’m kissing my dad’s best friend.
And I don’t want to stop.
His tongue slides along mine, the sensation increasing my need. A whimper escapes me, and I feel him smirk.
A shiver races up my spine, and he pulls back.
“Cold?” he asks.
“A little,” I admit breathlessly.
Santiago wraps an arm around my waist, moving me to the side so he can open the door. “Get in,” he directs with a nod of his head.
The man has literally kissed me speechless, so all I can do is step up and place my ass in the seat. He reaches in over me, fastening my seat belt—something I could easily do myself, but again, I’m fucking speechless.
“Get ready, mi Cielo. When we get to my house, I’m not holding back. You’re going to find out exactly the type of vaquero I am.” He steps back, shutting the door and moving to the driver’s side.
Fuck.
My pussy is practically doing the jig, but my heart is frozen. I didn’t think far enough ahead.
What if he regrets this tomorrow?
I won’t, but if he does, I won’t survive the heartache.