Charisma #2
“Shit, what else should we seek besides joyful things? Things that calm us and make us happy or stress us out?”
“You’re an athlete, shouldn’t you seek accolades and awards and fame and fortune?”
He waved off my words playfully, which lifted his ranking among men even higher in my mind.
“I was rich before I started riding. That’s not bragging, it’s just fact.
Do I want to be good at my job? Hell yeah.
But this is a sport I choose to do because the people before me enabled me to have that choice.
The last thing I’m gonna do is not enjoy the hard labor they endured so that I could live this type of life.
It makes their sacrifice seem almost in vain for me to not enjoy what they went through to get me here. Don’t you think?”
He was back to making me smile again and it made me wonder what was going on with me. “Yeah, I do think.”
“Oof, that was heavy.” He put both hands on his heart and grimaced.
“I’m sorry what?”
“Your yeah I do think was heavy as hell.”
“Not heavy, just weighted.”
“Same difference.”
“No, heavy means it can keep you down. Weighted just means it’s gonna try its damndest to slow you up. Not a stumbling stone maybe just a hurdle?”
“You wanna talk about it?”
“Not wit you singing the praises of your ancestors like that, no. I kinda don’t.”
“I get it, but not in the same sense. Is that why you’re out here trying to make it?”
“Uhhh, yes?”
“Keep your secrets. I’m just trying to ensure you’re good.
You got muthafucka’s pushing up on you and shit.
You can’t be nice in a place like this. Somebody puts their hands on you, hit them on the head with a bottle.
” He nodded to where I still held the bottle in my hand despite the danger having long passed.
“You mean like in the movies?”
“Yeah, baby. Where you think they got the inspiration from? This place wasn’t called the Wild West for nothing.
It’s got a veneer on it but shit still gets crazy out here even now.
Especially when you got an entitled muthafucka who believes that fresh meat is something that’s his right.
Because that dickhead sees you as exactly that. ”
“I’m not that kind of girl.” I felt the need to make it more than clear I wasn’t out here selling ass.
“And to some people it won’t matter. That’s why it’s important that you keep your head on a swivel and don’t give someone a second chance to do you harm, aiight?” He was waiting on me to agree with him. Who bestowed him that authority I wasn’t sure but I answered him anyway.
“I’ll remember that.”
“How’d you get a job at a bar, anyway? It’s clear you’ve never worked at one before.”
“I have a great personality.”
“That I can see.”
“Being cute doesn’t hurt.”
That appreciative look was back in his eyes as he tried to hide his smile.
“Cute ain’t at all how I would describe you.”
My head tilted at his obvious flirtation. “That feels like flattery.”
“It’s just the truth, baby.”
That baby was doing a lot of heavy lifting in my brain and stimulating in my clit and I had to walk away from him before something got awkward.
I glanced around noticing how the bar had gone on and people were not at all concerned with no one covering it.
The girls on the floor just went into the service well to grab what they needed.
Clearly, they were used to people walking off this job or they assumed this no-named man was a client that I was about to sleep with.
And that reminder quickly had me glancing back toward him where I found his eyes waiting for me.
“Anyway, I’m not staying here so there’s no reason for either of us to linger. It just struck me that I don’t know your name.”
Confusion marred his face and I had to wonder if he was offended I didn’t know him. But it cleared just as quickly as it came replaced by that magnetic smile of his. “Oh, it’s Nate.”
“Just Nate? Like, are you the Beyoncé of cowboys?”
“Oh God, not another one.”
“Another one?”
“My sister-in-law, her sister and all their friends are crazy Beyoncé Stans. Which I can relate to ‘cause I am too but dang. The Hive is fucking crowded. I’m trying to get floor seats that don’t cost as much as a car.”
He looked thoroughly annoyed and I was sure one of those women he’d mentioned had out-Hived him and he was still bitter. “Well, besides her and Synergy who else is killing the game?”
He snapped his finger and pointed at me like he couldn’t argue with facts. “I’ll give you that.”
He nodded toward the exit and I ran to get my stuff since he was clearly ready to go and so was I.
I took my items out of the locker and didn’t speak to anyone as I made my way out of the locker room.
Nate was right there standing guard almost daring anyone to prevent me from leaving the building.
The ease between us was still there despite the time I’d spent away from him.
I could feel Nate’s hand at my back the heat between his palm and my skin almost a third person exiting the building.
Despite the easiness between us, we were both watching our surroundings closely.
I wasn’t sure where the man was and Nate was still ready to defend my honor at the drop of his hat.
The air was cool but not freezing, another perk of wintertime in Texas.
He didn’t ask me where my car was, simply directed me toward it in that gentle, guiding way of his. I wanted to know how he’d gotten that information but somehow I felt he’d only give me that charming smile and ignore what I’d asked.
I hit the locks and he grabbed the door before I could, opening it wide for me to enter.
“Be careful out here, Miss—”
Nate was expecting a name and I hesitated to give him one.
Not because I didn’t trust him, he’d earned that in the last hour since I knew he existed.
But I didn’t want my good opinion of him to tank if he made fun of me the way so many people had before.
I probably wouldn’t see this man again so I wouldn’t hold any hard feelings. “Charisma.”
His smile blossomed and I was put even more at ease. “No shit.”
I nodded amused at his words. “Yes, my name is Charisma.”
“I’ve never seen a more a more aptly named person in my entire life.”
And that was the point where I needed to get the fuck away from this man because the warmth that blossomed all over my body could’ve heat the entire bar. “Thank you.”
We probably looked like two fools just standing there smiling at each other. His face was soft as he stared at me, and I hoped I didn’t look as enamored with him that I was feeling. Because damn he was really making a crazy good first impression. Who gets rescued by a cowboy and a fine one at that?
Really wish I had someone to brag to this about.
“You be safe, Miss Charisma. My bed is calling and I need to heed that call.” I damn sure wanted him to invite me to join him but it would’ve looked crazy after just proclaiming to not be a ho.
“Thanks, Nate one name.” His smile turned bashful and I swore this man would’ve been red in the face if he hadn’t been blessed with so much melanin.
“Get in. I’m going to follow you home to ensure you’re okay.”
“Um—”
His free hand went up pulling tight against the denim that was doing its best to hold on against his chest. And losing the fight.
“I’m not a weirdo. I promise. I’ll stay in the car.
The last thing I want is for that piece of shit to be hiding somewhere waiting for you to drive by.
I’ll give you the distance you need but I won’t be able to rest if I don’t see you home safely. ”
It was obviously no use in arguing because even if I said no, he’d do it anyway.
And his words rang true that the weird ass dude from the bar might be lingering so I needed the extra layer of protection.
I had a doorstop with an alarm and a bat if that failed me.
I wasn’t concerned about the man trying to get into my room because the place where I was staying was fairly serious about security.
“It’s not too far and thank you, Nate.”
He put his fingers to the brim of his hat and tipped it to me respectfully. “It’s more than my pleasure, Charisma.”