Epilogue #3
What the hell is her problem?
“Okay, if you change your mind let me know.” Her gaze darts to the watch on her wrist. “For the next twenty minutes at least. Then I’m off the hook for tonight.”
She watches me intently with her dark eyes, almost like she’s waiting for an answer? Clearing my throat, I nod. “That’s good. I’ll be done after this one as well.”
I lift my drink to my mouth and take a long sip. The faster I finish this, the faster I can get out of here. Away from her.
Besides, it’s getting late. If I want to get another hour or two of work before bed, I need to get out on the road soon.
“Well…” Lara leans against the counter, her tone lowering as she places her warm hand over mine. “Considering we’re both leaving, maybe we should get out of here together once I’m done.” She winks at me. “I’d appreciate a ride.”
A ride? What the—
The sip of the whiskey I just took gets stuck in my throat as the realization sinks in, making me choke. I fight the need to spit out the drink, my eyes watering and vision turning blurry.
Did she just proposition me?
Because it damn sure seemed like it.
I cough, my Adam’s apple bobbing as I try to swallow so I can finally breathe.
“Ummm…” I clear my throat. “You seem like a lovely woman, but I’ll have to pass.”
A few seconds tick by as she just watches me, before sighing loudly and muttering under her breath. “That’s what I get for trying to go for one of Gray’s friends.”
I don’t bother trying to figure out what the hell that means, and thankfully, somebody calls her, so she goes on her way without a backward glance.
Thank fuck.
The chair next to mine screeches loudly, reminding me I’m not alone.
The blond slides off her chair, the small space forcing us close together.
Now that she’s standing, we’re at the same level, and that damn smirk is back in place.
“Well, that was fun. Kind of painful to watch, but fun.” She pulls a few bills out of her wallet, and places them on the counter.
“You need to work on your game, cowboy.”
I grind my teeth. That irritation is back in full force, fighting with self-consciousness at her witnessing this. However, before I can do or say anything she slips past me, her hips swaying with every step she takes.
My ears are buzzing, her words ringing on repeat in my head.
Before I know what I’m doing, I drop some cash on the counter, and I make my way after her.
Noises from the bar are stifled once the door closes behind me.
There is a chill in the night air that I welcome open handedly. Soon enough it will be too hot to breathe, but we still have a few weeks before that happens.
The blond must’ve heard me coming because she glances over her shoulder. Her light hair is like a beacon in the night, shining brightly and calling to you. A liquid moonlight.
“Running away, cowboy?”
Her melodic voice is the complete contrast to the taunt that’s hidden in her question.
“I’m not running away,” I grind out.
She takes me in from head to toe, that damn grin curling her mouth. “If you say so.”
“You think you know me so well?” I mutter as I close the distance between us, my boots brushing against her sneakers.
She’s tall for a woman, but she still has to tilt her head back to look me in the eyes. Her tongue darts out, sliding over her lower lip, and my gaze drops to her mouth.
“No, but I can read you just fine.”
I clear my throat, my voice coming out rough. “You’re infuriating.”
That makes her snort. “I’ve been called worse, cowboy.”
“My game’s just fine.”
There it is again. That damn chuckle.
“Mhmm…” She pats me on the arm. “I’m sure you’ll get a hang of it. Eventually.”
She starts to turn around as her damn laughter rings in my eardrums, taunting me.
Before I give myself a chance to think through my actions, I extend my hand, my fingers curling around her elbow and spinning her toward me. Her body bumps into mine from the sudden movement, a zap of electricity coursing through me at the touch.
Her hand lands on my chest to steady herself as she sucks in a sharp breath.
My heart is beating wildly inside my ribcage, breathing ragged. Slowly, she looks up, those big blue eyes fixing on mine. My fingers tighten on her hand, my other hand lifting to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
The pale locks are wildly curling around her face, like she ran her fingers through them. Messy and untamed.
A soft shudder runs through her, her skin prickling as my knuckles skim over her cheek.
“Does this look like I don’t have game to you?” I ask, my voice coming out low and raspy.
She smooths her hand over my chest, something dark shining in her eyes. She lifts on the tips of her toes, bringing us closer together. Her gaze sucks me in as she whispers, her warm breath making the goosebumps rise on my flesh. “Do you really think that’s enough?”
My heart speeds up as we just stare at one another, her words echoing in my head.
Her dare.
She starts to pull back, but I tug her closer.
Fuck it.
The final Bluebonnet Creek book is coming this fall!
After losing his wife, Aaron Fernandez, the single dad and golden boy of Bluebonnet Creek, is determined to dedicate his life to his son and his family, but one night with a gorgeous stranger will change everything for this grumpy cowboy. Pre-order Never Saw You Coming now!
Thank you so much for reading Right Where You Left Me!