The only thing holding me back is I’m just a little afraid of him. He is a player and I am a novice with men. One thing I am totally and definitely sure of is Dragon will leave his mark on me. I’m just not sure how deep it will go and that unknown is why I am trying to fight it. I’m weakening though and I know Dragon senses that.
“Dragon,” I say, hoping like hell I sound bored and not the bundle of nerves I actually am.
“We need to quit playing this game Mama.”
“I agree. You should give up and go find a Twinkie.” I say boldly, even though it kills me. Part of me wishes he would because that would give me an excuse to say no, when I really want to say yes.
I walk off going over to another table, before I beg him not to do that. The table is full of some regulars who come in to drink and wind down after a hard day of working on a local farm. They are nice enough guys. They tip well and are fun to be around. One of them, Seth has asked me out. He is good looking, in a young cowboy kind of way, with sunny blonde hair and mischievous green eyes. Had I not been hung up on Dragon, I would have said yes a week ago. Trouble is I am totally hung up on Dragon. It is taking all I have not to demand another kiss from him, or to give in to his numerous advances. Each time he finds a reason to put his hand on my back or my hip, each time he tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear, each time he says my name in his gravelly voice…each time…each fucking time, I want to jump on him and ride him like a horse in the Kentucky Derby!
“Nicole, woman when are you going to feel sorry for a broken down ole’ cow hand and go out with me?”
I laugh, I couldn’t keep from it. I actually do like Seth. He just doesn’t make my whole body come alive like Dragon did.
“Aw, Seth I don’t think I could handle you, babe,” I say with my ole shucks sass which seems to up my tips.
It was either that or the way my breasts kept trying to bust out of my shirt. I was trying to be optimistic.
“Maybe not girl, but I’d make sure you’d enjoy trying.” Seth replies easily as I gather up the empty bottles.
“You guys want another round?”
“Nah Sweetheart, stock sale is tomorrow, so I gotta get in early. Give me your pen.” Seth answered.
I reach behind my ear where I keep my pen perched and hand it to him. He scribbles something down on a drink napkin and gives it to me, along with the pen.
“There. Call me. A bunch of us are planning on spending Saturday night out at Holly Bay under the stars.”
I think he can see the no coming because he holds his hand up in a ‘stop’ motion.
“Think it over, love to get to know you better babe, no pressure.”
Yep I would totally go out with him if not for the tall, dark, broody man who I just knew at this very moment was behind me. I knew this because he reaches around and takes the napkin out of my hand and rips it up. The pieces fall on the table with a few drifting down to the floor. I concentrate on those pieces until they hit, trying to figure out how to handle this situation.
“The lady’s not interested Baker. Look elsewhere.” Dragon’s voice rumbles in my ear and the hot air sends chills down my back.
“Dragon, didn’t realize you and Nicole were dating.” Seth says and he looks between me and Dragon, his eyes lock on mine and I see disapproval there. That kind of pisses me off, but I am busy trying to figure out how to tell Dragon to go to hell loud enough they might hear me about five states over.
“We’re not.” I turn to the side to look at Dragon. “What the hell are you doing?” I ask.
“Making sure men know my woman is my woman.” Dragon says, with those big beefy arms of his crossed at his chest.
“When the hell did I become your woman?” I ask, while bad Nicole is jumping for joy inside.
“The minute you gave me a taste of that mouth,” Dragon answers.
“That was over two weeks ago and besides what happened next made that kiss null and void.” I argue, ignoring the heat that races up my face.
“What happened next? You mean when you wrapped your legs around me and tried to claw up my damned back?”
“No! I mean when you tried to get me to fuck your whole damn club!” I exclaim, before I realize what I am saying. Once it’s out there though, there’s not much I could do, besides die of humiliation.
The club goes quiet with the exception of the music playing in the background. I have always liked country music. Now though, the sound of some man whining about going redneck crazy? I hate it.
“Woman you got legs?” Dragon asks. I look at him like he is insane, and it’s a good possibility.
“Yes and I’m using them to walk away from you.”
He grabs me before I can.
“You control who opens and closes your legs yeah? I ain’t making or asking you to do shit.”
“You insinuated!” I argued.
“You put words in my mouth Nicole that’s on you.”
“You’re so full of shit Dragon. We both know what you said.”
“Maybe we see it differently. Ask Bull what I told him I’d do if he touched your ass.”
I start wondering if I could kill him with laser beams of death shooting out of my eyes.
“I don’t need to ask Bull, because….”