He let out a small, self-mocking chortle. “Maybe I’m losing my touch.”
Suddenly, Lainey felt an odd tingling sensation that she’d only felt when Tate was nearby. It was like a new sixth sense she’d developed–a Tate detector. It made the hairs on the back of her neck lift, and she had to fight an almost irresistible urge to purr. She didn’t want to purr because she was sitting next to a morose but seductive Lothario who’d think that she was purring for him.
She looked around, and sure enough, Tate’s truck was parked down the street. He was standing there watching her, an odd expression on his face. Almost—dare she think it? Almost as if he were jealous.
She hesitated. Should she get up and go try to talk to him? Was there any point?
With a scowl, Tate turned away. He climbed in the pickup truck, slammed the door and drove off with an angry squeal of tires. Lainey was surprisingly disappointed to see him go. She wished he’d walked over to her, flirted with her again, made her feel like the sexiest person on earth the way he did just with the way he looked at her…
She sighed and stood up. “Good luck, Hamilton. I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for.”
Well, at least someone wants to have sex with me, even if it’s not the right guy, she thought glumly, heading off to her car.
*
Either I look totally hot, or I’ve grown horns and a tail without noticing it.
Absolutely everyone was staring at Lainey as she walked into the Hoot Owl, the local honky-tonk where Marigold’s fiancé worked nights as a bartender.
Lainey had been edgy and restless at the boarding house, and had finally decided to head into town for a couple of drinks to take her mind off her problems. And Tate.
She wore one of her new dresses, a midnight blue halter-top dress with blue lace tulle over a flared skirt. Before she’d left, Marigold had insisted on tucking a white rose behind her ear.
The bar was hot and smoky and crowded. There were couples on the dance floor, swaying slowly to the strains of a Tanya Tucker song. Lainey made her way to the bar and ordered a Seven and Seven. She downed half of it in one gulp, self-conscious from all the men staring at her.
Her mother’s voice rang in her ears, chiding her, telling her “girls like you” really should never let themselves become the center of attention. People would just make fun of her.
But here she was, flaunting her assets, and nobody was making fun of her. Instead, people were staring at her as if they were undressing her with their eyes.
“Well, hello, darlin’,” drawled a mildly intoxicated cowboy who was leaning on the bar, his hat tipped back. “If you aren’t just the cutest bobcat I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
What should she say? She really didn’t have this whole sexpot thing down at all.
“I am?” she echoed stupidly. Hell. Could she sound any more awkward?
She downed the rest of her drink in two gulps, as the cowboy stared at her cleavage, and then she felt that tingling again, and a strong, calloused hand closed on her shoulder.
She turned to stare up into Tate’s eyes, and her heart leapt into her throat.
Her pulse accelerated again. The man should come with some kind of warning sign: Danger: This ride should not be attempted by women who are suffering any cardiac condition. May cause racing heartbeat, dry mouth, sweaty palms, and extreme sexual arousal.
“Hello, Tate,” she said. “Where’s your adorable entourage?”
“Kyle and his wife are watching them. Where’s your handsome movie star boyfriend? Although I see you’ve already found a new friend.” He glanced resentfully at the cowboy.
Lainey’s eyes widened in surprise at the anger in his voice.
He winced. “Sorry. That came out snappier than I meant it to.”
“Good lord, Tate, it almost sounded like you were jealous just then.”
“I was,” he said. “When I see another man talk to you…honestly, I can barely contain myself. When I saw you talking to Hamilton today, and I saw how he was looking at you, I wanted to throttle him.”
She was ridiculously pleased to hear that. “But you barely know me.”
“I know, but ever since the first moment I laid eyes on you…no, before I laid eyes on you…I just had this feeling. I know that sounds crazy, but when you walked up to me I felt this tingling even before you tapped my shoulder, this feeling of excitement and something I can’t describe.” He said it carefully, as if he were afraid she’d laugh at him or stomp off in disgust.
“Me, too,” she blurted out.
He looked at her, his blue eyes pleading. “Tell me about yourself. Tell me where you’re from. I want to know all about you.”