Page 45 of Piece Of Me

Taz didn’t get a chance to reply because Nikki Salter appeared from nowhere and squeezed between him and Mike Paul.

She said hello to Mike Paul and turned to Taz. “Hey,” she said softly. “It’s nice to see you.”

She looked beautiful. No doubt about that. The dress. The makeup. The cowboy boots. All were meant to entice. A month ago, he’d have grabbed her hand, taken her back to her place and screwed her into tomorrow. But now? Nothing. Nothing sexual at least. He liked Nikki. She was a great lady, had a good sense of humor, and in his opinion was misunderstood by a lot of folks in town. But whatever they had was gone.

“Hey yourself,” he replied. “You look good.”

She glanced down at herself. “Do I?” With a sigh she set down her drink and leaned against the table. “I don’t know why I bother coming in here. It’s always the same guys.”

He studied her for a few moments. “Maybe it’s time to try something new. Maybe the kind of man you need isn’t someone who comes to the Sundowner on Thursdays for half-price chicken wings and two for one pitchers of beer.”

“You’re probably not wrong.” Nikki said, moving her drink around with her forefinger. “But this is Big Bend. The town where everyone knows everyone’s business.” She pointed to the guys at his table. “I’ve known all of these men most of my life. Even had some moments with one or two of them.” She snuck a look his way. “You’re the only man I wanted to hang around longer than a week or two and now you’ve gone and got yourself entangled with a woman who has more baggage than I do.”

Taz frowned at that. “Raising a child on your own isn’t baggage.”

Nikki scooped up her drink. “To a lot of men, it is.” She offered a sad smile. “But that’s not what I’m talking about.” She moved back. “Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and my guess is you’re headed back to your place tonight.”

“That’s the plan.”

“Okay.” A small shrug. “A girl’s got to try.”

She disappeared and Mike Paul leaned closer. “See what I mean? How in hell are we supposed to figure women out when they’re constantly changing the rules?”

Taz pushed away his unfinished beer and got to his feet. “Let me get you home. There’s no way you can drive.”

Mike Paul started to protest, but Taz wasn’t having any of it. “Let’s go.” He said goodbye to the guys, to Jennifer behind the bar, and loaded his pal into the truck. Mike Paul lived on a nice spread just outside of town, not far from Millie Sue’s place. The house was new and the outbuildings were where he had his veterinary practice. All was in darkness when Taz pulled up to the house. Mike Paul hadn’t uttered one word on the way home. He’s stared out into the darkness, head resting against the window.

Once the truck was in park and idling, Mike Paul reached for the door handle, but paused before slipping out of his seat. “I know I’m drunk and I probably sound like an idiot.” He paused. “Ivy thinks I’m an idiot.” He slid out and managed not to fall on his ass by holding on to the door. “Man, don’t fall in love with Scarlett. Because this fucking sucks.”

Taz didn’t reply. He waited until Mike Paul managed to unlock his front door and disappeared inside, then he checked his phone. Scarlett hadn’t replied to his earlier text and a part of him was annoyed. The other part of him knew how ridiculous it was to feel that way, though it didn’t stop him from feeling it.

He was headed into uncharted waters with this woman, and hopefully he navigated it better than his friend was doing. He didn’t want to screw things up. He glanced back at Mike Paul’s place as he drove home.

The alternative wasn’t pretty.

CHAPTER 14

“He’s grown some.” Manley Bridgestone took Hank from Scarlett’s arms and cradled his grandson. The little guy kicked his legs and cooed as his chubby arms reached for him.

A lump formed in Scarlett’s throat, and she stood back, taking in a picture she thought she’d never see. She and Manley had a complicated past, as did all the Bridgestone kids when it came to their father. Once she’d poured an entire bottle of bourbon over his head when she’d found him passed out on the porch in the middle of a snowstorm.

She’d been twelve.

Her father raised his head and a look passed between the two of them. It was a look of knowing. Of shame. Acceptance. Of forgiveness. She knew he was a different man and that he’d been to hell and back to get to where he was. He’d been weak. The bottle had been stronger than his need to be a father and she couldn’t fault him for that. Not really. He’d lost the love of his life. He was, after all, only human.

Losing that kind of love was the cost of giving your heart away. And as young as Scarlett was, she’d already learned her lesson. It was why she’d sworn she’d never do it again. And that begged the question. Why in hell was she hanging out with Taz Pullman? She knew she was playing with fire, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

Scarlet blushed, thinking of the other day. Of what she let him do to her. Of how it felt. Crap, just envisioning him between her legs had her blood heating and a pulse throbbing and if she was alone, her hand would be exactly where his mouth had been.

“I’d give anything to know what you’re thinking about.” Rosie, the one woman who’d been in her life for the entirety of it, walked out of the kitchen with a big smile. “Because I’m betting it’s something spicy.”

Rosie winked.

Scarlett blushed.

And Ryland made a face as he passed by on his way outside. “I don’t want to know,” he said over his shoulder before disappearing.

“That boy is going to break a million hearts in his lifetime,” Rosie said, shaking her head. She eyed Scarlett. “And look at you. You look beautiful, doesn’t she, Manley?”

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