Page 20 of Piece Of Me

Johnny Pearson snorted and Lacey shook her head, eyes on Mike Paul. “One of these days someone is going to put a bee in your bonnet and all hell will break loose.”

“Good thing I don’t wear bonnets.”

Just behind Lacey were a couple of gals Taz knew, Donna and Presley. He nodded a polite hello and nearly turned away when, a few feet behind them, he spied the one woman he wasn’t prepared to see. Or speak to for that matter.

Because damn, she took his breath away.

He straightened and cleared his throat, eyes on Scarlett Bridgestone as she chatted with a young man too stupid to know she was a heck of a lot more woman than he could handle. Her hair was loose, waving down her shoulders, a silken mess the color of aged cider. It framed a face that was perfect, heart-shaped with creamy golden skin and a sprinkle of freckles that fell across a nose so cute he wanted to kiss it. Her eyes were incredible, the lids smoky, and her lips were full, shiny with gloss. She wore a plain white T-shirt that fit like a glove, emphasizing breasts that were more than a handful, which in fact was just how he liked them. It stopped about an inch above the waistband of her jean skirt, and a glimpse of smooth skin was visible. The skirt fit her curves like it was made for them, and skimmed about mid-thigh. On her feet were a pair of well-worn white cowboy boots, scuffed from dancing but otherwise presentable. A bangle of silver was on her wrist, while a long silver chain hung from her neck, an intricate cross dangling from it.

She was the perfect mix of urban and country, a minx with eyes full of promise and a mouth made for sin.

Taz stepped forward without realizing it, because in that moment he was very clear on a few things. Scarlett Bridgestone was the kind of beautiful that was more than physical. It was a state of being. It was in the air that surrounded her, and the spirit that was inside her. It was the way her nose crinkled when she smiled. It was the kind of beauty a man didn’t forget, and he was pretty damn sure he’d be thinking about her long after tonight.

He took another step until he was inches from her and impatient, moved so that he was in her line of view.

“Taz,” she said breathlessly, a faint sheen of sweat making her skin glow. Tendrils of hair clung to the side of her neck, and he wanted to finger them away, then kiss the skin they’d touched. She looked between the two men.

“This is Danny Billings.”

“I know who he is.” He turned to the young buck and made no bones about his intentions. “Time for you to leave, bud.”

“Hey, now—” Danny replied in a rush.

“I’m not asking.” The two men stared at each other for a few seconds and then Danny turned away, muttering under his breath.

“That was rude,” Scarlett said as she watched Danny disappear.

“Yeah,” Taz said slowly. “It was.”

“What are you, some kind of neanderthal?”

“Only part time.”

“I don’t like to be told what to do,” she retorted, clearly irritated with him. “And I definitely don’t need some man telling me who to talk to either.”

Taz leaned so close he could smell the light fragrance that kissed her skin. “You smell good.”

If she was shocked at his words, she didn’t show it. She angled her head back and studied him for a few moments, eyes as shiny as glass.

“Don’t try to sweet talk me, it won’t work.”

“Just stating a fact.” He waited a few moments, unsure if he should do what it was he wanted to do. All around them folks jostled and talked and laughed, but it felt as if he and Scarlett were the only ones in the entire bar. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“I’m good,” she said slowly, watching him from under hooded eyes.

“Do you want to get out of here?”

“That’s a leap.”

“Think so?”

“Asking me if I want a drink to going back to your place is a more than a leap.”

“I didn’t say anything about my place, but if that’s what you want I’m more than happy to take you there.”

A ghost of a smile played around her mouth, but she remained silent.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

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