Page 25 of Buckled in Barbwire

“We don’t have an arrangement.”

“Yet.”

She didn’t tell me her terms, which has grated on my nerves. But we’ll get it settled. Eventually.

Paisley rolls her eyes as if hearing my stubborn determination. “Who are you here with?”

“You.”

“Me?”

I nod. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

A hint of her genuine smile fondles my ego. “Or you’ve missed me, boss.”

I chuckle as she throws my words back at me. “Well, you arrived just in time. How about we—”

“Holy horse manure!” A redhead behind Paisley whistles. “Brody Benson is crashing ladies’ night.”

I grind my teeth at the interruption, but tip my hat at her. “Ma’am.”

The woman wrinkles her nose. “Oh, you did not.”

“Excuse me?”

She huffs. “I’m barely over thirty, not approaching fifty.”

I glance from her to Paisley. The latter is waiting for me to acknowledge her smug grin. “Care to clarify?”

The twinkly cowgirl snorts out a giggle. “You ma’amed her.”

“Is that a verb?”

“Mhmm, and it’s not sexy. Makes us feel old.”

“Wouldn’t want that.” I’m not shy about roving my blatant appreciation along Paisley’s hourglass figure. “Not that there’s a chance of that happening. Are you even legally allowed to be in a bar?”

“Want to peek at my license?” She leans close, giving me a whiff of vanilla and reckless abandon. “That’ll prove I’m too young to fake date you.”

I clench my hand into a fist to stop myself from grasping her hip. “There’s nothing wrong with an age gap, Twinkles. A mature guy like me can take better care of you.”

“Pretty promises for a contractual obligation.” Paisley clucks her tongue and moves away to point at the redhead. “This is my cousin. Cassidy is partial to Knox Creek, but she decided to visit us in Cloverleaf Meadows for a change.”

I tip my hat. “Nice to meet you, filly. I’m surprised they let you in without getting carded. You’re probably breaking the law.”

Cassidy nods in approval. “Now that’s more like it.”

“Don’t let him fool you,” Paisley chirps. “This charm is an act. He just wants something he can’t have.”

“Girl, give it to him.” Cassidy lightly shoves her cousin at me. “Make sure to get yours too.”

Paisley rights herself before I can catch her. “You’re a horrible influence.”

“I like her,” I counter.

“You would.”

“How about we discuss this somewhere more private? I have a table reserved in that dark corner.” My thumb hitches in the general direction.

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