Page 16 of Beast

“Didn’t want me fainting from hunger while you were having your way with me?”

“Yeah.Something like that.”He nuzzled the side of my neck.“You smell like sunshine and fresh air.”

I batted my eyelashes at him.“So I don’t need to freshen up?”

He nipped my earlobe.“I’m not falling for that one again.You know I’d take you any way you’d have me, including dripping with mud, but I do think we need to get a bite to eat first.”

“True.”I slid out of his grip.“Just give me a minute to…freshen up… and I’ll be ready to go.”

A reluctant smile curved Beast’s rugged features as he shook his head.“I knew you were going to be trouble.”

I gave my face and hands a quick rinse and grimaced at my reflection in the mirror.The helmet might keep me safe, but it didn’t do much for my hair.It lay flat against my head, so I tried to fluff it up with my fingers.I could have gone looking for my brush, but I doubted that would help much and I didn’t want to take the time to wash and blow dry it.Maybe I could consider the new look a disguise.The girl staring back at me from the mirror didn’t look much like the glamour shots my agent used.

I skipped back into the main room.“All ready.”

Beast held his hand out toward me.

I wrinkled my nose.“We’re still doing the handholding thing, are we?”But I put my hand in his, secretly enjoying the security it implied.

Beast shrugged.“Your ex’s thugs aside, I don’t want anyone thinking you’re available.”

“Available?Aw.Aren’t you the sweet talker?”I grinned up at him.

He growled something under his breath and shoved the room key in his pocket.

The night air was just cool enough to be comfortable as we walked over to the pub.Beast held the door open for me without letting go of my hand, and I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting.The place was packed and true to the name there were a lot of cowboy hats and boots in the crowd.The bar covered one wall at the far side of the room, and tables and chairs were scattered around a square reserved for dancing.

The door shut behind us, and Beast led me over to a table in the far corner of the room.Taking a seat with his back to the wall, he pulled a chair around the table and set it beside his for me.

I raised my brow.“Really?You don’t want me all the way over on the other side of the table?”

“I thought you’d want to be able to see the stage.”He gestured toward a makeshift stage in a corner beside the bar.A karaoke machine complete with speakers was set up on the stage.

“Oh.”I watched as a tall brunette picked up the microphone and said something to the guy running the machine.He gave her a thumbs up, and the soft sounds of guitar strumming filled the room.The brunette nodded her head and launched into an old country ballad.

Beast raised an arm and flagged down a barmaid.When she was close enough to hear him over the noise of the other patrons, he ordered a couple of burgers and a pitcher of beer.She nodded and disappeared into the crowd of dancers swaying to the brunette’s song.

“Hope beer’s okay.I should have asked.”He leaned toward me.

“Beer’s fine.”I tapped my foot in time to the music.The brunette had a good voice, and I guessed this wasn’t her first time singing to the crowd.

We sat in companionable silence enjoying the ambiance until the barmaid returned with our drinks.She plunked a plastic jug full of beer and two glasses on the table.“Food will be up in five minutes.”She gave us a quick smile before turning back to the crowd.

I picked up the jug and poured each of us a glass.Beast grabbed one and took a deep pull.He draped his other arm across the back of my chair in a casually possessive gesture.I leaned into him, resting my head in the hollow of his shoulder.

We were just another barely visible couple in a crowded bar in a small town in the middle of nowhere.It felt good.Safe.I felt safe enough to relax for the first time since this whole mess started.

The next singer got up, a cowboy complete with the boots and the hat.He picked one of those country songs with lots of whooping and foot stomping and the crowd really got into it.I looked at Beast.“You want to dance?”

He shook his head.“Nope.Not unless they slow the music down a whole lot, and I can just wrap my arms around you and sway a bit.”

I laughed.“Not likely to happen.I’m getting the feeling this is a country crowd, and they’re just starting to warm up.”

The waitress came back with our food, and once again Beast pulled out just enough to cover the tab with a generous tip.

True to what the girl at the motel desk had said, the food was plain but good.The hamburger patties were thick and juicy, and the buns were fresh.I was hungrier than I’d realized and made short work of it.Beast looked amused.“Poor hamburger didn’t stand a chance.”

I shrugged, looking pointedly at his empty plate.“I don’t see a lot of crumbs on your plate either.”

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