Page 9 of Thirst Trap
5
Whitley
“See,I think you’re lying. You are a cowboy, aren’t you?”
Jake smiles at my joke as he climbs up from the ring where he just finished riding the mechanical bull—for an impressive thirty-five seconds.
“I don’t lie,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist. “While yes, I am a cop and not a cowboy, that doesn’t mean I can’t ride.”
His eyebrows start wagging up and down, and I can’t help but laugh at his playfulness. Since we left the bar that will forever in my memory be known as “the place where I got a lap dance from a complete stranger,” Jake hasn’t left my side.
And I don’t want him to.
We’ve laughed. We’ve done shots. We’ve gotten to know each other, even if it is just the basics. He came clean that no, he’s not a cowboy. That was after I dared him to go on the mechanical bull. I also learned from his friend, Knox, that he doesn’t turn down dares, including the one tonight that led to my lap dance.
Luckily, we’ve kept the conversation light and pretty superficial. I haven’t had to tell him my last name, therefore avoiding the chance that he could look at me differently once that information is public.
Because I don’t want him looking at me differently than he is right now—like I’m the only woman in this bar. I’m sure the girls, specifically Emmilene, would be giving me shit about it, but his friends have been keeping them company all night. Especially the one Jake introduced as Trent. It seems that crazy-bitchy redheads are his cup of tea.
“Where did you learn to ride?” I ask, loving the little bit I’ve gotten to know about him tonight.
“I’m from a small town about an hour south of here. You don’t grow up in Rolling Hills and not learn to ride a horse,” he says, taking a seat on the barstool, pulling me in so I’m standing between his legs. “What about you? Where are you from?”
I take a second to wrap my arms around his neck, hoping I can be honest and not give too much away. “Birmingham. Born and raised. We’re only here for the weekend.”
“As so many are,” he says, pulling me in a little tighter. “I take it in Birmingham you don’t ride horses?”
“Some do, but not me,” I say, hoping to steer the conversation. “I must ask. Where did you learn to dance like that?”
The question has been on my mind all night. Either the guy used to be a dancer in Vegas or he is the best-kept secret for bachelorette parties in the state of Tennessee.
“I can’t be telling you all my secrets,” he says, his dimple popping up as he gives me a small smile. “Not even Knox knows that, and he’s been my best friend since we were in diapers.”
“Now I’m even more curious,” I say, letting my fingers play at the nape of his neck.
He looks up and takes a breath before meeting my gaze again. “If I tell you, I’m going to need a big secret from you.”
Shit. My big secret is that my brother is one of the most popular men in this town, and he most likely has seen highlights of my daddy playing football. But if I say no, he’ll wonder what I’m hiding.
And for some reason, I don’t want to hide things from this man. I might not want to tell him the big one yet, but that doesn’t mean I want this conversation, or night, to end.
“Let’s see what you got, first,” I say, hoping my answer doesn’t come off as suspicious.
“You drive a hard bargain, sweetness,” he says, brushing a loose piece of hair away from my face. “But since you asked so nicely, I guess I can tell you.”
“I’m flattered.”
He looks around, and if I had to guess, it’s to make sure Knox or Trent aren’t within earshot. “When I was in middle school, I took dance lessons to impress a girl. Obviously, I didn’t learn the moves I used on you tonight in Miss Margie’s hip hop class, but it taught me the basics. I guess I just picked up some things over the years.”
My eyes grow wide. “You were willing to take dance lessons to impress a girl?”
He laughs, pulling me closer. “Out of that whole admission, that’s what you took away from it?”
“Only because that is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Did you get her?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. Turns out she had a thing for Knox the whole time. Not even the worm was enough to impress her.”
“Aw, poor baby,” I say, and without thinking about it, I lean in and kiss his lips.
