Page 42 of Love Bank
Instead of lashing out at me, her eyes were closed and her breathing came faster. Her body melted into my arm, degree by degree, letting me hold her weight. The testosterone coursing through my veins surged and I shifted into full flirt mode, needing this woman more than I needed my reputation in this small town.
“You like that, Lucy? You like when I steal kisses from you?”
At my whisper, her eyes flew open and the flames from the fire reflected back to me.
“I actually do,” she whispered back, still melting into my arm.
I dipped my head again and stole another kiss, this time with her full participation, a heady feeling knowing she wanted me back. Another cheer went up from the crowd around the bonfire, pulling me from her lips. Now was not the time nor the place to be putting the moves on the town’s shining example of virtue.
I forced my arm to drop. Told my feet to step away, all the while grinding my teeth at the effort it took. I fished out the phone from my back pocket, needing to do something with my hands other than touch Lucy’s soft skin.
“I should get your phone number.” I smiled at her wide eyes, wondering about the last time my heart had pounded so loudly when asking a woman for her number. “We can go out on a date and start over.”
“Start over?” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
I shrugged. “Yeah, you know. Start over without blackmailing or birdseed standing between us?”
She quirked a smile, quite proud of herself. “Sure. But let it be known that blackmailing worked like a charm.”
“I’ve got a flock of seagulls who would disagree with you.”
She put her hand on her hip. “How about we agree to disagree?”
I nodded, enjoying the way I could spar with this woman. “Agreed.”
She rattled off her number and I texted her. A soft ping came from between us. She grabbed her phone out of her front pocket and held it up in the air with a little shake.
“Got it.”
I smiled full out, looking forward to an actual date instead of a hookup for once. I’d have to examine my head later, but for now I was going with it since it felt good.
“Ooh, wait until I tell Grandma!” Lenora sashayed her way between Lucy and me, another red cup in her hand. “She’s been wanting to set you two up since Bain moved here.”
Lucy gasped and I grunted. Lenora took that as a signal to leave, probably spreading the gossip to the first person she saw. By tomorrow, everyone in Hell would know I’d gotten Lucille Eureka’s phone number. Lord help me.
I gestured up and down her body, needing at least one thing answered tonight. “So what’s with the new clothes?”
She looked down at herself, giving me an excuse to take in the breasts straining to get out of the tank top, the tiny shorts, and the red checkered Vans that hinted at a playful side.
“You don’t like them?”
I realized with a start her gaze was back on me, hurt in her silver eyes.
“No,” I quickly said. “I love the clothes, but I also like the old clothes.”
She scrunched up her face. “You liked my turtlenecks and long skirts?”
“Fuck yeah, I did.” I tilted my head left and right, uncomfortable sharing, but going out on a limb and doing it anyway. “I may have had a fantasy or two about bending you over my desk, so yeah, I’d say the clothes were working for you.”
Her cheeks went pink and she bit that lower lip, trying to keep the smile from taking over. A gust of wind blew her hair in her face. I reached forward to brush it away before she got a hand up to do it herself.
“Something tells me you like me, Bain Sutter,” she said in that soft voice that did things to my insides.
Truer words were never spoken.
16
Lucille
