Page 20 of My Salvation
KATE
Lev texts me the next day and asks for a second date. He’s definitely in pursuit, and my body tingles as I think about our first date, the kiss, and all the things we can do as we take things slow.
I groan. He was right, I’m not ready emotionally, but damn, our chemistry is unbelievable, and I find myself unable to resist the temptation to see him again. I say yes.
Monday at lunch, Sarah grills me about the date. I smugly tell her the dress was a huge success, the date was incredible, and we are going out again soon.
In turn, Sarah tells me all about her crappy date for the weekend with another ranch hand. Swearing them off for good, she threatens to quit the practice and move to a big city so she can find her sophisticated dream man.
Laughing, I tell her I like the men in Montana.
By Wednesday, I’m definitely missing Lev. My phone pings at lunch with a text from him.
Sweetheart, why don’t you come up to the bar tonight so I can see your beautiful face? My treat for dinner.
Would love to see you, too. How about six?
Six works. See you then and be careful. If you want to walk, I’ll bring you home afterwards.
I smile the rest of the day. Sarah just laughs at me.
After the practice closes, I go upstairs to get ready. Throwing on dark jeans and a black sweater, I grab my keys and walk over to The Black and Gold. Entering the bar, I see Lev talking to a beautiful blonde woman behind the bar. She’s got her arm around Lev as they stare down at a piece of paper in Lev’s hands.
Hmm, that’s cozy.We’re not exclusive, but the thought of Lev also dating someone he works with is hard to swallow.
Looking up, he spots me and motions me over to the end of the bar. He holds up a hand to indicate he needs five minutes. I take off my coat and sit down.
The bartender comes over and leans over to smile at me. “What can I get you, doll?” he asks as he hands me a menu.
I look at the list of beers on tap and ask for the IPA. He tells me that’s an excellent choice and goes to get my beer. Lev comes up to him and says a few words. The bartender hands him the glass, and Lev finishes pouring my beer. Setting down the beer in front of me, he walks around the bar to my stool and pulls me up out of my seat.
What is he doing?
Lev wraps his arms around me and gives me a giant hug.
Hmmm, he smells like man, food, and fire.
Easing off a bit, he continues to hold me as he looks down at me. “Hello, sweetheart,” he says, smiling. “I couldn’t get you off my mind and needed to see you.”
Smiling back, I reach up and rub my hand across his jaw. “Hmm, hello to you, too. I might have thought about you once or twice.”
Frowning, he leans down and whispers in my ear, “I should give you more than just a kiss if you can forget me so easily.” Blowing in my ear, he makes me shiver. Pulling back, I see he has a big smile on his face.
Flushing, I tease him back. “Well, there’s a lot of possibilities beyond a kiss.”
Groaning, he removes his hands from my body, “You win. I still need to walk, and if I think about those possibilities, that will become difficult. And I also need to be here for another hour.”
Laughing, I sit down and order a burger and fries. Shaking his head, he goes off to enter my order.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” a cool voice says to me from behind. I turn around on the stool and stare at the blonde I had seen with Lev earlier.
“You’re right, we haven’t met. I’m Dr. Kate Michaels,” I tell her as I hold out my hand.
She briefly shakes it. “Ah, right, you’re the doctor who’s covering for Thayer,” she says. “I heard Lowell mention you the other day. I’m Courtney Miller, manager for The Black and Gold, and a very close friend of Lev’s, if you know what I mean.”
“Nice to meet you,” I reply, although that’s not what I’m thinking. “Are you from around here?”
“No, I grew up in Bozeman, but I’ve been here with Lev since he opened this bar. You know, we should hang out sometime. I could even set you up with my brother, and we could double date,” she says in a tone as fake as the tan on her body, subtly implying her date would be Lev.
