Page 111 of Tangled Kisses
“You wanted to get away, so what’s the plan, beautiful?” I nudge her knee with mine.
Reese mutters, lifting her glass like a shield. “Drinking until I don’t hurt anymore.”
The words punch me in the chest, stealing my breath. She doesn’t elaborate, and I know now’s not the time to push. Still, my eyes stay on her, willing her to open up, to let me in.
She must feel it, because she finally looks up, dark eyes pinning me. “I still don’t want to talk about it.”
I nod, tapping the rim of her glass with mine. “Okay. Then I’ll put on some drinking songs.” I knock back another swallow, then push off the stool. “Any requests?”
She shakes her head, eyes on her drink, but she doesn’t tell me to leave. I’ll take what I can get.
An hour later, Reese is still quiet, but her sharp edges have dulled. A few songs and another drink have her humming under her breath, even smiling once or twice. We’ve traded some small talk—safe, simple stuff—but I can see the storm still swirling beneath her skin.
A pair of women wander past on their way to the bar, one giving me a slow once-over, the other whispering something behind her hand.
But I barely pay them any mind.
I’m watching Reese.Alwaysher.
On their way back, the same women slow near my stool, cheeks flushed from too many drinks.
“You look like arealcowboy,” one of them says, eyeing my hat.
Oh boy, here we go.
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“You ride horses?” the other asks, leaning in like she already knows the answer.
“Almost every day.”
Her smile widens. “See? Told you he was perfect.”
I tip my chin toward Reese, my voice steady. “Hope my lady thinks so.”
They giggle and wander off, leaving me with nothing but the scent of cheap perfume and the sight of Reese glaring at her glass like it’s personally offended her.
“Do you ride horses?” Reese mimics, arching her brow in disgust and earning a chuckle from me.
“I was just sitting here.”
“Well, that’s the problem.” Reese pivots her barstool toward me, throwing a hand up and huffing in disgust. “You need to stop doing that.”
What the hell did I do this time? “Doing what exactly?”
“Being all sexy and shit.” She waves her hand in my direction, cheeks flushed from whiskey. “The way you’re sitting there. That look on your face. Just stop. Stop being so damn attractive.”
I can’t help the laugh rumbling in my chest.Hell of an ego boost, darlin’.
I tug my hat lower over my eyes. “Better?”
Her groan is instant. “No. That’s sexy too. God, it’s aggravating.”
Do I love how I get to her? Absolutely. And I know she sure as hell gets to me. Especially now that I know how she tastes. How she feels.
And fuck, now I’m nursing a hard-on.
“Same goes for you.”
