Page 45 of Rough Stock
Jensen’s eyes filled with tears. She asked so little and needed so much, and in that moment he felt totally inadequate. Reaching for the bracelet, he slipped it on her arm and smiled. “Yes. I believe in you, Shyanna. I’ve believed in you from the firstsecond I saw you. I told you before and I’ll tell you again: I’m beyond impressed with you and I respect you more than you’ll ever know. And I’m committed to helping you. I’ve told you that over and over and I’m not kidding. If I can help you reach your goals and realize your dreams in any way, all you have to do is say so. Anything,” he said as he pressed his palm to her cheek. “I love you, Shy. I know what that word means, and when I say it, I mean it.” Warmth flooded his chest as she turned her face slightly and kissed the center of his palm. “Now let’s go dancing.”
“No! I don’t dance!” she almost screamed.
“I don’t care. I’ll teach you. End of story.” His hand cooperated that time, turning the key and slipping the truck into gear, and as he pulled out of the mall parking lot, she slid over in the seat and leaned up against him. He felt like a teenager again, and it felt good.
They pulled up to the club and Jensen looked over at Shyanna, who’d been staring out the window, sulking, ever since he’d mentioned it. “Come on. Let’s go in.”
“I told you, I don’t dance.”
“Not even a slow dance with me? Just swaying back and forth on the dance floor?” he cajoled.
“I’d just trip over my own feet and embarrass us both,” she said with a huff.
“Oh, that’s just ridiculous. Come on.” He got out, then turned to see her still sitting in the truck, so he went to her door and opened it. “Sorry. Need to be more chivalrous.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not going in,” she said, refusing to look at him.
“Yes. You’re going in or… I’m taking that bracelet back.” She slipped it off her wrist and held it out to him, but when he reached for it, she snatched it back. “Uh-huh. You like it too much.”
“God, why do you have to be so fucking persuasive?” she mumbled as they made their way to the door.
Sure enough, inside it looked like the typical roadhouse with a big jukebox, red vinyl booths, and a bar the entire length of the back wall. Neon beer signs hung everywhere, and there was a pool table in an adjacent room. “Find a booth and I’ll get us something to drink. What do you want?”
“Um, whiskey sour?”
“Coming right up, beautiful.” After about three steps, he turned back to see her watching his ass as he walked, and it made him laugh aloud.
He was back in a couple of minutes, drinks in hand. Sitting down across the booth from Shyanna, he smiled at her as she took a sip. “Good?”
“God, that’s fucking strong as hell!” she blurted out, breathless from the alcohol.
Jensen let out a belly laugh. “I’ve known the bartender, Dean, almost all my life. I order and he loads it up. Except, of course, for beer, which is what it is.”
“Boy, two of those will have me down for the count.”
“That would be great. Easier for me to take advantage of you later,” Jensen said and reached for her free hand. He was just about to pull it to his lips and kiss it when a voice cut into their little moment.
“Hey! I thought that was you guys! Hi!” SammyJo said, then pointed to the bar. “Amber’s over there. Mind if we join you?”
I’d really rather you didn’t, Jensen wanted to say, but when he saw Shyanna’s face light up, he nodded. “Sure. That would be great.”
“Thanks! Be back in a minute.” SammyJo disappeared into the crowd and left them there together.
“You didn’t want them to sit with us, did you?” Shyanna said with a grin.
“Not really. Kinda wanted some privacy.”
She laughed aloud. “Look around! There’s no privacy here! It’s a fucking roadhouse, babe. Everybody can see us.”
“Guess you’ve got a point,” he said, chuckling.
“Hi! SammyJo said you were over here!” Amber started to sit down, but Shyanna got up and moved to sit beside Jensen. Amber scooted in and before she could say anything more, SammyJo showed up and slipped into the seat beside her.
“So, what are you guys up to?” Amber asked.
“Went to dinner and then to the mall,” Shyanna answered.
“Oooo! Get anything good at the mall?” SammyJo asked her.
