Page 53 of Beneath the Blue Moon
By the time I get to work, there’s quite an evening crowd.Most of the men have stopped by for a few drinks after their shifts at the beerfactory in Lincoln.I don’t get it, being around beer all day and then drinkingit after work.Oh, well.As I move around, I can’t help feeling like I’m beingwatched; my spidey senses are tingling.I do an inconspicuous sweep of the room,and that’s when I see him.His eyes meet mine, and I get a bone-deep chill.Something’s just not right about him.He motions me forward, and I approachhim, plastering a smile on my face.He’s still a customer.
“Hi.Welcome to The Round-up.What can I get you?”
His gaze travels over my body, making me suddenly feeldirty.When he finally looks into my eyes, icy-blue ones stare back at me.Hesmirks like he knows something I don’t, and slowly licks his lips.
“We’ll start with a beer, whatever’s on tap.We’ll see whereit goes from there.”
Even his voice is creepy.Ugh.“Coming right up.”
I roll my eyes as I turn away from him.He issonotmy type, even without the creepy factor.I guess he’s handsome—dark, wavy hairwith a streak of gray at his temple, full lips.He’s tall, too, over six feet.His eyes, though… There’s just something evil about them.I place his beer beforehim and get ready to make a hasty retreat.
“What’s your name, beautiful?”
Crap.“Casey.”
“Casey.”He tests my name on his lips, dragging out thesound of thes.“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
Creepy, evil, and totally unoriginal.“Thank you.”
“What time do you get off, Casey?”
“Look, I’m flattered, but I… have a thing.”
He chuckles.“A thing?Doesn’t sound too serious.”
“Well, it’s early, but who knows?”
“He’s a lucky man.”
“Yes, he is.”
He smiles, but it does nothing to soften his features.“Beautifulandfunny.Quite a combination.”
His phone vibrates on the bar, and he picks it up with adeep frown.He pockets it, pulls a few bills from his wallet, and places themon the counter.
“I’d love to continue this conversation, but I have to go.Ihope I see you again.”
And I hope not.“I’ll be here.”He nods and turns towalk away.“Wait.You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”
He gives me another knowing smile.
“Morrow.Stone Morrow.”
***Ethan***
I arrive at The Round-up fifteen minutes early.She’s at thefar end of the room serving drinks, and I experience a heart palpitation as Itake in her outfit.Her legs are once again bare in something that looks likeglorified underwear, and her T-shirt is tied at the waist, exposing her bellybutton.She’s almost fucking naked!
“Sheriff!”Rusty slaps my shoulder, and I reluctantly turnto face him, trying to control my anger.“Becoming a regular, are we?”
“What can I say, Rusty?I like the service.”
“Yeah, you and just about every man in this town.”
He chuckles, jerks his head in her direction, and walks off.I survey the room and notice all the men ogling her, staring at her ass andlegs.Every muscle in my body tenses, and I want to rip the heads off every manin here.She seems oblivious to the whole thing, laughing away with theperverts.She turns to head back to the bar but halts when she spots me.Hersmile widens, and she bounces over to me.The men at one table follow theprogress of her ass with silly, lust-filled smiles.
“Hey.I’m almost ready—”
“You need to stop that,” I cut her off.
