Page 11 of Small Town Firsts
Kira flushed and her shoulders went back again. My mouth watered at the way her shirt parted, showing the generous curve of her breast, with more chains leading my eye lower into all of that gorgeous softness.
Jesus.
“I think that was a compliment.” Her brow raised. “Not sure what to do with it.”
What woman didn’t know what to do with a compliment? Even as she stood taller, it felt as if it was part of an internal pep talk rather than the preening most women did after getting attention.
Justin came up behind his brother. He was rangier than Beckett, with a perpetual smile on his pretty boy face. “Goddamn, girl. Where you been hiding all this?” He pushed his brother aside to curl his arm around her waist, pulling her up on her toes for a quick kiss.
Kira was flustered as she pushed him back. Again, I had to hold myself back from hauling the youngest Manning off of her. “Idiot. I’m not any different.”
“Bullshit. Hayes, get a look at our new Kira.” He twirled her in a small circle, his eyes practically glowing with interest. Her laugh was rich and husky to match all that gold skin of hers on display. A few people glanced over, and I vibrated at the urge to snarl at every one of them to mind their damn business.
What the hell was my problem?
Hayes pushed his glasses up his nose as he got to the top of the stairs. “She’s always beautiful.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank deeply from his own beer, but at least his gaze stayed up on her face, unlike his brother.
“If you’re done objectifying her, you could fill me in,” I growled.
Hayes choked on his beer, swiping at his mouth with the back of his hand.
Kira’s eyes flashed hot at me before she gave everyone a tight smile. “It’s not like you’ve never seen me out of jeans, guys.”
“It’s a rare thing.” Justin slipped an arm around her shoulder, his hand dangling dangerously low over her breast.
Breaking his fingers seemed extreme, but it was going to happen if he didn’t step back.
He leaned into her hair, smelling her like she was a goddamn steak. “I like it. You should let me take you out this weekend to show you off.”
She elbowed him. “Not a chance. We’d have to dodge too many of your ex-girlfriends.”
He rubbed his ribs. “You’re a harsh woman.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts, and I shoved my other hand into my pocket to relieve the sudden pressure. Inconvenient attraction aside, I could control myself even if the urge to piss around her tickled my lizard brain.
Her name finally connected as Beckett’s words sunk in through the annoyance and animal-like reaction to her. Just because Brothers Three Orchard didn’t have an HR department didn’t mean I couldn’t get booted for being a creep.
Not only would we be working together, but we’d be in each other’s pockets. While I had no interest in the day to day running of the taproom, I’d have to speak with her about tastings, food, and supplies.
A major part of designing seasonal blends included showcasing the end product. Two things I loved in this world were alcohol and pairings. And I’d have to be discussing them with her, trying them with her—doing every damn thing with her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to come over to the taproom and introduce myself today.”
She gave a little shrug and glanced at me through her lashes. I didn’t like that she wouldn’t look at me now. “No problem. Itwas my last day out in the orchard—unless I’m needed, of course—so I wasn’t around to welcome you.”
Somehow I didn’t think she really meant the welcome part. I wasn’t sure exactly why. Was she that put out by the flash of attraction between us?
Not that I could feel any of it right now.
It was like she’d turned it off like a defective tap even as it still hummed under my skin. Which didn’t make sense to me. Not when it had been so obvious between us.
Or maybe I was just delusional.
Wasn’t the first time a woman had pulled one over on me. And thoughts of Darcy immediately flushed any lingering ideas about getting Kira Webb to sit on my face.
Even if I knew both of us would enjoy it.
Kira gripped the top of a chair, her rings winking in the low light. “Why don’t you guys go sit down, and I’ll bring over some food.”
