Page 75 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Am I wrong, or do I sense a little fraternizing with the cowboy?” The words oozed from Damon.

Sadie felt her cheeks warm and tried focusing on pouring more cream into her coffee. “Fraternizing?”

“You know, hobnobbing?” He laughed.

“Yeah, I know what the word means. What gives you that idea?” She stirred her coffee then licked the spoon.

“Maybe because you both were in the same restroom for quite some time and as he walked by the window just now, he couldn’t keep his baby blue peepers off you.” He tapped his spoon on the rim of his cup. “I know men, honey. My senses are sharpened on who is dying to let the horse out to play and the others who want to build a permanent barn for the mare. I think the hot cowboy is stuck somewhere in between.”

“Your senses must need glasses.” Sadie thought of the kiss she and Channing had shared in the restroom and her body melted into the seat. She fantasized about kissing him too many times. What if he did wat more? No, he’d made his intentions clear. Neither wanted to take things to the next level.

And based on Damon’s skeptical expression, he didn’t believe a word she was saying. “It’s written all over your creamy complexion. Just been thoroughly fuc—"

“Fine. Channing and I have been sleeping together for months.” The words ripped from her like they’d been blown out of a jet engine.

Damon gave her a thumbs up. “I don’t blame you one bit, darling. He’s the next best thing to sliced bread. All those muscles and long legs. I bet his hands are calloused.” He gave a shiver. “Confess, does he ride like a—”

“Can I get you two anything?”

Sadie about jumped out of her skin at May’s question. How had Sadie not heard the server approach? Had she heard the conversation? Sadie’s throat constricted.

“Ice cream sounds good. How about mint chocolate with a waffle cone,” she forced her nerves back into place. Walking on eggshells, always worrying about people finding out about her affair with Channing wasn’t her style, but she didn’t like to have her personal life on public display.

“And for you, Damon?” May ate him up with her dreamy eyes. The single townsfolk saw him as fresh available meat.

“Coffee is fine.” He didn’t give one sliver of interest to May’s flirty smile.

The second she stepped away from the table, Sadie crooned, “I thought for sure you needed some ice cream to cool off after talking about my cowboy.”

“Your cowboy, huh?”

“I didn’t say that.” Or had she?

“Anyway, I’m lactose intolerant. If I eat one scoop of ice cream, I’ll be in the bathroom doing unspeakable things and I’m not referring to what you and the hunky Marlboro man were up to. Is it love or lust?”

“Look, it’s just sex. Fun, wild sex. Around these parts available, handsome men are like igloos. Hard to find.”

“Mm-hmm. If you say so,” Damon practically purred.

“Shh. Here comes the ice cream.”

A moment later Sadie held the cone and was licking the sweet goodness. “You can’t tell anyone what I told you.”

“If you haven’t realized this already, I’m someone you’ll never have to worry about spilling the tea. My nickname is Crypt Keeper. But the question is, why are you keeping your sexy igloo hidden? You both are consenting adults and can do whomever you wish.”

She opened her mouth to answer, but the words were lost. “Honestly, I’m not sure. It started as a secret and has stayed that way. Maybe that lends to the excitement. You’re from the big city and wouldn’t understand how rumors work here in a small town. Didn’t you say yourself that secret affairs are fun?”

“Yes. Until feelings get tossed into the mix. Nothing can pour cold water on a man’s little soldier quicker than messy.”

“Feelings? Funny.” She laughed but it fizzled.

“Doyou have feelings for him?” Damon’s perceptive glare needled through her invisible wall.

Sadie nibbled at the corner of her lips. “No. Yes. Maybe.” Her heart sank. “Now wouldn’t be the time to think about Channing as relationship material.”

“And why the bloody hell not? I mean, we are looking at the same man. Muscles. Abs. Smile. Olive complexion. Smooth moves. Need I go on?”

“He’s handsome, but he’s not interested. Not to mention, Ruby needs every bit of my focus now.” She dropped her cone into her coffee cup and watched the cream melt, much like what Channing did to her that morning. Feelings were okay—normal. After all, they grew up together. They were friends.

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