Page 66 of Belong With Me

Chapter Twenty - Two

Sienna

I felt Ryder’s eyes on me from across the bar like a red-hot brand. Instead of feeling uncomfortable with the presence, I actually felt relieved. Even if that brand was on my ass about 70 percent of the time.

“Want another?” Kenzie asked me, pointing at the glass in front of me.

I finished the last few drops of whiskey before handing her the glass. “I should probably slow down. I’m not that good at holding my alcohol,’’ I confessed, and she smiled wide at me. “If I drink, it’s usually only a glass or two of wine.”

Kenzie scooped some ice into a glass and filled it with water. “Hot tip? For every sip of whiskey, you have two sips of the water. Trust me, it will help.”

“You’re not a very good barmaid, are you?”

“I’ll make plenty of money off others in here tonight, plus I don’t need to be lectured until the end of the time by my brother for getting you drunk.”

“I’m my own person,” I told her. “It’s not up to him or anyone else to decide how much I drink.”

She grinned at me. “I know that. But with all the pairs of eyes you have on you tonight, it’s only a matter of time before one of them makes their move. The less foggy you are, the better your take downs will be. Don’t think that I won’t rub it in their faces that a city girl got the best of them.” Winking, she placed a whiskey before me and then headed down the other end of the bar to serve a couple of old timers.

Turning around, I rested my arm on the bar and looked over at the other patrons. Some were sitting at tables; others were resting on high top tables. I caught a few of them averting their eyes when I reached them and smiled to myself; it was nice to be admired.

I guessed I fit in more now since I was dressed like one of them. I had to admit, it felt good not to be stared at for the clothes, but for me. I kept moving my gaze across the room and stopped where Ryder and Logan were meant to be playing pool, but as I searched the area around the pool table, I saw drinks, but their spot was empty.

I scanned the space again, slower this time but I still didn’t see them. Then a thought hit me—what if they were no longer inside?

This time I focused my attention further, looking out through one of the two massive windows set on either side of the country-style saloon doors. When I found a group of men outside, my eyes flicked between those standing around, and saw the boys were with them.

My eyes locked onto Ryder immediately, his hands out before him in a gesture while chatting to a couple of other guys I hadn’t seen before. They all seemed to be laughing and I smiled at the scene

A second later, his hands dropped, and as though he sensed I was looking at him, he turned his head toward the window and caught me spying on him. The grin he gave me was one that managed to take my breath away, his dimple appeared and the way his eyes sparkled told me exactly what he was thinking along with what he planned on doing to me later.

My hand cupped my neck as I stared back with a cheeky smile of my own. Honestly, I was thinking the same damn thoughts. I wanted nothing more than to take him home and have him do wicked things to me.

It had been so long since I had slept with a man, and the two sexual encounters I had had with Ryder so far outweighed every single one of them. Come to think of it, though, I felt like it was a little one sided. Maybe I’d pay him back later, but where would the fun be in that? I’d make him earn it first.

Squeezing my thighs together in my new jeans, I turned once again to face the bar, lifted my whiskey to my lips and downed the entire glass in one swallow.

The warmth of it settled inside me, spreading outward in a welcoming way. I winced slightly as I set the tumbler back down on the wooden counter a little too forcefully. Maybe Kenzie was right; the water might be a good idea after all.

“Had a hard day, my dear?” Unwelcome recognition flared within me at the voice.

I turned my head and saw Ethan Sanderson approaching. At least this time he looked like an actual Texan, wearing a black button-down shirt with dark blue jeans. Then, as he took another step, the lights caught on the biggest damn belt buckle I had ever seen. I was sure you could see this thing from the other side of the street. It was that bloody ostentatious, you couldn’t help but stare at it.

Not wanting to be rude, I offered a small smile. After all, Daddy did want to purchase a couple of hectares of land from him. “Mr. Sanderson. How are you?” I was pleased my voice was both sweet and businesslike all in one.

He continued approaching, then leaned one arm against the bar, facing his entire body towards me. “Much better now I’m talking with a beautiful woman.”

My skin crawled at this man’s presence. I only just managed to tamp down the feeling bubbling up inside me, the one urging me to roll my eyes at his ridiculous attempt to come on to me. “Where’s Anna-Beth?” I asked, reminding him of his wife.

The smile plastered on his face never even faltered. “Back home,” he told me, reaching out to capture a loose strand of my hair. I tucked it behind my ear before he was successful.

I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I didn’t want him anywhere near me, but I needed to get his signature.

“Have you thought any more about the offer?” I asked, trying to force his thoughts in a more professional direction.

His left eyebrow rose a little. “Perhaps.” He paused, and his hand that was resting on the bar began to drum a tune. “Have you thought any more about joining me for a roll in the hay?”

“I have,” I replied, lifting my water to my lips and sipping it.

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