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Bea rolled her eyes at the nickname Ben gave her and flashed a mischievous smile at Ever. “The Pickled Pig over in St. Augustine! It’s this old-time honky-tonk bar, totally cheesy, super fun atmosphere! Great drink specials, fantastic music, and an awesome dance floor! Also, the crowd is mixed so us oldies won’t look like cougars! “
“Cougars? We are barely 30!” Ever choked out in laughter.
“Yep, cougar status has been activated! We want to go where the real men are!” Bea replied with a wink as she got into her truck.
Ever followed her into the passenger seat and turned to question her. “Which men, may I ask, will be there?”
Bea’s lips lifted into an amused grin, knowing exactly what her friend wanted to hear. “Last I heard, Hayden, BEN…” Bea emphasized enunciating his name.
Ever settled into her seat and buckled her seatbelt. Ben would be there, she thought. A feeling of nervous anticipation settled in her stomach as she reflected on their encounter that afternoon. There was no one else she wanted to see more.
Bea pulled into the parking lot of “The Pickled Pig”, a winking bright neon pig perched on the front wearing a cowboy hat greeted them along with music and laughter wafting from the bar filling the parking lot.
“This place looks like fun!” Ever smiled brightly, clapping her hands with excitement.
Bea nodded with a smile and eagerly bounded out of the truck. Ever followed suit and rounded the vehicle to meet her. “Let the fun begin!” Bea exclaimed, looping her arm through Ever’s.
Both women giggled like teenagers as they entered the bar, the familiar sound of Luke Bryan’s “Shake it for Me” blasting through the speakers. Surveying the crowd, it did not take long for them to spot the guys leaning against the long bar. Ben’s height, broad shoulders, and shaggy brown hair stood out like a beacon calling them over.
As they approached, Hayden turned, spotting them, and shouted above the loud music. “Ladies!” then whistled in appreciation, taking them both in. Ben turned and met Ever’s eyes. His eyes gleamed as he drank her in brazenly, making her face flush with heat at the intensity of his perusal.
“Hey BB!” Ben acknowledged her friend as she gave him an affectionate shove. Ben gave her a quick wistful smile and brought his attention back to Ever locking her in with his persistent stare.
Hayden looked over at Bea and his eyes widened.
Bea smiled back, mouthing; “I know, right?” and shrugged.
Hayden glanced back and forth from Ben to Ever. “Are you going to officially introduce me, Big Bro?” he asked, clearing his throat to get his attention.
Breaking their connection, Ben offered his brother a smile. “Hayden, this is Ever Wolton. Ever, this is my brother, Hayden Hastings.”
Ever put out her hand to shake and Hayden flashed her his debonair smile. Taking her hand, he put it to his lips, kissed it and flirtatiously gave her a wink. “Pleasure to meet you, Ever!”
Bea rolled her eyes and gave him an exasperated punch in the arm.
Ben growled under his breath.
Startled, Ever’s eyes darted to Ben, and an amused smile curved her lips. “Did you just growl?” she asked with a giggle.
His eyes met hers and softened in answer.
How cute! Like a big bear. She mused to herself.
Hayden’s eyes twinkled with delight as he looked back at his brother. Ben flashed him a dirty “back away and you won’t get hurt” look. Shrugging, Hayden laughed, knowing he was getting under his brother’s skin. “What can I get you ladies?” Hayden offered as he turned to the bartender. “This round is on me.”
“Surprise us!” Bea shouted playfully as she looped her arm in Hayden’s and turned to give Ever a mischievous wink.
As Hayden and Bea waited to order drinks from the bartender, Ever took a moment to take in her surroundings. The bar was dimly lit, with raised booths surrounding the perimeter. The extra-long oak bar top was flanked by a mirrored backdrop and three long wooden shelves of alcohol bottles. Bright neon signs graced the walls in fun designs and sayings, with a huge wooden dance floor in the middle. Even by Toronto standards, this place was unquestionably cool.
Ever returned her attention to the giant of a man next to her, giving him a coy smile of approval as her eyes examined him with appreciation. “You clean up nice cowboy!”
He wore a light blue button-up shirt, the top three buttons open, showing off his impressive physique. Thigh hugging dark wash, boot cut jeans and brown cowboy boots finished off his look. In one word he looked–yummy. Ever smiled at her thought, inadvertently biting her bottom lip, then glanced up at him flirtatiously through her lashes, meeting his unwavering gaze.
* * *
Ben’s mind was reeling as he watched Ever bite her bottom lip, the action going straight to his groin. What would he give to run his tongue over that lip? Nip it. Suck on it. Wicked thoughts overtook him, making him very aware of his body. What would it be like to kiss her? The feeling of anticipation was as thick and heavy on him as it obviously was on her. His breath laboured as he took her in again. She was a knockout. Her silky mahogany hair flowed in natural waves, her flawless skin, long lush lashes framed her intriguing hazel eyes. Her mouth-watering curves strategically accented by her flowy off the shoulder blouse and tight dark wash jeans. Ben had never seen a woman look sexier.
Hayden and Bea returned, disrupting his naughty thoughts with drinks in hand. Beers for them and two cocktails for the ladies. “Long Island Iced Tea!” Bea presented to her friend with a flourish.
