“He wants me to play wingman,” Christian grumbled.
“Better help your buddy out.” I winked. “I promise I won’t tell Sage.” Holding my hat to my head while I almost doubled over, laughing.
He shot me a glare. “You okay sitting here, brat?” he asked, setting his now-empty glass down and getting a refill.
“Fine. I promise. Go on.” I shooed him away.
A bar stool opened up. I downed the rest of my drink and leaned across the bartop. Pushing my tits up, I used that super power to my advantage to get the bartender’s attention. I held back a giggle when it worked. He nearly fumbled rushing over.
“What will it be, miss?” he asked. He was cute, with sandy-blond hair and dimples.
I smiled at him, setting my second token into his hand, letting it linger a little bit longer so he could feel the brush of my fingertips. I wasn’t feeling any of the cowboys, but perhaps the whiskey slinger.
“A double this time.” I gave him a wink.
He closed his grip, brushing his knuckles across my palm, and gave me a cocky smirk. “Anything for our barrel racing champ.”
“So you saw my run?”
“I might have caught it,” he said, pouring my drink.
The gentleman beside me turned, his eyes blatantly traveling down my body. “I caught it. I watch you every year, and this was, by far, your best race,” the man said.
I turned my head to look at him. His eyes were intense on my face, as if he could see through my skin, making it crawl. He looked to be close to my age, possibly a little older, with dark hair and whiskers that were in serious need of grooming. The man could have been handsome if he didn’t give off creeper vibes. The hair on my arms stood on end despite the heat of the over-populated bar.
“Thank you,” I said politely, turning to my drink.
He spun on his stool until his arm rested across the bartop, his hand inches away from where mine wrapped around my glass. His boots were kicked up on rungs of the stool, his knees splayed. Any closer and he would be bracketing me in.
“You know, someone handed me a Saddle Room tattoo when I came in,” he said, lifting his palm. Lying there beneath his hand was a temporary tattoo with a bucking, saddled bronco, The Saddle Room labeled beneath. “Want another one?”
Another one?What the fuck did that mean? My heart began to thump wildly, as if alarm bells were going off in my chest. I raised my eyes to his. They were drilling into me as if he could see everything beneath the layer of denim and polyester.
“I don’t think so,” I told him, looking over at the bartender who was taking care of other patrons.Come back over here, please.
“Sure you do. I’ll get you another drink, and we can have some fun tonight.”
I picked up my drink, turning in my seat to look around for Christian and Kale. Both of them were busy chatting up the girls at the table.
“Thanks, but no thanks, buddy.” I scooted off the stool, taking my drink with me to head over to the dance floor.
I sucked down the rest of the whiskey, dropping it off at a deserted table before joining the line dancers grapevining to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Normally, I would be enjoying myself. Brooks & Dunn would get me every time. Right now, though, I was too busy trying to brush off the heavy feeling that was taking over all of my senses. A shiver of uncomfortable tingles shot up and down my back. I scooted along the floor, hoping that the click of my heels would ground me.
The uncomfortable feeling stuck with me and brought to mind a few other times I’d felt like I was being watched. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was this creep.
Being part of the crowd made me feel better, but I could still feel his eyes on me as if they were burning into my skin. I felt like I was on fire, and not in a good way.
I didn’t even need to look behind me. I could feel the air shift as a presence pressed against me. The heat of his body loomed over me like a dark cloud.
“I see what you’re doing. I know, for a fact, you like to be chased.” His breath was hot and moist against my ear, causing me to shudder.
Stopping mid-heel-toe, I pivoted, turning on him.
The dude was right in my space. I leaned back, attempting to put distance between us despite the crowded dance floor.
“Asshole, take the hint. I’m really not interested.” I glared at him, making sure he could see my annoyance.
He frowned. I watched him dampen his chapped lips as his eyes wandered down to look at mine. “You sure seemed interested in all the other cowboys who’ve approached you. Pretty sure you love the attention.” His breath was rancid from cheap beer as he leaned toward me.
