She was dressed up. Her jeans hugged her body perfectly. Even with the lace cover flowing down past her hips, I could see every curve. Every piece of her had a part of me growing a tad bit harder, but like always, it was her eyes and smile that drew me to her. I had never seen her like this, a faint layer of makeup that only added to her natural beauty—those emerald orbs standing out even in the dark. If only I could see them up close, drown myself in them, and maybe…just maybe…convince her to drown, too.
So, when Sam suggested a game of pool, how could I refuse?
Striking out with her numerous times didn’t exactly set me up for success, but I had seen her watching me in the stables. Her gaze would follow my every move, and I swear there were times when she was going to say something to me, but ultimately, she never spoke. I would pretend I didn’t notice her; I would keep working, but I could feel her eyes on me. There were a few times when I’d catch her staring, but I’d just smile at her and move on. But—shewaswatching.
That had to mean something.
Right?
After their first round of drinks, Kyla was the first to jump off her stool and head over to the pool table. Sam and I had already racked the balls, ready for a team game. Us, against all three girls. Abi wasn’t an issue, but I had seen Kyla play. The former city girl had skill around the pool table—but Quinn was the wild card. Could she play? Would she tease me the same way Kyla did when she and Rhett played their first game?
I was suddenly very angry at myself for not wearing my cowboy hat.
“You guys ready to lose?” Kyla came up to the table, grabbing the chalk before reaching out for the cue.
Sam barked out a laugh. “Hardly.”
“I don’t know, Sam,” I swung my cue over my shoulder, “Kyla’s pretty good.”
My gaze followed Quinn as she took the chalk from Kyla, rubbing it on the tip of her cue. Her eyes met mine, yet again for another second. She inhaled, and a smirk grew on those perfect pink lips.
“Who’s going to break?” she asked, looking from Kyla to Sam.
They glanced over at each other, then Sam met my eyes. At the same time, we each shrugged a shoulder. Sam leaned on his cue and waved his arm in front of the table. “Ladies first.”
Kyla raised her eyebrows and bent over the table, aiming at her shot before breaking the rack, the crack filling the entire bar. No balls sunk, which earned a laugh from Sam.
“I thought Wyatt said you were good, city girl?”
“City girl?” Kyla narrowed her eyes at him.
“Watch it.” I hit his shoulder. “Rhett has a sixth sense when someone is flirting or giving his wife a hard time, and we don’t want him showing up.”
“Especially since he’ll have to wake up my daughter to do so, and I will punch you for that,” Kyla spat at Sam, pointing at him with her hip cocked.
He flinched, a huff of a laugh carrying over the table. “Not flirting, just loving the fact that I can claim solids now.” Sam bent and aimed, sinking the green solid. “Your shot, Wyatt.”
I studied the table, which was hard seeing as all I could focus on was the turquoise tank top on the other end of the felt. Licking my lips, I forced myself to ignore her and aimed, shot, and missed. It was because she wiggled her damn hips and leaned on the edge of the table.Dammit.
“Oof.” Quinn caught my attention. “I could have made that shot.”
I raised a brow and leaned on my cue. “Is that so?”
“It was easy.”
“Well then.” I stepped back and waved my hand over the table, offering her the turn. “It’s your shot.”
Quinn rolled her eyes, then her demeanor changed when she looked at the felt in front of her. She flipped her hair, and it fell to one side as she leaned, aimed…and sank three stipes.
“Shit,” Sam muttered.
“Nice!” Kyla cried, giving Abi a high five. “I didn’t see that shot.”
Quinn smiled, a tilt to her head as she beamed with confidence. “My dad taught me.”
“Are you going to let Kyla have a go or…” I trailed off, placing my cue on the edge of the table.
“Oh, no.” Kyla handed her cue to Abi. “Technically, it’s Abi’s turn.”
