“Maybe you should consider occupying your mind. You’ve been the target of her attention all night.” Echo extended his chin.
Bear glanced over at the bar where the lady who looked like Aasia was sitting. Across the length of the bar, she offered him another sweet, inviting smile. The way she looked at him made him think she might know him. Nah, he’d remember.
“I think she wants you, buddy,” Echo said with a chuckle. “They always want you.”
No denying, she could probably have just about any of the cowboys in the place, but unfortunately, Bear didn’t feel a damn thing. Since he’d met Aasia, he’d been a broken, discontented man. And after their kiss…he’d been acting a fool. He’d dug deep for every ounce of control the night he saw her sitting here at Oscar’s with Fletcher. Bear had been torn between ripping the fucker’s head off his shoulders and pulling Aasia in for a tight hug and revealing everything, and he did mean everything. Thankfully, Bear was always a man led by logic and not emotion. This case might have tested his will a few times, but in his defense, red blood poured through his veins and desire haunted his thoughts.
To stay close to her, he’d need to respect all the boundaries as a friend and hide that internally he was chomping at the bit to kiss her soft lips again. He craved her like an addict craved a drug, but she never had to know. Most importantly, Bear needed to protect her from Fletcher.
She’d pushed him into the friend zone from day one. Once put in the dreaded “zone” a man never got back out. Yet, what would it hurt to try?
Yeah, it would. Wasn’t he listening to himself? He was neck deep involved in a case and she needed protection from her dickhead of a boyfriend.
“Not happening,” Bear finally answered about the woman sitting at the bar. “If you’re interested, go for it.”
“I think we need another beer. I’ll be back.” Echo slid out of the chair and strode over to the bar. Several women, including the brunette, saw him approach and they didn’t seem too disappointed.
That was right up his alley. He wasn’t conceited by a long shot, but he enjoyed attention.
Once upon a time that attention would have been right up Bear’s alley too.
Times have changed. People change.
He was changing and he wasn’t mad about the evolution.
Maybe after the mission came to an end he could retire from the Texas Rangers. Start a new life. It would be a huge leap into the unknown, but this wouldn’t be the first time he ventured into the unfamiliar.
Chapter Four
“You’re late.”
Bentley stared back at her, a boyish smirk curving his lips. “I didn’t know I was on a tight deadline.”
His sarcasm drilled straight through her. Lately, the charm she once found attractive now felt more like patronizing.
Aasia stepped back to let him pass then closed the door behind him. “We made plans for dinner. Remember?” This seemed like the pattern these days. Plans made. Plans changed.
He fiddled with his watch. “You know I’m a busy man. With the campaign, with all my businesses.”
“I’m busy too.” Why did he always somehow forget that she also worked?
His sigh reverberated off the walls. “You’re being dramatic.”
She clenched her teeth, biting off the words that would most certainly lead to an argument. As of late, they were arguing more and she was tired. Done with trying to understand him. They hadn’t even squashed the last quarrel that tore through their relationship like a cyclone. They had lost anything good that had ever been there between them. And yet, she asked, “Are you hungry?”
“I ate. I had a dinner meeting.”
“You had a dinner meeting?” She snorted. This conversation felt like a broken record. She couldn’t count howmany times he’d been late, and sometimes not even showing up at all, even at times not even calling. “Wine then?” She wasn’t really asking for him but more for herself. She could use another glass, or two.
“No.” He tore a hand through his hair, sending the flawless gelled style on a haphazard journey. “We need to talk. Sit down.” Discomfort etched crinkles around his eyes. At thirty-five he could be considered in prime shape, but he was starting to look older. Tired too.
“Can I get a glass of wine first?”
He shifted his gaze from the glass sitting on the table back to her. “Another?”
She didn’t feel up for a lecture from him tonight. What had she done this time to irritate him? Plopping down onto the sofa she tucked her feet under her, getting comfortable because it could be a while. He sat down at the other end, not making eye contact. “What is it?” she asked.
He leaned back, his gaze narrowing on her like two microscopes. “You know how much this campaign means to me.”
