Page 58 of Second Chance Saloon

Jackie bit the corner of her lip. Her eyes glimmered in the light streaming into the barn through the windows. She put both her palms against his chest, cocking her head to the side with a sway of her high ponytail.

“I think you need to practice a bit more before we can venture further out,” she said. “Are you serious about wanting to work here over summer?”

He released his grip on her belt loops, his hands traveling to her lower back. “Deadly serious.” His fingers slipped lower. “I have nothing to go back to in Portland.”

“Won’t your parents be upset when you don’t come home for summer?”

“My mother might miss me a bit, but she can come and see me in Austin. My father will be glad I’m hard at work. He’s always admired self-made men.”

Jackie’s brow went up and she made a face. “He’d hate me, then. A snotty hotel heiress.”

Mitch pushed his hands down even lower, stuffing them inside the back pockets of her jeans. “No one cares what my father thinks, least of all me. And you’re not even close to being a snotty heiress.”

She smoothed the fabric of his T-shirt over his hard chest, her jaw clenching. “Well, I think my dad’s going to love you. Do you play golf?”

“No.”

“Really? I thought your father would play … Seems like a thing a judge would do.”

He coughed out a laugh. “Oh, my father plays golf all right. He’s never bothered to teach me. Or even offer to take me with him to the course.”

Their eyes met. Enraged fire burned low in hers, her lips pinched in disgust. “His loss. But promise me you won’t play with him after you learn how to.”

“Do you play?”

Jackie huffed, moving her hands to his shoulders. “I don’t. But Dad loves golf. I’m sure he’ll teach you.” She smiled at him. “It can be your thing, you know.”

“You might be overestimating the impression I can make on your parents. Your grandma wasn’t all that enamored.”

“Mimi’s fine. She likes you, even if she doesn’t know it yet.” She shrugged. “Same goes for Dustin. He’ll love you in time, too.”

“You’re confident.”

Jackie moved her head from side to side like she was bobbing along to soundless music. Her hair swished, glossy onyx strands reflecting the light. “I am confident and I’m proud of that. You got to be confident to make it in life. Your confidence meter’s been tipping in the right direction lately too, cowboy.”

Mitch pulled her close, so close that their chests touched. “It’s the Jackie effect.”

She opened her mouth, slid her tongue out and ran a slow trail between her lips, which formed a cheeky grin. “You’ve seen nothing yet. But tonight, I’ll show you.”

His breath caught in his throat. He was very aware of how hard he was, but unsure if that was caused by her closeness or what she’d said, the velvet promises weaved through each word like a ribbon of new experiences. Or perhaps it was everything.

He knew one thing: tonight, she’d fully be his, and he’d be fully hers.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

November, fourteen years ago

Jackie

Getting Dustin to leave wasn’t an easy feat. He mumbled something about promising Mimi he’d keep an eye on the house, but Jackie knew what he really meant: he’d promised to keep an eye on her and Mitch.

She tapped her foot under the table, fork and knife resting against her plate. The lasagne Mimi had left for them was damn good, but she was too excited to eat.

“You should really go. It’s Colt’s girlfriend’s big night, singing at the bar,” she tried, again.

Mitch shot her an amused glance across the table, which she hoped Dustin didn’t pick up on.

“I’m not sure I’m goin’. The young ones can enjoy themselves without me.” Dustin downed the rest of his lemonade.