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“Obviously, you’ve done this before.”
“College.” Jessica licked off the salt from her hand, downed the shot in one gulp, slammed the glass back on the counter, and then chewed on one of the limes. The tequila slid down her throat, warming her up. The completely hot—and obviously straight—man’s close proximity was raising her temperature as well.
“Impressive.” Jackson took his shot, sans the salt and lime. He poured another for both of them.
Jessica’s belly flipped. “I—I shouldn’t. I’ve got an appointment in the morning.” She should remember she was here to work. Her career was the only important thing now.
“Pity.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Jackson.”
“Yeah, I heard the bartender call you by name.” She slid her hand in his and tried not to flinch at the heat that shot up her arm then raced through her body to settle right between her legs. What the hell was that? She cleared her throat. “I’m Jessica.”
He grabbed the shot glass and held it up. “To you, Jessica. Welcome to Wilde.”
His hot-eyed grin tempted her to walk on the wild side. It was her birthday, after all.
“What the hell? I don’t have to drive.” She picked up her shot, clinked it against his glass, then drained its contents. “To Wilde.”
“You’re something, Jessica.” Jackson winked at her and swallowed his shot. She felt his eyes skim her breasts. That one look was nearly physical, causing her nipples to tighten in response.
His lips were moist with the remnants of the tequila. She wondered what kissing him would be like.
Like that’s ever going to happen. If I haven’t found a lover since puberty, I doubt I’m going to lasso this hot cowboy my first night in town.
He walked around to the back of the bar, and no one dared to stop him. Jackson had such an easy confidence, not to mention a whole bunch of male beauty. It was hard not to gawk.
Jackson placed a bowl of pretzels in front of h
er. “This ought to hold you until your burger shows up.”
She devoured several before Jackson made it back to the barstool next to her.
“You play pool?” He leaned closer, watching her with a dark, devouring stare.
That look went straight between her thighs. “Not in a long time.”
“How about we play then?” He pointed to the Horseshoe’s only pool table, where three well-built cowboys stood with stares fixed on her.
Like Jackson, these men wore cowboy hats, tight T-shirts, jeans, and boots. She wondered if they worked in the local mine, the number one employer in the town. Probably. Whether miners or ranchers, it didn’t matter—they were 150 percent male. Even from across the room, these cowboys’ broad shoulders, muscled chests, and breathtaking good looks slammed into her like heat-seeking missiles. With a wave of his hand, the tallest motioned for her and Jackson to join them. Though her body felt warm, Jessica shivered under the three men’s unwavering gazes.
It’s my birthday. Why not spend it with four smoking-hot cowboys?
“I’d love to play.”
Jackson grabbed the shot glasses, limes, saltshaker, and bottle, balancing them in one hand. “Let’s do it.”
He sent his arm around her waist, settled his hand low on her hip, and guided her through the throng to the pool table and their new opponents. With each step, her heart raced faster.
The three men stood in a row right in front of her, a mouthwatering display for her eyes to take in.
The one in the gray hat had an incredibly handsome face—and one imperfection, a scar that ran from his ear down his cheek, ending at his jawline. The scar added to his rugged good looks. She wondered what had given him the mark. Some old mining accident, perhaps? Getting him to open up to her might be helpful with her investigation of the latest mishap at the Wilde Silver Mine.
He turned to Jackson. “Who’s this?”
“Jessica.”
He tipped his gray hat to her, and she spied smooth black hair hugging his neck and ears. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Denver.” He smiled, and his pale blue eyes glistened with a come-hither sparkle. Jessica’s breath froze in her chest for a moment. Denver seemed a bit more serious than Jackson, but still looked good enough to eat.
The man to her left stepped forward. The sun-soaked, muscled creature sent her a mischievous grin. His chin had one of those inviting indentions she always loved, enhancing his already sexy appearance.
