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His eyes widened. “You think she forgives me?”
“Well, I don’t know what you did, but she told me she has loved and hated you but mostly she doesn’t understand you.”
“I don’t understand myself most days.”
Jackson walked up and set a frothy cold ale in front of her. “You didn’t say light or dark, so I chose for you. If you don’t like it, I’ll give you another.”
She stared down at the dark beer and smiled. “You got it right.”
“I would have taken you for a light beer girl,” Red said.
“You also didn’t think I could beat you in an arm-wrestling battle.”
Jackson laughed. “Don’t mess with G here, she’ll destroy you.”
“G?” Red asked.
Viv had no idea what Jackson was talking about, so she shrugged and sipped her beer. The cool fizziness went down easy.
“Grenade. She can fit in your pocket but pack a powerful punch.”
“I can already see that about her.” He rubbed his arm. “And I’m not too much of a man to admit she handed me my ass this morning.”
Viv set her mug down. “I cheated.” She laughed when Red’s mouth dropped open. “It’s almost never about strength and always about how you position yourself.”
“Did she get closer and twist your wrist?” Jackson asked.
Red nodded.
Jackson laughed. “That means she had the upper hand from the beginning.”
Red seemed to ponder that for a moment. “I wouldn’t call that cheating. I’d call it using what you know to your advantage.”
“I like that you’re not offended.” Viv picked up her glass and tapped his. “Here’s to men who don’t need to flaunt their brawn to compensate for a lack of brains.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not,” Jackson said.
“It isn’t.” Red added, “But it’s not too far from the truth.”
The door opened and in walked a few women. When Red looked over his shoulder, he groaned.
“Someone you know?” Viv asked.
“The one with the red hair is why I need you.”
Viv looked at the women’s reflection in the bar mirror. They weren’t dressed for the impending storm. They were dressed for a nightclub. Viv guessed that if this was the only bar in town, then it probably served as many things including the pick-up place.
From their conversation, she deduced that the red-headed woman was Red’s stalker, and she was headed straight their way. “Red, you were a naughty boy, and I’m going to make you pay for having that sheriff pick me up. But I promise you’ll love every minute of it.” She raked her hands through his hair and was getting ready to accost him with a kiss.
Viv locked eyes with Red, feeling the tension between them. Before the woman could reach his lips, Viv pounced forward and captured his mouth in an electrifying kiss. Red’s body was rigid at first, as if he’d been petrified by her sudden move. However, Viv felt his surprise dissipate into a tender caress as she moved her hands up to cradle his face and explored every inch of his mouth with a desire so intense it took her breath away.
Sarah pulled back, clearly taken aback by Viv’s sudden move. Viv felt a mix of exhilaration and embarrassment. She had crossed a line, and she knew it. But at the same time, she couldn’t deny the rush she felt from kissing Red.
He looked at her, a mixture of surprise and amusement on his face. “Well, well, well. Looks like someone’s feeling possessive.”
Jackson laughed. “So that’s your type. Hmmm, I wouldn’t have guessed that.” He walked away, shaking his head.
“Who the hell is she?” Sarah stood with fists on her hips.
