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What would it take to have her tonight?
Slumping into the corner, she finished her coffee and looked up at the barista as if she were judging if getting another cup was worth it. She looked up, and her sensual lips were now a tight line…even while a blush rose on her cheeks.
I was not one to pick up women on a whim, but I’d been on a roller coaster from hell with meetings back-to-back, little time to eat, and absolutely no downtime for myself. I could not remember the last time I’d had a woman in my bed, and there was no way I could bring a random woman to my home on the ranch.
It was better to do it on the road, with no full names, callbacks, connections, or complications.
How would those lips look thoroughly kissed?
Calling the barista over, I dipped my voice, “Would you please do a refill for my drinks and hers.”
The young man nodded and returned to the bar while I stood, grasped my beige Stetson, and crossed the room right as the waiter sat our drinks before us. Her lips parted in surprise.
“You look like you could use another, and I dearly need some company,” I said, my deep southern rumble breaking the still air. “But if I have overstepped—”
“No, no,” she said sweetly, shifting her passport out of the way. “I was just surprised that you would even notice me.”
“A pretty girl like you,” I said, “C’mon now, stop being coy. There must be men lining down the road to get your attention.”
“I’d agree with you, but history hasn’t proved you right,” she laughed, her eyes flowing to my hat. “…You’re a cowboy.”
“Something like that, yeah,” I replied. At this stage in the flirting game, it was not wise—or necessary—to brandish my wealth. “Have you ever met one before?”
“Yes, but not one so clean and in a designer suit,” she said.
“I’d rather be in my normal jeans and t-shirt,” I replied. “How are you all alone in the middle of the night?”
“My connected flight got grounded from San Antonio,” she replied. “It didn’t even leave the gate before this storm blew in. I had hoped to leave here by morning, but I’ll be here a while.”
“So now that there is no dream guy out there waiting for you, would you let me guess why you’re moving?” I asked. “And I’d like to make a game out of it.”
Her brows lifted. “A game? And what does the winner get?”
“A single request,” I replied, giving her a slanted grin.
“As in buying another coffee, a phone number, becoming friends on Facebook?” she asked innocently.
“Something…more.” I stretched out a leg, brushing hers. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
I was enjoying the way she blushed five shades of pink. Her big brown eyes latched onto mine, and I only saw her body flushing that shade in my bed. Her gaze was quicksand, and I wanted to get dragged straight under.
“Rayna,” she replied.
“Pleased to meet you, Rayna,” I replied. “I’m John. So, San Antonio…” I paused to consider what to say next. There was no hint of a ring on her finger, so I assumed she had no man waiting for her.
She was not dressed in business clothes to show that she had to get there and get back immediately, and the coup-de-grace, I looked down at the ticket stub poking out of her passport and noticed the ‘one-way’ stamp. Hm.
“You have a new job there,” I said, “Right or wrong?”
“Right,” she replied, her lips parted, and she flashed a white-toothed smile at me. “Are you reading my thoughts?”
“No, I just pay attention,” I replied. “You have a beautiful smile. Anyone ever told you that?”
“Once or twice,” Rayna replied. “So, this game of yours goes both ways, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” I replied, leaning in. Rayna’s eyes met mine, and her gaze pulled the floor from under me. She was beautiful, and I could see myself mapping her body with my lips. “Shoot. Remember, it is one hitter or quitter.”
“You are West Texas, but…” she paused. “…You live and run a business in Houston.”
