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My face burns from embarrassment. I peek over my shoulder where Kase is leaning against the bar looking smug. “No. You and your cheesy pick-up lines can ask all you want. It’s not happening.”
He takes a step forward; his chest grazes my back. “I don’t need cheesy pick-up lines to get what I want.” Goosebumps pebble my skin from the heat of his breath. I catch myself right before I lean back into his hard chest, stepping forward and with great detail, wipe the bar off. What is it about this guy that is making me lose control of my body? Leaning into him, Ell? What the hell? I jump when I feel him at my side. Again. Jesus, this guy doesn’t give up. “I think you owe me a beer,” he rasps, deep and sexy. He’s intentionally doing this, getting me all hot and flustered.
“Oh, right… I’m sorry.” The sexy crooked grin only proves he’s getting a kick out of this. I huff and roll my eyes. “I’ll grab it and bring it to you,” I say, regaining my senses and walking around him. You’d think the bar was empty the way his laugh echoes in the room. Instead of walking behind the bar, I walk to the bathroom hallway to take a deep breath. “You need to stop this,” I lecture myself like I’m talking to another person. Since my body seems to have taken a turn on its own, I need to remind it that now is not the time.
The night turns busy enough I don’t have time to pay attention to my admirer. Our eyes catch a few times, but the constant orders being thrown at me keep me distracted.
“All right guys, last call,” I say, gathering up the empty bottles. Kase gazes at me over the rim of his bottle while he drains it. I don’t know why his intense stares make me fidget.
“We’ll take one more round,” Stone says.
Kase winks at me as I grab his empty bottle. “Be right back with those.” I quickly turn so he doesn’t see the flush on my face. I can’t help the smile on my face when I walk away.
“Ohh,” Tori taunts, pointing at my face. “You’re having second thoughts about that cot back there, huh?”
“You know, I have a good bed at my place,” I snicker. Her face lights up and I shake my head. “I mean, if I wanted to have a quickie.”
“You know you want to.”
“I’m not going to deny the thought hasn’t crossed my mind, but—”
She squeals. “I knew it! You guys can’t stop looking at each other.”
I want to argue that it’s him staring at me, but I can’t explain why I keep returning his glances. I fill the tray with their beers, turning to her before I lift it. “Even if I’ve had a few dirty thoughts, it won't happen. I don’t do one-night stands.”
“Ell, I’m saying this from the bottom of my heart. You need to get laid.” She shrugs as I glare at her pointedly. “And that man over there…” —she tilts her head in Kase’s direction— “would be first in line to ride the Ell sex train.”
I burst out laughing. “You are a freak.”
Picking up the tray, I walk around her, and she tugs her arm up and down in the air. “Choo Choo.”
I laugh off her incessant banter about sex. This isn’t new. She’s more of a free spirit with sex. Me, I need to trust the man first. And trust doesn’t come easy.
“So, Cowboy,” I say, putting the beer in front of him. “What brings you to Gilley Cove?” His lip curves into a lopsided smile, his dimple deepening. My heart skips a beat. That quick second that air escapes you and makes you wonder what the hell just happened. I hug the tray to hide my surprise feeling. I hadn’t planned on asking him anything, it just came out. Call it curious, or it’s my brain’s way of telling me trust has to start somewhere.
“It was time for something new. And when Max Shaw offers, you accept.”
My school project pops into my head, and how much Max has helped me with it. “That’s for sure,” I reply, absentmindedly. Kase’s smile fades and he cocks his head to the side.
“Oh?” He sits back into his chair with his arms across his chest.
“No! I didn’t mean it like that.” The guys snicker and I smack Cody on the shoulder. “Is that the only thing everyone thinks about?” I ask, flustered as I walk away.
“Yes,” they say in unison behind me.
The bar empties and Tori and I work quickly to clean up. We’ve gotten used to a few of Max’s guys sticking around until we lock up when it’s just us. We don’t mind. Usually. Between two long days of school and work, I’m beat and a little sexually frustrated tonight. The reason for that is sitting at the bar, watching me closely. He’s smart to keep quiet.
As we’re locking the doors, I’m dreaming of my cold, inviting bed; ready to sleep until noon. There could be an earthquake right now and I doubt I’d notice in my comatose state.
A hand slips around my arm, stopping me. “Ellie.” I turn and gaze into the blue eyes I haven’t been able to get away from all night. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, why?”
He drops his hand and stuffs both in his jean pockets. “I called out your name three times, but you kept walking. You’re kinda killing my ego right now.”
I flash him an incredulous gaze. “I’m not sure that’s even possible.” The other guys are talking to Tori by the back door and I smell a setup. “What’s up, Cowboy?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime?”
