Page 78 of My All American Girl

Finally, the instigator let out a barking laugh. “Fine, we’ll leave. But only because this bar looks like an unflushed toilet.” He gestured for his buddies to follow him toward the exit, but not before shooting me a warning look over his shoulder, as if the little prick intimidated me. I stayed expressionless until they were gone.

“Close call,” Sarah said with a grin.

“Words before fists,” I said, reciting something one of my superiors had said to me.

She burst into laughter. “Did you read that in a fortune cookie?”

“Very funny. Do you guys need another round?”

“Please.” Kylee nodded.

I made my way back to the bar, grabbing another round of drinks for Sarah and Kylee. As I handed them their glasses, Sarah leaned in closer to me, her voice lowered. “You handled that really well, Ryker,” she said sincerely. “I’ve seen my fair share of bar fights, and you definitely know how to keep a level head. I guess I can learn something from you.”

“Just part of the job, right? A pilot has to keep a cool head.”

She chuckled softly, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. “I get it.”

“Good.”

I walked back behind the bar. Jude gave me a hard look. “You’re playing with fire, Ryker,” he warned.

I chuckled, playing it off, but I knew there was truth in his words. Getting involved with Sarah, especially after everything that happened, was a huge risk. But there was something about her that drew me in, something I couldn’t resist. She was a force of nature like gravity, and I was falling hard.

“I’m behaving myself,” I said. “Did you see me doing anything wrong?”

“It’s not what you’re doing,” he said. “It’s what you’re thinking about doing. I’ve seen the looks. You two are about to devour each other at any second. I’m going to get the hose from out back to keep you apart.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes. “I don’t think it’s quite that bad.”

But my insides burned for her like I’d been drinking gasoline instead of beer. Sarah had a way of igniting a fire within me, a fire that threatened to consume all reason and logic.

I found myself watching her. She laughed with her friends and easily fended off what were clearly advances from some of the other young men. She moved with an effortless grace, her smile lighting up the dim bar. It was hard to believe that only a few months ago, our paths had crossed in the most unexpected of circumstances. I still remembered vividly the day we first met at her graduation. I had been so angry with Mo for putting me in charge of his daughter. Now, I was so happy he did. I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.

And that was a huge problem. If we pursued this, it was only a matter of time before we got caught and both our worlds would explode.

She caught me staring and raised an eyebrow playfully, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. I quickly averted my gaze, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I busied myself wiping down the already spotless counter, trying to shake off the intensity of her gaze. When I finally dared to steal another glance in her direction, Sarah was in deep conversation with Kylee.

“Hey, Ryker,” she called out, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “I bet I can whip your ass at pool!”

I couldn’t help but smile at her suggestion. It was a bad idea, but when she threw out a challenge, I had to meet it.

“You got the bar?” I asked Jude.

“I’ll get the hose ready,” he muttered under his breath.

“It’ll take more than that to stop me,” I replied, setting the rag down and making my way over to the pool table. Eyeing the woman I couldn’t get enough of, I shook my head. “I don’t think you know what you’re asking for.”

Sarah grabbed a pool cue and dusted blue chalk on the tip suggestively. My pants tightened in response. “I know exactly what I’m asking for.”

My eyes were stuck on the motion of her hand. I knew how good it felt to be touched by her. I wished everyone in the bar would go home and give us some privacy.

She snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Stop drooling and rack those balls, why don’t you?”

She leaned against the table, watching me set up with a playful glint in her eyes. As I prepared to break, she stepped closer, her voice low.

“Careful, Ryker,” she whispered. “The first stroke is crucial. Make sure it’s hard.”

I groaned and gripped the stick so tight I thought it would snap. “Way ahead of you.”