Page 100 of Not Mine to Rescue

It was spoken so quietly and gently, I almost didn’t hear the words. But everyone around us had gone so silent, even over the jukebox, they echoed.

The man nodded and walked away. Nickel dipped his head to the bartender, who peeled off to follow him.

Nickel stared into the mirror behind the bar intently. I followed his gaze and could see the progress all the way to the door where the prospect grabbed the man by the shirt and helped him out the door. I kept watching and waiting for the prospect to return, but he didn’t. A new member shifted into his place at the bar. This one I recognized as well. He’d helped Lemon out around the farm.

“Fly, nice to see you.”

He gave me the once-over like he always did. “How’s my favorite lawyer?”

“Knock it off, speck.” Wombat motioned for him to get a beer out of the cooler.

He set it down and leaned on the bar to ask me, “Seltzer?”

I was going to ask for wine. But after the fiasco with the ass-grabber, maybe I should stick to non-alcoholic beverages? Plus, Wombat said I’d drive home. “Yes, please.”

Nickel took his leave, and Fly put a bottle of premium sparkling water in front of me. “Sorry, don’t have any glasses. ‘Bottle okay?”

“It’s fine, thank you.”

What a breath of fresh air.

Wombat leaned in. “I gotta tell Walt what happened. Stay right here. Fly?”

“I got her.”

Wombat’s lips twisted into a frown, “Make sure everyone up and down the line knows she can’t be touched, got it?”

“I’ll spread word. Go.”

With a dip of the head, Wombat almost turned away, but then he crowded my space. “Let’s make this official, okay? I’m going to kiss you right here, in front of everyone. If you want to back out, say so now.”

A fission of fear shot from my throat to land between my legs. This was important to him. Likely it was important to my safety as well. They could have just pointed out that I was the club’s lawyer, like Nickel did. But this was more. Was I ready for that?

“Yes.”

The seriousness fell from Wombat’s face. He leaned in slowly. His lips brushed my cheek first, barely registering as a kiss. Then he paused at my mouth, giving me one more chance to say no. “Honor?”

“Yes.” I was sure. I wanted this.

I closed the distance between us and set my mouth to his. Like so many times before, it ignited a desire so strong I felt like my body would explode. It heated my bones it was so scorching. His mouth opened, and I plundered his mouth.

One kiss? No.

This was a meeting of the souls. If Lemon were here, she’d swear we glowed pink. And I could see that in my mind’s eye. A corona of flames engulfing us, turning red with lust. Lingering on our skin and caressing their way into an ember of…

Hope?

My stomach fluttered with nervous energy.

Wombat broke the kiss and pressed my hands to his chest. He placed each one on his vest, silently saying something of importance. I didn’t know what, but it felt like the world had shifted on its axis and was wobbling off into space.

It took work to meet his eyes.

When I did, I got a little lost in the age there. He was far from young and inexperienced. Those years lived in his gaze. I recognized that. I saw it every day in the mirror.

“Get a room.” Someone shoved past us to get to the bar.

“Respect the ol’ Lady, man,” Fly announced from the bar.