Page 20 of Thaw My Heart

My gaze narrows on the woman who’s trying to push my buttons. “You can walk back if that’s more exciting.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she eyes me back with the same intensity, leaning forward in her seat.

I place both forearms on the table, mirroring her. “Try me.” I’m not in the mood to be antagonized.

She smiles at my response. “Says the gentleman,” she does air quotes around gentlemen.

A faint smile ghosts my lips.

Silence passes between us, for how long, I’m not sure. But she’s challenging me, and I’m not a man who backs down from a challenge.

If she wants to stare, I’ll stare right back.

“So, about them Grizzlies,” Ryker starts. “Only two more games left in the season.”

The Grizzlies are my favorite football team, and Alaska’s, too. When we were kids, we used to watch the games together. But right now, I’m too focused on winning this war with Sadie than on what’s coming out of his mouth.

“Do you like football, Sadie?” Ryker asks.

“Can’t say that I’ve ever seen a game,” she responds, never leaving my eyes.

“Seriously?” Ryker says, at the same time I respond with, “Really?” How has she never watched football? It’s damn near un-American.

“Really,” she smiles, reaching for her beer.

“Well, you’ll have to join us sometime.”

My attention shifts to Ryker, giving him a look that says, are you fucking kidding me. Forcing me to lose the stare-off with Sadie, and now she’s happily bouncing in her seat.

Great.

“You too, Alaska,” Ryker adds. “We’d love to have you.”

Alaska’s eyes move to the table. “Yeah… maybe.” There’s something different about her expression now, like she’s wilted, and when she meets my eyes, she gives me a look that I’ve never seen before. What was going on in her mind? What was she going to say before Sadie stepped in?

But before I can ask Alaska to talk somewhere in private, she tenses, turning her gaze toward the dance floor. Focusing on someone approaching our table.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Ryker murmurs.

A custom grey suit and shiny shoes approach our table.

A man I haven’t seen in a long time.

“Hey, cousin.” My cousin, Cash Harlow, greets me. His dark blonde hair is tousled in curls on his head, with tan, glowing skin—surprising because he now calls New York his home, and he doesn’t get much sun.

“The prodigal son finally returns,” I say dryly. He’s my uncle’s only son and a bastard of a man. He only ever came home when he needed something—money. We haven’t been close in years. Hate isn’t a strong enough word for my feelings towards him.

He turns to Sadie with a crooked smile, one that worked on most women, and I shift in my seat. “You must be new. I’m Cash,” he offers his hand to Sadie.

“Sadie,” she takes it, smiling up at him, and my veins feel like they're on fire. “Wait—Cash Harlow? Cole’s son? Heir of Lone Pine Ranch?”

How the hell does she know that?

Cash gives her his best smile. “One and the same.”

Oh please. “One and the same,” I mutter. “Why are you here, asshole?” Cash being back home is not a problem I need right now, nor did my aunt and uncle. Whatever self-centered reason he’s here could only mean one thing.

Trouble.