Page 26 of It Runs in the Family

“Hell if I know,” I grumbled, shifting my gaze to the crowd in the bar. I was still shaken, and I would prefer to go home, but it was barely ten. There was no way my cousins would agree to leave this early. I considered calling Garrett, but he might still be on his date in Waco.

“You okay?” Boone repeated, his hand slowly reaching up to rest on my arm like he was scared he’d spook me.

I looked up at him again. I was stuck here, and I needed to get the image of my dead body out of my head. “I need another drink.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “That can be arranged.”

He stepped to the side, giving me the impression that he was going to usher me back to my table, but I’d been taking care of myself for twenty-six years. I didn’t need a man to do it now.

I stalked past him and headed straight for the bar.

If I’d hoped to give him the slip, it didn’t work. He was right behind me as I reached the bar. Not too close, but close enough to let me know he was there.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked as he approached.

“I’ll have two tequila shots,” I said, then feeling generous, I glanced back at Boone. “What do you want?”

His brow lifted slightly as he took in my face, then he glanced at the bartender. “I’ll take a bottle of Coors.”

My buzz had eased a bit, but I was still clumsy as I reached into my pocket for my debit card. But Boone already had cash on the counter.

“I can buy my own drinks, thank you very much,” I snapped. He was taller than me by a good six inches, and he smelled good, like laundry that had been hung out to dry, which surprised me given all the other odors surrounding us.

Boone’s lips twisted back into that sexy half-grin. “I can buy my own drinks too. I’d hate for you to think I was a gold digger.”

The bartender placed two shot glasses in front of me and began to fill them with tequila.

I burst into laughter. “If you’re a gold digger, then your pickax is in the wrong place.” I shot a glance at his crotch as I picked up a shot glass and downed the contents in one gulp. Catching the bartender’s gaze, I said, “Another.”

The bartender gave me a questioning look since I still had a shot in front of me, but when I motioned for him to fill it up, he tipped the bottle and did as I said.

I reached for the freshly poured shot.

Boone picked up the second shot glass as he told the bartender. “Cancel the beer.”

“That’s my drink,” I said in irritation.

“I paid for it, so that makes it mine.” He clicked his glass against mine. “To the most interesting night I’ve had in ages.”

I scowled at him but tipped the glass up and downed the shot.

He downed his too, then took the glass from my hand and set them both on the counter. “Dance with me, Spitfire.”

“Who says I like to dance?” I countered, ignoring the nickname.

He leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “I saw you dancing next to your table earlier. And then I met you.” His hand slid up my bare arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

“What does meeting me have to do with dancing?” I countered, already feeling the warmth of the shots working its way through my body. His hand was casting its own spell on me.

Boone grinned. “You’ve got a wild spirit in you that needs to be let loose.”

I snorted. “You obviously don’t know me very well. Everyone says I’m responsible.”

He dropped his hand from my arm, and held out his hand, palm up. “Then let’s prove ‘em wrong.”

While I wouldn’t admit it to him, up until my vision, this had been the most interesting night I’d had in ages too. He was easily the most interesting man I’d ever met. I wasn’t stupid enough to think Boone was boyfriend material, but maybe Ava and Mary Ellen were right. Maybe I needed to let loose and have some fun. Especially if I was about to be murdered.

I lifted my hand and placed it in his.