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I turned to walk away but Jaxon stopped me. Looking down at where he’d grabbed my arm as if the guy had leprosy, I tried to give him the evil eye. But Jaxon’s expression had softened.
“I’m sorry for teasing you,” he said. “Let me make it up to you. What’d you want to drink?”
Of course he let go of my arm, but oddly I missed the touch. Wanted him to grab me again. Maybe pull me toward him. I imagined our bodies slamming together, his lips on mine. Instinctively, I knew without a doubt he’d be a good kisser.
“I’m good,” I said before my fantasies got way out of hand.
“I got you,” Gian said. “Vodka soda? Deep Eddy’s and water?”
I really did need a drink and could probably endure Jaxon’s presence for a few more minutes. “Deep Eddy’s,” I said. “Thanks, Gian.”
Jaxon continued to look at me. I held his gaze, not wanting to be the one to look away. His was so intense, though, it began to make me uncomfortable in a squirmy kind of way. My heart raced as our staring contest continued.
“What?” I snapped finally.
“Just trying to figure you out,” he said. “Have to admit, I liked the Natalie that was on my deck better than this one.”
“Oh yeah?” I couldn’t help my tone. Not with him. “I liked the Jaxon who stayed in Pennsylvania better than this one.”
His laugh. Dear lord, I loved that laugh. How was such a thing possible? To hate a man but love the way he laughed.
“Touché.”
“Here you go.” Gian reached around Jaxon to hand me my drink.
“Thanks,” I said to Gian. “I’m gonna find Charlee and Mazzie.”
Without a backward glance, I did just that. The singer was on break, and Mazzie was talking to him, Charlee by her side. I caught the very end of their conversation.
“I’m happy to come back anytime. Probably should get ready for the next set,” the singer and guitar player said.
“I need a drink,” Charlee said as I approached. “Sweet tea vodka?” she asked, seeing mine.
“Yep.”
“Excuse me a sec,” Mazzie said. “Be right back. I’ll grab you a drink, Charlee.”
We stood to the side as the singer kicked off his set with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Guaranteed crowd pleaser.
“Sorry I didn’t ask Gian to get you one too. Someone,” I said dramatically, “scrambles my brain so I can’t think straight.”
“Nat,” Charlee said as if she were telling me some big secret. “I think he likes you.”
“Likes me?” I nearly screeched. “Are you kidding me? We hate each other.”
We backed away from the singer even more, finding it hard to hear. “Yeah, well, you may hate him but I’m not sure he feels the same. I’m just saying...the way he looked at you. Teased you. The guy is into you. Guaranteed.”
I really should be appalled by the thought, but just the opposite was true. Only someone as warped as me would be into the guy trying to steal a beautiful piece of protected land to make a few bucks.
“Uh.” Mazzie came back, handed Charlee a drink and looked at me oddly. “I kinda have some news.”
“Not good news by the looks of it,” Charlee said. “Thanks for the drink.”
“No problem.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
“No reason,” Mazzie clearly lied.
