I’m old enough to know better. Old enough to be her father, for fucks sake.
That doesn’t stop the way my blood kicks when she leans across the bar, doesn’t stop the filthy fantasies that slither into my head when she laughs—high and bright, a sound that lodges under my ribs and stays.
I imagine things I shouldn’t. The give of her waist under my grip. The hitch in her breath if I dragged my thumb across that stubborn bottom lip she tends to chew on whenever she thinks about anything, how she’d look at me if sheknew, if she saw the things I’ve pictured in the dark.
Those secrets I keep locked up tight. Sometimes, I’ll speak without thinking and let out a little at a time. My restraint has grown weaker over the last few weeks.
At this rate, I’ll be spilling my feelings for her by the end of the summer season.
When I enter the bar today, I’m not surprised by the few bodies inside. Those who live here in town attend, greeting me as I make my way to the bar. As soon as I take a seat and get comfortable, Kelsie appears like magic.
None of the other bartenders bother paying me any attention, causing me to believe she claimed me for herself. Even if it’s a crazed thought, it crosses my mind from time to time. It’s a thought I enjoy having.
Her eyes are bright and full of surprise to see me. Once she’s getting a good look at me, a gasp slips past her lips as she twists around to find a towel. The last thing I expect her to do is thrust it in my direction.
Sure, the rain isn’t falling lightly outside, but it’s hardly much to fret about.
“I’m surprised to see you here. Haven’t you heard of all the warnings about today?” With concern in her voice, it’s a pleasant discovery to know how it feels to have it all pointed in my direction.
“A little rain isn’t enough to keep me away. Where else am I going to get to taste something so sweet?” Accepting her offering, I dry my face and shoulders.
I shouldn’t feel too special. If I take a look around the bar, I can see some of the other patrons have been given similar things to dry off with.
Kelsie’s brows knit together at my words, and her hands find her hips. “We both know it’s a little more serious than that. You live all the way up there, and getting back can be dangerous and—”
“I wouldn’t have come if the risk wasn’t worth taking.” Letting the words slip, I’m rewarded with the sudden appearance of two pink patches on her cheeks.
“The drinks I make aren’tthatgood.” Averting her eyes, she tries to busy her hands.
Even though I shouldn’t confess more than I already have, the words weigh heavily on my tongue.
“I don’t come here just for the drinks, Kelsie.” The admission spills out before I can stop it. “There are… people I like to see when I can.” My voice roughens on the last words, betraying what I can’t outright say the truth.
Her. It’s always her.
Like she doesn’t understand, she glances towards the empty tables like it’ll be more proof for her end of things.
“Well…” Pursing her lips together in a thin line, she tries to come off more demanding. There’s no denying the color that forms on her cheeks as she looks down at me. “A lot of these guys come on other days, too. You don’t have to just come on the one day of the week.”
As nice as that sounds, what’s to stop her from calling the sheriff if I start coming here every day to see her? That’s not the kind of invite I want to take lightly.
Monday’s safe. Monday’sexcusable.Any more than that isn’t an invitation, it’s a test of how far I can push before she realizes exactly what kind of man keeps showing up just to watch her work.
“If I came on any other day, business would be too busy for these kinds of chats. I do enjoy them if I’m being honest.”
Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, she considers my words before straightening her shoulders. “Then you should come before the rush. It’s always dull around here during the daytime. That would give us plenty of time to talk to each other. Or, maybe we could see each other outside of–”
“Kelsie?” One of the bartenders is holding a phone, offering it to her.
Outside ofwhat,work?
No, that can’t be. Sounds too good to be true.
Her mouth pinches at another distraction getting in our way, and I can’t help but let mine curve at her attempt to offer me something that can’t possibly be. Holding up her finger to pause this discussion, she tears her eyes from mine.
“I have to take this. Be right back.” Turning away from me, she accepts the phone and lingers close enough to let me listen to the soft hum of her voice.
I don’t mean to listen to her conversation, but it’s hard not to when a look of concern takes over her expression. Finally, she sighs.
