Colton grunts. “He’s not much for negotiating.”
“Must run in the family.”
His sharp glare cuts into me. The sneer twisting his features is pure menace. “I’m nothing like him.”
“Whoa!” I hold up my hands in surrender. “Didn’t mean to offend you.”
Untamed fury crackles in the air. I can practically taste the animosity rolling off him. This is the first time he’s revealed his scary side to me. It’s a far cry from the subtle cues of annoyance I’m used to pulling from him. I don’t like it. Not one bit.
As if hearing my concern, the tension bleeds from his stiff posture. He slumps against the seat, scrubbing a palm over his face.
“Shit. Sorry,” he mumbles. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
My lashes flutter at the abrupt change in his personality. “Want to make it up to me?”
“I’m not letting you go off on your own.”
My groan is pitiful. “I’m so tired.”
“Let’s turn back and you can sleep this off.”
A fierce scowl berates him. “Quit treating me like a child made of glass. I’m twenty-three, not thirteen.”
“Thank fate for that,” he mumbles.
That comment doesn’t make sense and I choose to ignore it. “I don’t want to go home.”
“Afraid to sleep next to that pile of pillows impersonating you?”
My mind whirls. “How did you see that and still make it to my car before me?”
“I’m very good.”
“Unfortunately.” I shift into drive, admitting defeat. “Any requests?”
“I liked the song you were singing. Turn it back on.”
The urge to smack his smug tone clenches my hands on the wheel. “I meant about where we’re going.”
“You pick. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Paddock it is,” I chirp.
His jaw tightens. “Great.”
A slow grin spreads across my lips. That reaction is what I prefer to drag out of him. Small, but telling.
“Gonna be a long night, Cowboy. Buckle up.”
The Paddock is packed when we walk in. One thing the folks of Cloverleaf Meadows can agree on is supporting their local community and small businesses. Alongside whatever the Benson name touches, this place is a cherished staple in town. From satisfying hunger without breaking the bank to scratching the gambling itch at the pull tabs counter, they’ve got it covered.
And the crowd agrees. Everybody is damn glad to be here. Decked out to resemble an old-fashioned saloon, the Paddock has country charm and a cozy vibe. A server buzzes by with a tray full of food to feed a family. Several others weave around in a practiced formation to gather orders. It’s a random Wednesday night, but every table is occupied. More people stand in clustersat the back where there’s shit to do like throw darts and ride the mechanical bull.
The bar sits in the center, occupying a majority of the real estate in this large room. Bianca strides straight for a stool. It’s the only one available at the rail. Anyone in her path quickly moves as if they sense the significance approaching them. I’m very familiar with the effect she has on others. Her sassy ass parks on the seat and I hover from behind like usual.
A bartender with a towel slung over his shoulder leans too close to her for my comfort. I move until her back is almost touching me and the guy gets the message. His eyes widen at my towering presence before he takes off to fetch Bianca’s cocktail. She swivels on the stool to confront my waiting gaze.
Her glare is ready to slice me in half. “I could use some space, Cowboy. Nobody is gonna try snatching me outta here.”
