“Chill out, Bill. Just let folks take a peek at him.”
A meaty finger stabs in Spud’s direction. “He doesn’t belong in here.”
“It’ll only be a few minutes, m’kay?” Nina flutters her lashes in a very familiar way.
“Fine. Whatever. Better remember my leniency when the next bake sale arrives.”
Christy winks at him. “There will be an extra cinnamon apple with your name on it.”
Bill sighs, tossing his hands in the air. I accept the invitation to enter and walk toward an empty table. Colton is stuck to my side until Christy moves in front of him. Nina follows her friend’s lead and together they block his path. The two begin pawing at him like he’s fair game. Regret is quick to thump my forehead. That odd sensation returns, churning my stomach until I’m queasy.
My stride is stuck in mud as I stomp over the remaining distance. There are a dozen or more people in Dirty Dicks, but none of them approach me. I should probably take the hint. Stubborn pride has me sitting down and soaking in the awkward atmosphere.
When I turn to check the women’s progress, Colton’s gaze is burning into me. He’s not acknowledging their attempts to flatter him. It’s as if we’re the only ones in the room. That’s extremely attractive and sucks me in.
His baseball hat is flipped backward, allowing the hunger to roam in plain sight. I shiver as the fire in his stare blazes hotter. But then his intense focus shifts over my shoulder and narrows into a glare. The change in his demeanor confuses me until the stench of boozy breath and too much cologne offends my nostrils.
“Well, hey there. Haven’t seen you ‘round here before.” The masculine drawl demands my full concentration.
I keep my gaze straight ahead. “Not interested.”
“But—”
“Do you recognize this dog?” I ask him without looking over.
“No.”
“Then we have nothing to discuss.”
The guy scoffs. “Should’ve known you’d be a prissy—”
“I fucking dare you to finish that sentence.” Colton’s tone is a sharpened blade ripped free from its sheath.
Smooth Talker eyes his competition before he wisely slinks off. Nina and Christy aren’t throwing in the towel yet. They flank Colton in a cage of desperation. The blonde rubs her big boobs on his left side while the brunette suctions herself to his right. Spud reads the mood and leaps to his paws, ready to rescue Daddy from their clutches. But that’s not necessary.
Without taking his eyes off me, Colton lifts his arms to swiftly dislodge them. Damn, that makes him even sexier. I grin when flutters swarm in my stomach.
“Sorry, girls.” My tone is far from apologetic as I slide off the chair. “I changed my mind.”
“Don’t blame you,” Nina purrs.
Meanwhile, Christy is pouting. “Will you share?”
“No,” Colton barks.
The two shrug and wander away to try their luck elsewhere. Smooth Talker might do the trick. Unless that field has alreadybeen plowed. Either way, they don’t seem too bent out of shape. Maybe Paisley and I can get into trouble with them soon.
For now, Colton dips his head until his exhale warms my ear. “Changed your mind about what, Princess?”
“Letting them have a go at you.”
He pulls just far enough away to search my eyes. “And why’s that?”
My fingers walk up the buttons of his Western shirt. “I want you for myself, Stalker.”
“Only after they made you jealous.”
“That was the last straw. I might’ve tried to prove a point, but it backfired.” And that’s putting it mildly.
