Clay snags a tequila and sinks it in one. “If you ain’t having her, then she’s open game for the rest of us?” He sucks in and bangs the glass down to the beer mat.
That idea is not up for discussion. “No,” I say firmly. “No one is having her.”
A long whistle catches my attention. The crowd parts, and the most ravishing woman appears before us. Summer trots into the bar amidst drab jeans and pressed shirts, standing out like a lightning bolt ready to scorch the earth with her killer curves and a dress that belongs in every man’s dirty mind.
“Sweet Jesus,” Levi says slowly, holding onto the syllables.
I gasp, trailing my eyes down her figure-hugging dress with every curve and dip of her silhouette on show. It’s the very same body I’d seen only hours ago, but somehow, wrapped in sunset yellow, she looks even more forbidden. The hem grazes mid-thigh and thick straps smooth over her rounded shoulders, with the most edible set of breasts partially on show. She towers a few inches higher on stiletto sandals that wrap her shins with ribbons, tying in a neat bow under her knees. The singer's voice rolls off the waves of shock racking my insides. Sawyer’s house guest has just entered my life with an explosion.
“Who the hell is that?” Levi stands to peer around the vultures circling Summer like fresh meat.
I catch her doing that thing with her hair that tightens my balls and seizes the breath from my lungs. “That’s my cleaner.”
11
What the hellis this place? All eyes are on me. Women included.
I begged and bribed Sawyer to drop me off in Heartville after I probed him about Jackson's bar. Who knew the old man would have a hankering for jellied sweets? Thankfully, I’d brought a few packets of my favorite cola bottle shaped gummies. Sawyer calls them candies. His eyes lit up when I waved the bags before him as bait. He stuffed six in his mouth all in one go before we left the yard. Just as well he has his own teeth.
I’d heard Hayden mention the bar while he was on the phone earlier and thought it would be somewhere to go on a Friday night to let loose. Now that I’m here, I feel lost and completely out of place. All I see are jeans and hats - not a designer dress in sight.
Sawyer told me to go change into ‘conservative clothes’, but I’d told him to keep out of my business, thinking he was being old-fashioned. Now I know why he said I was a rose among thorns, and he cautioned me not to get cut.
“Well, well, who have we got here?” A giant man with golden locks, and a goatee like a Viking, saunters to my side. His baritone reverberates through me, and I’m not quite sure if I like it. “I’m Tucker. Can I get you a drink, pretty lady?”
“Sure thing.” I need a drink to settle my nerves.
His hand rests on my waist, drawing me close to his side. There’s power in his arms and a showoff bounce to his stride when he guides me to the bar. It’s clear he sees me as a prize for his ego, just like they always do.
“Line em’ up, Jace.” He slides dollar bills toward the cute barman.
“Sure thing.” A line of shot glasses are set out one at a time, then Jace pours the clear liquid across each one.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Tucker cracks his knuckles.
I peer behind him, but all I see are strangers and no sign of Hayden. I wonder if he went to another bar. “Summer.” My gaze settles on Tucker’s neck tattoo of an ace of spades.
“Hell... Where are you from?”
I collect a shot glass in my fingers, bring it to my lips and tip my head back, swallowing the tequila quickly. “Northern Ireland,” I choke out, feeling the icky burn. “I’m only here for a few weeks.”
“That's one hell of a sexy accent. Do all the girls dress like this in Ireland?” I’m aware of his hungry gaze lingering on my chest.
I smile slowly. “Yeah, this is normal for a night out in the city. I see it’s not quite like that here.”
“Jeez, sweetheart, you’re making me hard just hearing your voice.” He slams a shot and snags a second. “Cheers.” Tucker lifts another one, hovering it before me. “Nice to meet you, Summer.”
We neck the tequila in tandem, and I start to feel a little more at ease. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a heavy arm weighs down my shoulder, and the familiar scent of Hayden surrounds me. “There you are, honey. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Tucker draws back his shoulders, glancing between the two of us. “Taylor?” he snarls.
Hayden hugs me close to his side like I fit right there by his hip. I exhale softly because this man is so powerful, not just in strength, but in his ability to make my heart hammer. “Are you coming to sit down?” He looks down at me with an expression on his gorgeous face that tells me there’s a battle taking place.
“Yeah.” I stroke his pale blue shirt, feeling the washboard abs beneath. I sense his muscles tense, and his fingertips slide down my back to my waist. It’s odd how I instantly feel like he’s thrown me a life raft, warming me with protection.
“Thanks for the drinks, Tucker. I’ll buy you a round later.” Hayden nods at Tucker.
“Pfff… She’s yours?” Tucker leans back on the bar, eyes narrow and mean.
