And then she’d kissed him in the hallway while waiting to use the restroom.
Mack groaned.
To his dismay, Cass found him leaning against the wall, staring at the middle of the bar but seeing nothing.
“Kissed you into oblivion, huh? Rocked your world, I bet.” She gave him a superior look.
God, I want her.But he knew enough to understand that if he acted besotted, she’d probably toss him back into the pond with all the others who worshipped at her feet. Nope. Cass Carmichael liked a challenge. Best to pretend indifference before showing her how muchshereally wantedhim.
He shrugged, playing it cool. “Just wanted to make sure your drunk ass got back to the table safely.”
She scowled, her gray eyes like diamonds, glinting with anger. “Honey, my ass is far from drunk. And I can protect myself from any of the people in here just fine.” She took a step closer and poked him in the chest. “Including you.”
He ignored the ache between his legs. “Easy, killer. Just trying to be a decent guy. I mean, I was just mauled in the hallway. You never can tell who’s dangerous around here.”
Instead of looking abashed or giving him the upper hand, she laughed. “You make a good point.” Then she linked her arm through his. “Let me help you back to your table, sweetie. It’s okay. No one here is going to hurt you.”
A few guys nearby heard her and laughed.
Mack didn’t find her so amusing anymore. Though he couldn’t argue her sex appeal. “You’re kind of mean, aren’t you?”
“Yep. What clued you in?”
They arrived at their table to see Jed and Tex staring at them, no doubt misconstruing how close they’d gotten.
Mack pulled away from her and leaned back. “Honestly, Cass. I’m not a toy for you to play with, you know. If you’re so sex starved, find someone else.” He moved his chair from next to hers and parked himself between the guys, forcing them to move over.
She just stared at him while Tex laughed his fool head off.
Jed, proving he had a sense of humor, shook his head. “Cass, how many times do we have to have this conversation? We do not grope strange men in public.”
Mack smirked back at her.
She sighed. “I hate all of you.” She pointed at Mack. “You especially.” She paused, and her lips quirked. “You big loser. That’s right, guys. I have restored my reputation. I trounced him at darts.”
“True,” Mack agreed. “She did trounce me. And then she threatened to break my arm if I didn’t pay her.” He rubbed his forearm, pretending it still hurt. “I’m filing a complaint.”
“Get in line,” Jed muttered.
“I heard that,” Cass said. She and her partner shared a grin.
And Mack couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Until Tex smacked him in the back of the head. “Ow.”
In a low voice, Tex said, “Trust me. That dopey look won’t do you any favors.”
He replayed what Tex had told him earlier before they’d arrived.You want the girl? Play it right. This one doesn’t do nice and sweet. Show her you can meet her halfway. Remember that slide tackle, son. Carmichael plays for keeps.
So Mack did as he’d been cautioned to and continued to tease Cass in between talk of football and working in the city, the highs and lows and dealing with crime.
And all the while he thought therealcrime had been that he and Cass hadn’t finished what she’d started in the hallway. But he knew to bide his time. He could be patient.
When she looked up at him, he winked. She blushed, then dragged a finger across her throat in warning.
He laughed, excited about how many ways she might think to punish him, starting with a kiss or two.
***
