Having only been at the Secret Cow Saloon for an hour, she wasted no time claiming the pool table and challenging all of us Graham brothers to try and beat her.
Now that she’s humbled the rest of them, it’s left to me to defend my family's honor and not let our Aussie/American ranch hand wipe the floor with us completely.
There's a mischievous spark in her gaze from where she stands across the table from me, one that tells me I might be in a bit of trouble. But my family name is on the line, so I know Ihaveto win.
“You can break,” I say, chalking the cue and watching her closely.
With a shrug, she bends down, eyes up her shot and breaks, looking far too good while doing it. “Solids,” she calls out over the crowd noise. “Next one, Yellow ball, back right pocket.”
She leans down again but this time she locks eyes with me and without looking away, she pulls back the cue to send the yellow straight down the table without breaking a sweat.Why is it so sexy when a woman is kicking my butt? And why am I totally OK with Skippy being the one doing the kicking?
I catch Dee's satisfied smile as she leans a hip against the pool table and arches a perfectly shaped brow my way. I’m not the only one noticing her though, she’s getting more than her fair share of attention tonight. Then again, I can't think of a single man who wouldn't at least look twice at her tight long-sleeved Henley, black denim skirt, and black cowboy boots with white stitching. She’s only got a smattering of makeup on, just enough to highlight her already gorgeous features and shiny lips to make her mouth my new addiction.
"I think you might’ve been holdin’ back with my brothers,” I say as she lines up her next shot and makes it easily.
"Mmm, not sure. Maybe you're not completely convinced about me yet..."If only she knew just how convinced I truly am. This woman was made for me.
She studies the table, looking for her next shot as she cradles the cue into her side and takes a long slow sip of her beer.
"And what are you tryin’ to convince me of, Skippy?" I match her stance, standing kitty corner to where she’s standing.
She leans close with a wicked smirk painted on her lips and drops her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You still don’t think I can beat you," she says, slowly dragging her finger along the edge of her beer bottle. Even though I watch her do it, just as she intended, I can read her play immediately. She’s trying to distract me.
I’m no more immune to Skippy's charms than anyone else, but there’s no ignoring the magnetic pull between us. Lucky for me, the stakes are higher than just me and her now. It’s the Graham name and reputation on the line. I’m known for owning the pool table at this establishment. That's something a man like me doesnottake lightly.
"Maybe you should just take your next shot and not get too ahead of yourself.”
She laughs and slowly moves around the table, swinging her hips a little more, lifting her chin just that little bit higher, amusement in her eyes. "I probably should."
She lines up her show and locks eyes with me, except this time I decide that two can play this game. I brace my hands on the table and lean forward, pinning her in place with an intense gaze that’s all about putting her off and redeeming my reputation. That’s the intention anyway, but the feeling deep inside when I watch her has me more addicted than ever. All it does it leave me wanting more.
This time, instead of hitting the ball straight down the table and into the pocket, Dee wavers ever so slightly when I arch a challenging brow just as she’s about to make contact, making her miss her target..
“Shoot,” she mutters and I don’t try to hide the knowing chuckle that escapes me.
Narrowing her eyes but smirking while she does it, Dee nods, acknowledging the play. “Nicely done, Tobes. Didn’t think you had it in you.”
Austin comes up to my side and hooks his arm around my neck. “Oh, Dee. Never underestimate a Graham,especiallythis one.He’s as wily as they come and will trick you the second you’re not lookin’.”
She waves a hand out over the table as if offering me the world. “C’mon then, Tobes. Time to show me just how good you are? Because believe me, I won’t miss another opportunity to finish the game. This might be your last chance.”
God, the way this woman makes me feel without ever trying. Alive… energized…challenged…Everything I never knew I needed and wanted. Knowing she has a cheeky personality and never misses the chance for a laugh is just the cream on top.
“Challenge accepted," I respond, stepping up to the pool table and taking my time as I position myself for my next shot. The crowd of spectators grows bigger, my brothers already gathered around a high table in the corner. Feeling everyone's eyes on me, I focus on what I have to do.
I steady my hand and line up my next move, aiming for a striped ball near the top corner pocket. Taking a deep breath, I glide the cue through my fingers and smoothly strike the white ball with just the right amount of force, rolling it across the table and making the target drop into the pocket. A loud cheer sounds from my Brothers and Red, but it’s just background noise. One down, many more to go.
This feels like a battle of the ages even if it is just for laughs at a small-town bar in the middle of nowhere. Then again, if I'm going to be the last Graham brother to fall at the hands of Delilah's pool-cue sword, I'm gonna go down fighting.
The woman in question watches with a mixture of awe and admiration as the striped balls keep dropping, one after the other.
Then it's time for the last shot as the eight ball sits there just waiting for me to send it home.
I take my time, lining up the shot, ignoring the anticipation hanging in the air. Just as I’m about to move, Dee leans against the pool table, her gaze fixed on me. She's close to me but not anywhere near touching me, yet it’s like I canfeelher right against me.
"Care to make this a little bit more interestin', Skippy?"
Dee smirks, her eyes alight with amused interest. "What did you have in mind, Tobes?"
