“Thanks.”
Max wanted to tell them to fuck off, but they were laughing, congratulating each other on their comments to him. Their words hit a target within Max that he didn’t wish to be reminded of. So much so, it took all his willpower to walk away without saying anything, because there was no come back from what they had said.
Fuck it all. He knew he was like a bull without a cow for too long. Sure, he’d had a few encounters with women but nothing had lasted, and he almost didn’t want it to. He had his farm and that kept him busy, and after nearly losing it because of Pam, he had to work extra hard. With all of that it was all too easy to close off his heart. Bumping into someone like Zoe had made these feelings surface.
Nothing that beer can’t deal with.
Max put down the three glass mugs. “Same again.” He nodded to the young bloke behind the bar, who was polishing glasses.
He leant on the bar as if needing support to keep himself upright. The Royal Show was only just getting started. The major judging was just about over. His bull might come out tomorrow for Grand Champion reserve, and then it was party time for a few days, mixed in with a couple of agricultural meetings, and some networking to try and drum up some business with some of the breeders who were looking to improve their stock. Over a couple of beers, he would convince them he had the bulls back on his farm, and that they should come to his farm for the auction next month.
Thinking and planning about who he should talk to, starting tomorrow. The hurt in his heart eased, and the tension dissipated, helped along with the effects of the amber liquid he’d just downed quickly.
Max paid for the beers, scooped them up, balancing the third between the other two like he’d done so many times before. He was well practised at carrying multiple beers at the pub. He turned around to go back to his mates when someone bumped into him. All three beers went crashing, amber liquid splashed up his legs, and glass shattered all over the floor.
“Taxi,” someone yelled out. There was always some idiot that called that out when glasses were dropped at a pub. Max never found it funny, but a few people laughed.
He took a deep breath and looked for whoever the fuckhead was that couldn’t see where they were going. His temper boiling up again.
“Are you all right, Zoe,” asked Billie. She moved to Zoe’s side, along with Ellie.
“That’s not the way to offer a lady a drink, Max,” said Ellie.
“You really need to get your eyes checked.” Zoe glared at him.
It washer. Zoe. Standing there in front of him, beer on her dress, and a burning anger flashing in her eyes.
Fuck. It turned him on and the anger burning inside of him turned up to a different sort of heat.
“You again.” It was a pathetic response, even he cringed after he spoke.
“Yeah, me. I don’t know what the fuck is your problem.”
Zoe was under his skin, popping up in his thoughts and causing his body to react with anticipation of getting her naked and having sex all night long. So he decided for once in his life he would tell the truth.
“You are.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “Like hell I am. It’s you.” She clenched her fists by her side.How dare he try and blame me.
“You’re the one who keeps running into me. I’m starting to think you’ve got the hots for me or something.”
“No way. You’re not worth a second glance.”
“Ahh, but I do get one glance, so that’s why you keep bumping into me. Twice in only a matter of hours.”
She hated the smirk he had on his face.If I had a drink in my hand, I’d throw it at him.
“You’re just an arrogant prick, you might be used to the ladies falling over you but not me. It’s just plain bad luck I’ve bumped into you. Anyhow, weren’t you the one who came over to me in the barn? I’d say you’ve got the hots for me.” She lifted her chin proud of her come back. Heat flushed her cheeks. She hadn’t quite pulled off her retort, though. He was sexy hot, and the lie on her tongue burned in a reminder that she did want a second glance at him and more, like peeling his shirt off would be a great start. She looked up into his eyes, there was a little shock clouding there which gave her confidence a boost. The way her body was responding she couldn’t stand there in front of him without showing what she really thought of him. And she didn’t want to be doing that. Not now, not when he was rude to her again. She quickly looked away.
“Fuck you.” He turned leaving the glass on the floor and stormed back over to his mates.
“Good riddance to you too.” Zoe huffed.
“I dunno, Zoe, I reckon there’s something going on between you and him,” said Ellie, chewing her bottom lip in thought.
“I don’t need you to betray me over this,” answered Zoe.
“Oh, I think she could be on to something,” piped up Billie.
