Barbara Jeanne took a final sip of her drink and turned to Morgan. “I gotta go. I promisedmommy dearestI’d help with one of her club meetings tonight. Besides, I’ll just be in the way here,” she said with a wink.
Morgan grinned, not at all bothered by her friend’s imminent departure. “Okay, girl. See ya later.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Morgan giggled. “That gives me a lot of leeway. And text me so I know you got home safe.”
“Very funny. And you do the same. Love ya.”
“Love you, too.”
With Barbara Jeanne gone, Morgan turned her attention to the handsome stranger. He’d just ordered some food, so it appeared he’d be around for a while. She signaled Ben and asked for a diet coke since she’d already had her driving limit of two mixed drinks. When he set the glass in front of her, he smiled and inclined his head toward the guy as if to say “go for it.”
Although she typically wasn’t shy, she was a little intimidated by this man’s hot and sexy persona. She took a deep breath to muster up some courage, pasted a smile on her face, and willed him to look up from his plate. When he met her eyes in the mirror, she took advantage of the opportunity. “Hi. Mind if I join you?”
He smiled back, and she got the full effect of his one-thousand-watt smile and gorgeous dark brown eyes. “Sure. If you don’t mind me chewin’ on my food.”
Morgan slid over onto the chair next to him, bringing her drink with her. He stopped eating long enough to move his hat over to the other side; she assumed the move was meant to give her more space.
“You didn’t need to move your hat. It’s really nice by the way.” She wrinkled her brow in question. “Why is it upside down?”
“That’s to let it air out, and so I don’t mess up the shape of the brim.” His eyes sparkled like dark diamonds as he continued. “But more importantly, if I put it down the other way, all my good luck will run out.”
His friendliness was contagious and she felt herself leaning closer, as a pleasant sensation radiated within. “Are you a lucky person?”
“Seems I’m havin’ some good luck right now. A pretty girl just started talkin’ to me.”
Her face warmed at the compliment. “Thank you. That’s sweet. You’re not from around here, are you?” She already knew the answer, but was hoping to learn more about him.
“I just finished up a job in Tennessee. But I’m originally from Texas.”
Morgan’s veins hummed with adrenaline. She was definitely in the mood to flirt now. “Texas. A real cowboy.”
She sensed a change in his demeanor. Did she offend him somehow, or did he not want to talk about himself? “I don’t know about that. I’m just a regular guy.”
Regular guy, my ass. He looked as if he’d just finished shooting a music video for a country and western song. “Well, regular guy, what’s your name? I’m Morgan.” She extended a hand.
“TJ.” He wiped his own on a napkin before taking hers. She liked the feel of his rough palm against her softer one. Her father always said rough hands reflected hard work.
“Nice to meet you, Morgan. Can I get you another drink?”
“I’ve already had my two-drink limit, but I’ll take a refill on my diet coke.”
He signaled to the bartender to bring her a refill, while he asked for a ginger ale.
Several hours later, the pub was emptying out and a comfortable silence had descended between the pair. Although the alcohol was well out of her system, Morgan felt mellow and content sitting there with TJ.
He touched her hand resting on the bar top. “Looks like it’s almost closing time. Can I walk you to your car?”
The intimate feel of his hand on hers and his softly spoken words caused her skin to tingle with excitement. Her eyes found his, and she murmured a single word. “Yes.”
They settled their tabs and exited the bar. Morgan was trying to figure out how to keep their interaction going, as she really didn’t want the night to end just yet. When they reached her car, she turned toward TJ, hoping to stall his departure. “Thanks for hanging out with me tonight.” She leaned back against her driver’s side door and looked up into handsome brown eyes, wishing he would suggest continuing the evening elsewhere.
TJ moved closer, bracing his arms on either side of her head and lowering his face toward hers. “I should be thankin’ you for rescuing me from a boring evening.”
Her breath caught as she anticipated the feel of his mouth on hers. Leaning forward ever so slightly, she closed the gap between them and sighed in contentment as their lips met. She may have initiated the contact, but TJ quickly took charge, consuming her mouth and her senses. Lord, the man could kiss. Good thing she was leaning against the car, since her limbs felt like jelly, and it wouldn’t take much for her to fall to the ground. He must have sensed her discomposure, as he chuckled and tweaked her nose.
“You okay, little filly?”
