All Billy could manage was a grunt.
There was no planning involved.Things between them just happened.It was like a chemical reaction.First there was smoke, and then apoof, and then a four-alarm fire.
He could already smell the acridness in the air.
That slinky top she wore knew how to caress her curves.It was belted around her waist and draped over her butt, making oglers wonder what was underneath.He knew what was underneath, but he couldn’t stop looking at her bare shoulder.Her top slipped off it, exposing skin.So soft, so smooth.She was wearing some kind of strapless bra.He’d felt it when he’d held her, but that didn’t stop him from wondering what it looked like.
Catching himself, he banged his head back against the wall.
“No, I’m not planning anything,” he told his old friend.“I’m just here for Charlie.”
“Ri-iight,” Skeeter said astutely.
Right.
Billy set his empty down on the table next to him.Another tray was passing by, but he scowled at it.Beer wasn’t having the effect he needed.
He lifted an eyebrow at Charlie.“You got anything stronger around here?”
Chapter Three
It was too late, too chilly, and too quiet to be outside, yet that’s where Roxie had ended up, and it was right where she was going to stay.It was deep into the night, probably closer to morning.The bar had closed, and the staff had cleaned up long ago.Everyone had gone home, but she hadn’t known what to do with herself.
So here she was on the roof of the building, listening to the night world and trying to make sense of things.
With a soft breeze stirring, the nip in the air was closer to a bite.She huddled deeper into her blanket and stared out over the river.The moon was just a slit tonight, but that white crescent was bright.It cast a bluish tint on everything, making the scene a bit unreal.
Unreal.Now wasn’t that the word of the day?
The breeze picked up, causing her cheeks to sting.It was the smack in the face she needed.Sleep was not in the cards tonight, not with all the thoughts and feelings rushing through her head.
Feelings.She scowled.When had they sneaked up on her again?
Tonight was supposed to have been fun and carefree.
Yet she hadn’t been feeling that way even before Billy had shown up, had she?
Billy.
She pressed her legs together more tightly and drew them up towards her chest.Watching the river glide along whisper-soft, she ran her fingers over her lips.They’d avoided each other most of the night, but that kiss he’d given her had lingered.
Simmering and teasing.
Until it wasn’t just her lips that were craving more.
Her eyelids had just started to drift closed when she heard the door behind her.She stayed where she was but moved her hand under the blanket to her side.
“I thought I might find you up here,” a low voice said.
Her shoulders slumped.Speak of the devil.“Billy,” she sighed.
He knew her too damn well.
He moved into her line of vision.He looked tall and sturdy with his hands tucked in the pockets of his jacket.His attention was on the view before them.People often asked why she didn’t move further away from the bar.Why did she keep her apartment on the third floor?This was why, her little secret.
From atop the building, there was a bird’s eye view of Cobalt City.She could see the city lights on the east side, but more importantly, she could see down to the river.It flowed like black satin tonight, twisting and curling its way silently southward.
“At least this place has a door to the roof and stairs.”He turned in a circle, looking at the rest of the neighborhood.Things weren’t as colorful or glamorous here on the west side, but it had a comfort to it.A familiarity.“No climbing out of windows or scrambling up fire escapes for once.”
