“Look but don’t touch, fellas, or you’ll have the wrath of one hot momma and Xander to deal with!” The announcer laughs while he finishes calling out the remaining numbers. After more cheers and roars, the girls make their way to the edge of the stage while I retreat, suddenly wishing to be done.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I take one more step backward and startle as I hit a warm, solid form. Before I can react, hands rest gently on my shoulders as whispered words tease my ear.
“You’re safe.”
Xander.
I relax a smidgeon, content to stay right where I am instead of back in the spotlight as the winners are called. I barely pay attention to what’s being said by the announcer, my sole focus on the inexplicable comfort of this stranger’s nearness; of his hands on me. A shiver runs through me even though I’m a million miles away from being cold. Xander must think that’s the case because his hands leave my shoulders and in the next instant, he’s pulling his t-shirt over my head.
“Put your arms through the sleeves.”
On autopilot, I do as I’m told and am surrounded by his residual heat and spicy scent. More comfort floods my body, and I sigh.
“Makes a fine dress,” he chuckles.
I turn around to face him only to have my view fill with an impressive chest. Tan, defined muscles are covered with a light smattering of golden curls, and I so want to run my fingers along what appears to be flawless skin, just so I can verify there are no imperfections. I continue my journey upward and see his mouth tick with a grin before I meet his eyes. They’re crinkling again at the corners and now my fingers itch to trace every line and dip along his handsome face.
We stand there smiling like fools at one another, but all too soon the moment is shattered once again by the MC and that damn squealing microphone.
“And in third place is our kick-ass, hot momma, lucky number seven!”
The words don’t even register until Xander nods to the cheering crowd and says, “Your turn in the spotlight one more time.”
I whip around to see the other contestants lined up with big smiles on their faces, waving me over. When I look back to Xander, the space is empty, and I whirl around trying to catch sight of him. When I can’t find him, my attention is drawn back to the crowd as Dani and Stacy are at the edge of the stage yelling and cheering for me.
I can’t help but laugh as I take my place in line. As the girls begin to congratulate me, a staffer hands me a slip of paper, and when I read it, it’s my third-place winnings of a gift certificate for the bar. Thanking her, I congratulate the others before we make our way off the stage.
My friends engulf me in a hug as they squeal with excitement, but all I can do is scan the crowd for a stranger whose arms I’d rather have around me.
Chapter Two
Xander
After stepping into the shadows and removing myself from the stage, I hustled to the office to grab another t-shirt. I wanted to remain and keep an eye on number seven, but figured I better cover myself and get back out there. I already know I’m gonna hear shit from the others, no doubt teasing me about making a move on a patron. Not that I did, and not that I didn’t want to, becausedamn, that woman is remarkable. Sexy and tough, yet somehow vulnerable. She certainly handled that jackass who tried grabbing one of the girls, but then she tried to fade into the background.
Yeah, I didn’t mind sacrificing my shirt for her. I certainly wouldn’t mind finding out who she is and if—
“Hey, Xander! Aren’t you on soon?”
My sister’s voice echoes down the hall as I walk toward her where she’s standing outside the entrance to the kitchen. Dina owns the bar with her husband, Jerald, who MC’d the wet t-shirt contest. And just thinking about that has me conjuring up the woman he called hot momma. Lucky number seven. Thoughts of her trim body and gorgeous tits along with lean legs I took the liberty of feeling up make my groin tighten all over again. Yeah, pretty damn ballsy of me putting my hands on her like that when I would’ve slugged anyone else who had tried. But I couldn’t help wanting to feel what looked like silky skin, and lucky me, I discovered it was the smoothest skin I’d ever felt. And that tattoo and belly piercing? Fucking sexy! Sure made my dick take notice at the time. But it was her eyes that had me captivated. Playful and soft, yet steely, all rolled into smoky gray orbs I could get lost in.
My lizard brain wanted to take over, ravaging and protecting her all in one fail swoop.
As beautiful and youthful as she looks, she must be around forty, I’d guess. What the heck was she doing entering that contest? Not that she didn’t fit the bill, but it’s usually young girls barely out of high school that prance up there, showing off, maybe hoping to score a hot dude. Shit, a few of them made it clear they’d like to score me. Yeah, no. I don’t do jailbait, and I definitely don’t do girls young enough they could be my daughter.
And I don’t even have kids! Had a few scares with girlfriends over the years, but that’s a bullet I’m happy to have dodged. Others’ kids I’m fine with, like my nieces and nephews, and those of my close friends. But I never considered myself fathermaterial, what with traveling and being a free spirit, enjoying life wherever it took me.
Can’t be a father when you’re not around.
Before I get swamped with thoughts from the past, I sidle up to my sis and give her a quick squeeze. She pinches my side making me yelp.
“Jesus, what was that?”
Dina grins up at me. “Love pinches.”
Cheeky little brat is five years younger than me and has always been able to get away with crap like that. I just roll my eyes while she laughs.
“So, what was that up on the stage?” She gives me the side-eye.
