I can’t contain my smile, but when I turn around, Shane is gone. With a frown, I take my next shot. Without Shane’s gaze, I couldn’t care if I miss or not. And I do miss. “Want another drink?”
Hazel nods, and I leave her to pot the last ball.
Shane’s nowhere to be seen as I step into the main room with the band. I bob my head to the music as I lean against the bar and see Shane talking with Draven through the open bar in the quiet side of the old country pub.
“Hey, Lil. How’s your sister?” Phoenix says, in full firefighter uniform, looking hot as sin. I hadn’t realised he was back in town.
After wiping the drool from my mouth, I reply, “Her and Harry are just fine.”
The fire in his eyes dulls like dying embers, and I’m not sure what or who’s pissed on his bonfire. “Can I get you a drink?” He asks, a small smile brightening his face.
“Sure, why not?” I am single, after all.
Heather says, “Do you want your usual rum and coke?”
“Skip the rum, please, Heather.”
“You driving tonight?” Heather asks.
“No, I’m just trying to cut down on my alcohol consumption.”
She squints her eyes as if I’ve had a personality transplant.
I smile and say. “New diet.”
“You don’t need to diet,” Phoenix says, taking in my tall, curvy frame.
I place my hand on his strong biceps and giggle loud enough for Shane to hear on the other side of the bar. “Thanks. That’s sweet of you.” I squeeze the muscles under my palm. “Wow, you must work out all the time.”
He blushes, smiling, with gorgeous white teeth against his tanned skin. “I do my best. We don’t just sit around playing cards all day like some people think.”
“I bet you could easily throw a girl over your shoulder,” I keep my voice a notch louder than necessary, hoping Shane can hear every word.
Phoenix bends his knees and lifts me.
I let out a squeal as he throws me over his shoulder. His large hand grabs a hold of my ass, holding me in place.
“Bring our drinks through to the back, Heather. Put it on my tab,” he says, before spinning me around.
“Can you get Hazel a non alcoholic beer too, please,” I shout as he carries me to the back, my head bobbing behind, loving the display for all to see. One person in particular.
Shane scowls, eyes shooting lasers at Phoenix, getting exactly the reaction I wanted. Serves him right.
In the back room, Phoenix sets me down on the floor, my heels clicking against the wood. “How was that?”
“Well, you’re handy to have around in a fire.” I squeeze his biceps again while searching the room for Shane.
Heather arrives with a tray of drinks. “Here you go.” She hands me my Diet Coke. “Shane has a face like a smacked arse. What’s going on with him?”
A smile pushes my cheeks up. “I wouldn’t know. Haven’t seen him in ages.”
“He’s all red faced and moody. If looks could kill. Do you think they’re working him too hard down at the station?”
“Working who too hard?” Shane’s deep disgruntled voice booms over the distant music playing in the front room.
“We were just talking about you.” Heather pats Shane on his arm. “Who ate your doughnuts?”
Shane doesn’t answer her. He just stares at me with a face like thunder.
