Glancing over my shoulder, I notice the space has really filled in. The crowd is too much for me and I don’t want to leave Vale, but I’m willing to get fresh beers, if she wants something.
When I peer back at her, she’s watching me, checking out my profile. Our eyes lock for a second before mine dip down to her exposed throat and the peek-a-boo of her chest. The nude-color tank emphasizes the swell of her breasts.
I’m thirsty, but not for something liquid.
“Easy there, cowboy,” Vale teases.
My gaze flicks back to her eyes before glancing at my hat on her head. I’ve never considered myself a cowboy. I’m more of a blue-collar man now, but I’ll be whatever Vale wants me to be.
“You know what they say about a cowboy and his hat?” I tease.
Vale chews at the corner of her lip and I want her to dig her teeth into my flesh. “If a girl steals his hat, she goes home with him.”
Would she go home with me? Can we have a repeat of what we once had? Can we do things better this round? My nostrils flare, catching another whiff of her honey-sweetness.
“However, seeing as I didn’t steal it because someone left it atmyhome, I think you’re safe.” Vale winks.
Am I safe?I’m not so certain how much longer I can fight my attraction to this woman. Even though everything in me says stay away. Build a fortress around these newfound feelings and secure the deadbolt.
“You have nothing to fear with me.” Vale watches me. Her rejection is almost as clear as her eyes.
“Why would I ever be afraid of you, Little Bee?”
Vale spins completely. Her breasts brush against my chest and I fight the groan rumbling up my throat. Crossing my arms, I attempt to calm the racing of my heart and the tingle she caused on my flesh, not to mention put some distance between us despite the cramped space.
“That.” She points at my face. “Because you think I’m a child.”
My gaze lowers, dripping over her body like a drizzle of honey. “I know you’re not.” The outside of her screams all woman, but the inside speaks it loud and clear as well. Valehastaken care of herself and her son. She’s been a pinnacle in keeping her extended family connected. She works hard and plays soft.
When my eyes meet hers again, her chest heaves, breasts inching closer to me. My mouth waters, wanting a sip of her.
“You should probably get back to your friend,” I state, giving her an out, telling her to step away from me, because my body begs for the opposite, wanting her to stay close. One of us has to make the smart decision this round.
After a beat of silence between us, I realize it won’t be me, because I lean forward again, bracing my hands on the railing at her back and caging her in once more.
“If you want me to leave you alone, just tell me.” Her tone turns fierce as she crosses her arms, but her body languagecounters the gleam in her eyes. The ones dipping down to my lips.
My mouth pops open, every warning prepared to spill forward.
She’s younger than me.
She’s the mother of a boy on my baseball team.
She’s Stone’s little sister.
And yet none of those concerns tumble out of my mouth.
My silence says everything.
I fucking want her.
I wish I could read her thoughts. Wish I knew if she wantedmein return.
Not the man who is older than her.
Not the coach of her kid’s baseball team.
Not her brother’s former best friend.
