His eyes drifted to the sweep of her thighs, and his cock stirred. The image of her shapely legs wrapping around him, as he impaled her, her head leaning back, hit him. He’d kiss, lick, and nip her neck till she filled the air with soft moans. If he were stupid. Which he wasn’t—not anymore.
He licked his bottom lip and headed in her direction. He closed most of the gap between them to find Hoyt, Mel’s protective older brother, chatting her up. Why Hoyt of all people? It was like she knew how to pick them—and to annoyhim.
Hoyt had always kept a distance between he and Jack, which honestly was fine by him. He didn’t care for bonding over a few beers with him. Hoyt always had a mysterious smirk playing on his lips, like he kept tabs on everyone who crossed his way. And by the way he glanced at Lola, the bastard sure wanted to keep tabs onher.
“Lola.” Jack’s annoyed tone made her raise her eyes to his. Surprise, then a familiar flicker of defiance sparked in them. He stepped in the middle of Hoyt and Lola, with his hands casually perched on his beltline.
“Jack?” Hoyt raised an eyebrow, and straightened his posture.
A cold, acidy knot formed in Jack’s stomach. “You called my foreman to pick you up at a bar,” he said, annoyed. He wanted her to know just how much of a big inconvenience she was. “He’s not a Uber driver.”
“No. He’s a nice individual who offered to pick me up. I called him at nine o’clock.”
“Well, it’s ten now. Look, bottom line is, Earl got held up and asked me to give you a ride.” He stretched out his hand to help her down from the stool.
She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m not ready togo.”
Withdrawing his hand, he shoved it in his pocket with a frustrated sigh. “I’m not your limo driver, sweetheart.”
Hoyt stepped forward, even closer to her. “Hey. I’ll give her a ridehome.”
Of course he would. The knots in Jack’s gut throbbed with anger. If Lola thought she could just return to Red Oak and bring home any man under his roof, she had another think coming. Now it was time to stand his ground.
“Don’t make this complicated.” Jack clasped her elbow with his fingers. “It’s time togo.”
Hoyt stepped toward Jack, arms folded and chin up. “Jack, you heard the lady. She doesn’t want togo.”
Jack clenched his jaw and lifted his hand in disagreement. “Stay out of this, Hoyt.”
“No.” Hoyt raised an eyebrow, and turned his attention to Lola. “How do you knowhim?”
Lola looked away, then cleared her throat. “He’s my husband,” she said in a quiet voice.
“Husband? Y’all are married?” Hoyt raised his voice and widened his eyes. “Does my sister knowthis?”
Jack ran his hand down his face, tired of the bullshit. This was not a conversation he wanted to have with another human being ever—let alone with Hoyt, in front of an audience. “It’s not what you think. We’re separated.”
Someone in the back whistled, and a couple of nervous laughs followed. Yet nothing reduced the pulse-racing pressure—the airtight energy—zinging between the three ofthem.
“If she’s staying with you, Jack, it sure as fuck doesn’t sound like separated tome.”
Jack stared Hoyt in the eye, not moving, although the distance between them diminished with every word spoken. He curled and uncurled his fists. A whoosh swirled around them. Patrons were probably enjoying the show. It would end faster if he told him the truth. “It’s a long story. I never lied to Mel, as my friend she always knew I was still legally married.” The emphasis on the nature of the relationship didn’t loosen the tight planes on Hoyt’sface.
“And that makes it okay?” Hoyt shook his head, then glared at Jack in silence. Hoyt grunted, his fingers curling into afist.
An invisible ball of hot air stroked his skin and without flinching, Jack straightened. He could take Hoyt out any day, but fuck it, if punching him would make the prick move on, then so beit.
“You bastard,” Hoyt said between his teeth, then punchedhim.
Jack arched back, and the crowd oohed in unison. Currents of pain teased his right cheek, which tightened like a brick. Jack blinked, his blood boiling. Shaking his head, he shoved his hands in his pockets. Hitting Mel’s brother wouldn’t make things better.
“Cool it, y’all!” Mickey shouted from behind the counter.
“Now it’s over.” Jack crossed his arms. He wasn’t about to give the whispering crowd a show. His gaze flew to Lola, whose jaw dropped. The moment his eyes met hers, she closed her mouth and stretched to her full height.
Jack lifted his chin, narrowing his eyes at her. His entire body stiffened, and he opened his mouth to speak when Hoyt’s hand collided against his cheek. The ache pulsed again, this time, stronger. He touched the sensitive area around his eye, and his fingers slid on thebump.
Shit. Did he really have to break Hoyt in half just to leave the place? Only one day in town, and superficial, troublemaker Lola St. James had already inconvenienced him beyond belief.
