Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“One of my favorites.”
“Too bad it’s the Frozen Tundra playing, then.”
I threw back my head in laughter. “You got me. I don’t give a care who is playing. It’s who will be listening with me that I’m interested in.”
Chase laughed with me. “I never had this conversation with you.”
“Nope.”
“I’ll go talk to Charly as soon as I finish my burger.”
“I owe you.”
He chuckled. “Yep.”
I headed back to the garage and the engine rebuild I was working on.
Cherry was coming to town.
How awesome.
I spotted her the moment I walked into the bar. She sat beside Hannah, two fiery redheads, so similar, yet so different. Hannah’s hair glowed like a flame, bright and coppery. Cherry’s hair was a rich, decadent, aged-whiskey red. Darker, more auburn than the bright of her daughter’s.
Sexy as hell hanging past her shoulders, the loose waves shimmering in the light. I should be ashamed of the way I’d spoken to her the other day. The crude words I’d used. But I had wanted to shock her. See her reaction. She hadn’t disappointed. I had seen her desire, even as she tried to hide it.
Until she rushed away.
The texts were helping. I threw out all sorts of silly tidbits. Colors, foods, the kind of jeans I liked. Anything to engage. To let her see me.
I ordered a beer and took a sip, scanning the crowd. Mostly younger, but a few people my age. I nodded and greeted some familiar faces, then focused my attention where Cherry sat. I caught Chase’s eye, and he grinned, knowing what I was doing. Cherry glanced my way and froze, her shoulders going back and a dull flush settling under the skin of her cheeks. I bit back my smile and approached the table. Chase greeted me as I stopped, and I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Chase. Hannah.” I paused, focusing my attention on Cherry. “And Cherry Gallagher. What a pleasure to see you again.”
Hannah grinned at me. “Here to listen to some music, Dom?”
“I saw the flyers earlier this week when I was here.”
“Hang around the bar a lot, do you?” Cherry asked, her voice cool.
Without waiting for an invitation, I pulled out the chair next to her and swung it around, straddling it. I sat beside her, angling my body her way. I set my beer down on the table and spoke.
“They have great food here. I was having dinner after looking at a couple of houses.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“Enjoying your visit?”
“Yes.”
I leaned closer. “I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed seeing you last week, Cherry G.”
She picked up her drink, taking a sip, ignoring me. I laughed under my breath, relishing the fact that I made her nervous.
The band stepped onstage, and Chase and Hannah got up to dance. I saw the glimmer of sadness in Cherry’s eyes as she watched her daughter, even as she smiled. Her hand fidgeted on her lap, a sign of her tension.
“They’re good together,” she murmured.
“Yes. They’re good for each other.”
“I hope he doesn’t break her heart.”
I lifted her hand to my lips, kissing the knuckles. “I think she is the one with the power to destroy him,” I observed. “Like her mother.”
Cherry’s eyes widened and she pulled her hand away, but I caught sight of her smile.
I stood, holding my palm out to her. “Dance with me.”
“I don’t—I mean, I haven’t in a long time.”
I grinned. “I bet we move together really well, Cherry G. Trust me.” I waggled my fingers.
She rolled her eyes but stood, letting me lead her to the floor. It was crowded, and we were forced to dance closely, which was fine with me. I could feel her body moving easily to the rhythmic beat. When the music slowed, I was happy to pull her into my arms and simply sway with her. I liked how she felt in my embrace. Small. Warm. Matching my steps perfectly. As if she was meant to be there.
I felt the way her breathing picked up as I tugged her closer. Smiled when she slid her hands up my arms, wrapping them around my neck. She sighed as she rested her head on my chest, and unable to resist, I trailed my hand up and down her spine, letting her silky hair brush across my skin.
We danced until the band took a break. Then we sat with Chase and Hannah, enjoying a cold drink. Our eyes kept locking, her inhibitions beginning to fade away as she sipped and relaxed. When I slid my hand over her thigh under the table, she startled, then laid her smaller one on top of mine, squeezing gently.
Conversation was easy between the four of us. It was plain to see how close the two women were. How similar. Chase stared at Hannah with utter adoration on his face. She peeked at him with the same loving expression. Cherry watched them, once again torn between delight over her daughter’s happiness and feeling a little sad. I doubted anyone else could see that. She covered it far too well.