by Sade Rena
“Touché’.”
“So can I ask the forbidden question?”
“What’s that?”
“Exactly how much older than me are you?”
“I’m thirty-three.”
“Wow. I would have sworn you were more like twenty-six or something,” I add, my brows raised in both admiration and surprise.
“I’ll take that,” she chuckles.
“You get that all the time, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” she shrugs.
Amelia returns with our drink order, sitting each beverage in front of us. “How are we looking on dinner choices?” she asks.
“Oh sorry. We haven’t even looked at the menu,” Renee answers. “Parker what are you having?” She peers down at the laminated paper.
“Oh honey, he has the same thing every time; a two-meat combo platter, mustard greens with baked beans and two slices of cornbread,” Amelia beams.
“Haha. You really do eat here all the time, huh?”
I smile and bunch my shoulders to my ears. “It’s good food.”
“Okay. Can I do that, but one meat and one slice of cornbread? Pulled pork, please.”
“Comin’ right up.” Amelia takes both menus and hurries toward the kitchen.
I sip my beer, glancing up to Renee, who’s staring at me. Her eyes are soft, and intrigue lies behind them. She doesn’t speak, taking a swallow of her drink before I could offer a conversation.
“What?” I sit back in my seat.
“Nothing.” She does the same.
“Ya lookin’ at me like there’s a question brewing in that pretty head of yours.”
Renee grins while licking her lips. “Okay.” She leans forward with her elbows on the table. “How are you a—” her voice lowers a few octaves. “Virgin?”
The look in her eyes brings laughter from my gut. It’s not a joking matter, hell it’s the most embarrassing thing considering how things ended with us the last time. But surprisingly, her tone isn’t one of judgement or ridicule. It’s soft and earnest, and one I appreciate.
I raise a brow, tilting my head slightly before taking a stab at answering her. “Is it really that shocking?”
“Kind of; it’s 2020. There aren’t many hot guys walking around who’s still pure,” she adds casually.
I heave a sigh. “I guess you’re right. But I am,” I take a pull from my drink. “Me and Madison were high school sweethearts. Been together since ninth grade and decided we wanted to wait until we got married to take that step. We fooled around but never went all the way.” I pause.
“Okay. You’re here on a date with me and clearly not married so... bad break up?” she quizzes.
I choke on my responses. “She went away to college about a year and a half ago. Before she left, she told me she wanted to call us off. Something about needing to discover who she was before we considered really tying the knot.” My voice trails off.
“She returned your ring?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t officially propose. It was just something we talked about, even days before she had her epiphany.”
She squints, and she reaches out to touch my hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I loved her, yes. She’d been the only girl I’d been close to, but like I told her, I don’t need distance to help me decide who I want to be with. That if she walked away, she was closing that chapter, and well—I met you.”
We both fall silent, but only for a moment. Music pours through the speakers as Luke Bryan’s, Play it Again, comes on. Her shoulders buck to the beat, and she mouths the lyrics.
“You like Luke?”
“I love Luke.”
“Nice. Who else do you love?”
“Gosh, too many to name.” She toys with the straw in her cup.
“I ain’t got nothing but time.”
She darts her gaze to mine, then back down. “Okay,” she props her elbows on the table, her straw still between her fingers. “I like Brett Young, Kane Brown, Chris Young, Russel Dickerson, Chris Lane, Dan + Shay-”
“All right, all right. You know your country.” I wave my hands in surrender, my heart fluttering as she names off many of my favorites.
“I do.” She grins and takes another sip.
“I was starting to worry you didn’t want to be out with me tonight,” I add after a moment.
She takes a gulp. “Why would you think that?”
“Your demeanor changed once we got here. Like you were nervous or regretting it or something.”
Her hands fly out, and she rests it against my knuckles. “Oh no. Sorry, if I made you feel like that. I’ve never been to a place like this and just wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m glad my first experience is with you.”
I blush and I know she sees the redness in my cheeks because she smiles wide and drops her eyes again. Not long into our conversation, Amelia returns with our meals, and we waste no time digging in. We converse while enjoying the music and the food in front of us.
Any worry I had about our date vanishes with each passing minute. When we finish, Amelia clears our table, leaving nothing but open space. I ache to cross the distance and touch her.
Another Luke Bryan song comes on, and she nearly hops out of her seat along with several other women in the bar.
“Dance with me,” she says, not giving me a moment to think it over.
She pulls me to the floor, her hips already swaying with the strum of the guitar. My hands go to her waist as I fall in line with her moves, but not nearly as attractive.
“Yeah, birds need bees and ice needs whiskey,” she recites the lyrics to Knockin’ Boots, losing herself to the beat.
I follow behind her, mouthing the next line with the biggest grin on my mug. Snuggling close behind her, I dip when she does, being sure not to be outdone on this floor. I need her to understand I’m man enough to handle every curve, and every gear she shifts my way. But I think too soon because when she lifts her hands above her head, tapping her fingers against the hat, I brought her and bucking to the cadence, my groin stirs. I step back slightly, putting a small gap between us, giving myself time to adjust my crotch.
Good lord, what is this woman doing to me?
She doesn’t notice the near hard-on I had during Knockin’ Boots, and I’m grateful for it. I gather myself and saddle up behind her again. Through the next two songs, we enjoy each other’s rhythm, sharing smiles and leaning in to sing the words to one another.
“Whew. I need a drink,” she says when we return to our table.
I wave Amelia over, signaling for another round. We don’t wait long before our beverages are ready. She takes a big sip, and I do the same, staring at her over the amber bottle.
“You weren’t lying when you said country was your favorite genre.”
She chuckles. “How can you tell?” Her tone is full of sarcasm.
“I think you knew more of the songs than I did.”
We laugh.
“It’s getting late, darlin’. Should I be a gentleman and get you home at a decent hour?”
She looks at me, and I swear I see the dread in her eyes. Or at least I hope that’s what I see.
“Yeah. I do need to be up early in the morning.”
I nod, shifting in my seat to pull my wallet from my jeans and place enough cash for the bill and a generous tip on the table. When I stand, I hold out a hand, encouraging her to take it. She accepts, snagging her over the shoulder purse along the way. I lead her forward, suggesting she walk ahead of me. Partly because my momma raised me right, but also so I can get one last glance at the way she looks in the dark blue denim.
Um.
We pull up to the house, and I cut the truck off, dreading her departure. If I had things my way, we’d stay out here a little longer, spending every moment with me getting more acquainted with the likes of her. I asked Leah about her after dinner the other day, but all she told me was to find out for myself. And damn if I don’t want like hell to do just that.
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I sit back in the seat, and I sigh. “Well, sweetheart, looks like you’re home.”
Her gaze drops to the floor of my truck. “I guess so.”
“Thanks for comin’ out with me tonight.” I tilt my head to meet her eyes.
“Thank you for inviting me. Nikki’s wasn’t so bad,” she teases.
“We’ll make a small-town girl out of you, yet. Just you wait,” I wink.
She chuckles again. “I don’t doubt it.”
The conversation trails off, neither of us seeming to want the night to end. At the same time, we both speak but stop mid-sentence.
“You go ahead,” she adds after a pause.
“I was just going to say I really enjoyed myself tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to work?” she quizzes.
“I do. But we start bright and early. I should be able to break away and get in a few hours on your kitchen before nightfall.”
She nods. “That works. I’ll get some words in until then. Thanks again, Parker. I had an amazing time.” She opens the door, looking over her shoulder at me before hopping out.
“Good night, Renee.” The truck shifts when the door shuts. “Oh, Hey?” She turns. “Your hat.” I hold out her matching headgear as she circles back for it.
Plopping it on her head, she strikes a pose, and I can’t help but admire how good it looks on her. Without another word, she taps the window seal and heads inside. Once she’s safely behind the threshold, I rev the engine and pull out into the night with the widest grin on my lips.
Chapter Six
Parker
“You heading to Zack’s later?” Chance’s voice blares through the radio.
I lift the receiver to my lips and press the button. “Negative.”
“What?” he barks, static screeching out when he releases the microphone.
Tugging on the last piece of wire, I staple, hammer, and secure the barbing to the post. I snip the excess and place the remaining supplies on the bed of my pickup. For the better part of a day, I’ve been tending to the fences. Thanks to the lack of attention from the ambitious new hand who left the gate open, a dozen of our cattle got out and wandered off the ranch. I told Denton the kid isn’t prepared. Just because he loves the animals, doesn’t make him ranch ready.
And like the defiant, vivacious lot they are, the cows just had to test my fencing. I’d bet every dollar in my pocket, it was Lila who led the pack. The girl is the most stubborn, and the most adventurous of them all. Luckily folks’ round here knows to look out for a loose herd and drive cautiously.
It’s a good thing Chance was in the area on his horse and wrangled them in. By the grace of the powers that be, many of them escaped unscathed with only a couple of them suffering a few cuts from the unforgiving barb wiring. Doc will get them all patched up, and they’ll be good as new.
But now I have to repair what damage they left behind. I’d much rather spend my time doing other things. But when you’re the Foreman on the ranch your family owns, there’s no taking it easy. As much as the work is tiring, I’m grateful for the safety of my cattle. With the county fair only a few weeks away, it would be horrible not to be able to take part. We supply the cows and horses for the petting area, and it would be a shame for the children.
I yank off my work gloves, shoving them into my back pocket. Opening the cab of my truck, I hop in, snagging my radio from my hip.
“All the fencing is good to go. On my way back. Somebody double-check the gates, make sure they’re closed this time.”
Chirp.
“Will do, Parker. I’m not sure how Jerry forgot to lock the cows in.”
“It happens. Let’s just minimize how often.”
“You got it.”
The radio screams before the line clears. I return it to my hip and rev my engine, shifting into gear. I take off toward the stables, but cruise to browse the rest of the perimeter for any other breaches.
“What you mean you ain’t going to Zack’s?” Chance asks when I exit the vehicle and stroll past him to the work desk.
I snatch my tool bag from the corner. “Can’t. Have plans.”
“What plans do you have?” his voice raises several notches.
I spin. “None ya.”
He cranes his neck. “What are we? Twelve? What in the hell you got going on that’s so important you can’t go?”
“Last I checked, I got one daddy and he ain’t you.” I shift to put my walkie on the charger next to the others.
“The only reason you’re allowed to bail on your friends is if you’re going to see a woman. And you ain’t got no lady, so—wait, you ain’t got no lady, right?” Chance tosses me a wicked grin.
I chuckle. “I’m just going to help Renee work on the Clark house.” I fight the urge to smile by turning and exiting the stables.
Chance is right behind me, continuing his interrogation. “The new girl. How’d you get roped into that?”
I huff. “She’s Leah’s friend.”
“Bullshit. Leah has plenty of friends; you ain’t ever fix their houses.”
I laugh. “Dude, why are you grilling me?” I face him with my hands raised at my sides.
“Cause’ I know a load of shit when I smell it.”
“If you must know-”
“I do,” he interrupts.
“You remember the girl from the other night? The one from the hotel bar?”
“Ha,” his hands go to his hip, and his shoulders rattle in amusement. “Do I? I’m still trying to figure out how you messed that one up.” He pauses when he sees the scowl on my lips. “All right. My bad, we said we wouldn’t talk about your premature excitement.”
“Fuck off,” I retort, flipping him the bird.
“That’s what you should have been doing with her,” he teases.
I grit my teeth, bending down to pick up a pebble and throwing it as hard as I can. Chance tries to move out of the way, but the rock hits him in his upper arm.
“I was just joking sheesh,” he rubs the spot with his face frowned like he didn’t deserve that. “What about her?”
“She’s Leah’s friend.”
His eyes go wide. “No way.”
“Yes, way. She showed up to dinner on Sunday.”
“Well, shit. That had to be awkward,” Chance rests both fists on either hip.
“Yeah it was a tad weird. She seemed completely shocked and embarrassed to see me, so I acted as we’d never met. And when I tried to talk to her, she just told me to forget it ever happened.”
“Ouch,” he says through clenched teeth.
“So now I’ma change her mind.”
“Oh yeah. I support this. Okay, so what’s our plan?”
I shake my head, unable to keep from laughing at his antics. We’ve been friends all our lives and did a lot of things together. We’ve always had each other’s back, even servicing as a wingman if needed. Hints them all taking me out that night.
For years they’ve ridiculed me for never having tasted the candy, as Chance would say. After Madison, he promised he’d get me laid if it’s the last thing he does.
“There’s no, our plan. Your plan didn’t work out last time,” I blurt out.
“Whoa now. My plan was perfect and was working. You’re the one with the hair trigger.”
I pick up another rock. “I hope this one hits you square between the eyes.”
He catches it this time, smacking it to the ground. “Stop throwing shit dammit,” his voice is high pitched, and his eyes are wide.
The strained expression on his face makes me want to burst out laughing, but I hold it back. “Well, stop being a dick. I don’t need ya help on this one. I’ll win her over my way.”
“Aww, hell. You’re trying to fall in love and shit.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, man.” He waves me off. “If you like it, I love it. I just thought the goal was to have sex, not get married.”
&nb
sp; “Who said anything about getting married? I’m just trying to get to know her, and if she’s the one, then be ready to get your suit together, fucker.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I snag another stone and feign an attempt to toss it in his direction. He flinches, moving out of the way only to give me an annoyed glance when he realizes I’m only playing. I chuckle and let the rock fall back to the ground before dusting my palms on my jeans. Chance mutters something under his breath, but I don’t turn to see what it was. I’m on a mission, and a gorgeous woman is waiting on me.
I grab my tool bag from the passenger seat and glance around on my way up to Renee’s door. Even though it’s evening, the sun is still high in the sky, but not for much longer. Birds fly overhead, chirping in song. I approach the porch, stopping to glance down at the mat that wasn’t there yesterday. I smirk.
Wipe your paws is what it reads, so I do as instructed and rub my feet against the wicker material. When I knock, the door creeps open. I poke my head inside, craning my neck in search of her.
“Renee?” I call out over the loud music blaring from the kitchen area.
She doesn’t answer me, but a second later, her voice belts out lyrics. I step inside, shutting the door behind me, turning to catch a glimpse of her setting aside the step stool we purchased the other day. I inch closer, bending the slight curve that leads into the dining space.
“Oh my,” I mutter and lean against the archway.
There she is, bent over, picking up a tool then kneeling to unscrewing the nails on the bottom cabinets, moving her ass to the beat. I should say something, tell her I’m here, but I can’t. I can’t bring myself to disrupt her fun, even if it is for selfish reasons.
I swallow hard, unable to keep from admiring the way she looks with her cheeks spread on display for me. Renee stands, her back still to me, and with much enthusiasm, she grinds her hips.
“Oh baby—why don’t you just meet me in the middle? I’m losing my mind just a little-” she sings, losing herself in Zedd’s words. As the song continues, she resumes her task, making her way along the length of the counter space.
“I’d be glad to,” I say loud enough for her to hear.