by Talty, Jen
He rolled to his side, kissing her thigh. “I’m contemplating something else.”
“Guess I’m going to save a horse today and ride me a cowboy.”
* * *
“Dad told me you stayed out all night…with a friend.”
Kitty’s brother, Keith, perched himself at the end of the bar sporting a shit-eating grin. They were nearly five years apart in age, and she used to worry that Kevin was going to end up in jail or worse. The one good thing that came from her marriage was that her little brother had finally cleaned up his act.
“I hung out with Dorinda.”
“You might be able to lie to Mom and Dad, but I’m calling your bullshit, thanks to the fact that Dorinda told me all about that handsome cowboy you spent yesterday with.”
Kitty narrowed her stare as she scanned the room for Dorinda. She’d have to share a few choice words with her best friend. The last thing she needed was for her little brother to start playing matchmaker right alongside Dorinda.
Now that would suck.
“You spent the night with him, didn’t you?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“So, you did spend the night with him.” Keith clapped his hands together. “Finally, you’re moving on with your life.”
She cocked her head while she towel-dried a few mugs. “I’ve been moving on for a long time, but I still don’t have time or room for a relationship, so don’t go moving me out of the house. Speaking of which, how is the new place?”
“You’ve always been good at changing the subject.” He tapped his finger on the menu just over the shepherd’s pie meal, holding two fingers up.
Her brother didn’t have a big palate, and that was one of his favorites. “To go?”
He nodded. “I like it, but we’re both so tired after work that we’ve barely had time to furnish it yet.”
“Better to take it slow and get what you want.” She poured a beer for one of the regulars who sat at the other end of the bar. The restaurant was always slow on Tuesday nights, but tonight it was slower than usual, and now that the dinner rush was mostly over, she didn’t expect the bar would pick up too much until maybe after she was off, though they had no live music tonight, so maybe not.
“What I want is to help you.” He pushed an envelope across the table. “It’s not much, but it will help with books.”
“I’m not taking your money. You and Jessica want to get married, have kids; you need to save for your future.”
“I took your money, so I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Tentatively, she rested her fingers over the paper. “Have you talked to Jessica?”
“She’s fine with it. We put it into our budget.”
“Thank you.” Tears welled in Kitty’s eyes. She quickly stuffed the envelope in her pocket. “I’ll put your order in.” She pushed back the doors into the kitchen, gripped the metal counter, and sucked in a deep breath. Her brother had always been a kind soul, but she hadn’t expected this kind of generosity, and it took a lot to swallow her pride of being the older, protective sister. For him, this was more than payback. It was about being a man, and she wouldn’t strip him of that dignity.
And her books cost an arm and a leg.
Goosebumps spread across her skin like a tidal wave. She smoothed down her jeans, collected herself, and stepped back out into the bar just as JW sauntered through the front door. Every female head turned in his direction, but he smiled only at her, tipping that sexy hat. Last night, she’d asked him if he’d consider leaving her the hat as a souvenir. He replied with a wet kiss and a flat-out no.
He actually said the word no five times, shaking his head like a small boy being asked to go to bed early.
“Hey there,” he said, setting his hat on the table. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“That’s rich.” She pulled a Stella glass from the rack, filling it to the top. “This is my brother, Keith.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m JW.” He held his hand out. “I guess your father wrote the full name out for you before pulling it from a hat.”
Kitty laughed.
Keith frowned.
“Keith is his middle name. His given name is Zebulon.”
“A what-a-lon?” JW asked with arched brows.
“Zebulon,” Keith said, giving her the evil eye. “It’s an ancient biblical city or something.”
“And how did your parents come up with that one?” JW seemed genuinely interested, only making it harder for her to be around him. He was the kind of man that could break her heart.
Keith rolled his eyes. “They didn’t. She did.” He waggled a finger under her face. “She loved to read as a kid, and when our mom went into labor with me, I guess the only thing there for her to read was the bible. My parents let her toss a name into the mix, and for some reason, they thought I should have a weirder name than my sister.”
“Here’s to odd names.” JW held his glass up.
“JW isn’t so odd.” Keith held his glass high.
“Maybe not. But going through life as Johnnie Walker Whiskey has had its share of strange moments.”
Keith burst out laughing.
Kitty leaned her hip against the counter. Her heart fluttered with excitement thinking about the backpack she’d brought to work, which contained a sexy nighty and a change of clothes, though she doubted she’d spend much time in either one of them if last night were any indication.
The front door whooshed open, and her mood soured.
“Christ. Preston would never set foot in a place like this when I was married to him, and he says he’s not here to bother me,” she muttered, staring at her ex-husband who strolled into the bar with his buddy, Eric, who had been his best man at the wedding. Eric called himself a manager of up-and-coming singing sensations, but his clientele had never even recorded an album. Being the son of a billionaire meant he could do whatever he wanted and not worry about if he made a dime or dollar.
“I wasn’t going to tell you, but he offered me a job,” Keith said.
“He told me,” she said. Her stomach churned as Eric stuck his nose in the air. He’d made it quite clear at the wedding that he thought she was trash and certainly didn’t approve of the union.
“What were his parents smoking when they named him Preston? Really. Just a dumbass name. Our names, on the other hand, are unique and special.” JW winked, giving her a wicked smile. He had a way of easing her nerves.
She wanted to lean across the bar and plant a wet kiss on his adorable face. In less than a week, she’d fallen in heavy like with the man.
Dorinda sat Preston and Eric at a table near the front of the restaurant, but Preston didn’t sit down. Nope. He had to come over and annoy the hell out of her, her brother, and JW.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” Preston said, standing with his back to JW, facing Keith. “Have you given my offer any more consideration?” Preston asked.
“I’m happy with my current position, thank you,” Keith said.
JW leaned across the bar, waggling his index finger. “Come here,” he whispered.
“Not if you’re going to get me in trouble.” Her lips turned up into a wide smile as she glanced around the pub. All the workers were busy taking care of customers, and her bosses were nowhere to be found.
JW reached across the counter, tugging at her braid. “You left me half naked in the shower, and I’ve been lonely ever since.”
“Shhhh….” She held her finger to her lips, but honestly, she didn’t care if half the restaurant heard his declaration as long as it made Preston uncomfortable.
His warm fingers curled around the back of her neck as he drew her closer, kissing her cheek. “How long do I have to wait for you to get off work?”
“I’m off at eight.”
“Then you better bring me some food.” His lips brushed hers softly, like a sweet butterfly kiss.
Preston cleared his throat. “Kitty. Can I speak to you alone?”
�
��Anything you have to say to her, you can say in front of me.” JW held her stare as he tipped his beer, taking a slow sip. How he managed to smile while drinking, she had no idea.
She never did take too well to the chest pounding between men, but when JW did it, he seemed less like a Neanderthal and more like a gentleman protecting those he cared about. Not that he cared about her, because that would be nuts. They barely knew each other, and all they wanted from one another was a physical release they both desperately needed.
“It’s personal,” Preston said, hands planted on his hips, with his lower lip curled like a spoiled schoolboy.
She hated that look and generally caved in just to get him to stop. “Fine,” she muttered.
JW arched a brow.
“I’ll be right back.” She stepped around the bar, following Preston to the corner, out of earshot of her brother and JW, but not out of their eyesight as both men stared in her direction.
“What do you want?”
Preston jutted his chin in the direction of the bar. “Do you have any idea who that man is?”
“I do,” she said, anger prickling her skin. “And if that is why you called me over, then you’re wasting both of our time.”
“He looks familiar. Like I’ve seen him somewhere before. I don’t think he’s being truthful with you.”
“He’s not from around here and certainly not someone you or your friends would socialize with,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Wait a second, that’s not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about. Eric’s new girlfriend is coming into town, and he’s trying to set up gigs for her to sing.”
“I’m not the person to ask.”
“I know. He called and got the runaround. We were hoping you could put in a good word.”
“Seriously?” She let out a sarcastic laugh, glancing in Eric’s direction. “As if I’d do him any favors.”
“I’m asking you, not Eric.” Preston pulled a card out of his back pocket. “Whoever makes the decisions can hear her stuff online.”
“I’m sure we’re booked.”
“Will you just ask?”
“No. I’m not going to call in a favor with my boss for you or Eric.” She turned on her heels. She owed him nothing, and she wouldn’t feel bad for saying no. Stepping behind the bar, she let out a long exasperated breath.
“Want me to go tell him to fuck off?” Keith asked.
“Thanks, little brother, but it won’t be necessary.” One of the servers brought out her brother’s to-go order.
“That smells fantastic,” JW pointed to the take-out bag. “What is it?”
“Why don’t I just put an order in for you, and you can find out,” she teased, running her fingers over his thick biceps.
He cocked his head. “Should I be scared?”
“You’re dating my sister, you should always be scared,” Keith said.
She focused on JW’s Adam’s apple, which bobbed as he took a large gulp of his beer.
“I wouldn’t say we’re dating.” The sound of her voice was barely audible. She didn’t want to insult JW, but they had agreed that this was a one-week fling. Just two people attracted to one another, enjoying each other’s company until they parted ways. No strings attached.
“Well, whatever it is you’re doing, looks like you’re going to have to explain it to Mom and Dad.” Keith pointed to the front door.
“Oh fuck,” she muttered.
JW’s arm jerked, knocking over his beer. “God damn it.”
“Keith cut them off at the pass. Talk them into a table.”
“I’ll try.” Keith snagged his food and raced to the center of the restaurant, stopping to give their mom a hug and a kiss as she waved frantically over his shoulder.
“If they sit at the bar, you can either move to a table, or I’ll pretend I don’t know you.”
“It could be fun to sit here and listen to them grill you about where you spent last night and where you plan on sleeping tonight.” He helped her wipe the beer off the counter.
“You do that, and I won’t come over tonight.”
He glanced over his shoulder. Her parents were only five feet away. “I’d love to meet your parents,” he said loud enough that half the bar heard.
Chapter Seven
JW had no idea why he’d opened his stupid mouth. He’d made a potentially awkward situation insanely uncomfortable for himself and Kitty. What would she tell her parents when he took off back to Idaho, never to be heard from again?
And how would that make him look?
More importantly, why did he care?
“What are you guys doing here?” Kitty asked, tossing a towel over her shoulder in an attempt to act casual, but since she wrinkled her forehead, she was anything but casual.
“We’re going to the movies, but your father got the time wrong, and we have about forty-five minutes to kill,” her mother said. JW gazed at the striking woman, just like Kitty with her red hair and green eyes.
Despite his second-guessing, he pulled out a stool.
“Why thank you,” her mother said, giving him a slight smile and a curious stare. “I’m not sure how to ask this—”
“Then don’t ask, Shannon,” her father said with a stern, but playful tone. He too had red hair, though JW couldn’t be entirely sure since the man was bald, but his goatee was bright red. Redder than Kitty’s hair, which JW didn’t think possible, and seeing the strong genes made him wonder what kids with Kitty might look like.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, don’t go there.
“But I overheard him say he wanted to meet us, so I just want to know who he is and why,” her mother said. She had a sweet ring to her voice. Almost Southern.
“This is JW,” Kitty said, setting a beer in front of her father and a glass of white wine in front of her mother.
“It’s a pleasure.” Her father reached across the bar, extending a hand. “I’m Patrick, and this is my lovely, but somewhat nosey bride, Shannon.”
“Nice to meet you both.” A pang of hurt squeezed his heart. While his grandparents and Chuck had made a fantastic home for him and his younger siblings after his parents died, he missed them more than anything. Being the oldest, he remembered the most about them, which made it harder on him in some ways.
“So, JW, how long have you known my Kitty?” Shannon asked, lifting her glass and taking a small sip while keeping her cool-blue eyes locked on him. Her tone was neither accusatory nor aggressive, but it did toss him into the endless pit of nothing as he opened his mouth, and absolutely no words came out. He couldn’t tell her the truth.
“Long enough,” Kitty said, shaking her head.
“Oh, good grief, what is he doing here?” Patrick said, jerking his head toward the front of the restaurant.
“It’s a free country, Dad, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t engage him in any way.”
“That’s fine with me,” Shannon said, resting her fingers on JW’s biceps, patting gently. “I’d rather talk to your new friend. He’s so much more handsome…and seems so sweet.”
He reached for his hat, wanting to hide under it as his cheeks burned, but Kitty snatched it right from his hands, smiling wickedly as if she enjoyed his embarrassment.
“Not inside.” She waggled a playful finger at him before plopping it on her head.
“You can wear it, but I can’t?” he asked, painfully aware that her mother was staring at him with an amused smile.
“We’ve already established it looks better on me, now entertain my parents while I fill some drinks, and your dinner should be up soon.”
He swallowed, searching his brain for something interesting to say, but everything that came to mind would be inappropriate in front of her parents.
“What do you do, JW?” Patrick asked in a fatherly tone, folding his arms across his chest.
“I own a ranch.” JW thought that sounded better than former world-class bull rider. Not that
it mattered. He didn’t need to impress these people.
His grandmother would pinch him right now if she heard his thoughts. She’d taught him to always respect his elders.
“In Baltimore?” Shannon screeched.
Shit.
“In Idaho,” he said, taking in a deep breath, making sure he kept eye contact, even though he wanted to run like hell. He raised his beer to his lips.
Shannon raised her glass halfway, then frowned, setting it back on the wood counter. “You plan on moving my baby to Idaho?”
JW choked and coughed on the bubbly liquid that had been sucked down the wrong pipe.
“I will apologize for my wife,” Patrick said. “She has our son married with four children, all their names picked out, and he just moved in with his girlfriend.”
“But how can they have a relationship if he—”
“I plan on visiting a lot.” JW heard the words; he just had a hard time believing they came out of his mouth. He’d promised Kitty he would walk out of her life when she went back to her class schedule. Two days ago, he thought that would be easy. Today, the idea made his eye twitch.
“She’s focused on school,” Patrick said, resting his arm on the counter. “Something she keeps putting off.”
“One of the reasons why I’ll come here to visit instead of asking her to come to see me, so I don’t interfere with her classes.” Had he lost his mind? Not only was he digging a deep hole to bury his heart, but Kitty was also going to scratch his eyes out.
“Sounds like you’ve thought this through,” Shannon said, swirling the barstool.
He hadn’t considered anything. “I like your daughter. She’s something special.”
“That she is,” Patrick said.
Before he could stick his other foot in his mouth, Kitty stepped through the kitchen door, carrying a plate of food.
He pointed to the mush. “That’s what your brother ordered?”
“Just eat it. Trust me, you’ll like it.” Kitty narrowed her eyes, glaring at him.
His little sister had always told him that when a woman looked at him like that, he might expect to sleep on the sofa.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asked her parents.