We look at one another, and it’s like everyone else in the bar disappears. No one else exists in this moment, and all I hear are his shallow breaths. He looks shocked to see me and stares me in the eyes for endless moments. Just when I’m about to say hi, his eyes drink me up like I did just a moment ago to him. His eyes drop to my feet and travel up my legs, up my chest where his gaze lingers, up my neck, up to my lips where his gaze lingers even longer, and back to my eyes. This time I have to stop myself from gasping because he finally has the look on his face I always dreamed of seeing: desire. There’s no mistaking it as his eyes sear me because this look is electrifying. Holy shit. I must be dreaming.
5
Lawson
Holy shit. I must be dreaming. Mac is my mystery woman from the farmers' market. MAC. I did not see this coming. I repeat: holy shit. She’s my best friend’s little sister, and we are working together this summer. This cannot happen.
When I came into Smokey’s, it was easy enough to spot my sister and the back of the person sitting next to her at the bar. There is no mistaking it is the mysterious woman who caught my eye last week. Her long brown hair is hanging straight down her back, the curve of which is doing a great job of enticing me. I quickly make my way over and try to keep the eager expression off my face. As I walk up to Langley, I notice the shit-eating grin she had on her face at my place has multiplied tenfold. Once I am behind mystery woman, I stare at my sister with a raised eyebrow, waiting for my introduction. To my utter surprise, she introduces me to someone I have already met.
I admit shock is the first emotion that registers. There’s no way mystery woman and Mac are the same person. I stare at Mac’s face and am momentarily distracted from my shock because she looks gorgeous. A once-over of her body is all the confirmation I need to prove she is mystery woman. Long, lean legs stretch out forever from the excuse of a dress she is wearing, and her tits are teasing me from behind some see-through fabric shit. Whatever the hell it is, it makes her look sexy and sweet, and it makes my mouth water. She has definitely filled out in all the right places, and those damn coveralls were hiding all of it.
Shaking myself out of my stupor, I find myself looking her in the eyes again. She looks just as shocked as I do. Her blush deepens as I stare at her, and it’s in this moment I decide that it doesn’t matter that she’s Smith’s sister or that we’re working together or that I’m surprised as fuck. The fact that the woman who intrigued me last week has been under my nose all this time and seems just as affected by me as I do her has my cock twitching in anticipation. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m even more intrigued than before. I know she’s only in town for the summer, and I decide to pursue her since I’m not looking for anything serious. I feel the smile start to form on my face as I stare at her. This is happening.
This is not happening. Lawson’s looking at me with his signature sexy smirk. “Surreal,” I mutter under my breath. I am not used to being on the receiving end of his interest and attention. Needless to say, it is downright unnerving.
Seconds tick by as we stare at one another; he looks cool and unruffled, while I am freaking out inside and am fighting my blush. Before either of us can say anything, Langley speaks up. I am so engrossed in this surprise run-in with Lawson I forgot she was here.
“Lawson, I asked you a question. You remember Mac, right?” She is looking back and forth between us, interest clear on her face.
A beat passes before he responds. “Yes, we’ve been working together this week. I almost didn’t recognize you without your baggy coveralls.” He takes this as another opportunity to give my body a once-over that leaves goosebumps in its wake.
“She looks nice though, right? I’d say more than nice. The men haven’t been able to leave her alone tonight.”
At this I turn to her and give her my what the fuck? face but not before I see the slight lift of Lawson’s eyebrow. I don’t know why she’s lying to him because no one has approached me tonight. I widen my eyes in hopes she’ll give me an answer, but all I get is a smile in return. Before I can think on this further, Lawson draws my attention back to him.
“Definitely more than nice,” he drawls. My goosebumps from earlier are on the verge of morphing into a full-blown shiver at the sound of his low, gravelly voice.
“Thank you, Lawson. You clean up well, too.” Understatement of the century. There’s never been a time when I’ve seen him looking anything less than delectable, but of course I won’t tell him that.
“Speaking of cleaning, I just remembered that I have to clean my kitchen!” Langley’s announcement comes out of nowhere. “I’ve got to go!”
“You have to clean it right this minute?” I ask, my confusion reaching its max.
“Yep, cleanliness is next to godliness. Besides, my kitchen is where I make the magic happen. I need it immaculate,” she spouts at us as she gets up and throws her tip down for Bo.
“Okay, I’ll come with,” I say as I start to stand up as well. Before my butt can lift two inches, Langley is pushing me down by my shoulders.
“Oh, no you don’t! You need this time to unwind, Mac.”
“But how will I get home? You were my ride. I can take a taxi, but I don’t mind leaving with you now.”
“You will not have to take a taxi. I’ll ask Bo to take you home,” she says as she raises her arm to catch his attention.
Lawson interjects before I can protest. “I’ll take her home.”
I can’t even respond or insist I’ll take a taxi before Langley speaks for me. “No, she can go with Bo. He said earlier he’d take care of whatever she needs tonight.”
That’s not exactly how that conversation went earlier, but Lawson responds before I can correct Langley. “No, she’ll go with me. End of story, Langley.” Turning to me, he leans in closer and speaks close to my ear. “I’ll take you home. I don’t trust anyone here to take care of you like I can.”
“Perfect, it’s settled then! Lawson will take you home, Mac! What a gentleman,” she says quickly.
Before I can even process what is happening, she’s up and hugging us both and leaving the bar in a whirlwind . Now I’m left alone with the one man who always managed to turn my insides to jelly, and he’s looking at me like I’m the last Klondike bar in the world.
“I can take care of myself, you know,” I say with a little more sass than he’s heard from me before.
“Oh, I’m sure you can.” He steps even closer to me, the woodsy scent that clings to him like a jealous lover clouding my senses. His knees brush mine and the contact gives me a jolt, causing me to shift on the bar stool. My knees separate slightly from the movement, and he takes the opportunity to move closer between my legs. If I cross my legs I’ll have to ask him to move, and I refuse to do that. I do not want him to know how he affects me.
“Then why insist on taking me home?” I manage to breathe out.
“Because,” he leans down a bit so his face is closer to mine. “I think,” he leans in now so his lips are next to my ear. “Actually, I know that I can take care of you tonight. No one else will have that pleasure. Not you, and sure as hell not some other guy.” His warm breath feathers across my ear as his lips barely brush my earlobe. I’m not entirely sure we’re talking about a ride home anymore.
“I’m not your responsibility.” My voice comes out as a throaty whisper.
“What if I want you to be?” His voice has lowered to a whisper as well, and I have to check myself to stop from shivering at the proximity of his body to mine. I tamp down the hope and excitement because there’s no way he can mean that.
I lean back in my seat and lift my eyes up to his. “Not happening.”
He looks surprised, but before he can retort I see Bo out of the corner of my eye and jump on the opportunity to break the hold he has on me.
“Excuse me, Bo?” I call out.
He stops and saunters up to me from behind the bar. “Hey, beautiful. Another slammer?” His eyes shift briefly to wher
e Langley was sitting and to where Lawson is standing, which is still a little too close.
I reach into my clutch and start pulling out some bills. “Yes, please.”
Bo stops me before I can pull my money out. “This one’s on me. I wouldn’t feel right charging the prettiest girl in the bar.”
Oh he’s charming, this one. I snort with laughter because while I appreciate his words, I know he only has eyes for Langley. “Why thank you, but I insist.”
“No, I insist,” Lawson surprises me by cutting in. “This is your livelihood, and you’re taking care of a lot of people. I’ll buy the lady’s drink.”
Lawson’s demeanor hasn’t changed and, ever the gentleman, he is being polite and thoughtful. Normally I wouldn’t think twice about him doing something like this, but right now there’s a sharper edge about him. He’s stepped closer to me, all the while maintaining his eye contact with Bo, and I can feel the authority and heat radiating off of him. He hands over a twenty, and I can’t say I’m shocked when Bo accepts. With a smile and a nod Bo readies my drink and gets back to work, leaving me with Lawson again.
“Thank you. I appreciate the kind gesture, but I don’t think that was necessary.”
“Oh? I disagree, darlin’.”
“And why is that?” I’m curious, and although he’s still standing close to me, he isn’t speaking in my ear like before. Thank God for that.
“One, I told you I’d take care of you and not anyone else. That’s just me sticking to my promise. Two, if you accepted he would’ve gotten the wrong idea.”
Before I can stop myself I blurt out, “Who says it would’ve been the wrong idea?”
Lawson’s eyebrows rise up, and his jaw tenses for a moment before he recovers from his surprise quickly. “Are you saying you’re interested in the bartender?”
“In Bo?” I take a moment to look down the bar and am obvious in my assessment of the blond bartender. “I could do a lot worse.” I look at Lawson again and smile brightly.
“True,” he concedes. “But you could do a lot better.”
“Can I? I don’t see better.” I feign looking around the bar, and when I turn back to look at him I see he’s inched closer.
“That’s ‘cause you’re not lookin’ in front of you, darlin’.” His voice and his message cause excitement to rush through my veins.
“Oh, you mean you?” I toss back at him. I try to sound sassy but can hear the quiver of need in my voice.
“Yes,” he leans closer to me again. Reaching out, he grabs a lock of my hair and runs it through his fingers before responding. “I mean me. I told you, I want the pleasure of taking care of you. In any way you need.”
“In any way?” I feel my panties dampen and try to discreetly rub my thighs together to ease the ache he’s creating in my center.
“God, yes. In any way,” he practically groans. The look he’s giving me is intense and makes me feel both powerless to resist and powerful. “Just tell me how.”
I feel like I’m dreaming. After all the years of pining for this man, he’s finally showing me some attention. I quickly scan my memory to try and figure out what changed and realize with chagrin that he must finally be attracted to me physically. While I feel triumphant, I can’t help the brief feeling of disappointment that flashes through me. It would’ve been nice if he saw me as a person instead of another potential lay. Besides, he and I are working together, and I’m leaving again in a few months. I need to nip this in the bud but decide to have my fun first.
“Well,” I breathe as I toy with the buttons on his shirt, “you can start by taking me home.” The look he gives me is an intoxicating mix of surprise, excitement, and pure hunger. “But no touching. A little wait never hurt anyone.”
“Deal,” he concedes with a groan. “Let’s go, Mac.” He leans in close and whispers against my lips. “Tonight you’re mine.”
In a matter of minutes we are out of Smokey’s, and he’s pulling open the door of his pickup for me. The ride home is short and seems to pass more quickly because of the sexual tension that fills the car like a humid summer day—hot and stifling. I’m aware of his glances in my direction and can’t help but sneak peeks at his strong profile when I can. He really is gorgeous.
Before I know what’s happened, we are in front of my parents’ house. Lawson is looking at me with heat in his eyes, and I see his hand moving toward his seat belt buckle. I act before he can get it undone and unsnap my own seat belt while reaching for the handle. Ever the gentleman, he starts to insist he’ll get the door for me before I cut him off.
“I’ve got it, Lawson. Like I told you earlier, I can take care of myself. In any way I need.” Recognition dawns on his face as I exit his vehicle and lean down to speak to him. “Thanks for the ride, though. It’ll be the only time I’ll need one from you. Good night!” With glee I smile, shut the door, and catch his shock morph into an answering smile before I turn on my heel and saunter inside the house. I hate to admit it, but that was fun.
6
The weekend comes and goes, and by some miracle I just barely manage to avoid Lawson. I found out that he stopped by the house yesterday morning while I was out grabbing some groceries. My father had expressed his confusion over his stopping by on a Sunday because Smith wasn’t at the house, and he had already provided an update on the barn’s renovations. I know in my gut he wasn’t looking for my brother. Like the rich combination of apples and spices, our attraction is wickedly delightful. Eager for a bite of the forbidden fruit, I know he’ll find me eventually. I’m still not entirely ready to deal with that, but it’s the start of the work week and I’m fairly certain I’ll see him today. What have I gotten myself into? At least I don’t look appealing in my work gear so maybe that’ll cool his ardor from Saturday night.
Or not. I can’t find my coveralls for work. What the hell? I remember washing them and putting them in their normal spot on my desk. I just finished tearing my room apart in my hunt and have come up with nothing. I hear my mother moving down the hall and decide to ask her if she knows where they are.
“Mama?”
Her footsteps come closer to my doorway. “Yes, baby?”
“Have you seen my coveralls? I usually set them on my desk but can’t seem to find them.”
My mother is now in my room and is looking at me, confusion painted on her face. “Oh Mac, you must’ve forgotten.”
Okay, now I’m the one confused. “Forgotten what, Mama?”
“Langley stopped by on Saturday night shortly after y’all left to go out. She said somethin’ about needing to clean her kitchen and that you said she could use your coveralls.”
That definitely did not happen, but I’m not going to call Langley out in front of my mother.
“Oh, silly me! Thanks for the reminder, Mama!” I give her a kiss on the cheek as she heads back out of my room and reach for my phone. I’ve got to get this cleared up.
Me: Langley!!!!! Is there something you forgot to tell me, missy?
The little snake’s response comes quickly. She’s lucky because she does not want me yelling at her over the phone.
Langley: Uh oh! The jig is up. I was waiting for your call or text.
Me: Why’d you take my coveralls? I want them back. Now, please! I have to get to work and need them.
Langley: I told you at Smokey's, sugar. I needed to clean my kitchen and didn’t want to ruin my clothes. I didn’t think you’d mind. Thanks, btw!
Me: I wouldn’t mind if you returned them to me ASAP, please. I gotta get to work.
Langley: Don’t be mad, BUT I ruined them. I washed them and don’t know what happened, but they were completely destroyed by my washing machine. Like, torn in shreds, completely unrepairable, never to be worn again destroyed.
Me: ……….
Langley: Before you freak out, I bought you a replacement set! They’re in your bottom drawer.
I run to check and see a little bundle wrapped in ribbon with a note. I must’ve mi
ssed it because I was looking for my old coveralls.
Sugar, thanks for letting me borrow your coveralls. Sorry about not telling you but I’m sorry about their destruction. Kind of. No wonder Lawson said he didn’t recognize you. I bought you a pair that should be more comfortable for you in this heat. ;) You can thank me later. xoxo, Langley
Oh no. Just as I go to unwrap the bundle I get another text from Langley. Her timing is impeccable.
Langley: Don’t freak out. Just try them on. Also, I called all the local stores and no one is to sell you a pair that doesn’t fit you properly. It’s part of the Westbrook magic. ;)
With shaking fingers I unfold Langley’s gift. Based off of her messages I know this pair will fit better, but I don’t expect the lack of fabric. I’m holding a tiny pair of dark blue “coveralls” that resemble a jumper. Instead of covering my legs, the coveralls have short bottoms and a pair of knee-high socks falls out of the bundle. The sleeves are non-existent and resemble a tank top, and the deep vee of the neckline looks like it might be a bit too low. Where on God’s green earth did she buy these? A strip club? A sex store? Before I text her I do as she says and try them on.
I look at myself in the mirror and immediately feel my face redden. The outfit is very formfitting and, although short, I have to grudgingly admit they’re more comfortable. My old pair made me feel like I was in a pressure cooker once I started to get sweaty. Although these are much cooler, I can’t help but feel exposed. I’m wearing a white tank top underneath, but the neckline still seems really low and the shorts a little too short. When paired with the knee-high socks, I look like I’m going to deliver a naughty telegram. I snap a pic for Langley and tell her so.
Sin and Cider Page 4