My irritation began to set my blood on fire. I wouldn’t have been surprised if I looked in the mirror right now to see my face had turned beet red. “Nothing? So, you have been Mr. Nice Guy to everyone else except me, but I’ve done nothing wrong?”
He crossed his arms over his chest, gave me a look of pure arrogance. “That’s right.”
We were getting nowhere. I’d learned from Caley long ago to let go―to know when I was defeated and to stop pushing to save face. Instead, of continuing and beating my head against the wall, I snorted. “And you call me difficult.”
A slight grin filled his face, apparently pleased over his win. “You can’t have it both ways you know.”
The look deserved a slap in the face, but since that wasn’t an option, I clenched my fist as a substitute. I should’ve left it alone but of course, I couldn’t. My curiosity always did get the better of me. “Both ways?”
He arched his eyebrow, a knowing glance rose to his face. “You can’t hide from yourself and expect people will not hide from you.”
This ghost was about to be Hell bound. I pointed my finger right in his face. “Don’t you dare go there! I mean it. Don’t try and turn this around on me. You’re the one who has had a stick up his ass for days. This problem is yours, not mine. Got it?”
His jaw clenched before he answered, insolently. “Heard loud and clear.”
Silence fell between us. Obviously, Zach took the lack of conversation as a sign he could come back into the truck. He opened the door, slid back in his seat and looked at me.
I let out a long deep sigh in resignation and annoyance―both felt equally strong. Kipp was right in one regard, I had signed on, therefore was expected to do this. They would keep me safe. I didn’t doubt it―well I hoped they would. “I do this, then what?”
“Then we rule him out,” Zach answered. “Kipp’s got a nose for these things. If he’s sending you in on this, he doesn’t think Cole’s the killer. But without testing him first there is no way to know for sure.”
All right, that sounded good and all, but there was one little fact they hadn’t considered. “How do you know he will like what he sees?”
Kipp laughed with no amusement to it as he glanced out the side window. “Trust me, he’ll like you.”
Stillness filled the air while I thought of all the reasons I didn’t want to do this. I wasn’t quite ready to agree to this yet but it wasn’t only this which captured my mind. The look in Kipp’s eyes before he turned his head, the softness of his voice, the cold set to his eyes all said one thing―longing. It simply confused me. Later I’d check to make sure my head wasn’t screwed on backwards. Nothing was making any sense as of late.
Moments ago, he was tough, arrogant, blaming me for his past petulance―none of that showed now. It had vanished and been replaced by a deep yearning.
Breaking my inner monologue, Zach asked, “You in?”
As much as my thoughts were confused by Kipp’s reaction, I still had enough sense to remember to find a way out of this. I wouldn’t give in so easily. “Are there no undercover cops you can call in?”
“There are,” Zach answered. “But we are under time restraints.”
Dammit! I wasn’t about to stop at that. There had to be a way out. “Isn’t there...can ‘t you find...what about…” My mind hit a dead end. I snorted loud enough for both men to know how not happy I was about this. “Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Good,” Kipp answered, thoroughly pleased with himself. “Tell Zach to take you home.”
This was just getting better. I could only imagine where this was going. “And just why do I have to go home?”
“You need to change.” Kipp’s earlier expression washed away into haughty smile which said it all. He was enjoying my apprehension. Whatever had bothered him before, he’d pushed away. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one who could hide parts of myself easily.
My eyes narrowed on him again, not liking the path this was taking. I suspected the night ahead was not going to be enjoyable. “Change into what?”
A determined grin flashed across his face as he winked. “Change into the woman no man would be able to refuse.”
***
Chapter Fourteen
Before I knew it, I was home, whored up, and heading back downtown.
The entire drive, I could feel Kipp’s gaze on the back of my head. The longing I’d seen earlier, that look in his eyes―my thoughts were of nothing else except that.
So lost in my own thoughts, I hadn’t realized we’d arrived at Coyote Ugly Saloon. Memories of my last time here and Kipp’s dirty words swept through my mind. As quick as they surfaced, I pushed them away. There was enough to think about it without bringing my unstable emotional state into the mix.
Tonight, the line-up was thin, only a few waited for entry. I glanced back, focused on the door handle willing myself to open it and get on with this. “How in the hell did you talk me into this?”
“It’ll be fine,” Kipp responded, already standing outside near the passenger side window. “Do what you have to do then get out.”
“Just do what you need to then leave,” Zach encouraged.
“Easy for you to say.” I pushed the door open, then stepped outside, slamming the door behind me. As I turned around, I pulled on the jeans which were presently riding up my crack. “I haven’t worn these jeans since high-school.”
It was impossible to breathe. Definitely a good thing since it forced me to suck in my stomach, which was necessary considering the black lace skin tight shirt I wore stopped just below my breasts. The choice of clothing had not been my idea.
“Just be happy you still fit into them.” Kipp stated matter of fact. “Most women would be pleased by that.”
“Well, if these pants split open.” I stepped away from the truck and approached on the club. “I’ll send you to Hell myself.”
“I think I’m already there,” Kipp said so softly if I hadn’t been listening I wouldn’t have heard it.
I opened my mouth to respond when the bouncer said, “Identification?”
My gaze snapped toward a very burly fellow with a shaved head and dark goatee. “Right.”
I laughed, shakily, handing the bouncer my driver’s license. Not from this guy’s tough appearance, it was more from what Kipp said. What had he meant by, he was already in Hell? Was the funk he was in lately haunting him that much?
The bouncer looked at the identification for only a quick second, before handing it back and nodding toward the door. “Go on in.”
“Thanks.” I stuffed my license into the back pocket of my jeans and stepped past him into the bar.
Once in, I was met with loud country music while drunken women, who undoubtedly fit the description of a cougar, paraded around the dance floor.
God, I only hoped I didn’t look like one of them. Right now, I sure felt like one―with a big red flashing sign over my head saying I’m easy. I needed to get this over with and quick.
First off, I never did this. I never picked up random guys. Never did the seducing woman thing. Kipp seemed so confident in me, but I thought that support was misplaced.
“He’s over at the bar,” Kipp said, standing in behind me.
I glanced to my left to see Cole was at a table which sat directly in front of the bar. Luckily, the Coyotes weren’t dancing on top because obviously, it was break time and I couldn’t have been more grateful. At least, the crowd wouldn’t be watching where I was about to go.
Taking a deep brave breath, I pushed all insecurity from my mind and started forward.
Once I reached the bar, the bartender approached me. A young pretty gal—blonde, blue-eyed beauty, who looked right out of a hot country music video, smiled at me. “What’s your sin for tonight?”
“Tequila, two shots.”
Alcohol was the only thing going to get me through this. It was why I never drank. That little buzz had caused me my one and only humiliation–a one-night stand I had since erased from my mind.
The bartender grinned, as she grabbed two shot glass, then the tequila and began to pour. “A rough night?”
“Like rugged terrain.”
After the bartender finished, she gave a brilliant smile. “Hope you night gets better, consider these on the house.” Taking in my bewildered expression, she laughed, nodded toward the end of the bar. “Boss’ treat.”
I followed her gaze to a man around his forties, handsome if an older guy was my thing. Which it wasn’t. Being polite, I held up the first shot in thanks. He tipped his cowboy hat in response.
Kipp’s self-righteous voice came loud beside me, “Told you, the look works.”
Not about to give fuel to his maddening statement, I downed the shot. Of course, the look worked, I looked like a complete slut. What man wouldn’t approach me in this outfit? Anyone with a dick would know I was a sure thing. I grimaced as the aftertaste of the nasty alcohol nearly killed me, but scooped the next one up and drank it back.
“Might want to take it easy on those,” Kipp said, his back against the bar with his arms leaning against it.
I nearly laughed at how comfortable he looked there―maybe from the warm rush of alcohol coursing through my blood. If people only knew while they were getting their drink on, they were also in the presence of a ghost, bet most of them would be running out of here screaming for their lives.
Focusing back on the task at hand, I wiped my mouth. “I’ll drink as many as I damn well please. Just go away.”
“Hope that wasn’t meant for me?” A smooth voice said from beside me, a warm arm brushed against mine.
I glanced toward it to see a simple dream of a man. A stylish cut framed his reddish hair, brown eyes twinkled interest at me and a smile that glowed in the dark bar.
“Hello there,” he said deeply with pure intent to make me his for the night.
Kipp stepped away from the bar, moved in behind the man as he looked at me. “He’s with Cole, be nice to him.”
“Hi,” I responded and flicked my long hair back over my shoulder.
He ran his gaze along my now bare shoulder, across to my breasts and down my stomach, where he licked his lips then looked back to me. “I’m Mark.”
Letting my inner slut out, I spun around, leaned against the bar, pulled my elbows back to shoot my chest out for all to see. “Tess.”
Mark hadn’t missed the move, his eyes stayed glued on my breasts for a moment before he gulped. “Well Tess, would you like to join a friend and I for a drink?”
“Yes,” Kipp snapped out.
“Love to.” I hoped it came out as interested. Playing the part, I added a little swagger to my hips as I followed in behind Mark toward the table.
“My Lady.” He smirked, pulling out the chair at the head of table for me.
I smiled, flirtatiously as I sat down. My jeans dug into places that just shouldn’t be mentioned, and I glanced around the table.
“Do you come here often?” Mark asked, after he downed the rest of his beer from the frosty mug in one big gulp.
“No, not very often,” I told him truthfully. The more I lied, the harder it would be to keep my story straight.
“And you’re alone?” he poured another cup from the pitcher of beer then handed it to me.
I nodded, grabbed the beer and took a big long sip before I answered, “Alone as I can be.”
Both Cole and Mark erupted into laughter and I chuckled with them. They thought I was being sassy, when in actuality Kipp stood behind Mark so he could watch Cole’s reaction.
“Focus in on Cole, show interest in him.” Kipp demanded.
Cole didn’t look like a killer―too shy. He’d only met my gaze for a moment then glanced away to appear interested in something else. He looked like a married man who shouldn’t be talking to a scantily dressed woman. “So, Cole what do you do for a living?” Mark’s annoyed huff was loud. Obviously, the little gesture showed where my interest lay.
“Cop,” Cole replied.
I leaned back in my chair, crossed my legs and even pushed my chest out a little. I glanced at Mark, noticing it worked. He zoned in on my breasts and undressed me with his eyes.
But not Cole.
He looked uncomfortable and uninterested. I tried again. “Tell me, do you enjoy that line of work?” I even added a little purr to my tone to entice him.
He met my gaze, pursed his lips a little. “I do.” He glanced away again.
Even though this wasn’t real, I was beginning to feel shot down. It was still a blow to the ego. I wasn’t about to go in for round three of a cold shoulder. “Would you excuse me? I have to go to the ladies room.”
Mark smiled, raising his glass. “We’ll be here waiting for you to return.”
“Glad to hear it.” I returned the grin and stood. Then, I spun on my heels, shook my ass a little as I headed for the ladies’ room.
As I pushed my way through the crowd, I kept my eyes on the dirty floor littered with cigarette butts. Just past the pool table was the washroom, which of course had a line of women, while the men’s was empty. A great idea would be to have two ladies’ rooms while the men went and pissed outside. Why no one ever came up with that solution to the never-ending ladies’ room dilemma was beyond me.
I was about to settle in behind the last woman in line when Kipp said, “Men’s room.”
Not caring one bit who saw, I turned back on him, sure my face showed my outright refusal of such an idea. “No way.”
Kipp pointed toward the men’s room door, stern and unwavering. “Now.”
I huffed loud before I glanced around. The bar was in full swing, no one watched me being too busy with their own fun evening. The idea of getting out of here sooner was the only reason I caved. Looking back at Kipp, I scowled. “You owe me for this one.” I shot past him, shoved on the bathroom door and stepped into the stinky men’s room.
Two guys were pissing in the urinals as I made my sudden appearance. One of them glanced over his shoulder. “What the hell?” he shouted.
“When you gotta go, you gotta go,” I said unapologetic then walked toward the largest of the three stalls. Once in, I grabbed some toilet paper, placed it over the top of the door and closed it, “Eww...” then with the same protection on my hand, I flipped the lock, “Eww.” Men did only one thing in this stall and it had nothing to do with fluids, yuck.
I dropped the toilet paper in the can, turned around, and met a very pissed off Kipp. “What?” I snapped out. His scowl only deepened. I whispered, “Okay, I forgot we’re not alone. What is it?”
His head cocked, a dark eyebrow arched upwards. “Why are you in here?”
“He’s not the one.”
He shook his head, shifting his weight as if to prepare himself for the battle ahead. “You don’t know that.”
“I do and so should you.” If I could have poked him to prove my point, I would have. “Cole has zero interest in me and the fact that his friend is practically waving his dick at me, I’d say you have the wrong guy.”
“Get back out there,” Kipp demanded, pointing toward the door with his hand now disappearing through the stall wall. “Try harder.”
“What do you want me to do, hump him?”
He nodded. “If that’s what it takes.”
The cold hardness about him right now only caused one reaction in me. I had the urge to knock this ghost up to Heaven’s gates. I glowered, waved my hands at him to move the hell over. “Fine, get out of my way.”
The moment he stepped aside, I slammed the stall door open to find the two men staring at me with confused blank faces. “What?” I shouted.
“Are you all right?” the man who spoke before asked.
“I’m fine,” I growled and tore out of the bathroom like a bat out of hell.
Only a few steps out, I stopped dead. Cole was waiting for me with a grin on his face. “You were in the men’s room?”
I stuffed the anger away and found a luring smile. “I don’t wait for anyth
ing.”
Cole frowned, then grabbed me by the arm, causing me to gasp out in fear as he headed toward the back of the club.
“You’re safe,” Kipp said, right beside me. “Nothing will happen to you.”
Like that settled me any. He could drag me to the parking lot and slit my throat. I attempted to yank my arm away, but it was pointless. He had a death grip on it. “What are you doing?” I squeaked.
Cole said nothing until we reached a corner of the club which was private. He placed me in the corner then gave me a firm look. “Listen, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Hurt me?” I almost screamed for help right then and there.
“I have a wife, a family―who I love deeply,” Cole answered, releasing his hand from my arm. “I’m flattered by your approach of me, really, you are a beautiful lady. But I am loyal to them.”
“Oh,” I said, shocked. “Oh,” I said again, finally regained myself. “Well that’s a good thing.”
He gave a resolved nod. “It is.” Then, he glanced over my attire. “You seem like a nice woman, you should maybe rethink what you are wearing. It gives the wrong impression.”
My cheeks burned, but it wasn’t from humiliation. It was the result of anger hot enough to send steam from my ears. Not only did I not want to do this, but I had been rejected and now looked down upon because Kipp made me wear this ridiculous outfit.
“I wish you a good night,” Cole said, before spinning on his heel to leave me standing there, alone.
My heated gaze found Kipp’s, a glare like no other on my face. “You...you...you.”
Kipp held his hands up in surrender from my rage. “This is the first time I’m grateful for being a ghost.”
I took a step toward him, ready to hurt something. “And why would that be?” My voice was a low snarl.
He backed away, even though he had no reason to fear my wrath. “Because you can’t hit me.”
***
Back at the house, Zach handed me a plate with a couple of slices of pizza on it. “Come on. Even anger can’t beat hunger.”
I snatched the plate from his hands. “Thank you.”
“I’m the one who suggested it,” Kipp said, taking a seat next to me on the couch.
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