Violet who leaned against the bar, asked, “White or red wine?”
“Red.”
“Grab us an empty table. I’ll wait for the bartender to get our drinks.”
Cami spotted only one vacant table. The dreaded one where Mr. Smith sat when she made her fatal mistake. As a Cupid, the room had seemed gigantic. Now it felt cramped. She took a chair facing the bar and tapped her toes to a country western song about a spurned woman.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” Rhett eased into the spot next to her, and she breathed in his musky cologne. He tipped the brim of his hat and smiled. Her heart loopty-looped. “Don’t worry. I won’t expect you to shag drinks for me.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” She saluted him.
Violet handed her a glass of wine and took the seat to her left.
“Thanks.” Cami sipped her drink and checked the ceiling. Not a single Cupid in sight.
“What’re you doing?” Rhett whispered. His warm breath tickled her ear.
“Seeing if the wagon wheel chandelier is secure.” She crossed her legs.
“And why would you do that?”
“Why not?” She gazed into his eyes—dark, mysterious, and focused on her. A buzz of attraction kept her from looking away.
Michael came up behind Violet. “Help me pick out songs.” They went to the jukebox near the front door.
“You need to loosen up. How ’bout a game of pool—between friends?” Rhett said in a low tone.
Friends she could handle. “I’d rather play darts.”
“Darts it is. Care to make a friendly wager?” His right brow rose.
Every instinct said to ignore him, but she couldn’t ignore his challenge. “Ten dollars enough?”
“Winner decides.” He shrugged, apparently unaware of how his nearness caused butterflies to quiver inside her stomach.
“You’ll lose.” Her competitive side kicked in. “Hope you’re up to a week of laundry.”
“Not gonna happen.” He stood and offered his hand. “Best two out of three wins.”
She steadied herself on her high heels, and they headed to the far corner of the poolroom.
Rhett nodded at the men playing pool. He led her to the back corner, pulled darts out of the target, handed them to her. “Ladies first.” Their fingertips brushed, and a spark shot up her arm.
Not about to give him an advantage, she slipped off her shoes, set them on the floor, and eyed the target.
“You consider shoes a handicap?”
“You try wearing these stilts.”
“Fair enough,” he laughed. “Worried you’ll lose?”
“No.” She’d played darts in school. Her dad’s voice echoed in her mind. “Do better than your best. Win.”
“I’d ease up on my grip if I were you.”
“Well, you’re not me.” She tuned out everything around her, kept her eye on the target, and hurled the dart. It hit dead center.
He gasped. “Beginner’s luck.”
“You wish. Watch and learn.” She took another dart, threw it, and hit the bullseye again. One more and all three made their mark. A perfect game. “Beat that.”
“You never mentioned you’re a ringer?”
“And lose my edge, not on your life.” She’d always competed as a champion.
He aimed and hit the red. Not in the middle.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
“Shh. I’m concentrating.” His next shot marked the bullseye, and his lips quirked upward. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
“Let’s see you do that again,” Cami said as music crackled through the speakers. The balls on the table next to her clacked.
His dart swooshed into the white. “I’ll get you next round.”
The next game, she had another perfect score.
Rhett was up and shot his first dart in the yellow, two in the red. “Shit.”
“You’re just as competitive as I am.”
“But not nearly as pretty.”
“You vying for extra points?”
He put his hand on her right shoulder and winked. “Is it working?”
“Nope.” She lied. Every touch he gave made her body tingle. She took the darts from his hand and missed the center on her second shot. “You made me do that.”
“Does it matter? You’re way ahead of me.” Rhett wore a devilish grin. “What do ya say we end this game now?”
“If you admit defeat. I won, so don’t even think about getting out of doing laundry next week.”
He laughed a full-on howl. “I’ve been underestimating you. You're a tigress when it comes to winning.”
“Sweet talk won't change the terms.” But his closeness made her pulse thump at warped speed.
He gave her a disarming smile. “If you hadn’t distracted me, I would’ve won.”
“You’re delusional. At least you’re not scowling at me.”
“I don’t scowl. I glower. Proves I’m in charge.” He flexed his biceps.
She giggled. “You really believe that.”
“I fooled you for a second.” He laughed. “Where’d you learn to throw?”
“I’ll never tell.” She found herself flirting.
“We’ll see about that.”
“You done with the dart board?” A bald guy who’d been playing pool at the table next to them asked.
“Go ahead,” Rhett turned to her. “The pool tables empty. Ever play before?”
“I haven’t. It does look fun.” She picked up her shoes and slipped them on.
He held a white ball. “I’ll be happy to show you the basics.”
Holy Zeus, his gaze intensified and zapped heat into her nether parts.
“Ready?” He arranged the balls inside a plastic form and lifted it off. The colorful balls stayed in a perfect triangle. “Grab a stick off the wall.”
She picked the lowest one. “This okay?”
“Yep.” He snagged his own stick from the top. “Here’s how you shoot. Hold the base with your right hand, rest the narrow end on top of your left. The object is to have the white ball hit another ball into one of the pockets.”
“It doesn’t seem hard.”
“Let me guess. You’re a pool shark, too?” His closeness made her insides quiver.
“Not even.”
Clack. He whacked the white ball. It scattered the other balls and three dropped in the holes. “If your first ball is solid, you’ll be hitting in all the solids. Your competitor has the stripes. Don’t sink the eight. That goes in last.”
She put the end of the stick behind the cue ball.
“Here, try doing it like this.” His arms went over hers. His contact created a delightful warmth as he nestled closer. She couldn’t help wiggling her bottom to see what he might do.
He groaned and took a step back.
She had his attention.
His hands guided her hand. The intimate closeness stopped her from focusing on the ball.
“Keep your head down when you take your shot.” Together they hit a ball into a side pocket.
“Go ahead. Give it a try.”
“Okay.” Her hand shook as she hit the ball a bit too hard. It skipped off the table and banged into the calf of the bald guy playing darts.
“Ow!” The guy glared her way. “Who did that?”
She pointed to Rhett.
He shrugged, and said, “Sorry.”
The man glared at Rhett.
A giggle slipped out.
“Pay back, huh?” Still standing behind her, he pressed his lips against her cheek. “I’m trying to resist you and failing.”
“Really?” And to think he only wanted friendship.
“We’ve done enough damage here. Let’s head to the bar.” It surprised her when he took her hand and guided her into the other room. They joined Violet and Michael at the table. Rhett pulled out her chair, and she sat next to Violet.
A warm sense of belonging filled her heart.
“Rhett
hustle you in pool?” Michael asked, giving her a hope-he-didn’t-con-you grin.
“I beat him in darts. In fact, he’s doing laundry for the next week.”
“You picked the one chore Rhett despises.” Michael punched Rhett’s arm.
Cami sipped her wine, surprised at how much fun she was having.
“I promised Cami we’d go dancing at the Boot Scoot,” Violet said.
“You still wanna go, Cami?” Michael’s love-light seemed brighter than before.
“You bet.”
“I’m in too, that is, if Cami promises to stay off my toes.” Rhett’s low timbre made her cheeks blaze.
“You’re the one who left scuff marks on my new boots.”
“Wasn’t me.” The side of his mouth quirked.
“Can I ride with you, Violet?” Michael said.
“All right.”
“Then I’ll take you, okay?” Rhett gazed at Cami with a lop-sided grin. The man oozed charisma.
“Fine.”
“We’ll meet you guys there after I finish my beer,” Rhett said.
Michael and Violet strolled out the door.
“Want another drink before we go?”
Another drink and she’d float out of there. “No thanks. You trying to get out of going?”
Rhett set down his half-full beer and stood. “Not at all.” He offered his hand, and they headed for his truck.
“Is the Boot Scoot where the band from your parent’s party plays?”
“I think so.” He opened her door.
A little buzzed from the wine, she almost looped her arms around his neck and brought her lips to his.
~ ~ ~
Rhett clutched Cami’s hand as they entered the Boot Scoot and weaved her through the crowded aisle toward the dance floor. “Seems like the whole town’s here tonight.”
“You say something?” she shouted over the loud music.
“Said you’re beautiful.”
A subtle giggle escaped her lips.
At least twenty couples glided on the rectangular wooden floor. He navigated her into an empty spot. He’d been fighting his attraction to her. That wasn’t working, so he decided to relax and enjoy the night. He slid his hand along her shoulder blade. When her fingers landed on his upper arm, his muscles tensed.
The fast tempo of the two-step tapped like his pulse. Her coy glances caused a jolt of desire to thrum through his veins. His large hand enveloped her smooth dainty one. “Suppose I’d better watch my toes around you.”
“Not from me, boss?” she intentionally stomped on his right boot.
“You’re sassy,” he chuckled. For once, she’d let down her guard.
They danced forward. He spun her causing her dress to swirl and show off her shapely legs. She twirled back into his arms.
“You’re a pretty good dancer.”
“Why thank you, miss.” They promenaded side by side and traveled counterclockwise back to their original spot. He turned her to face him and glimpsed cleavage. “Love the dress.” He stepped on her toe.
“Watch where you’re going.”
He hauled her closer, no longer hearing the music with his heartbeat thudding in his ears. “This is more like it.”
The song ended, and he released her.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, slightly out of breath.
The band played “Achy Breaky Heart.”
“I love this song.”
“Do you now?”
They merged into the middle of the line next to Michael and Violet. Cami’s short dress and high heels accentuated her toned calves. When she pivoted, wiggling her hips, her knees played peekaboo with the fabric, and he swallowed hard.
Michael nudged him. “You’re in rare form.”
“Suppose I am.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d let loose.
Violet and Cami shouted the “Achy Breaky” lyrics along with the band’s singer. Michael and Rhett burst out laughing.
The music ended.
Rhett slow danced with Cami and fought the desire swelling his jeans. He longed to taste her sweet lips on his and edged them towards the wall, stopped, and leaned down. His tongue ran along her lips, and he deepened the kiss. When she joined in, he felt like he'd found home.
The music switched to the “Electric Slide.” Cami pulled away. Her moistened lips tempted him to yank her over for another kiss. “Come on. This song’s calling us.” She pulled him into a spot next to his brother.
His brother shouted from beside him, “You’re crazy, happy today.”
“Suppose I am. Feels good for a change.”
An hour later, Rhett escorted Cami out to the truck. Instead of unlocking the door, he pressed her against the side and kissed her for the longest time. His heart thwacked against his chest, his pulse galloped. He didn’t want to stop, but hell, they were in a parking lot. He whispered, “You are intoxicating.”
~ ~ ~
It was nearly two a.m., and Cami was wide awake when Rhett’s truck slowed in front of her apartment.
“Had fun tonight.” His sultry voice stoked embers that heated her soul.
Downplaying her attraction for him, she said, “It wasn’t bad.”
“You enjoyed every minute.” He opened the door for her, and a blast of cool air made her shiver.
“I’ll walk you to your apartment,” his voice came out smooth.
They reached the stairs. “Careful.” His hands gripped her shoulders as he helped her onto the veranda.
He pivoted her to face him and traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “Gorgeous.”
She stood on her tiptoes and anchored her arms around his neck. A blissful sensation filled her body as he deepened the kiss. Intensity pooled in her core.
“Think we should call it a night,” his tone sounded as disappointed as she felt. “Since it’s late, feel free to sleep in. Get your beauty rest, not that you need it.” He trailed his fingers along her arm.
Frazzled, she uttered, “Good night.”
A smile quirked at the side of his mouth, and he strutted away.
She floated inside her apartment and settled on the couch. What had she been thinking? Thinking had nothing to do with what happened. She liked Rhett. She should go to bed, but her mind was amped up. A mindless TV show might cool her misguided thoughts, and she clicked on the boxy vintage set. The picture rolled and rolled and rolled. The image seemed as unbalanced as she felt, so she shut it off.
Grabbing a People Magazine from the coffee table, she flipped through the pages and tossed it aside. She thought of those sublime celebrities posing for pictures, smiling, feigning a phony, perfect life. Their free will often led them to choose the wrong person. When their relationship soured, Cupids like her assisted people with their love restorations.
Free will led Rhett to her.
She shook her head. Her mistaken arrow brought them together.
~ ~ ~
Five a.m., her wristband communicator flashed. So much for sleeping in.
Tapping the captain’s icon, she read the message.
The council commands your presence. Immediately.
Had a Cupid on an Earthly assignment seen her kissing Rhett and reported it? She gasped. Don’t be an idiot. It’s unlikely the council knows anything. Take a deep breath and compose yourself. She ended up taking five before she tapped the button and ascended into the council’s chambers.
Woosh!
She landed on her feet. Her stature reduced to fourteen inches. Her nightie replaced with a glittery gown. Her wings furled back.
Since the council’s table sat on an elevated platform, it forced her to look up at the members.
“Miss Calypso, thanks for arriving quickly. We believe an ingredient in the initial antidote may have been corrupted or compromised, and this is why your last arrow failed.” Andre floated her a sparkling white arrow. “Use this the next time you see the two soulmates together.”
“Of course, sir.” She’d already hit Rhett with the ex
tra arrow. It failed because he wasn’t interested in Lori. Not that she’d tell this group.
Andre didn’t dismiss her, he merely pushed a button, and she plummeted to Earth and landed in her apartment bed.
Chapter Thirteen
Rhett couldn’t sleep, so he shuffled into the kitchen, filled a glass with water, and guzzled it down. On the shopping list written on the whiteboard, Cami had dotted her i’s with hearts.
Last night, she’d beat him at darts and teased him about losing. She danced with an abandon he hadn’t seen before. Every touch inflamed his desire. Once they reached his truck in the parking lot, he’d kissed her. At her doorstep, he’d planned to make it quick, but when she’d placed her arms around his neck, he found her irresistible. If he were smart, he’d leave her alone.
Daybreak lit through the windowpane. A long ride in the fresh air should cleanse his mind. If he skipped breakfast, he could head to his favorite thinking spot. He snatched an apple, two granola bars, and a package of jerky from the counter. Next, he filled a thermos with the coffee dregs from last night’s pot. Cowboy coffee would spur his brain into a gallop.
As he headed for the stables, he refused to think about Cami, approached Starlight’s stall, and stroked the star between his eyes. “Both of us could use a nice long ride, right boy?”
The stallion neighed.
Dawn’s orange glow spread across the horizon. Cattle bellowed. His stallion galloped past the old barn, and he listened to horses nicker. He crossed the bridge over the Cedar Springs River and followed the shoreline as it snaked and wound through the land. He dismounted and allowed his horse to graze on a hill overlooking the valley and listened to a raven’s caw.
He leaned against an old oak tree planted by his great-great-great-grandfather. The trunk’s raw strength soothed his soul and made him appreciate living on the ranch. This very spot once brought him peace. He’d come here to heal after his dog was put down. He’d come here for the courage to tell his mom he’d broken her heirloom vase. He’d come here two years ago when he’d thought love between two people meant something. Penny ended that illusion.
A coyote howled to his mate. Nature did things right. Animals didn’t worry about relationships. They took life as it came.
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