Just Want Somebody to Love. Keri Ford

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СКАЧАТЬ know it when I feel it.”

      “One of those hard to explain things.”

      “Exactly.” Something about this night, he didn’t know. She was perfect. Couple that with his dreams coming true. Everything around him sighed at once and announced, this is your day. “I think you’re starting to get me.”

      “Sounds like we’re off to a good start before I take advantage of you.” With them so close, it would take next to nothing to have his lips on hers. She whispered, “What about more of a physical connection? Like chemistry.”

      His throat dried out, and he was torn between carrying her out the door and continuing this. Each option had its benefits, but dancing with her and the way she talked, he didn’t want to give up. It was a twisted new-to-him version of foreplay. He had a feeling later on it would be so worth the wait. “I’m a huge fan of chemistry. But…”

      “That’s a long but.”

      “It’s a little embarrassing.”

      “I can keep secrets.”

      “That’s good. I just don’t want you to think less of me. As a man.”

      Her hands moved up and down his arms, then around his neck. “I’m pretty sure that’s not possible.”

      Goodness, this woman was created for him, for tonight. Forget dancing, he’d like to tip her backward and see how those lips would feel on his and get a taste of the fiery tartness her drink had left behind. When she’d said surprise her, he’d picked something to match her. Tart. He did like things bursting with flavor. He cleared his throat and pulled out the story he’d heard a buddy of his tell before. “There was this one time I tried for a sexual connection.” He glanced around the crowded floor and leaned in beside her ear to whisper. He couldn’t believe he was about to say this, but he liked this girl and the way she rolled with the punches. He faked a frown. “And I’m still not sure if that was a woman or a man in drag.”

      Her head tipped and she laughed. She played with the short hairs at his nape. The breathy tone of her voice. The look of her eyes. He wanted to watch them roll back as her nails went over his skin. Story was worth it. “I can assure you, I’m all woman.”

      He stopped their dancing again. “That’s what she—he, whatever, said too.”

      “Are you getting anything masculine off me?”

      He choked. “No.”

      She nodded. “Thank heavens. You almost gave me a complex.”

      “But I haven’t kissed you yet. Before, there was some…” He couldn’t say it, but he wanted to hear her laughter again. “Whiskers. I didn’t see them, but I felt them.”

      Her eyes widened, and he hoped to God she realized this wasn’t a true story.

      She breathed out. “You’re full of trouble, aren’t you?”

      “Depends on who you ask.”

      “Fair enough. To make sure we’re feeling the same—because if I drag you off somewhere and you change your mind, I’m going to have a rough night—let’s establish a connection. What do you do for a living?”

      “I work in a restaurant.”

      “Gah.” She shook her head. “No dice. I’m partner in my family’s farm.”

      “Man. That one is usually a winner. At some point, most women have worked in some sort of waitressing. I’ve stretched my limits to retail in the past, but it makes me uncomfortable.”

      “We can’t have you uncomfortable.” She rubbed her hand over his shoulder, and fingers pulled at the hairs at his neck. A chill tickled across him. “I need you to be relaxed. And agreeable.”

      His throat tightened. He’d never ran with this game for so long before. “That’s the easiest way to get me how you want me.”

      “Good to know. What about family?”

      “I have a brother.” He tipped his head at the bar. “Brandon.”

      She tsked. “What a coincidence. I have two older brothers.”

      He leaned back a little. “Look at that. We do have something. I can feel your younger siblingness now, since you’ve mentioned it.”

      “Do you?”

      “Yes.” He tapped his chest. “It’s an intense thing. It’s hard for people who aren’t the babies to understand the spoiling we’re given.” He paused. “You are the baby, right? No younger sisters?”

      She nodded. “I’m the baby.”

      “Thank goodness. Thought we were going back to the drawing board.”

      “I’m a little confused on one thing.”

      “Name it.”

      “You agreed to be in charge of this pick up, but now it sounds like I have to make all the moves. I don’t get enough practice in this small town to handle a chase.”

      “Perfect. I don’t like being hounded. You can be the good girl.”

      She was still smiling with her entire focus on him. “But I’m not one. I’m just rusty. It’s been a long time since I had to play moves.”

      “Now that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. It can’t be true.”

      “It is.” She tipped her head toward the front of the building. “Did you see those trees across the road when you got here?”

      “Yeah.”

      “I know a path to get from here, through them, to all kinds of places. Including my house. And I didn’t learn them by myself.”

      He stopped. “Prove it.”

      She laughed. “Oh my goodness. I haven’t been in those woods in ages. That’ll have to be a daylight adventure or we’ll end up lost.”

      He lifted a shoulder. “I have some free time tomorrow.”

      She bit at her lip. “So do I. At least until tomorrow evening.”

      “It’s like it’s meant to be.” The song ended and “Friends in Low Places” rang out. As old as the tune was, the crowd wasted no time in hooting, hollering, and cheering. “You want to get out of here?”

      “What?” She squinted and turned her ear to him.

      He laughed, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the door. If she didn’t want to go, she’d stop. She never stopped. He pushed open the front door, and the air was a damn bit colder now that the sun was down.

      His breath turned to a fog, and a burning fireplace scented the air. He stepped farther away from the door. Whitney was still behind him with her hand squeezing his. He turned, bent, and got his lips on hers. She tasted as spicy as the rum he’d served. He СКАЧАТЬ