Page 9 of Kissing Her Rescuer

Her eyes scanned the room, pausing for a split second on him before continuing her observation.

“You might have to play pool with her.” Rhonda cleaned a glass before hanging it up. “Then the two of you could talk.”

“We don't have anything to talk about.”

“That shade of denial doesn't look good on you.”

Since grabbing and kissing her wouldn't solve their complicated situation, he'd stick to the outskirts of Eliza's life. Safer for everyone involved, including himself. “I'm not playing pool with her. She shouldn't even be here playing pool.”

Rhonda clicked her tongue. “Such an overprotective man. Do you carry your club in your back pocket, too?”

He sent Rhonda an exasperated look. He wasn't in the mood to hear about all the shortcomings of his gender tonight. Carrie had provided quite a substantial amount of information on the way to Ms. Iris's. Including how she used to hear her momma cry at night when Zach was mean, but that she hadn't cried since being in Statem. He took another long drink of his beer, trying to wash away the taste of anger.

He didn't have any right to feel protective over Eliza. Not that she’d accept his help. But he meant what he said. Zach would never gain custody of Carrie. He could dig up enough shit on Zach and pay for the best attorney possible to make that never happened.

Eliza walked to the pool table and started picking the balls out of the pockets.

A man’s arm brushed Dewey's shoulder. Tommy had moved from his booth, right past Dewey, without recognizing him.

Tommy leaned on the pool table, probably to keep from falling over from too much alcohol.

“Shit,” Dewey mumbled under his breath when Eliza turned toward Tommy and smiled.

“I have to agree with your observation on that one. But I can't throw him out for talking to her.” Dewey started to rise, but Rhonda's hand clamped down on his shoulder, shoving him back onto the barstool with a strength that surprised him. “Sit, Deputy. She doesn't need her knight in worn blue jeans welding a half-empty Bud Light just yet. Drink your beer and keep watch. Eliza’s a smart girl.”

Dewey crossed his arms, watching the interaction, beyond frustrated he couldn't hear what Tommy said.

Eliza's eyes shifted to Dewey a quick second, but then aimed her beautiful smile full force at Tommy. Did she know Tommy? She had to. Becky was one of her best friends these days.

They shook hands.

Eliza laughed, flipped her hair, and then shrugged, her beautiful eyes wide and innocent.

“Awe, hell,” he said loud enough that a couple men at the bar glanced his direction. Rhonda had moved away, but Dewey kept his seat, perched on the edge. Ready.

He'd wondered about her pool playing abilities before, but this confirmed it.

She was hustling Tommy.

The womanreallydidn't have any regard for her safety. Tommy wasn't dangerous, but he was an asshole that tended to do some dumb shit when drunk.

She giggled and leaned both hands on the table. She'd worn regular clothes. Tight jeans and a fitted T-shirt. A small strip of skin showed just above the waistband of her jeans. Her hair hung in loose, dark waves ending past her shoulders.

He gritted his teeth together. He knew how soft her hair felt running through his fingers. There hadn't been another woman in the past eight years that he hadn't compared to Eliza.

Tommy walked up beside her, handing her a cue stick and then demonstrating how to shoot the ball. And then the bastard slipped behind her, leaning over her shoulder to help her.

Oldest move in the book.

But she let him, giggling as she made the shot and gave him a high five.

Their back and forth flirting went on for the first game, Eliza pretending to pout when she lost.

And then she lost again but closer.

And then she reached in her pocket and pulled out money. She shrugged, smiled, batted her eyelashes. Leaned a little closer. And then laid down four bills.

He sat up straighter, trying to see what exactly she'd laid down. No way it was $20.

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