Page 6 of Whiskey Holiday
"It's going. This place is keeping me on my toes tonight."
"I can see that. You know how it is around here the closer we get to Christmas," Nash remarks.
"Yeah. Busy is good though, so I'm not going to complain."
Nash looks at me. "Mel, this is my friend and business partner, Tannon. Tannon, this is Melanie. We grew up in Mistletoe together and went to the same high school."
I tip my head. "Good to meet you."
"Same," Melanie smiles. "So, do you two know what you'd like?
"I'll have whatever beer is on tap," I tell her.
"I'll take the same," Nash says.
"No problem, guys. I'll have your drinks for you in no time."
My eyes follow Melanie across the room. The moment she steps up to the bar, two patrons slip off their stools, giving me my first glimpse of the blonde behind the counter. When I lay eyes on her, time stops. As if a magnetic force is bringing us together, the blonde looks up. Her eyes lock on mine. Suddenly, the world around me ceases to exist, and we are the only two people in the room. My heart is about to beat out of my chest.Fuck!A woman has never had this kind of effect on me.
I have to make this woman mine.
"Tannon, are you okay?" Nash asks.
Ignoring his question, I stand. "I'll be right back." I don't offer Nash an explanation for my sudden departure. My only focus is to get to my woman.My woman?Where the hell did that come from.
My blonde beauty keeps her eyes on me as I make my way through the crowd and up to the bar, where I take one of the vacant stools and get a close up look of the woman who will be going home with me tonight.
She stands at around 5 feet 3 inches tall and has honey blonde hair currently hanging in waves over her shoulders. She also has the most stunning green eyes I have ever seen. My mouth waters as I take in the curves of her body. Curves, I can't wait to get my hands on. My hands will be all over that delectable body later.
"Hello," she says, her voice sounding familiar.
"Hi," I return. My blonde beauty smiles, making my dick jump behind the zipper of my jeans.
"What can I get you?"
"Your name," I respond, making her face turn as red as the sweater she is wearing.
"Winter."
"I'm Tannon." I reach across the bar and offer my hand. I'm pleased as fuck when Winter doesn't hesitate to place her small delicate hand in mine. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through my fingertips and up my arm. Shocked by the reaction, my eyes dart up to hers. Judging by the look on Winter's face, there is no doubt she felt it too.
"What time do you get off, Winter?"
I watch as Winter's chest rises and falls with her rapid breathing, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the effect I'm having on her. I see the gears turning in her head as she contemplates whether she will take the plunge with a stranger. I can tell right away one-night stands are not something Winter does. The battle is evident in her eyes as she nibbles her bottom lip.
"I normally get off at two, but I think I can get Danny to close for me tonight." Winter licks her bottom lip, and I growl.
"That sounds like a hell of a plan."
Winter's breath hitches at the sound of my voice. "I'll… I'll be right back," she stumbles over her words, and I watch her curvy ass as she turns and makes her way toward a man serving drinks at the other end of the bar. Keeping her in my sights, I watch Winter tap the man on his shoulder. The guy, who I assume is Danny, turns and smiles at my woman. I'm not too fond of it. The thought of any man smiling at her has my ass coming off the stool. Gritting my teeth, I lower myself back down and wait. Why do I feel so possessive over a woman I just met? As fucked as it may seem, it also feels right.
Snapping myself from my conflicting thoughts, I bring my full attention back to Winter, who retrieves her purse from under the bar and places it on her shoulder after talking to Danny. She stops briefly to talk to a slender brunette, whose eyes cut in my direction. She smirks.
Shit.
Winter is wasting no time. Locking eyes with me once again, she steps out from behind the bar and saunters my way. I stand from the stool and take her hand in mine once she is within arms reach. "Ready to get out of here before I change my mind?" Winter says as she accepts my touch and I lead us out of Whiskey Holiday. I don't bother saying goodbye to Nash either, but I don't miss the smirk on his face when I look his way and whistle for Duke to follow.
"Is that your dog?" Winter asks when we step up to the passenger side of my truck.
