Page 40 of Austin
“What made you take the waitress job?” Because even though she looked hot as hell in that costume, Kristen wasn’t the waitress type. Or the costume type. He glanced over at her modest cotton dress. Or the show-her-rack type. Her costume had done a good job of that. Her costume had been pretty fucking hot, but that wasn’t where his thoughts were supposed to be.
“I was too picky about work the first few weeks after I got laid off. Then I got desperate when I realized that even the minimum-wage jobs were challenging to get, and with my student loans, minimum wage wasn’t going to cut it for very long. The Silver Bow paid well and the tips were supposed to be good.”
“Supposed to be?”
She smiled ruefully. “I didn’t do too well in that regard.”
He laughed. “We all have our gifts.”
“Yes. Mine is numbers.”
“Mine is not.”
“You seemed to do okay in math class. You never attended and somehow you passed.”
“I attended every now and again.” He attended often enough to know about the scar that had identified her to him at the Silver Bow.
She settled her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her hands, her beer sitting essentially untouched. “How did you not get nailed for truancy?”
He also set his elbows on the table, mirroring her. “My dad excused my absences. As long as I was practicing rough stock riding and passing my classes, he was good with anything I did. And I’d like to point out it was not wasted time. I use my bull-riding skills more than I use my math skills.”
“I bet you use math skills.”
He smiled crookedly. “Yes. I’m great at counting to eight.”
“All the way to eight?” She smiled back. “I knew you were smart back then. I listened to you answer questions when you deigned to come to class. It bothered me that you didn’t take advantage of your education.”
“Yes. I recall a time when you made that clear.”
She shrugged unrepentantly. “Somebody had to do it.”
“I disagree.”
“Come on…it made you all the more determined to succeed.”
He leaned closer, even though he told himself not to. There was something about her wide green eyes and full lips that made him forget his own pep talks. “Are you trying to take credit for my success?”
“I figure I’m due at least fifty percent of your winnings…and don’t worry about the math. I’ll do it.”
“Comforting to know.”
She picked up her beer and drank, watching him over the rim. He would have given up a win at that moment to know what she was thinking, because he knew what he was thinking, and what he didn’t want to be thinking. Moisture glistened on her lower lip when she lowered the bottle and Austin’s groin tightened as he thought about licking it off.
He blew out a breath and reached for his beer. When in doubt, take refuge in alcohol.
They said no to dessert. Austin paid for the meal. Kristen told him she was keeping track of what she owed him, and, to keep the peace, he’d simply nodded as if he fully intended to accept payment in the future.
They crossed the lobby and were almost to the elevators when a loud voice called, “You! Asshole!”
Austin turned to see a very drunk Braden Crawford heading across the lobby toward him with murder in his eye.
“Do you know him?” Kristen asked, putting a hand on his arm.
“Yeah.” Austin took hold of her arm. “Stay here.” He let go and started toward Braden. A security guy was also heading toward the young bull rider.
“You stole my sponsor!” Braden stumbled as he spoke and Austin grabbed his arm and yanked him toward the door.
“We’re good here,” he called to the security guy.
