Page 13 of Freeing the Wild
“Do you need me to walk you out anywhere?”Darcy asks, motioning toward the door.What a gentleman.
“No thanks.I think I’ll stay here for one more drink.”
I turn my attention back over my shoulder to Haden, who’s just taken a seat at the other end of the bar.I realize now that he’s with Dusty.And I’m happy Dusty survived his afternoon of shit-shoveling.The two of them are talking to the big, scary-looking bartender, and Haden already has a few people gathered around him.It’s as though he’s famous in here or something.
“Seems like this place might just be getting fun,” I say.
“Suit yourself.”Darcy tips his hat to me and bows out, disappearing through the dance floor that is quickly filling up as an old Garth Brooks song begins to play.I sip on my sangria and look around the room at the small-town pub life.It seems everyone in here knows one another, and that is so foreign to me after months of meeting new people on the road.I side-eye Haden again at the end of the bar.There is already a woman leaning into him, whispering something in his ear.I watch as he shakes his head with a friendly smile and tips his hat to her before turning back to his drink.She gives him a quick wave then turns and walks back to her table of girlfriends with a shrug.Interesting.I definitely took him for the playboy type.
I force myself to look away and refocus, scanning the room for anyone who might interest me, willing myself to actually be brave enough to go through with a one-night hook-up.Or, at thevery least, a hot makeout session.I haven’t been with anyone since my last, and really only, long-term boyfriend, who I broke up with months ago.Our relationship didn’t end badly.There just wasn’t that spark, so when he decided to try and make it in the music scene in California, we knew we’d hit the end of the road.Ours was more a relationship of convenience.That, and we made good music together.Though I’ve decided since then never to mix business with pleasure.Before my ex, the only other man I was ever with was my high school prom date.If you can count those ten seconds.
“You most certainly aren’t from around here,” a voice whispers in my ear from behind me.I stiffen instantly.Whoever this man is, he smells like expensive cologne and whiskey.I turn to face him as he comes around beside me.
He’s tall and fit.Not bad-looking but also definitely not a cowboy.He’s a senior in college at best, younger than I am for sure.He wears a Kendrick Lamar t-shirt and a baseball hat on his head.
“What makes you say that?”I query, swivelling on my stool to face him better, crossing one leg over the other and resting my forearm on my thigh.It’s obvious alcohol has given him the courage to come and talk to me.
“That’s easy.I’d remember you,” he says simply, his eyes raking over my ivory off-the-shoulder peasant top and cutoff jean shorts.“You want a little tour of the town?I’ve got my truck parked right outside.”
“Jesus, buddy.You haven’t even asked her name yet,” a deep voice sounds from my left.I recognise it instantly before I even turn my gaze to meet its owner.
My prospect looks up at Haden, who’s got a couple inches on him, before turning his attention back to me.
“I was getting there,” he mutters.
Haden pushes between us and steals a seat on the barstoolthat Darcy vacated just moments ago.He leans back to assess me.Now that he’s this close, I note that I was right.He’s got a different aura about him than he did back at the ranch.But I guess I’m not at his place of work, fucking his afternoon up, like I was earlier.It appears that he’s forgiven me, however, because there isn’t a hint of that pissed-off cowboy now.In fact, his gaze feels hot and flirty before he releases my eyes and turns to look back up at my would-be suitor.
“Always ask a woman’s name before you ask her to leave with you.It’s a real simple courtesy.”His blue eyes turn to mine as he leans on the bar with one thick forearm.“Watch and learn.”
He inches toward me and, the closer he gets, the better he smells.I breathe him in, unable to stop the tingling under my skin at his attention on me.I hate that my body reacts like this to his presence.Fucking charisma.
“You’ve cleaned up pretty nicely from your faceplant in the dust this afternoon.What’s your name, Princess?”
“NotPrincess,” I fire back, with a smile, then take a sip of my drink.Between the incredible sangria and the masculine energy rolling off Haden, I can’t help but offer him the same forgiveness he seems to be offering me.
My would-be suitor shakes his head.
“Alright.Well, clearly you two know each other.I’m outta here,” he says to us before pointing at Haden while he speaks to me.“Oh and, I may not know your name, but just keep in mind that every woman in this town knowshis.”
I don’t take my eyes off of Haden’s as a slow smirk spreads across my face.I knew he was a playboy.
“Is that frat boy telling the truth?”I ask him the second we’re alone.
Haden manspreads and pulls his cowboy hat off, placing it on his knee.I try not to notice the way the denim hugs tight to hisstrong thighs so I snap my eyes to his face instead.But I’m just as hooked there.He runs a hand through his thick, wavy blond hair, showing his scuffed-up knuckles from his daily hard labor.Even that is attractive to me.He’s definitely got that whole perfectly imperfect vibe going on.
“That may have been the truth once upon a time,” he admits.
“I won’t hold that against you.You know what they say,” I muse.
He smirks at me, and just the hint of a dimple appears above his chiselled jaw.“What’s that?”
“It’s always the most insecure ones who fuck a lot.”I glance down between those thighs just to mess with him.“Boosts their confidence.”
Haden’s face breaks out in a wide smile and he laughs like the joke’s on me.Shit.I really didn’t need to see that smile.He’s too damn rugged and beautiful when he smiles like that.Warning bells start ringing in my brain.Something about this man makes me feel like he would dismantle my control bit by bit.Worse still, I’m afraid I’d like it.
“Well, I must be full up on confidence in my old age, because it’s been a while since I’ve ‘fucked a lot.’”
I narrow my eyes at him and begin a slow clap.
