Page 3 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
Hunter stands against a wall while he speaks with a young woman. She touches his arm, and he slides it away with a smile and a shake of his head.
She pats his arm again and walks away just as I step into his line of sight and his smile fades.
“Ouch. I’m not sure what I’ve done to get that look already. I’m just coming to say hello.”
Hunter sips his beer with a cocked eyebrow.
“What look? This is literally my face…Gabe.”
Smiling, I take a sip from my glass. The way he says my name sends a beacon of hope that maybe he noticed me last time, too. “You remembered my name. I must’ve been memorable for you.”
Hunter draws another swallow from his beer and looks out at the dance floor. “Riley talks about you all the time. It’s hard to forget.”
What a dirty liar he is. It’s more than that, and I know it. We’re playing the same game here, and we should both be winners.
“Still…you remembered.” Moving closer, I test his limits and brush a finger along his hand. He stills, but I don’t miss the bob of his throat. “And I definitely remembered you.”
“Is that so?”
Hunter’s brown eyes meet mine as he turns his head back to me and I sip my drink, pleased when his gaze drops to my lips.
“Do you want to taste it?”
“What?”
Swirling the ice cubes, I raise my cup. “My drink. You can taste it, Hunter. I don’t mind.”
His nostrils flare, and the flash in his eyes sends a spark to my groin. This man is absolutely gorgeous in an untamed way. Just like the last time I saw him, he has this whole wild stallion vibe going on. He’s unpredictable and I’m fucking here for it.
Hunter leans in close, his lips ghosting against my ear. “You can’t handle me…counsellor.” He lingers, and I swear he blows a soft caress across my skin. “As attractive as the offer is, I’ll have to decline.”
My hand wraps around his wrist before he steps away. His skin is hot against my palm, and I smooth my thumb across the inside of his wrist, feeling the steady pulse under my touch. “I’ve handled a lot more than you. I don’t need to know why you’re turning me down now, but if you change your mind…I’ll be around.”
Dropping his wrist, I turn around and walk away.
He might say no this time, but I’m nothing if persistent. I live here now. Therewillbe a next time.
I’m sure of it.
Draining my glass, I drop it on a table as I walk by on my way to say goodnight to Riley.
“Enjoy the rest of the night, Rye.” Leaning in, I kiss his cheek. “I think I’ll get an early sleep. I’ll talk to you this week.”
“Thanks for coming, Gabe.” Riley isn’t a big drinker, but the flush on his cheeks is a giveaway that he’s had more than a few. “No luck tonight?”
“I’m not feeling it. It’s okay. Say goodbye to Jackson for me.”
Weaving through the crowd, I exit the bar towards the parking lot. A few small groups cluster, sharing a cigarette, and I nod as I walk by. The late spring air still carries a chill in the evening, and I quicken my steps to get to the warmth of my car.
The lights flash when the doors unlock, and I turn my head to look back towards the bar.
An unmistakable figure stands at the edge of the shadows from the streetlight.
“Well, well…you couldn’t just let me walk away after all, could you?” Opening the car, I slide behind the wheel with a victorious grin. But when I look towards the figure, it’s no longer there.
But my smile remains.
Seems Hunter Burke doesn’t always make things easy.
