Page 83 of Guarded Secrets
She nodded. “It was at Easy Money. Delaney and I’d come in for a girls’ night and you were behind the bar.”
“You walked in, and I felt like I’d been hit by a bolt of sunlight. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, and you were so damn sweet.”
“Oh please. Anytime we interacted, you seemed irritated.”
He gave her a long look that had the color rising in her cheeks. “That was it, Keeley, that moment. From then on, I was always waiting for the next time I’d see you.”
“That first time we were there to check you out.”
“Yeah?”
She rolled her eyes at his grin. “Yeah. It was a little after you’d bought the place. You’d closed it for a couple weeks and there was a buzz around town about the new owner. Rumor was he was hot, and Delaney wanted to check you out.”
“Delaney? Not you?”
“This was before Walker came back and she was trying to move past him emotionally. That plan never worked. But a hot young business owner in town? That’s big news.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Shit. I thought it was strange so many women came in during the first couple months.”
She giggled at his discomfort. “Yep, they were checking you out. I’ll admit to doing my own checking,” she said primly. “But then you acted nice to everyone else, but were so judge-y with me. That first night you said we were drinking girly drinks.”
“You were drinking girly drinks.”
“It was a strawberry margarita. That’s not a girly drink.”
“It’s girly if the fruit is used to disguise the alcohol taste.”
“No. It means I like strawberries, and that’s a sexist attitude. And if that wasn’t enough, you carded me.”
“I got your name, didn’t I? And learned you’re four years younger than me.”
“I thought you didn’t like me.”
“I liked you. I more than liked you.”
“Seriously? You acted like I was underage, and then said it was probably a fake ID.”
“Okay, they were stupid ploys to get you to talk to me.”
“You could have tried being nice.”
“I’m not known for nice.”
He weaved his fingers through hers and pulled her to her feet.
She swayed toward him. “Every time I’ve come in for the past what, two years? You’ve been grumpy.”
He pulled her closer and they swayed to the music. He dipped his head. “I was already in deep with you. It frustrated the hell out of me. I told myself I wasn’t good for you, but that didn’t stop me loving you.”
She stared at him, her big eyes shadowy.
“Am I too late, princess?”
“Princesses are snooty and snobby.”
“Not my princess.” His lips drifted along her temple.
She arched her neck, and he took the invitation and nibbled the curve of warm skin. “My princess is beautiful on the inside. She’s beautiful on the outside.” His lips moved along her jaw and her breath caught. “My princess is good and sweet, and kind.”
