Page 13 of Dangerous Secrets
“How could you?You know Ihave no willpower when it comes to Easy Money’s loaded nachos, withnot skimpy guacamole and extra cheese.”
“Girls’ night out,remember?We’re here to enjoy ourselves.Plus, you burn off thecalories working on the farm.I, on the other hand, will have toput in an extra hour at the gym.But the nachos will be worth thetorture.”
Delaney sat back, feeling herselfrelaxing.It was hard not to have fun when she was with Keeley, andtonight had the added benefit of distracting her from James’sdeath.
Keeley launched into a description ofthe end-of-year event her school put on, with glowing reviews ofhow well her students had done.“As you know, this kind of thingcan be difficult, especially for kids who have autism or anxietyissues.”
“You’re so good with them,though.And it’s nice hearing how much progress these kids make inyour class.”
“Thanks, friend.Now Ineed my principal to agree with your assessment when she does myend-of-year evaluation.”
“You’ll do fine, becauseyou’re awesome.In fact—”
The outer door opened and Walkerstepped into the bar and completely derailed Delaney’s train ofthought.
CHAPTER SIX
Delany had managed to avoid Walkersince James had died, but now her heart tripped, her breath hitchedin her throat, and her mind went blank.When her brain synapsesstarted firing again, all she could think was to ask herself whyshe couldn’t have a reaction like that to someone nice anduncomplicated like Mateo Reynoso.It was her bad luck WalkerMcGrath was the single human on the planet who set off an internalchain reaction she feared would lead to personalannihilation.
“‘In fact’ what?”ThenKeeley breathed out a long, multi-toned “Ooohhh.”
Walker stopped inside the door anddespite the crowd, his gaze collided immediately withDelaney’s.
Every cell in her body stilled as ifwaiting to engage with his.That’s how it’d always felt, like shewas truly alive only when she was with him.
Jeez, shewaspathetic.Longhaired and bearded, there was an untamed edge to him that hit allher buttons and made her feel every one of the long months ofsexual abstinence.In denim jeans faded at the seams, and with ablack shirt under a battered leather jacket, he’d fit in just fineat the biker bar across town.
Delaney forced herself tobreak the connection and look away and found Keeley furiouslyfanning herself with her napkin.“Okay, not questioning it anylonger.Now I get it.Walker is so hot he’ll set off the firealarms.”The fanning increased in velocity, and with her gaze stillon Walker, she said, “God, Ilovehis hair, all long and dark and combed back fromhis forehead.He looks like Jason Momoa, right down to thosegorgeous shoulders.Every single woman in this room will want ataste of that kind of hot.And, honey, if he keeps looking at youlike that, you’re going to burn to a crisp.”
“Enough, Keeley.”Delaneyresisted the urge to fan herself.She was grateful for thedistraction when the server set their frothy drinks in front ofthem with the plate of piled-high nachos, topped with giant scoopsof guac and sour cream.Keeley picked up a chip and dug in to scoopa heaping bite, closing her eyes as she chewed.“Mmm, delicious.Almost as delicious as Walker McGrath.”
“Not helping,Keel.”
Delaney chanced a peek at Walker tofind his gaze still locked on her.He took a step in her directionand her heart leapt at the thought he would join them, only to slowagain when it seemed he made an effort to pull his attention awayand move to the bar.
Delaney took a hasty sip of her icydrink, hoping to cool her warm cheeks.
Walker crossed to the end of the baron the opposite side of the room.As he passed crowded high-tops,there was a ripple in his wake.People went quiet and ducked theirheads, then began whispering after he passed.
Mateo, who appeared engrossed inconversation with a curvy brunette wearing a tiny skirt and alow-cut halter top, gave Walker a nod, but otherwise, not only didno one greet him, some folks she knew damned well used to hang outwith him averted their gazes and pretended not to noticehim.
A man sitting two stools down from theseat Walker took nudged the woman he was with and they moved downthe bar in the opposite direction.If he noticed, Walker didn’t leton.
A hot ball of anger swelled in herchest.
Delaney was furious.
Many of the people in the bar hadgrown up with him, played Little League with him.They’d gone tothe same schools.They knew he’d been wrongly convicted and spentover two years in state prison for a crime he hadn’t committed, andyet they were treating him like he carried the plague.
“Uh-oh, I know that look,”Keeley muttered.
Delaney rose to her feet, furycarrying her across the floor as she made a beeline to her target.Owen placed a glass of what looked like whiskey in front of Walker.He reached for the drink, movement checking when he caught sight ofher.
He set his drink down and swiveled,and she stepped between his knees.He was seated, she stood ontiptoes, so they lined up perfectly mouth to mouth.She cupped hisface in her hands, her fingers rubbing against the texture of hisbeard while the dark scent of forest brought back memories ofanother time.His gaze shone brilliantly green and aware as itlocked on hers, daring her to carry through on herintent.
“This doesn’t meananything,” she murmured, her mouth millimeters from his.
Ignoring the voice in her head tellingher this could be the mother of all mistakes, she pressed her lipsto his and did her damnedest to ignore the fireworks exploding inher brain.
