Page 48 of The Devil in Blue Jeans
As if on cue, Jaxon entered the bar accompanied by Eli and Gunner. He gave them each a nod and sat down on a stool. “Hi, ladies,” he said.
“Foxy Divas?” Willow asked, offering their favorite craft beer, seemingly focusing only on Eli, as he sat next to Jaxon, while Gunner took the other stool.
He nodded with a smile in her direction.
Charly felt that he was kind and harmless; maybe even good for Willow, even though she wasn’t looking for romance right now.
“Beers up!” Aubrey announced as she slid each a bottle across the bar.
“Thanks.” Gunner grinned, glancing around before meeting their gazes again. “Place looks great.”
Aubrey smiled. “Happy cowboys, happy life, am I right?”
Gunner winked. “Sounds about right to me.”
Aubrey turned away, seemingly unaffected by Gunner’s charm that Charly had seen make women nearly melt into puddles at his feet.
Charly’s heart skipped a beat when Jaxon leaned over the bar and planted a kiss on her lips, like he’d done it a million times before now. Even she had to admit having him kiss her in public didn’t feel awkward. Which was odd—shouldn’t that feel uncomfortable?
He trailed his mouth near her ear and murmured, “You look beautiful, Charly.”
She forced herself not to blush in front of everyone. She’d also never admit that she wore the tight skinny jeans and short blouse all to tease him tonight. “Thank you,” she replied. “Now, join your friends on the other side of the bar or else I’ll throw you out myself.”
He chuckled before returning to his stool and taking a long swig of his beer.
Aubrey and Willow both had huge grins on their faces. The same ones they made whenever Jaxon showed up.
Charly rolled her eyes at them and mouthed:stop it!
Jaxon set his beer back down. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?” he asked.
“The plan is to have a quiet night after we close,” Charly said.
“What about heading to the ranch for drinks and a fire?” Jaxon asked, addressing Willow and Aubrey too. “Eli and Gunner are coming too, plus a few others.”
Willow glanced at Eli, who nodded.
“I’m in!” Aubrey exclaimed, nearly bouncing on her feet. “I’m dying for some fun.”
Charly couldn’t help laughing in agreement. She missed a night out too. All they’d been doing is working.
“Great!” Jaxon continued, a pleased grin on his face. “Come by after you close. I can arrange a taxi to take you home afterward, okay? Or if you’d like, you’re welcome to stay the night at my place.”
Charly refused to let the heat rise to her cheeks at that tempting thought. She still felt that kiss last night right down to her toes, burning across her lips, like a sensual promise hanging in the balance.
“I’ll bring snacks to eat on the way,” Willow offered with a beaming smile.
Eli turned away and coughed awkwardly. Oh, yeah, Eli thought Willow was a little snack herself.
Charly smiled to herself, hardly able to believe it. They were settled, and dare she say happy. She’d gone from loathing men to wanting Jaxon. She expected the worry to bubble up over starting over, but it never came. Timber Falls had welcomed them with new friendships and a fresh start, and Charly felt grateful this crazy plan had all come together and somehow worked out in the end.
Even now, Jaxon’s stare held hers like she was the only one that mattered in this room, and it felt so damn good to feel special again. Her heart fluttered as she stepped around the bar and moved to his stool, interrupting him midsentence. She grabbed his chin and kissed him—lingering until he opened his mouth to her, slipping her tongue against his.
She didn’t care who was watching and even wanted everyone to see it. To know they were more than just friends, even if they hadn’t put a label on it yet. She kissed him passionately, moving her tongue against his in a sensual rhythm that made her toes curl in pleasure.
When she finally pulled away from him, she saw the raw desire in his eyes, and felt it deep in her core.
“What was that for?” he murmured, brushing his thumb against her bottom lip.
