Ugh, stop thinking about tying him to a bed!
She tried to ignore the need barreling through her body and dug her nails into her palms. The sharp pain distracted her from her impure thoughts. She breathed easier. Jutting her chin upwards, she put on her best superior expression, hoping it hid her desire.
“Here’s one of the extra Harvest shirts. It’s all we have.”
She held out the dark-crimson T-shirt with the black Harvest logo. It hung from her fingertips in midair. Neither she nor Jake moved. The shirt dangled in front of him like a red flag waved at a bull. The upward curl of his lips said he liked a challenge. A shiver slid down her spine.
When he took the shirt, their fingers brushed and a frisson of awareness shot up her arm. She jerked her hand back.
Jake wriggled his fingers, shook his head and pulled on the T-shirt. Watching the movement of his muscles as they bunched and stretched sucked her into fantasyland again. She forgot her annoyance and imagined wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders as he pushed her naked body against a wall. He’d set a slow and steady rhythm as she enveloped him.
A small groan escaped before she could stop the sound. The quirk of Jake’s eyebrows forced her back to the present. Not that the view disappointed. The size large T-shirt fit tight across his broad shoulders. Against her better judgment, she regretted seeing his unyielding abs hidden away under soft cotton.
“I have to tell you, it’s one of the more direct ways a woman has worked it so that I had to take off my shirt.” He bent his head down toward her. “I didn’t realize you country girls were so forward. Now, I don’t mind you getting me wet, but next time, just ask.”
Biting her lip, she fought the urge, again, to kick him in the shin. God, he was irritating. And enticing. And yummy to look at. And…oh God, this man erased all thoughts except those that involved him naked on her bed.
She flashed him an insincere smile and batted her eyelashes, hoping he wouldn’t notice how her nipples had hardened. As if she’d said the words out loud, his gaze locked in on that exact part of her anatomy. Damn. They actually got harder.
She crossed her arms in front of her breasts. “Oh, I think once was enough. You know us country girls just aren’t used to your big city ways.”
“I could teach you about all things big.” His wicked grin promised she’d learn a lot.
Electricity sparked between them, sank into her skin and settled low in her belly. “I’m sure you’d like to, but I’m not looking for a teacher.”
That silenced him. He dragged his gaze from her toes to her eyes in slow motion. His hot perusal burned her skin as it traveled up her body, lingering on her breasts before stopping at her lips. A wolfish leer lit his face.
“I’m more than willing to be a student, if that’s what you’d prefer,” his voice rumbled.
Suzie squeaked and slapped her hand over her mouth. Fire burned Claire’s face as another flush spread up her body. God, she hated her lack of control. Time to end this c
onversation before she ripped off his shirt and had her wicked way with him.
“Don’t worry about bringing back the shirt. Think of it as Dry Creek’s goodbye gift to you.” She waved her fingers. “Have a safe drive back to Denver.”
“But, I’m not going anywhere.”
How did she know that was coming? And why did the buzzing sensation in her stomach intensify? Annoyed with him and herself, she shot him a black look. “Well, we’re in a bar and you know the saying; you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”
“Are you asking me to go home with you?” There was that smirk again.
She leveled her best “drop dead” look at him. Nothing happened. She’d used The Look to make late delivery men and handsy dates shake in the knees. It had never failed her. Until now.
The charged silence lasted another beat or two before Chris broke it. “So what is it you want to know?”
Jake’s gaze hardened and never strayed from Claire. “I want to know how Kendall’s body ended up in the Dumpster.”
All of the desire flooding her body evaporated. Her chest tightened at the thought of Kendall and what misery her family must be going through right now. It made her heart ache to think of them. Even though her own family drove her nuts, Claire couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose a single one of them. And if a possible witness wouldn’t take the time to share what they knew with an investigator? Well, that would horrible. She couldn’t do that to the girl’s family. They deserved better than to suffer more because of her hair-trigger temper.
Sighing, Claire sat down at the bar. “Honestly, I don’t know. All I know is she was one of people with reservations last night.”
Jake followed her lead, leaving an empty stool between them, and leaned in closer. “Did she come by herself?”
“Yeah, that’s not uncommon for our Full Moon Special. That’s the seven-course meal we have once a month on the night of the full moon. People make reservations in groups usually, but a few singles do too. We seat everyone family style. It’s easier for the waitstaff that way because it limits the number of tables. Plus, it makes the meal seem more of a social experience.”
“What was she like during dinner?”
She paused and looked up at Jake. His vibe no longer read as sexual. Instead of being full of heat, warmth and understanding beamed from his eyes, as if inviting her to share her confidences.