“When I’m good and ready, yes, but I won’t be satisfied with just one night.”
Looking down she peered up at him through long, curly, lashes. “I’d be disappointed if it ended so quickly. I’ve built you up in my head, Mr. Price. I hope you can live up to the hype.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Just a fact.”
“Have you been dreaming of me, darling?” The idea excited him. Somewhere inside her soul recognized what existed between them.
“A girl has to keep some secrets.” She gave a saucy wink, and he laughed.
“Give me two weeks. I know what I’m feeling isn’t one-sided.” He lowered his voice. Her eyes grew to the size of a half dollar. “Your body is begging me to make it sing. Come home with me. You won’t regret it.”
He could see he indecision in her eyes.
“Stop thinking.”
“Can I get some coffee over here, Mac!” The masculine voice cracked the dome of emotion that separated them from the others.
“I’ll be right there, Joe.”
“You’re too dangerous, Ty. You make me forget myself.” Shaking her head she hurried across the crowded diner, and he swore under his breath. He almost had her.
Time to regroup and come at her from a different angle.
He tossed money down on the table, grabbed his gear, and trudged out to his old pick up. Looks like I’ll be joining the boys at Red’s after all.
Chapter Two
Stupid! What was I thinking turning Ty down? Frustrated and bored out of her mind, Maci stared at the clock on the cable display. Ten o’clock at night and her only plans were watching a Golden Girls marathon before she rubbed one out and passed out before eleven. Her best friend, Erica, had a date with her current flame, and Shaundra had to be pushing eight months pregnant. Sighing she grabbed her cup of iced tea and raised it in a salute.
“Looks like it’s just me and you tonight, Sophia.” Laughing at the cantankerous old gal’s antics she lost herself in life after retirement. The jangle of her phone pulled her from the comedy.
“Hello?”
“Maci?” A gruff voice yelled over the loud music and murmurs of voices.
“Vern?” The image of the graying brunette bartender with the ever-present baseball cap and faded flannel filled her head.
“Yeah. You might want to come and get your Mom. She’s into the cups pretty deep, and Craig has a roaming eye going on.”
“Jesus. How bad is it??
??
“Let’s just say they’ve been here since about seven.”
“Son of a bitch! I’ll be right there, Vern. Thanks for calling.”
“Yep.”
Disconnecting she rushed to her room, stripped down to her underwear, and pulled on a light-weight black and white gingham, halter dress. Slipping her feet into flip-flops she grabbed her keys and her purse off the table and left the trailer. Mumbling to herself she slid behind the wheel of her four door, wondering how much longer she was going to bail water out of a sinking ship. Her mother wouldn’t change until she was ready, and running to her rescue didn’t help her hit rock bottom any faster. Knowing something and facing it were two different things. The thought of her mother detoxing with Craig in the house running roughshod over her chilled the blood in her veins. He needed to be out of the picture in order for her mother to truly heal and make a go at sobriety. Of that Maci was certain.
She pulled into a parking space in front of Red’s bar, cut the engine, and climbed out ready for battle. In her mind, she was engaged in a war with Craig for not only her mother’s life, but her soul. Since he had slunk into town shit had gone downhill faster than a skier. Striding toward the bar she entered the crowded space, nodding at men and women she knew as she worked her way through the bodies clumped together. Her eyes scanned the area, her stomach tightening with every second that passed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The high-pitched screech came from the back. Moving faster she headed toward it.
“Come on, Traci. Don’t be like that.” Craig’s sugary-sweet voice made her want to vomit … all over him.