Strip Search (Tap That)

No. No sex. But could she fake marry him?

This was going to give her the ultimate stage fright.

Sparkle, baby.

She took a deep breath.

Time to own the stage for the first time in her life.

Four

Axl didn’t bother to go home and change. He went straight to the hotel Leighton was staying at. It was a basic chain hotel in the mid-price range. There weren’t a lot of options for accommodations in Beaver Bend but they weren’t totally hick either. There was one high-end hotel and a couple of B&Bs in historic homes. Plus, lake cottages for rent that dotted the shoreline. He was surprised they weren’t staying somewhere more upscale, but then again the show’s star wasn’t in town yet.

The bar was small and quiet, with one lone bartender, an older guy in his late sixties. He was chatting with Leighton, who was perched on a stool, her feet dangling freely. She was too short to reach the kick bar. She was also wearing denim shorts that showed a hell of a lot of leg. Her shirt was some kind of floral wrap thing. She was naturally very feminine and he found that very hot.

“Hi.” When he approached her, he touched her back, rubbing a little with his thumb. It was presumptuous, he knew that. He did it anyway.

She turned and looked up at him with a smile. “Hi.”

Her expression was soft. He had a feeling she thought he was lonely given what he had said on the phone. It wasn’t the slightest bit true. He loved being alone. In his house. On the lake. The quiet was something he craved after the military and the demands of his current job. He didn’t need people and social interaction to constantly feed his energy. If anything, people drained him.

He’d seen too much to need mindless chatter to fill time.

But let her think what she wanted if he meant she was actually going to go along with this crazy idea of his. He had to admit it was insane. Yet, he had zero hesitation. Probably something he should dissect later, why he wanted a fake relationship but not a real one.

Not tonight.

Tonight was for coaxing and convincing Leighton.

He gave a nod to the bartender. “How’s it going?”

“Quiet night here, and this lovely lady is talking to me, so I can’t complain. Hope you had a quiet night too, Officer.”

“We did.”

“Can I get you a drink if you’re off-duty?”

“I’ll just take a Coke, thanks.”

Leighton was drinking a glass of wine but it was nearly empty. “And another glass of wine for the lady, please.”

She gave him a look. When the bartender moved down to reach for the chilled wine, she said, “Drink-pushing again. I’m not a girl who gets drunk and hooks up, just as a warning.”

> “I’m not getting you drunk to have sex with you.” He gave her a slow smile. He was going to have sex with her at some point, but he did, in fact, want her totally sober. “That’s not my style.”

“What does that look mean?” she asked. “I can’t read your expression.”

“I’m thinking very dirty thoughts about you and how I don’t want you drunk when I hear you say yes to me.”

The bartender brought her wine and she sipped it. “You’re very intense, do you know that, Axl?”

“I’m not intense. I’m just straightforward.” He truly believed that. He spoke when he had something to say. When he said it, he meant it. Plain and simple.

“You also look at me like you’re really interested in what I have to say.”

“Of course I’m interested in what you have to say. Why ask a question if you aren’t going to listen to the answer?”

“I find that refreshing.” She gave a little laugh. “Attractive. I find it attractive.”