Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders 15)

When the song ended, he released her hand and stepped back. “I’m ready for a drink, how about you?”

Rory blinked those beautiful green eyes, confused he wasn’t pressing her on tonight’s sleeping arrangements. “Sure.”

Dalton led her off the dance floor to their booth. He slid across from her rather than next to her.

Since it wasn’t busy, Cindy, the waitress who’d worked there since Dalton could remember, stopped by immediately. “Another round?”

“I’ll switch to Coors Light. Rory, you want another whiskey sour?”

“No. Tell Lettie to make a tall half 7UP, half sour mix with a splash of orange juice.”

“Got it.”

“You’re done drinking for tonight?”

Rory lifted a shoulder. “Wasn’t feeling it right now.”

“What are you feeling?”

“Like I need a clear head before I decide whether or not to go home with you.” She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled a deep breath. “Between you and the booze…”

He fought a frown. “What about me?”

“Being close to you packs a powerful punch, Dalton. The way you move, the way your deep voice seems to burrow into me and sets off these little electric charges under my skin.”

Now Dalton fought a huge-ass grin. “I’m liking the direction this is goin’, sugarplum.”

She slapped her hand on the table, startling him. “And then there’s that.”

“What?”

“That sexy way you tease me. Sometimes it’s blatant; sometimes it’s sweet. You keep me off balance.”

He reached for her hand, bringing it up to kiss her knuckles. “What would tip you the right way into spending the night in my bed?”

Rory laughed. “See? There it is again.”

“And yet I’m not hearing an answer from you.” He kissed the inside of her wrist and lightly nipped the base of her thumb. “You really haven’t made up your mind yet? After the time we’ve spent together?” He placed a kiss in the center of her palm. “Or maybe I should point out all the time we’ve spent apart. You haven’t imagined how it would be between us now?”

“Of course I have,” she said a little too quickly, which seemed to annoy her.

Cindy dropped off their drinks. “Sorry to bug you, Dalton, but there’s a woman at the bar who says she knows you.”

“Is she a relative of mine?”

“No. She’s a blonde with big…” She paused and amended, “She’s blonde.”

Dalton never looked away from Rory. “What’s she want?”

“To buy you a drink.”

“Tell her I’m not interested.”

“Will do.”

Rory let go of his hand to pick up her drink. “Aren’t you the least bit curious about who it is?”

“Nope.”

“Not even to look over there and see if you recognize her?”

“Nope. Now that’s settled, can I please have your hand back?”

She frowned. “What?”

“You have two hands. I’d like to hold one of them.”

“Why?”

“Because I like touching you, Rory. Even if it’s just holding hands.”

Rory exhaled a put-upon sigh that was totally bogus before she slid her arm across the table. “Happy now?”

“Been happy since the moment this date started.” Dalton threaded their fingers together. “How’s your virgin drink?”

“Good. I noticed you haven’t touched your beer.”

“Sorta sorry I ordered it, if you wanna know the truth.”

“I’ll share mine.” She nudged it to the center of the table.

“Thanks.” He slid the straw between his lips and sucked. “Not bad. So what’s your favorite drink to make?”

“Martinis. There are so many variations with all the different flavors of vodka. There’s this bar in Ft. Collins that has one hundred and seventy-five flavors of infused vodka. I had an amazing Skittles martini with such cool presentation—a rainbow-colored sugared rim, a swizzle stick speared with candy and bright blue liquid.”

“How’d it taste?”

“Like candy. I could’ve gotten totally shitfaced on them.”

Dalton grinned. “I felt the same way the first time I tried expensive scotch. I wanted to steal the whole damn bottle and drink it down. But I figured it wouldn’t taste so good coming back up.”

“I remember you had to deal with that issue with me that night in Laramie.”

He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “Over and done with. Goin’ forward, not back, remember?”

Rory brought their joined hands to her face and rubbed his wrist against her cheek. Then she dragged an openmouthed kiss up his forearm. “Funny you should mention wanting to hold my hand. Seems I have a thing for your hands too. So big. So strong. I’d like to feel these rough-skinned hands all over me.”

Outwardly he went still. Inwardly he was so revved up he had to speak slowly so his voice didn’t waver. “What are you sayin’?”

“That I’ll spend the night with you.”

Dalton immediately dug out his wallet and threw a twenty on the table. “Let’s go.”

“But you haven’t even touched your beer.”

He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and brought her close enough to kiss. “I’d rather be touching you. We’re leavin’. Now.”

Somehow he managed a leisurely pace out of the bar when his legs wanted to sprint.

He stopped beside his truck.

“Dalton. Wait.”

He ignored the sinking feeling in his gut and faced her. “What?”

“We met here, remember?”

He’d forgotten that. “Do you want to leave your car here or drive it to my place?”

“I’ll drive it. I’ll follow you.”

Dalton crowded her against the door. With his hands curled around her face, he could stroke her stubborn jawline. “I want you. I’ve wanted you for years, especially after the number of ways I’ve always f**ked things up over the years…” He inhaled a silent breath as his eyes searched hers. “I’m goin’ home. You know where I live. Show up or don’t. But I ain’t gonna pressure you.”

Rory’s hands inched up his chest. “Wanna know a secret?”

“What?”