He has an arrogant air about him so I suspect she’s right. But I can’t let this one go. “As host of this event, I have a responsibility to all attendees at the festival.” He doesn’t get to be rude and offensive because he’s had too much to drink.
“You shouldn’t approach him alone.”
I’m not going to approach him at all. “This is a perfect example of why I hired security.”
I see Patrick making rounds so I wave him over. “Watch this guy in the ball cap and black T-shirt like a hawk. He’s going to fuck up. It’s only a matter of time. When he does, I want his ass out of here. Got it?”
“My eyes are glued to him.”
Patrick is an off-duty police officer so I have all confidence he’ll handle the situation appropriately.
I can ease up, knowing it’s only a matter of time before this antagonistic ass is kicked out of the festival. “Problem solved.”
“Then your duties here are done.”
She takes my hand. “Can we go listen to the new band on stage?” A mischievous grin spreads. “And maybe dance if the music is good.”
“Only if we dance like we did last time.” Fuck. I so should not have suggested that. Dancing with her had been unbelievably hot.
Off limits, Broussard.
Off.
Limits.
Lawrence Thorn
I’m bummed when the last band of the night finishes its final song. That’s the end of our dirty dancing. And no more dancing with arms wound tightly around my waist while warm breath hits the side of my neck.
I enjoyed dancing with Lucas earlier but this time was different. Hotter. More seductive. It feels like something is happening here. And . . . I like it.
The crowd thins as they move toward the parking areas. “I guess this wraps up day one of the festival.”
“One down. One to go.”
“I guess I’m gonna head back to Ollie's.”
“It's not a good idea for you to drive. The police will be on the lookout for anyone who is driving after drinking. There could be roadblocks.”
It's been hours since the home brew tasting. “I'm fine to drive.”
“I’d feel much better if you’d agree to leave your car here and use our car service.”
My buzz is completely gone. “I'm good. Promise.”
“This is my way of looking at it: you'll never look back in ten years and regret letting someone safely drive you to your brother’s but you might look back in ten years and regret that you didn't.” I guess Lucas is right. Caution never hurt anyone.
“Okay. You win.”
Lucas takes his phone from his pocket. I recognize the swoosh of a text being sent and then the alert of one being received. “Someone will be here in about three minutes.”
“That fast, huh?”
“Speediness. It's one of the things I paid them for.”
I'm not sure what I expected, but this isn't how I pictured parting ways tonight. “Thank you for a wonderful day. I had a really good time.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to entertain me.” I’m sure Lucas had a lot of other things he could have been doing.
“It was my pleasure. Thank you for helping me judge the contest.”
“I think I was more of a student than a helper.”
A black Suburban comes to a stop at the curb. “This is us.” Us? He’s going to Ollie's with me?
He opens my door for me and then closes it before getting into the seat beside me on the other side. “202 Beechum Street.”
Is Lucas seeing me home safely because I'm his business partner’s sister? Or is this something else? I'm not sure. I'm not even positive I know what I want it to be.
“I haven't been to many beer festivals but I think you’ve done a spectacular job with this one.”
“I had very little to do with the planning process so I can't take credit. That belongs to Stout, Porter, and the event planner.”
“Regardless, so far I think it's a huge success.”
Lucas sighs deeply. “We've been to plenty but this was our first time to host. I didn't realize how much work it would be.”
“All worth it, I'm sure.”
“Getting Lovibond into Tapped Beer Emporium made it worth all the effort.” He’s still grinning about that one.
“Ollie has been after that account forever. He’ll be so excited. Why don’t you call him? I’d love to hear his reaction.”
Lucas clears his throat. “He’s supposed to check in with me tomorrow to see how things are going.”
“’Bout what time?”
“Not sure. Maybe around three.”
“I saw you and Porter speaking with lots of people today. By your smiles, it seemed as though you won a few other accounts. Yes?”
“At least four other companies, so we’re stoked.”
I am so proud of my brother. Who knew this would be where his life would go?
“Can I be there when you tell him the good news?”
Lucas nods. “I’ll try to make that happen.”
The SUV approaches Ollie's apartment and I'm nervous. Lucas could have put me in the back of the Suburban and let me go. But he didn’t. What are his intentions?
We’ve spent the better part of the last ten hours together. A large portion of the day was getting to know one another. And I’ve enjoyed every moment, especially the flirting. Lucas may very well be the sexiest man I've ever met. And he’s only become sexier as the day has gone by.
Everyone has something that just does it for them. A total turn-on. Mine is a scrumptious beard. And I love his. I wonder what it would feel like against my face. My body. That ticklish spot around my groin.
The longer I think about Lucas and how sexy he is, the more I lean toward him, hoping his intentions with me are less than honorable.
The SUV comes to a stop and Lucas is out of the car before I can come up with anything clever to say.
I open my door and step out. He stops, hands on hips. “I was coming around to get that for you.”
“Sorry. I'm not used to anyone opening my door for me.” I'm self-sufficient. Have been for as long as I can remember. I don't need any man to open my door but I admit I don’t mind chivalry. Unfortunately, that is sometimes difficult to find in a man who considers himself a nonconformist. Equality of the sexes and all.
“Are there no gentleman in Savannah?”
“I’m sure there are, but I've never dated any of them.”
“That’s a shame. Because you deserve to be trea
ted well and with respect.” My father has been telling me nearly the exact same thing since I was twelve.
“Baby girl, don’t settle for a man who doesn’t treat you right. You are worthy of someone who will love and respect you. Hold out. He’s searching for you too. Until that time comes, be the strong, independent woman you were intended to be.”
I don’t know about some man waiting around for me but I love my parents for teaching me it's okay to be a self-reliant woman. Otherwise, I might have ended up like Christie and married someone like Jimmy.
I fish through my bag for the key to Ollie's apartment. “You shouldn't worry. I don't make a habit of allowing men to mistreat me.”
The key is in here somewhere. “Question. Ollie’s pickup and motorcycle are parked here. What is he driving?”
Lucas coughs and clears his throat again. “The company vehicle.”
“Why?”
“The truck’s been giving him a little trouble. He didn’t have enough notice about this trip to have it checked. He didn’t think it would be wise to drive it that far without a mechanic having a look.”
“I guess not.” That would suck to be stranded hundreds of miles from home.
I unlock the door, push it open, and step inside to disarm the alarm. “I can't offer you coffee, tea, or even beer since there is none. But there’s tap water.” I laugh as I recall the ridiculous items stocked in the fridge. “Or maybe a little pickle juice.”
“I’m fine. I don't need anything.”
I shut the keypad cover. “I have to say I find it really odd that Ollie doesn't at least have beer in the refrigerator.” Wouldn't a beer brewer keep some of his product on hand? It's another thing to add to my list of oddities about Ollie’s behavior.
“Most of his time the last few weeks has been spent at the brewery, preparing for the festival. I'm not surprised he hasn't stocked his kitchen. There’s no need when Molly keeps us all fed with her home cooking.”
Molly. I think I remember meeting her today. “Short brunette. Forty-ish. Works in the office?”
“Yeah, but she's actually fifty-ish. She acts like a mom keeping the three of us in line.” I already like this Molly a lot if she feeds my brother.
Lucas is standing in the doorway not making a move to enter. “Would you like to come in?”