I was still hot and bothered, sitting at the bar an hour later when Pheonyx walked in. She'd put on some clothes thank the good lord. Too bad those clothes were a skin-tight pair of jeans and a hot pink camisole that didn't cover much more than the bikini.
She'd done something to her face too. I exhaled sharply when I realized she was wearing makeup. Just a little around the eyes and something pink and shiny on her lips. She'd curled her hair too.
I knew it was for me. She was sending me a signal. One that would be impossible to resist.
God help me, but I lit up at the sight of her. I'd thought she was pretty before. But right now, she shined.
The air in the room changed as she strode across the bar. Every man in the place sat up straight. I stared straight ahead, refusing to pant after her like the rest of the pack.
Goddammit.
She'd followed me.
Pheonyx
"What are you drinking?"
Clint gave me a sideways glance as I slid onto the bar stool beside him. I could instantly tell a couple of girls were real peeved to see me with him. I just tossed my hair and smiled warmly at him, laying my hand on his arm.
He looked at my hand, then back at my face before turning back to his drink. He took a long sip and put his drink down again before answering.
"Whiskey."
I wrinkled my nose at that. The bartender came over. He was in his early thirties, like Clint. No wedding ring. Not that I cared, I just wanted to know before I used him as leverage.
"I'm Dave. What can I get you?"
Dave gave me a megawatt smile. I batted my eyelashes at him to annoy Clint.
"I'll have a tequila. Blanco. No ice."
"You want lime with that?"
"Lemon please. And a water on the side."
He nodded and poured me a drink. I reached for my wallet but Dave held up his hands.
"No way, Ms. Delancey. This is on the house."
"Thank you, Dave."
I was always gratified when people knew who I was. Especially this far from the Delancey Estate. I wasn't world famous or anything, but I was well known in Texas.
And Nashville of course.
Clint said nothing as I reached for the lemon and squeezed it into my drink. I licked my fingers clean before lifting my drink towards my lips. He turned to me, his hand gently catching my wrist.
We were so close, we were almost embracing. I stared into his eyes, daring him to take what I was offering. He wanted to, that much was plain.
We stayed like that for a moment and then he let go.
"You should not be drinking."
I raised my glass to him.
"But I'm off duty."
I winked, poking his chest.
"And so are you."
He sighed heavily.
"How old are you anyway, Pheonyx?"
I coughed, almost choking on my drink. Did he think I was underage? No wonder the man ran away from me!
I fluttered my eyes at him playfully.
"Don't worry Clint. I'm legal."
He narrowed his eyes at me but I could tell he was intrigued.
"Legal for what?"
I shrugged, sipping my tequila. A lady did not shoot her tequila. She sipped it.
I downed the rest anyway and slammed the glass down. The bartender was back in two shakes as Clint looked at me with a worried look on his face.
"Another?"
"Yes please."
Clint's eyes were wide with alarm.
"Pheonyx, what are you doing?"
I smiled at him.
"I'm bored. All I do is work work work. I want to have a little fun."
I smiled at him.
"Don't you?"
"No. I do not want to have fun. I hate fun. Now you should get on home like a good little girl and-"
"I am not a little girl."
We were staring at each other, both of us breathing hard. It was like we were in an Old West gunfight, waiting for the other one to draw. I wondered for a moment if I was the bad guy or the Sheriff in this scenario.
"Pheonyx-"
He sighed heavily, giving up. I sipped my drink and looked around the bar. I had won. But if he was going to ignore me, I was going to have to talk to someone.
"What do you guys do for fun around here anyway, Dave?"
"Talkin' to a pretty lady is at the top of my list."
He grinned at me, wiping a glass with a dishtowel. I felt Clint tense up beside me.
"You don't say?"
I finished my drink and Dave started to pour me another.
"That won't be necessary, Dave."
Clint stood up and gripped my arm.
"Come on, I need to get home."
I shook him off.
"Well, I don't."
"Listen Pheonyx- I'm too old for you."
"What are you talking about Clint?"
I grinned at him, making it clear I knew exactly what he was talking about. He ran his hand through his hair, making him look adorably boyish.
I batted my eyelashes at him.