Perfect Bastard (Mason Creek)

The woman I’d ignored called after us. “The beer is here whenever you’re ready.”

I didn’t want to read into her knowing smile. Had she caught me looking at Nathaniel?

Tugboat wasn’t a bad-looking guy. He had just always blended in the background. The music was slow but not too much. So when he put one hand on my shoulder and the other on my waist, I went with it.

“Do you come to these things often?” It was a stupid question, but I didn’t know what else to say.

“Sometimes. Though I’m happy you’re here.”

Had I read the situation wrong? “It’s nice to have a friendly face. I thought I would be parked against the wall most of the night,” I admitted.

He grinned, and he had a nice smile. “I doubt that. Plenty of guys wish they were me.”

I let my head fall back and laughed. “No, they aren’t.”

His expression sobered. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

My breath caught because I didn’t know how to respond if he said what I thought he was about to say.

Tugboat stopped, and I glanced over.

“Can I cut in?” Nathaniel asked.

My vision went to slits. Though he’d saved me from a possible embarrassing moment, I didn’t like the cocky look in his eye, as if he knew he was doing me a favor.

TWELVE

Nate

My blood had boiled more than the other night when a guy had kissed her hand. I’d spotted her the minute I came in, but the little sister of one of my high-school buddies wouldn’t stop talking. When I got the second keg inside, I excused myself.

Now she was in my arms.

“You can wipe the arrogance off your face,” she said with a stubborn jut of her jaw.

Unlike her former dance partner, I tugged her close, erasing the possibility of distance between us. “Why should I? I did you a favor.”

Her mouth opened, and I wanted to go for the kiss, but it wasn’t the time yet. Her eyes were lit with fire. I’d give her a few minutes to accept the reality between us.

“Did me a favor?” she repeated, like I’d lost my mind.

“Yes, both your eyes were wide. His with moonbeams in them and yours with fright night. The guy has it bad, and you were trying to find a way to let him down gently.” Her jaw tightened, and her eyes narrowed more, but I couldn’t help myself. “If you keep that mouth of yours open any longer, I’m going to assume it’s an invitation.”

That mouth of hers shut quick, and I chuckled. She shifted in my arms as if she was going to dart away. I held fast, and she didn’t fight me on it.

“You are a grade-A jackass.”

“You’ve called me that before, yet here you are in my arms.”

“I said you were a jerk, a jackass, among other things.”

“So you remember our conversations. Do you play them over in your head at night with your hand between your legs thinking about me?”

She jerked out of my hold, but stayed there in place. “You wish someone thought about you. But the headlines aren’t in your favor,” she said and flashed me a wicked smile.

“Then you didn’t read the stories, did you? My performance was never in question. I bet you’ve even studied the picture. Does it make you hot wondering what it would be like to have my cock in your pretty little cunt?”

Her arm came swinging. I caught it this time. “Uh-uh-uh, Haley. We wouldn’t want to make a scene.”

She stepped closer. I could feel her heat and wanted her back in my arms.

“First of all, jackwad, my name is not Haley. Your information is wrong, Nathaniel.” She put emphasis on my name.

“Most call me Nate. It’s easier to say when you’re orgasming.”

Her delectable mouth opened again, and then Fanboy was there. “Are you okay?”

“I was just leaving,” I said. “You’ll find me when you want to finish our conversation.”

Then I left. I didn’t get far when a woman snagged my hand and begged for a dance. A glance back afforded me of her hardened expression. I could imagine the invisible steam coming out of the not-Haley’s head.

There was a lot I had to figure out before I left for the night. I smiled at my dance partner, but kept my peripheral view on the woman I wanted in my arms. She’d left the fanboy and was currently at the bar. I’d bide my time for now.

Avery

It was times like this I wished I smoked. I’d finished my beer, and I sat outside the barn alone with nothing to do with my hands.

“Are you okay?”

I turned to see Tugboat and smiled. “Yeah. Thanks for asking. You should be inside.”

“You too.”

I nodded but made no move to go.

“Is that guy bothering you?” he asked.

I switched topics. “What’s your real name?” I doubted it was Tugboat.