Sarah squeezed her hands together in her lap as Maddie drove the truck. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.”
“We’ve been all through this, and you’re going to have fun. Wonder what Lollipop Man would say if he saw you now. I like you with the curls.”
“He wouldn’t say anything. I don’t exist to him, apparently.”
Maddie waited for a car to pull out of the packed parking lot of the bar and took the space. She glanced over at Sarah and frowned.
“What?” Sarah met her gaze.
“If you want to go back, it’s okay. I just thought this might cheer you up. I’m not trying to—”
“No, I’d like to feel normal again, you know, for one night. You were right. I’m tired of being a recluse. No one will recognize me. Let’s go.”
Maddie smiled and patted Sarah’s arm. “That’s the spirit.”
After they got out of the truck, Maddie smoothed down the front of her skirt. When Sarah had mentioned not wanting to draw attention, Maddie chose a brown mini and a cream clingy top that showed off less cleavage than her usual going-out attire. She’d sighed, as if in pain, when she’d tossed aside her stilettos in favor of lower heels. Nothing too sexy, but she’d get hit on wearing a trash bag.
After much debate, Sarah also had worn a miniskirt, but black. They’d compromised on the top. A silky red button-down. Sexy in a conservative way. Maddie liked the color, Sarah, the coverage.
Neon beer signs flashed in the windows of the large building. Sarah swung the door open and surveyed the mobbed room, noting the hall across from it with restrooms and another exit. Always good to have an escape route.
Band members plucked strings and tested the mic in a corner behind a small dance floor. High-top tables with metal clips holding drink-special cards surrounded the rectangular bar. Wooden steps led to a second story with pool tables and another bar.
Maddie weaved through the crowd, and Sarah followed. All the tables were taken, and people stood behind the occupied seats at the bar.
Maybe upstairs wouldn’t be as packed. Sarah pointed to the steps. Maddie nodded, and they made their way to the stairs. Maddie stopped. “Hey, there’s Bruce.”
No way. Sarah glanced at the table ahead where sure enough, Bruce and another man sat with a couple of beers in front of them. Her heart battered her rib cage.
“Hmm. This is an interesting development.” Maddie smiled. “We have to say hi.”
They would run into Bruce. Of all things. Totally mortifying. Sarah yanked on Maddie’s hand, but she forged ahead in the direction of the table.
“Hi, Bruce,” Maddie called.
Bruce glanced up, and his eyes widened. His gaze darted around the people next to Maddie and right over Sarah. He grabbed Maddie’s arm and stood. “Where’s Sarah? Is everything okay?”
Too late to avoid him now. Sarah raised her chin. “I’m right here.”
Bruce’s head snapped back, and he scanned her from head to foot. His jaw went slack.
Maddie patted Sarah’s shoulder as if pleased. “See? Even Bruce couldn’t tell it was you.”
“What are you doing here? And what’s this?” He waved a hand at her wig.
Before she could answer, he stepped to the side, boxing her in against the table, his body a shield to anyone passing.
“I drove the farm truck, and this is Sarah’s disguise.” Maddie grinned. “Pretty sweet, huh?”
Bruce turned to Maddie. Under his scrutiny, her smile faltered, and she shifted from one foot to the other. Of course, she wasn’t used to the killer looks he leveled, but it took a lot to rattle Maddie.
Heat rose to Sarah’s cheeks. He might be shocked at seeing her there, but what she wore and where she went was not his concern.
“You gonna introduce your friend?” Maddie glanced at the other man at the table.
The guy stood. Tall, with dark hair, green eyes, and masses of muscles, he flashed a smile. Bruce glanced at Sarah and introduced his friend as Scott.
“This place is packed. We can’t even get to the bar,” Maddie said.
“Why don’t you join us?” Scott snagged a chair from the table of three beside them.
“Sure, thanks.” Maddie took a seat.
Sarah glared at Maddie. She had to know how awkward this was after their conversation about Bruce. Sarah fingered the strap of her purse. She glanced up to find Bruce once again eyeing her from top to bottom.
He yanked the chair out next to him. “Here. Sit.”
A waitress stopped at the table, and Maddie ordered a cosmo. Not a bad plan. Sarah needed something to help her get through the night. She ordered one as well, and the guys asked for another round of beers. Maddie launched into full flirt mode and chatted with Scott until the drinks came. Playful hand slapping of his arm. Leaning close to talk. Sarah couldn’t help but be jealous of how easy it was for Maddie. Having spent most of her time with ballet dancers, the majority of them girls, Sarah lacked those skills.
Every cell in Sarah’s body screamed awareness of Bruce, the anything-but-a-ballet-dancer, beside her. She sneaked a peek at him, all grumpy and bear-like. He was staring at her but quickly picked up his beer and took a swig. His musky male scent filled her nostrils, causing her lower parts to tighten.
When the drinks came, Sarah downed half of hers. The cool, sweet liquid soothed her throat.
As the band warmed up, Sarah swirled her glass. A bead of condensation dribbled down the side. She rubbed her finger up the streak and licked it. Bruce sucked in an audible breath, shifted in his seat, and looked toward the band. Maddie continued to chat and flirt until their drinks were almost gone.
“Hey, you guys wanna play pool?” Maddie asked.
Sarah choked on the last of her cosmo. Maddie must have lost her mind. They were wearing miniskirts.
“Sure,” Scott said with a grin.
“I stink at pool.” Sarah narrowed her eyes at Maddie, hoping she got the message.
“Come on. It’s just a game.” Maddie stood.
She would die a slow death later. A very slow death.
The band started to play as Sarah said, “I really—”
Maddie tapped her ears, shook her head, and pointed to the steps. Scott took her hand to lead the way. Left alone with Bruce, Sarah glanced at him. They couldn’t talk over the music even if he wanted to, which was doubtful. She grabbed her purse as he stood and slid her chair out. He waved a hand for her to go ahead and followed so closely his body heat warmed her back.
When they reached the top, she spied Maddie at the end of the room by a pool table. She waved to them and pointed at Scott, who stood in line at the bar against the wall. Sarah’s gaze traveled over the pool tables. Beyond them people clapped and booed from another area with dartboards.
“I’ll go help Scott,” Bruce said.
Any excuse to get away. Fine by her.
She had to pass by a rowdy group of men with ball caps and T-shirts stretched to the limit over their guts. Several empty plastic pitchers and half-full mugs lined the windowsill near them. One of the men let out a loud whistle. The others looked in Sarah’s direction. Their gazes never made it to her face.
She tried to walk past, but the whistler made a quick move to block her.
“Wanna play with us?” He ran his hand up and down the pool stick, and the guys behind hooted.
Crap. She didn’t need this when she was trying to blend in with the crowd. She shot a glance at the bar, but Bruce and Scott had their backs to her.
Her nose crinkled at the scent of sweat and body odor.
The man took a step closer, his gaze on her breasts. “I like a woman who wears red. Would Little Red Riding Hood like to play with the Big Bad Wolf?”
She caught sight of Maddie storming up behind him, a pool stick in hand. Oh no. This was gonna be trouble. Her sister had a protective streak a mile wide.
Sarah had to defuse things before they caused a scene. She pointed to Maddie. “Sorry, I don’t roll that way. I’m with her.”
Maddie thumped her stick on the floor. “Is there a problem?”
“Aww…shit.” Wolfie’s posse guffawed as he waved a hand and backed off. “Never mind. Fucking waste.”
“Let’s go.” Sarah slung her arm around Maddie’s shoulder.
Maddie huffed and glared back at the guys but went with Sarah. “I had that.”
“I know.” Sarah’s racing pulse slowed back to almost normal. “Thanks, but low profile. Right?”
“Sorry.” Maddie squeezed her side. “I just can’t stand assholes, and you were—”
“Fine. I was fine.” Sarah smoothed her skirt. Crisis averted. A little voice inside of her applauded.
“You were.” Maddie rested her hand on the pool table and gave Sarah an assessing look. “That was quick thinking. You are…I don’t know…different. Edgy…in a good way, though. Street-smart almost.”
Sarah rolled a pool ball under her hand and glanced up at Maddie. “I’m learning to do what I have to. Maybe I need to channel a little more of you.”
Maddie gave her a suffocating hug. “No, sis. You got this. And we got this. I’m with you.”
Sarah glanced at Bruce and Scott, approaching them. “The last thing I want to do is play pool with Bruce.” She put a hand on her hip. “Or for that matter, do anything with him. He clearly can’t stand to be around me. Didn’t say a word to me the whole time you were flirting with Scott.”
Maddie shook her head. “You must be blind. That man is so hot for you, his insides are fried. I’m trying to give him a chance to show you.”
“You don’t understand, Maddie. He’s made it clear—”
“I don’t care what he’s said. I know men, and I’m telling you he’s got it bad for you.”
“No, he doesn’t. And—”
“Hey, thanks.” Maddie took a glass from Scott, who returned with Bruce. She nodded to Sarah with those give-him-a-chance eyes.
Bruce handed Sarah her cosmo. She thanked him and took a big sip. Forced to rub elbows with the Terminator, she needed a drink. Maybe it would numb her rebellious, raging hormones. This night had turned into a mess.
Bruce took a deep breath and a swig of beer as Sarah leaned over the table to make a shot. Her skirt hiked up, right to the edge of her shapely little ass. The way the material clung to her curves made him crazy. She probably thought she’d dressed conservatively, given what other women wore in the place, but it only teased him into wanting to see more.
The band downstairs started a new number, and Maddie grabbed Scott’s hand. “I love this song. Wanna dance?”
Sarah shot her a look, but Maddie waved and waltzed toward the steps with Scott, calling over her shoulder, “We’ll be back.”
Bruce stared at them. He couldn’t ask Sarah to dance. As hot as she had him right now, if he touched her, he’d lose it. He pointed to an empty high-top by the dartboards, needing to get away from the pool table and the miniskirt. “Do you want to sit down?”
“I guess.” She took a sip of the cosmo and followed him to the table.
Sarah glanced at the stairs and ran her fingers around the rim of the glass. “So how do you know Scott?”
Bruce gripped the beer bottle tighter. “We grew up together.”
“Oh.” Sarah tugged her blouse away from her neck, drawing the material in the front snug against her breasts.
His shaft came to life beneath the table. Damn it. He didn’t need this. “Maddie seems to like him.”
“Yeah.” Sarah shifted in her seat. “Look, I love my sister, and I’m not going to apologize for her, but Maddie is kind of—”
“Don’t worry about it. Scott just got burned by a woman. That’s the only reason I’m here. I dragged him out.” Bruce faced her. “He’s not looking for anything serious.”
“Fair enough.” She shrugged, finished off her drink, and stood. “I’m gonna head downstairs now. I’m sorry Maddie left you stuck with me. You don’t need to be my babysitter.”
Shit. He couldn’t let her go down there alone. Not in a miniskirt and heels with those make-his-mouth-water, toned legs. “Wait.” He pointed to the dartboard. “You ever play?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Wanna try?” Sensing her hesitation, he stood and waved a hand. “Come on, I’ll teach you.”
She cocked her head and nibbled at her lower lip.
Damn, she made him crazy when she did that. Control. He had to stay in control. After the hiking fiasco, he’d learned his lesson. Hands off, or he’d get lost in her.
She shrugged and sauntered over to the dartboard. Her swinging hips and the way her skirt clung to her ass aggravated his condition.
“No.” He pointed to the line of tape on the floor to distract her as well as buy himself some time. “From back here.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You can throw from closer if you want.”
“Nope. I’ll play by the rules.”
He handed her a dart. She threw it, and the arrow hit the metal rim of the board.
“Crap.” She shook her head. “I can do better than that.”
He picked up the fallen dart and handed it to her.
This time she missed the target altogether. She huffed out a breath and planted her hands on her hips.
Figures. Of course, she’d be a competitor. He’d goad her if he had to. Anything to keep her from traipsing around alone in a bar full of men on the prowl. “Ready to give up?”
Her eyes narrowed. “No. Give me another.”
He handed her a dart and failed in his attempt to ignore the incredible shape of her legs. “Let’s play trivia.”
Her eyebrows raised. “Huh?”
“It’s a new game.” Total lie. Maybe he could distract her focus from winning. “Before you throw, ask me a question, and after I answer, you toss it.”
“Okay.” She cocked her arm back. “Favorite color?”
“Green.”
She threw, and this time the dart hit inside the outer ring, but still fell to the ground.
“Better. You’re moving your shoulder, though.” He came up behind her and placed a dart in her hand, covering it with his. “Try again. It’s all in the release.” As soon as his body touched hers, hot desire raged through him. He took a quick step back. “Keep your shoulder still, and use your arm.”
The tip stuck in the outer ring.
“Woohoo.” She pumped a fist. “Your turn.”
When she bent over to pick up the darts, he sucked in a breath. He had to stop looking at her ass. She handed the darts to him, and he cocked back his arm.
“Trivia, remember?” She tapped his shoulder.
“Oh, right. Favorite band?” he asked.
“Bon Jovi.”
He threw and hit the bull’s-eye.
“Hey, you didn’t tell me you were a ringer.” She thrust her hands on her hips.
“I might have played a few times, but we won’t keep score. It’s just for fun.”
“Okay.” She moved back out of the way. “You get two more, right?”
He nodded and picked up the next dart. “Favorite movie?”
“Dirty Dancing.”
The image of Sarah’s body pressed against his in a sexy, hot dance flashed in his head. He threw the dart, and it dinged off the wall, missing the board.
“Come on. Don’t blow it to make me feel good.” Sarah pursed her lips.
Like hell. He picked up his last dart. “Favorite all-time actor.”
“Harrison Ford.”
He hit the bull’s-eye again.
Sarah snickered. “The Force was with you on that one.”
“Smart-ass. Take one more shot.” He yanked a dart from the board and held it out to her.
Her smile wavered, but she cocked her head and took the dart. “Okay. One last question.”
She drew her arm back. “Ready?”
“Go for it.”
“Why did you end our date?”