Just Want Somebody to Love (Bella Warren Book 1) (3 page)

This week just kept looking better and better for him. After years of hard work, the restaurant he’d opened with his brother was chaining all across the south. A childhood dream that only needed two signatures to become true. Investors wanted to buy into their franchise. Celebration waited on the horizon, and this little blonde put him in the mood for an earlier start.

Her hands gripped his shoulders just the way a woman should. The crowd of people pushed them in another step. Her breasts pressed against his chest and thighs tucked against his.

He hoped to God they were on the same page, or this was about to get awkward with an uncomfortable night ahead. He hadn’t lived in a small town since he was a teenager. Did women here even go for the concept of sex just after meeting someone? Foggy teenage memories said no.

Course, he’d been a scrawny, acne covered teen. His nonexistent sex life at that age could have been more to do with him than the girls from high school.

She glanced to him, then away with a smile and shake of her head, but she never said a word. That look of hers with that side-eye through her lashes slayed him.

He cleared his throat and sorted through whether to make a little space between the zipper of his jeans and hers, or fill it in. “What’s on your mind?”

“I have no idea.” The words came out with a laugh and not even the smallest break of her hips swinging against his.

“Sure you do.”

“Not really.” She adjusted her grip around his neck, and her nails tickled at his hairline. “That’s what I was smiling about. I wanted to say something, but I don’t know what.”

“I’m guessing you don’t pick men up often?” He tested his hands a little lower and got one palm on her hip.

She flashed him with those eyes again. He stopped in front of her, and her gaze nailed him with eyes that said all he wanted to hear. Me. You. Now. He couldn’t agree more.

She caught her lower lip, then let it go. “No. You’re the first new person I’ve met in town in, oh, years. Possibly my whole life.”

Was that a good or bad thing? If this wasn’t his brother’s small town, he’d just come out and ask, but if he was wrong and she walked away, he’d never hear the damned end of it. “I can see how that would make things difficult. Should I take over from here?

“Please.”

He nodded. All right. Time to see how far he could push her. “I have three rules about women.”

Her brows lifted. “Do you?”

Good sign so far. “Not really, but I hear it makes ladies more comfortable, so I play along.”

She laughed again. She had a good full laugh that caused her to tighten her grip on him rather than loosen it. “So you lie?”

He made a point of wincing. “Lie is such a strong word.”

“Yeah. It has all those negative connotations with it.” She stepped in a bit more, and her leg eased between his.

A lump filled his throat as he moved with her, making her leg rub against his inner thighs. “And yet, everyone lies at Christmas and birthdays. Suddenly it’s okay.”

“True. So, in the interest of a good lie, tell me about your pretend rules.”

He stopped their dancing and frowned at her. “See, now when you say it like that, you ruin the magic of how this plan works. You can’t call them lies and pretend all in the same sentence. It pulls you out of the belief.”

“I’m sorry.” Her heavy breaths fell across his neck. They couldn’t get any closer unless they removed clothes. Which he was completely up for.

She tucked in against him, and he liked that she could do that. They weren’t just standing next to each other but were close. He wrapped his arm around her lower back. “So.” He tried to focus on his thoughts instead of the hundred other things rushing through his blood. “My rules to women.”

“I’m ready.” She lifted off him and cleared her throat with a slight shake of her head. “I think I can handle them.”

A woman with an amazing sense of humor did exist. “We’ll see. They’re pretty tough. Rule number one: I don’t sleep with just anyone. I’m not easy. I seem to give off that vibe.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what it is. But you women, you’re like carnivores or something.”

She straightened and flicked her hair back. “I’m so disappointed now. I came on to you because I thought you were a sure thing. I don’t have time for complicated.”

Music to his ears. This wasn’t only promising, it was enjoyable. “I know. I just can’t give up my integrity like that. I’m a sensitive guy with emotional needs. I need a connection.”

“I understand.” She rubbed his shoulder and dipped her brows together. “It’s okay. I don’t want to pressure you into anything.”

“Good. I think we’re getting on the same page. Rule two. This one is kind of useless given my brother owns this bar, but I don’t accept open drinks from strange women.”

“Smart, I might drug you and take advantage.”

“I know. You women. And you were already plotting with your friends. I bet you’re stronger than you look. You’re like four foot two or something, and you can probably lift a car.”

“Hey.” She pushed on his shoulder. “I’m five and a half, I’ll have you know.”

His turn to laugh. Yeah right. “You mean five foot and half an inch?”

She lifted her chin. “Sounds the same in my book.”

“Fair enough.”

“And number three?”

This one was all serious and no pretend. “I always drive my car, so don’t try to pick me up. We can meet. Or I can pick you up.”

“That’s reasonable.”

Then he could leave whenever he wanted. Be it in twenty minutes or just before dawn. “And that’s all my rules. Any problems?”

“I’m good with them, but I’m concerned with number one. Sounds like we need a connection.” She tipped her head to the side. “How intense of a connection are we talking? Is it like a firm, emotional thing?” She lifted her hand in a so-so motion. “Or can we play a little fast and loose?”

“Somewhere in between those two. I kind of just know it when I feel it.”

“One of those hard to explain things.”

“Exactly.” Something about this night, he didn’t know. She was perfect. Couple that with his dreams coming true. Everything around him sighed at once and announced, this is your day. “I think you’re starting to get me.”

“Sounds like we’re off to a good start before I take advantage of you.” With them so close, it would take next to nothing to have his lips on hers. She whispered, “What about more of a physical connection? Like chemistry.”

His throat dried out, and he was torn between carrying her out the door and continuing this. Each option had its benefits, but dancing with her and the way she talked, he didn’t want to give up. It was a twisted new-to-him version of foreplay. He had a feeling later on it would be so worth the wait. “I’m a huge fan of chemistry. But…”

“That’s a long but.”

“It’s a little embarrassing.”

“I can keep secrets.”

“That’s good. I just don’t want you to think less of me. As a man.”

Her hands moved up and down his arms, then around his neck. “I’m pretty sure that’s not possible.”

Goodness, this woman was created for him, for tonight. Forget dancing, he’d like to tip her backward and see how those lips would feel on his and get a taste of the fiery tartness her drink had left behind. When she’d said surprise her, he’d picked something to match her. Tart. He did like things bursting with flavor. He cleared his throat and pulled out the story he’d heard a buddy of his tell before. “There was this one time I tried for a sexual connection.” He glanced around the crowded floor and leaned in beside her ear to whisper. He couldn’t believe he was about to say this, but he liked this girl and the way she rolled with the punches. He faked a frown. “And I’m still not sure if that was a woman or a man in drag.”

Her head tipped and she laughed. She played with the short hairs at his nape. The breathy tone of her voice. The look of her eyes. He wanted to watch them roll back as her nails went over his skin. Story was worth it. “I can assure you, I’m all woman.”

He stopped their dancing again. “That’s what she—he, whatever, said too.”

“Are you getting anything masculine off me?”

He choked. “No.”

She nodded. “Thank heavens. You almost gave me a complex.”

“But I haven’t kissed you yet. Before, there was some…” He couldn’t say it, but he wanted to hear her laughter again. “Whiskers. I didn’t see them, but I felt them.”

Her eyes widened, and he hoped to God she realized this wasn’t a true story.

She breathed out. “You’re full of trouble, aren’t you?”

“Depends on who you ask.”

“Fair enough. To make sure we’re feeling the same—because if I drag you off somewhere and you change your mind, I’m going to have a rough night—let’s establish a connection. What do you do for a living?”

“I work in a restaurant.”

“Gah.” She shook her head. “No dice. I’m partner in my family’s farm.”

“Man. That one is usually a winner. At some point, most women have worked in some sort of waitressing. I’ve stretched my limits to retail in the past, but it makes me uncomfortable.”

“We can’t have you uncomfortable.” She rubbed her hand over his shoulder, and fingers pulled at the hairs at his neck. A chill tickled across him. “I need you to be relaxed. And agreeable.”

His throat tightened. He’d never ran with this game for so long before. “That’s the easiest way to get me how you want me.”

“Good to know. What about family?”

“I have a brother.” He tipped his head at the bar. “Brandon.”

She tsked. “What a coincidence. I have two older brothers.”

He leaned back a little. “Look at that. We do have something. I can feel your younger siblingness now, since you’ve mentioned it.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.” He tapped his chest. “It’s an intense thing. It’s hard for people who aren’t the babies to understand the spoiling we’re given.” He paused. “You are the baby, right? No younger sisters?”

She nodded. “I’m the baby.”

“Thank goodness. Thought we were going back to the drawing board.”

“I’m a little confused on one thing.”

“Name it.”

“You agreed to be in charge of this pick up, but now it sounds like I have to make all the moves. I don’t get enough practice in this small town to handle a chase.”

“Perfect. I don’t like being hounded. You can be the good girl.”

She was still smiling with her entire focus on him. “But I’m not one. I’m just rusty. It’s been a long time since I had to play moves.”

“Now that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. It can’t be true.”

“It is.” She tipped her head toward the front of the building. “Did you see those trees across the road when you got here?”

“Yeah.”

“I know a path to get from here, through them, to all kinds of places. Including my house. And I didn’t learn them by myself.”

He stopped. “Prove it.”

She laughed. “Oh my goodness. I haven’t been in those woods in ages. That’ll have to be a daylight adventure or we’ll end up lost.”

He lifted a shoulder. “I have some free time tomorrow.”

She bit at her lip. “So do I. At least until tomorrow evening.”

“It’s like it’s meant to be.” The song ended and “Friends in Low Places” rang out. As old as the tune was, the crowd wasted no time in hooting, hollering, and cheering. “You want to get out of here?”

“What?” She squinted and turned her ear to him.

He laughed, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the door. If she didn’t want to go, she’d stop. She never stopped. He pushed open the front door, and the air was a damn bit colder now that the sun was down.

His breath turned to a fog, and a burning fireplace scented the air. He stepped farther away from the door. Whitney was still behind him with her hand squeezing his. He turned, bent, and got his lips on hers. She tasted as spicy as the rum he’d served. He lifted her, gaining a shaking gasp out of her. After that dance and talk as close as they’d been, he wanted her closer. All he needed was a moment and the privacy to strip some clothes. Her eyes locked to his under the neon lights of the bar. Her legs wrapped around his waist and lips crushed over his. He carried her to the backside of the building. His tiny ass two-seater car was parked somewhere. He all but kicked himself for not bringing his truck.

Her mouth moved along his neck and ear. Heat flooded his veins. Her ass rested in his hands, and where the hell was his car? Each lick and suck of her lips sent shivers racing over his skin.

Vehicles lined the building, and by the music inside, people weren’t leaving any time soon. His knees shook with each step to the back of the building. He put her against the brick wall before they fell on the ground.

Her legs tightened on his waist, bringing him against her center. He’d never hated pants so much in his life. Her fingers cupped his cheeks, and his mouth was on hers in an instant. Teeth clashed and his pulse drummed.

Screw his car. A back door to the bar was right around the corner. From there, a few steps to his bedroom. He’d have her there in a minute. First he had to get his hands on her. He worked his fingers under her shirt as he cursed the winter weather requiring thick clothes.

He found the hot skin of her waist, and she gasped, then moaned with a shiver as he reached her sides. She was all soft skin to the silk of her bra. He itched to get a taste of her from there to everywhere.

Time to get somewhere private before he had them both naked in the middle of the parking lot. He got his hands back under her ass and lifted.

She pushed against his chest. “Wait.”

Her voice echoed through his mind over and over again. He listened carefully each time, sure he misunderstood. Wait couldn’t be right. “What?”

Her breath continued to be heavy and rushed. “Wait.”

Damn. He wasn’t a crying man, but he was close to becoming one as he lowered her to her feet. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

Her fingers tapped his chest. The rasping sound raked over his body like hot nails. Like her fingernails could have been in a few more moments. Painful in an entirely different and pleasurable way.

She shook her head, and those curls he never got to get his hands in bounced. “Not here. I can’t…not here. Too many people, and I can’t be caught in the middle of anything.”