But I’d never experienced anything like singing with Cole. His voice was rough and unpolished and heartbreakingly honest. He sang to me as if he meant every single word, but we’d only just met yesterday. I would’ve chalked it up to him being a good actor or a well-practiced flirt like the bartender, but there was nothing fake in his tone. I wasn’t sure what to do with the bare emotion he kindled within me.
I searched his eyes as we sang about crashing through the surface, about falling, and all I saw was that honesty. This was real for him—maybe for both of us. It made no rational sense. We held the last note as the music faded, staring into each other’s eyes. The crowd started cheering and whistling, breaking the spell and reminding me where we were.
For a few minutes, I’d forgotten my brother was at the bar, stewing over me ignoring his warning about Cole, and about my worries about Deidra spying on me at the ranch. For those few precious moments, nothing in the world existed except me, Cole, and the music.
I blinked as the magic of the moment faded. We took a bow, and I walked out of the spotlight and returned the mic to the deejay.
“You guys were great. You should sing another one,” the man said.
Cole handed over his mic and patted the deejay’s shoulder. “I think I’m retired.”
We returned to the bar, but everything seemed different somehow. The bartender and my brother both stared at us as though they’d never truly seen us before. I sat on my stool and popped a lukewarm fry into my mouth, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, like the entire bar had just witnessed an intimate moment I’d never intended to share.
The bartender placed another Screaming Orgasm in front of me. “On the house. That was amazing. You sure you’re not a rock star?”
“I’m not usually that good.” I shook my head with a sheepish smile. “I think Cole inspired me.”
“It was all you.” He took a long swallow of his beer. “I was busy pretending I was in the shower.”
But his eyes told me something else. There was a yearning in the way he looked at me, and it hinted at bond I didn’t understand. I pulled my gaze away, uncomfortable with the growing connection. I barely knew him. What was happening here?
“Well…” Chandler looked between us and frowned. “I guess I’m going to head home. Just wanted you to know it’s no trouble for us to swing by and pick you up tomorrow.”
“No.” Cole interrupted, grabbing my brother’s arm. “I’m happy to bring her.” His hazel eyes shifted over to me. “Unless you’d rather ride with Chandler and Wendy.”
Seeing him giving me an out warmed me. Or maybe that was the booze. I’d lied about Cole offering to take me to the baby shower just to get under my brother’s skin for coming out to check up on me, but Cole had played along without hesitation. He had my back. And when I thought about it, I did want to go with him. I wanted to get to know him better.
“No. I want to go with you.” I looked over at my brother. “See you tomorrow.”
Chandler gave me a hug and then looked over at Cole and tipped his head toward the door. “Can we talk? Alone.”
Cole’s hand brushed the small of my back as he leaned in closer. “I’ll be right back.”
He glanced back at me as he followed my brother to the door, as if he needed to be sure I was still there, as if I was all that mattered. Had anyone ever looked at me like that before?
I pushed the thought away. No. I’d decided years ago that there would be no falling in love for me unless it was going to be forever, and it was way too soon to know if this was infatuation or something more. I wasn’t going to surrender to my hormones.
I finished my drink, the warmth spreading through my belly all the way up to my cheeks. I rested my hand on the opposite elbow and turned to stare at Cole’s back. He was tall, like Chandler, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, but Cole was rugged. His mussed brown hair was a little too long over his collar, his jaw dusted with a five-o’clock shadow, and his hands were rough, his skin tanned from working outside on the ranches.
Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but parts of me were suddenly very willing to chuck forever aside for a night naked in this man’s arms. It didn’t have to be love. I wouldn’t be giving him my heart. But my body could enjoy those hands, that mouth, those lips…
“Can I get you anything else?”
The bartender snapped me out of my fantasy. I straightened and shook my head. “I better not. Water would be great, though.”
He smiled, his dark eyes shining like he wanted to say more, but he was gone before I could probe further.
Cole returned then and took the stool next to me. “What did I miss?”
I chuckled. “I’m surprised you came back over here. Chandler didn’t chase you off?”
“As if he could.” Cole shook his head. “He loves you, and he knows me. He just wants you to be safe.”
I cocked a brow in his direction. “Are you saying I’m not safe when I’m with you?”
He took another drink of his beer. “Loaded question.” He met my eyes again. “Tell me why he thinks you aren’t a relationship-type girl?”
“Is that what he said?” At first, I was offended, but gradually, I realized my brother might be on to something. I’d always told myself I was waiting for real love. I wasn’t wasting my heart on anything less. Because of that pledge, I hadn’t been in a serious relationship. Ever.
Huh.
“Yeah.” Cole’s gaze wandered over my face. “He’s not far off-base about me being too busy for relationships. Is that your excuse, too?”
I laughed and shook my head. “I wish.” I searched his eyes, wondering if he was always this easy to talk to. “My parents have been together for over thirty years, but I don’t think they’ve ever been in love.” I shrugged, breaking the eye contact. “I guess they make it work, but it left me and Chandler clinging to each other instead of our parents. They’re pretty distant. I think they only had kids to have an extension of themselves in the world, a symbol of their success. Anyway, I dated a little in high school, but it only confirmed my suspicion that love was a fairy tale.”
“I’m the opposite.” He waited for me to glance his way before he went on. “I believed in a fairy-tale relationship like my parents’. When that never materialized for me, I sort of…gave up.”
I pushed my plate of cold fries and half-eaten churro away with a shrug. “I didn’t really give up. Or at least I don’t think I did, but maybe I just didn’t want to admit it.” I met his gaze. “I decided I would only give my heart to someone if it was going to forever.” I shrugged. “And I guess that means never.”
He brought his hand up to the bar and covered mine with his. He squeezed it, strong but thoughtful. This was the touch of a person who understood, who cared. My heart melted a little. Okay, maybe more than a little.
His deep voice was like a caress. “I’m not ready to call it a night, but it’s really loud in here. Can I drive you home? We could come back for your car later.”
I stared at our joined hands and suddenly realized I was already nodding. “Sure. That sounds good.”