And just like that, my heart plummets. The last thing I want is for him to leave. The earnest sound in his voice causes me to twist my barstool until our eyes meet. Good, those browns remind me of a puppy I once saw in a pet store window, just begging for a chance.
I lean forward to kiss Knox’s cheek, not even minding the stubble that scratches my skin. In fact, I feel like a cat who wants to do nothing but lean up against the rough terrain, rubbing up and down until every unsatisfied itch has been scratched. When I pull back, I give him a wink.
“I’m just messing with you, Knox. It’s perfectly understandable.” I glance over to the pool table, where his brother is leaning against the wall, a pool stick in hand. “Even more so, I appreciate that you’re a man of your word. But I think I’m over playing hard to get. I’m attracted to you, and since I’ve decided you’re likely not a serial killer, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of you this summer.”
His infectious answering grins sends those butterflies into a tailspin. “Good. Because I’d have to kick his ass if he ruined…whatever this is,” he says. “For now, I should probably go rescue him from losing all his money our first night here. He’s not exactly the best pool player but never turns down a bet. Plus, you just admitted your attraction and I don’t want my stupid mouth changing your mind.”
I grin, because even though I’d rather Knox stay right here and talk to me all night, it’s sweet he has affection for his brother. And since he’s currently playing a game with Joe, who’s been playing pool since he could practically walk, I don’t doubt his brother is losing money.
“Clearly your brother needs help. Admirable you’d take up that cause. It’s been nice chatting with you. Now, go back to your brother, tell him mission accomplished, and give me a call sometime. I look forward to hearing from you.” I lower my voice. “Especially when the mood strikes me.”
He tugs his lower lip in between his teeth as he contemplates my words. Then he rises from his stool and throws a few bills on the counter before turning back to me. “And I, Amelia, look forward to gettin’ you in the mood.”
Even after our flirtatious exchange, I don’t have the courage to tell him he’s already succeeded.
EVEN THOUGH I’D RATHER SPEND my night getting to know Amelia better, I walk away with the intention of calling her the next day. When I make it back to Clay, he’s negotiating terms for the next game. As soon as he sees me, he asks the guy he’s playing with if he wants to do doubles. I stand by as the man, who my brother introduces as Joe, whistles to one of his buddies, Amelia’s number burning a hole in my back pocket. As much as I want to slam it down in front of my brother and gloat that he still won’t be touching my bike, I keep my cool. I grab a pool stick off the wall to join in, all the while trying not to be so apparent at sneaking peeks at the woman who just made this summer away seem a little more enjoyable.
“First day here and she’s already caught your eye?” Joe asks, and I realize my glances to Amelia aren’t as conspicuous as I’d hoped.
I find his watchful expression curious. “You know her?”
He nods. “Yeah, man. She used to spend every summer here. Haven’t seen her in a few years. Not since the accident.” He pauses, something unreadable crossing his features. “Girl behind the bar is Sunny. She’s mine. She and Amelia have been thick as thieves since they were little. So, yeah, I know her pretty well. Can’t say I’ve ever seen her flirt with a man before.”
I hone in on what he said before. “Accident?”
Joe shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything. That’s Amelia’s story to tell.” He rubs the back of his neck. “All I know is, if anyone deserves summer fun, it’s her.”
“I’m not looking for anything…” I begin, and he grins.
“That’s why I said summer. You know, the one where you get all hot and bothered for three months then head back to wherever you’re from with nothin’ but fond memories and jackin’ material.”
Clay chooses that moment to butt into our conversation. He throws an arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, Knox. Maybe you can finally retire your magazine collection. I call dibs on Lois Chiles.”
I brush him off, and Joe laughs at the mention of my favorite Bond girl to date. I reply, “Hey, who doesn’t love a girl named Holly Goodhead?”
Apparently on the Bond train, Clay looks over to where Amelia is now leaning across the bar and chatting with the bartender. She pushes a stray lock of golden hair behind her ear and smiles at something the girl said.
“I think she’s more Tatiana Romanova,” Clay says. “Maybe with a little Jill Masterson mixed in.”
I sigh. “Such a bummer about the gold paint.”
Who’d have thought that painting the one of the sexiest Bond girls in gold paint would cause her to die from skin asphyxiation?
“Total drag,” Joe agrees, giving me a fist bump.
And just like that, we’ve bonded over, well, Bond.
Clay and I manage to lose only twenty bucks to the guys, which Joe declines when I go to hand him the cash.
“Seein’ as my dad owns this joint, I don’t generally like takin’ money from payin’ customers. But you wanna spend that twenty on some brews, I’m not gonna fight you.” He glances at the clock on the wall and whistles. “Better hurry if you’re gonna. My girl’s gonna be declarin’ last call pretty soon.”
Clay goes to swipe the cash from my hand, but I’m quick enough to stop him. “Come on, Knox. Let me go over there and order. Get to know that pretty lady a little better,” he insists, wagging his eyebrows up and down.
It’s not that I’m jealous or think his charms will work on Amelia. Lord knows he hasn’t got eyes for anyone but Maria. It’s just that, all night, ever since I left her, Clay’s been the one to get refills from the bar for us. This time, now that I know the night’s about to end, I want to be the last one to tell her goodnight. The last one on her mind. At least, that’s what I hope. And hope she’ll have sweet fucking dreams about me, too.
“Not a chance, moron,” I tell him, pushing my pool stick into his chest. “And considering it’s my twenty you lost, it’s my turn.”
His lips quirk up, his eyes full of amusement, probably from the amount of beer he’s had to drink. “I have a feeling this is going to be one interesting summer for you. I’m almost sad to miss it.”
Joe asks what Clay means. I leave my brother to explain that he’s only here for the week.
I turn towards the bar to see Amelia watching me. She’s holding her glass, using two fingers to grasp the straw that’s about to nestle between glossy lips. Lips I suddenly crave to taste. Instead of taking the stool next to her, I rest my hip against the counter sideways so I’m facing her. The way she gazes up at me beneath dark, long lashes readies my cock to attention. Hell, if she’d drop her gaze even a little bit, she’d be able to tell.
Sunny arrives before I can say anything. “You boys must’ve worked up quite a thirst playin’ all that pool,” she says, glancing down at the twenty I threw on the bar top.