I stop for a moment, recalling the day. “Yes, it was an innocent comment.”
“Not to me. I got into it with him later that night, when I caught him eyeing you.”
My eyes widen. “Is that how you split your lip? You told me you tripped over a rock.”
“I did, when I lunged for the guy.” His hands tighten around my waist as he bites his lip. It’s such an endearing gesture that I almost forget he’s been a brute. “But I’m not surprised that he was looking. You were beautiful then and now”—he huffs out a breath—“now you’re absolutely breathtaking. But you’re more than that. You’re an amazing person, Poppy Mills.”
God, I want to believe him. Believe those delightful compliments dropping from his gorgeous mouth. But he’s turned the tables on me before, and I’m tired of being on the receiving end of his ire. “Are you sure this isn’t a trick? It feels like a trick.”
Dylan smiles, and this time, it reaches his eyes. “I promise.”
I hold up my hand, pinky extended. “That’s not good enough. Pinky swear. Swear that you won’t be mean to me anymore. If you don’t like me, Dylan, that’s your right. But please refrain from hurting me again.”
His pinky wraps around mine, those dark eyes holding me captive as he brings our fingers to his mouth, sealing the deal with a kiss. “I like so very much, Poppy. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t want to throttle every man who looks at you. And because you’re so beautiful, every man looks at you.”
“You going to beat them all up?”
“It’s crossed my mind. Granted, Troy is one of them and beating up the sheriff likely won’t play out in my favor. The man really has a thing for you, and it’s driving me insane.”
I lean in, my lips hovering near his ear. “Even if he does, did you bother to inquire if I reciprocate those feelings?” I take a step back. Being too close to Dylan is dangerous—for my hormones and my heart. “Although it would be quite a story for the local paper if our gorgeous mayor is jailed for beating up the residents of Yuletide Acres.”
“You think I’m gorgeous?”
My cheeks flame and I grab my drink from the bar, downing the contents. “I think every woman in this town is in love with you.”
“Every woman?”
I’m not giving him the satisfaction, even if he can see through my lie. “Well, there has to be one exception.”
Dylan chuckles, his fingers curling in my belt loop. “There’s always one, ruining my perfect average. Of course, she’s the only one I want. But, I think I can convince her that I’m worth pursuing.”
“Aren’t we confident?”
“Not as much as you might think. False bravado, but I get the suspicion that she cares about me, too.”
“Is that a fact? Well, let the games begin,” I add with a wink.
Dylan straightens, glancing to the rear of the bar. “Actually, that’s a great idea. How about I let you beat me in a game of pool?”
“You know I suck at pool. The last ten years have not helped my average.”
“Hence why this is such a tremendous gift that I’m giving you.”
I want to stay mad at Dylan. He doesn’t deserve an easy access route back to my heart. But the man has always known the secret passageways of my soul and being near him makes me feel alive for the first time in a decade. Even when he’s behaving like a neanderthal. “I’m willing to kick your ass at pool. But, I need a refill first. And you’re buying.”
For a small town, the bar certainly packs in on Friday night. Granted, there are only two pubs in Yuletide Acres, and this one has the bonus of live music.
After a pitiful round of pool, which I somehow manage to lose despite Dylan not sinking a damn thing, we cozy up to the bar again. For the first time since my arrival, Dylan is his old self, which is wonderful for camaraderie and dangerous as hell for my hormones. That, and the alcohol is loosening all my inhibitions and I’m ready for a replay of our earlier tryst.
Almost immediately, two women join us at the bar. I recognize Susan, but the other woman is a stranger, and judging by the glares she keeps sending my way, she’s none too fond of me.
Wonderful. If it isn’t Dylan giving me crap, it’s one of his many admirers.
“Come on you two, let’s play doubles in pool,” Susan says, pointing toward the table. “The table is free.”
Dylan grins, holding out his hand to help me down from the bar stool. “You’re going to run the table, right?”
“You know it,” I reply with a wink, shaking my hips as I stroll a few steps in front of him to select my stick.
I pretend to be keenly interested in the variety of pool cues, but I feel Dylan approach. He crowds me, and the electricity pulsates between us even though our bodies aren’t touching. “Do you know what stick you want?”
“Hmm,” I ponder, taking a small step backward into his body. I smile at his huffed breath and the erection straining to break free from his jeans. “I’m not sure. Is there a particular stick I should want to play with?”
One arm loops around my waist as his free hand grabs a stick from the holder. But it’s the accidental graze against my breast that has me fired up. “I suppose it depends on what type of game you want to play.” His beard grazes my neck, his lips dancing against my skin. “If you want quick and fast, this is the stick for you. But, if you want deep and long, you’ll require a much larger stick.”
I’m about to collapse into a puddle on the ground, as his hand splays over my lower abdomen, his fingers dancing dangerously close to my clit.
He tongues lazy circles along my neck, and I’m having difficulty standing upright. “I get the feeling that you’re not paying any attention to what I’m telling you, Poppy. Now why is that?”
Bastard is having way too much fun torturing me. Now it’s my turn. I whirl around in his arms and take the stick from his hand, as my eyes skate along his form, focusing on the pronounced bulge in his pants. “Likely the same reason why all your blood has rushed to different body parts. But anyone who knows me, knows I always want it deep and long. The bigger, the better. But I don’t give it up easily, not even for the hottest ticket in town.”
I scoot away from him, hearing his deep chuckle. Glancing over my shoulder, I see him wipe his brow, as flustered as I am.
Susan giggles, shaking her head at the two of us. Waltzing over to me, she gives me a hip check and a smile. “I like you two together.”
“We’re not together. We’re just playing nice tonight.”
“Of course, they’re not together,” Susan’s friend, Jill interjects, armed with a fake smile and glowering gaze. “We all know Dylan and his reputation.”
“Jill, hush,” Susan begins, but I wave her off.
“What reputation would that be, Jill?”
“If you’re looking for a wild night in the sack, Dylan is your man. At least that’s the rumor. And trust me, he’s bedded most of the eligible women in this town. They line up for his attention. But he won’t date any of them. He has no desire for any type of relationship.”