Lydia's Twin Temptation(Divine Creek Ranch 8)(88)
* * * *
Lydia stood near the bar of The Dancing Pony with Clayton, talking to Wes, Evan, and Rosemary Garner. Clayton’s thickly muscled arm was draped around her back, his hand resting possessively on her hip, and Lydia felt secure, tucked into his side like that.
She and Rosemary were chatting when she noticed Kade Parker walk in. Judging by the pinched, harsh look on his face, the ranch hand’s evening wasn’t turning out any better than his day had. He hadn’t been back to her dining room table since that first night nor had he partaken of any of the snacks she’d made for the men. She felt slightly sympathetic toward him, assuming he must feel a bit like an outcast. He joined Robert Martin and Jim Cappell who had seats at the bar. They were currently chatting with one of the club bartenders, Quinten, whom Clayton had introduced her to earlier, when he ordered her a drink.
Lydia saw Clayton glance Kade’s way but made no comment about his arrival. They were standing close enough to the bar that Lydia heard Kade loudly place his drink order over the music.
“Budweiser and a shot of Everclear!”
A sense of foreboding clutched at her when Robert and Jim cringed and Clayton sighed heavily. Wes and Evan even looked Kade’s way curiously.
Rosemary and Lydia resumed their conversation but within a few minutes it was clear that Kade Parker was on a roll. He’d gotten progressively louder to the point where he was obnoxious not only to those sitting near him but to other nightclub patrons at tables nearby. Lydia split her attention between their conversation and listening to Robert and Jim trying to get Kade to slow down a bit after he downed his second shot.
Kade loudly responded, “I’m just fine. I just ate a few minutes ago, in town, since I’m not allowed at a certain dinner table these days. At least, not unless I’m willing to kiss ass.” Robert admonished him quietly, but Kade shook his head and continued. “I don’t kiss ass like some people do,” he stated, pointing his finger at Robert and Jim who were looking more and more disgruntled. “Matter of fact, not only do you kiss ass out at the Rockin’ C, I’d go so far as to say you’re pussy-whipped, without even the benefit of getting any.”
Another bartender, who Clayton had told her was also part owner of the club, sidled over behind the bar and leaned against it. “Hey, Parker. You want to keep it down? Everyone can hear you.”
That remark seemed to only spur Parker on. “Most every man in here is pussy-whipped. Except me. There ain’t no woman going to dictate to me how I behave, or any pussy-whooped man for that matter,” he said, pointing his finger at the bartenders. “That includes you, Ben. I’ll bet that itty-bitty bartender Camilla orders both you and Quinten around in and out of bed.”
Clayton turned to look at Kade, and Lydia watched the bartender’s face darken with anger, which he contained. Lydia noted that the petite female bartender was red-cheeked with embarrassment, but spunky fire burned in her eyes as she glared at Parker. Quentin touched Camilla’s shoulder and gave her a sympathetic smile before he shot a murderous glower in Kade’s direction.
Calmly, Ben said, “That’s about enough, Kade. Settle it down or you’re done for the evening. Why don’t you have some coffee?”
“I don’t want any damned coffee. Another shot of Everclear,” he said as he pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “Get something for my two friends here, too. We’re just getting started.”
Jim and Robert shook their heads at Ben as they settled in their seats and faced the bar, disassociating from him.
“Kade, I think you’ve had enough,” Ben replied, looking tense. He glanced over at the bouncers who looked ready if Ben needed help.
Robert said, “Kade, let the man do his job and keep your voice down. The Carlisles are standing right there. You want to lose your job?”
Kade turned in his seat and smirked when he made eye contact with Lydia. He curled his lip and then faced the bar again. “I’m not scared of him. What’s he gonna do? He can’t keep a woman satisfied on his own and needs his brother’s help. Maybe he’ll get his brother to help him fire me. Damned perverted, pussy-whipped sons of bitches.”
Lydia gasped at Parker’s scathing insult and looked up into Clayton’s eyes when he put his hands on her shoulders. “Stay here with Rosemary and her men.” He nodded at Wes and Evan and walked over to intervene. Kade scowled at him in the bar mirrors’ reflection as Clayton approached. The ranch hand had to have known he’d just cost himself his job with his foul, disgusting mouth.