“You can’t walk home in your bare feet, Kelsey. There’s broken glass and rocks and stuff.”
“Well, I can’t walk in these new shoes anymore, either.” She held them up, scowling. “They’re not broken in yet.”
“No amount of breaking those stilts in will make them good walking shoes.” He crossed to where she was standing and leaned down closer to her face. “I can appreciate heels as much as the next guy, but why do women buy shoes this high?”
“They make my legs look thinner.” She stared at him like he must be the dumbest man on the planet. He might’ve laughed if he weren’t feeling so stirred up while she obviously felt nothing more than disdain.
“You’ve got great legs. You don’t need shoes that make you practically as tall as me.”
“You think I have great legs?” Her genuine skepticism surprised him. He’d pleased her, which felt oddly good.
Great legs, great ass, great rack, great face . . . and awesome hair. Of course, he didn’t want to admit any more than necessary. Instead, he turned his back to her and squatted a bit. “Jump on. I’ll carry you home.”
“I’m too heavy.” She sighed. “I’m fine to walk.”
“I’ve carried backpacks up the mountain that weigh more than you. Just jump on so I don’t have to throw you over my shoulder.” Now he was getting annoyed by having to beg to help her.
But a whole lotta other sensations squeezed out his irritation the minute she wrapped her legs around his waist, rested her chin on his shoulder, and let some of her fragrant hair cascade around him. Holy hell, she felt good, like he knew she would. Made him wish he was carrying her face-to-face instead of piggyback style.
“Thanks.” Her soft voice brushed across his neck. He was just tamping down a new set of tingles when she lifted his Stetson off his head and stuck it on her own. “Now I’m a cowgirl instead of a princess.”
A cowgirl. He wondered if she intended him to note the sexual connotation of that phrase, which now had his jeans feeling too damn tight. He needed to dump her at home quickly and head back to the bar.
“One more block, that way.” She pointed up ahead. Ten seconds later, she asked, “Trip?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you really think men like Wade would like me more if I were less nice?”
His grip tightened around her thighs as he frowned. It was rare—hell, never—that he had a girl wrapped around his body and all she could think about was other men. He set her down in front of her building.
He wouldn’t have responded except she looked up at him with pleading, amber puppy-dog eyes. “It’s not about being nice. You’re just too eager. It’s written all over your face, and most guys aren’t ready for all that so soon.”
“So my being open and thoughtful means I’m too easy?” Her brows drew together. “I’m not that easy. Jeez, it’s been like . . . a while since . . . you know.” Even in the dark, he could read embarrassment all over her face. Boy, tomorrow she was going to regret drinking all that champagne if she remembered everything she’d admitted tonight.
But right now she was suddenly looking at him in a way that set off his radar, because at that moment she was thinking about sex and him, not other men. He liked that idea way more than he should.
The conversation had veered into awkward territory, so he did what he did best. Flirt. “I’d be happy to remedy that particular problem for you. You shouldn’t go too long without. Consider it a birthday present.”
She tipped her chin up a bit, studying him. “You would, wouldn’t you? Just sex and nothing else. And that’s good enough for you? You don’t get lonely?”
“I’m not lonely.” He inched even closer, lowering his voice. “I get what I need. I don’t hurt anyone. And I have a damn good time in the process.” He peered down at her, insanely hoping she might surprise him and take the bait. “You should try it sometime.”
The air seemed to crackle and he realized he’d been holding his breath. Would she actually accept his offer? One night in bed with her would mean he’d deal with the stalker otherwise known as Boomerang for weeks or months. But he already knew it would be worth it. At least, that’s what his body was shouting.
He inclined nearer to her, finding it hard to breathe while she stared at his mouth for several seconds.
Then she shook her head as if waking from a strange dream, and straightened. “Guess it’s something to think about. Thanks for the ride home, cowboy.”