Chapter Ten
Nakos had under thirty minutes to shower before meeting everyone at the tavern. Why he’d agreed to go, he hadn’t a clue. The very thought of sitting across a table from Amy with her silent treatment and wounded eyes on the menu was not his ideal Saturday evening.
Then again, another night in his house, sleeping in the room right next to hers, wasn’t his version of a great time, either. They couldn’t go on like this. He was this close to imploding.
At his wit’s end, he planned on forcing her to talk to him when they were alone tomorrow and both off work. He rolled his head to stretch his neck as he climbed the stairs in his cabin. As if anyone could force Amy Woods to do anything. Especially him, considering she got him tongue-tied and made his head dizzier than a carousel on heroine just standing in front of him.
At least there would be alcohol involved tonight.
He turned the knob on his bathroom door and halted dead over the threshold. His lungs seized, despite the perfume-scented steam that hit face.
Damp cocoa hair up in a knot. Smooth, fair skin. Pert, pink nipples. Rivulets of water trailing over lush, sweet curves. A small triangle of dark curls between the juncture of...Amy’s thighs. She turned fully to face him just outside the tub, a towel in her hand and gaze wide.
“Holy shit. I’m sorry.” He slapped a hand over his eyes and turned away.
Hihcebe, she was naked. Completely, utterly, beautifully naked.
“I thought you were...” He reached blindly for the door handle, smacking his knuckles on the frame. “...getting ready...” Damn it. Where was the fucking knob? “...at Olivia’s.” There. Praise Almighty. He slammed the door at his back and slumped against it in the hallway.
Leveled, he heaved air, his skin hot, his blood hotter. Thoroughbreds trampled inside his chest. Never. He’d never erase the image of her naked. Five seconds. That was all. For five seconds, he’d caught a glimpse of a literal wet dream, and he was ruined. Wrecked.
“Um, I was.” A shuffle sounded behind the door. “But all my makeup and clothes are here, so she drove me back.”
Clothes, she claimed. Yet she didn’t...have...any...on. And he’d walked in on her. Because he’d been thinking about her and the mind fuck she’d given him this week, so he hadn’t paid attention to the fact that the door had been closed, that she’d possibly be coming out of the shower. Dripping wet.
Mercy, he was hard.
Another shuffle as if she was drying off, and he slammed his lids closed a second time imagining that particular scenario. All that fair, perfect skin. Gorgeous curves and...
Shit. Like, really, really naked.
He groaned. “I’m so sorry, Ames.”
“No biggie. I should’ve locked the door.”
No biggie? He glanced down at his fly, disagreeing.
It was one thing to acknowledge his attraction, to kiss her and decimate good intentions or to fantasize about how far to take things. It was another entirely to be thrust within reaching distance of the object of his desire and smacked with reality. She was far better than anything he could’ve envisioned.
Heaven help him, she was achingly beautiful.
The door opened, and because he’d been leaning against it, he lost balance. Scrambling, he grabbed the jamb with both hands and righted himself.
“Can I get by?”
“Yes,” he grated and side-stepped into the hall, shocked his legs worked. Keeping his gaze trained to the floorboards, he noted in his peripheral she was dressed. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. Again.”
“They’re just breasts. I’m sure you’ve seen them before.”
Not hers, damn it. And the humor in her sultry voice wasn’t calming his arrhythmia. A week with not a word out of her pretty mouth, and what was one of the first things she spouted? Breasts. In regards to hers. Because he’d seen them.
This was the sixth realm of hell.
“Give me ten minutes to shower, and we can go.” He pivoted on his heels and stalked to his bedroom to get fresh clothes, then made his way back to the bathroom.
Which smelled like her. So did his truck as she rode shotgun. And, for reasons unclear to him, the tavern did, too. Among the scent of cheap beer, stale smoke, and leather, Amy’s light perfume remained with him like a shadow. Teasing the crap out of him. Taunting.
He leaned back in his chair at a hightop table next to Nate and ran his fingers up and down the condensation on his glass. Olivia and Amy had taken off for a game of pool to his left, blessedly giving Nakos a semblance of breathing room.
Country blared from a jukebox and a few patrons he recognized from town were dancing on the makeshift stage against the back wall. Stools saddled up to the scarred pine bar were relatively empty for a Saturday, but Meadowlark wasn’t that big and it was early.
He ran his gaze over the light wood paneling and neon signs, wishing he was at home. He didn’t see the point in being here, nor the scene. Mader’s could be any dive in any Podunk blip across the map. Even if Amy weren’t front and center in his mind, half the women present were married, a quarter of them too old for his father, and the remainder he wouldn’t touch after a full round of vaccines. When he did seek a partner, he typically met up with someone on the reservation, and his last encounter had been more than a year ago.
“Amy’s finally using the new camera?” Nate leaned his forearms on the table. “She said you told her it was from me.”
Nakos grunted and glanced at the girls by the pool table. A couple of Olivia’s ranch hands had joined them. “Yeah, sorry about that. It got her to open the damn thing, though.”
“Figure it would go over better coming from you. That’s why we lied to her.”
One would think. “Nope.”
Amy bent over, cue in hand, lining up a shot. Her blue blouse dipped low enough for him to catch the swell of her breasts. Hihcebe. He couldn’t win.
Refocusing on Nate, he sighed. “She fooled around with it while you and Olivia were gone.” He mentioned some of her ideas. “She took a couple pictures of me when I wasn’t paying attention. Something about book covers or ads.”
Nate chuckled. “You?”
“Just wait. She’ll hit you up, too.” He took a sip of room temperature draft. “She got Rico to pose shirtless riding a horse at the end of Wednesday’s workday. Lined up a couple of the other ranch hands for next week, as well.”
“The other guys? Maybe. I can see that. Not you, though.”
“I’m not exactly excited, but if it helps her out, I don’t care.” He shrugged. “Told her she had to keep my face hidden.”
“Huh.” Nate slowly shook his head, the implication of Nakos being crazy clearly implied. “You’re sunk deeper than I thought.”
“Remember back when you first got to town and we didn’t like each other? Those were good times.”
What passed for a smile twitched the ex-soldier’s lips. “Calling it like I see it.” He studied Nakos for a beat. “You should talk to her about it.”
Been there, tried that. Got the t-shirt. And the resulting migraine. “I like my balls where they are.”
Nate chuckled, gaze on his beer. “You told me to man up and go for it with Olivia. What’s wrong with me returning the favor?”
Nothing, and Nakos was acting like a jackass. Maybe having someone else’s input might help. Wasn’t like he’d come up with any brilliant insights on his own. “I kissed her.” When Nate’s gaze shifted to his, he nodded. “I think she sucked my brain right out through my mouth.”
Another laugh. “What’s the problem?”
“She quit talking to me.” Until tonight.
They’re just breasts.
Okay, he needed something stronger than beer. ASAP.
At Nate’s frown, Nakos elaborated. “She was into it. That much I know.”
“Again, what’s the problem? Sit her down. Work it out.”
Nakos ran his tongue over his teeth. “If you knew her half as well as I do, you’d understand that’s about as likely as me becoming leader of the United Nations. Amy only divulges what she deems fit. She has dodge, divide, and distract down to a science.”
“Knew I liked her for a reason.” Nate grinned. “Sorry. Okay, just kiss her again. Fry her brain cells in retaliation.”
He wanted to. Badly. But her excuses kept freezing him immobile. The whole only his body wanted her diatribe was... He didn’t know. Not exactly accurate, but food for thought. Truth was, he had freaked out and it had been because it was her he’d kissed. Years of friendship and memories hung in the balance.
The ladies made their way back to the table, and Olivia climbed in Nate’s lap. She downed half his beer. “That’s orgasmic. I was thirsty.”
Nate’s grin amped as he looked at her. “Orgasmic? It’s watered down and lukewarm.”
Claiming the seat next to Nakos, Amy snorted. “Orgasms are a myth. Like good credit scores.” When everyone stared at her, stunned into silence, she didn’t so much as blink. “What? They are. Only twenty-seven percent of women get off during intercourse. All that freaking hype over three measly seconds of trembling nervous system activity? Please.”
After a very long pause, Nate pointed at her. “Someone’s been giving it to you wrong.”
Olivia nodded her agreement.
Nakos, unable to do much else, shook his head. Amy had been married to the Antichrist for three years, and he very much doubted her ex had been attentive. But Chris hadn’t been her first lover. At least, Nakos didn’t think so. She’d dated plenty before.
He wondered if this was just her in snark mode or if she truly hadn’t had decent sex. Hard to tell with her. And hell if he didn’t want to prove her wrong. Repeatedly. All damn night long. Until she couldn’t even open her eyes, never mind move.
“Whatever.” She hopped off her chair and dug her vibrating cell from her back pocket. “I don’t...” Eyes on the screen, her face paled several shades and she went rigid.
Olivia frowned. “What’s up?”
“My Uncle Clint is coming for a visit.” Her hand trembled as her throat worked a swallow.
“Blech. When?” Olivia peered at the phone.
“I don’t know. Kyle just texted.” Amy’s thumbs went to work in reply.
Nakos’s gut bottomed out as her complexion slipped from an insipid shade of white to green. “I don’t remember you mentioning him before.” More over, why would the uncle elicit this kind of reaction from her?
“My mother’s brother. He lives in Texas.” Her voice shook almost as badly as her hands. “He doesn’t come up very often. A couple times when we were kids and once when Chris and I were married. That was the only time my ex proved useful. He told my parents we wouldn’t be around, that we were camping. Since Chris hates familial things, it worked for him.”
Olivia shuddered. “Total creep. What were we, like thirteen when I had dinner at your place and he was there?”
“Twelve,” Amy breathed, gaze still on her cell. “That was the last visit until the one two years ago.”
Glancing between Nate and Nakos, Olivia scrunched her nose. “He reminds me of a used car salesman. Greased hair, too much cologne. He tells foul, lewd jokes. I swear, he spent the whole time staring at me like I was candy. Ugh.” She shuddered again.
Nate’s gaze hardened to cement. “He did what?” Teeth flashed as he growled.
“Relax. It was years ago. He never touched me. He’s harmless, if not disgusting.” Olivia looked at Amy. “Still needed a shower afterward.”
Regardless of whether he’d laid a finger on Olivia, what kind of sick asshole looked at a little girl that way? Or told filthy jokes to them at their age? Nakos’s own temper was reaching critical. No wonder Amy was shaken. Anyone would be uncomfortable as hell with that sort of person around.
“Next week Friday.” Amy closed her eyes a beat and re-pocketed her phone. “He’ll be up then and is staying with my parents.”
“Well, at least there’s one good thing about your folks disowning you.” Olivia squeezed Amy’s hand. “You don’t have to play nice. Or see him at all.”
“Very true.” A deep breath, and her color returned. She resettled on her chair, and since she seemed all right, Nakos’s stomach quieted down. “What did we miss while I kicked Liv’s butt at pool?”
“Nothing much.” Nate flicked Nakos a smirk. “What’s this I hear you’ve taken up an interest in photographing cowboys?”
Her grin was wicked. “And leaning toward tatted ex-soldiers.”
Nakos chuckled. “I told you.” He gave it under five minutes before the guy said yes.
A shake of his head, and Nate zeroed back on Amy. “No.”
“Come on.” She wiggled her brows. “You need to be captured on film.”
“No.”
“Just try it out. One shoot.” She batted her lashes. “You bought me the camera, after all. Plus, Olivia will enjoy it.”
He glanced at his wife, and his shoulders sank at her nod of agreement. “Traitor.” Mouth thin, he looked at Amy once more. Paused. “No showing my face, like you did with him.” He jerked a thumb at Nakos.
“That can be arranged.” Amy jived in her seat like she knew she had him.
“And I keep my shirt on.”
“Off.”
“On.”
She strummed her fingers on the table. “Partially off. Open chest? Or a tight t-shirt to show that ink and your guns?”
Nate studied her a beat. “Fine. Deal.”
“Yay.” She did a fist pump and slid her gaze in a once-over as if imagining the shot now. “You’re going to be so yummy through my lens.”
“Yummy, huh?” Nate frowned and looked at Olivia for a reaction.
Olivia tipped her head. “I agree.” She gave him a quick kiss, smiling, and focused on Amy. “Are you going to say yes to Sam?”
Amy shrugged. “Maybe.”
Wait. What? “Sam our employee?” Nakos glanced between the ladies. These two switched topics faster than a brush fire got out of hand. “Yes to what?”
“Yep, our Sam. He asked Amy to dinner.” Olivia pinned Nakos with a whatcha-gonna-do-about-it glare. “Unless you can think of a reason for her to decline.”
Ah, so Amy had told Olivia about the kiss. Great. Perfect. Why didn’t she just take up ad space? And no way was Amy dating the ranch hand. Sam was a great worker and nice enough, but hell to the no. Nakos wouldn’t stand for it.
Hihcebe. He froze. Nate was right. He was sunk.
“Weird he’s worked for you for five years and just now asked me out.”
Olivia waved a dismissal. “You were married for three of those. He just broke up with that waitress from the diner.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Amy dipped her chin as if considering.
As Nate rubbed his mouth at a poor attempt to hide a grin, Nakos sighed. He got the distinct impression they were trapping him. Which didn’t matter because his first gut reaction wasn’t something he could control any more than he could control Amy.
Resting his elbows on the table, he looked her dead on. “Do it. Go on a date and have fun.” His left eye twitched, and he bit his tongue in order not to retract his statement the second it passed his lips.
Her irritated gaze narrowed while she measured him, but... Yes. Yes, yes, and hell yes. Finally, some confirmation. Hurt lay under her blue-green depths as if she despised his response. She clearly didn’t want to date the guy and Nakos sure as hell hated the idea.
All week the situation between them had been driving him nuts. Questioning what she wanted. Dissecting his own feelings.
No more. This whirlwind stopped tonight, starting the moment he got her home. He might not come out alive, but it was a risk he was willing to take. It didn’t matter how fast or slow he had to go, didn’t matter what confusing thing flew out of her mouth.
This chemistry? The undeniable pull? Irrefutable.
The fact he’d never felt anything like it was enough of a green light. He had no idea why she’d thrown roadblocks or was running the opposite way. Her defense mechanisms had been in place from the beginning of their crazy shift. However, he was going to unearth the reasons if it took until his last breath to accomplish the feat.
Because she wanted him, too. And she might be the loose cannon in their pair, but he very much wanted to be the trigger that made her go boom.
“Totally didn’t expect you to say that.” Olivia glanced at Nakos, Amy, and back again, then did a double-take on Nate. “Why are you grinning?”
Nate scratched his jaw, his expression dialed to should I or shouldn’t I. “Amy never listens to him. Ever. Actually, ninety-nine percent of the time, she does the opposite of what he says.” His brows lifted in a get-me.
Digging his thumb and forefinger into his eye sockets, Nakos shook his head. So much for reverse psychology.
“Oh.” Olivia straightened. “Ohhh.”
He leaned back in his seat, watching Amy’s myriad of emotions. Annoyance. Relief. Confusion. Interest. Before she swept into plot mode or agreed to dinner with Sam or any other such thing to render his plan useless, Nakos cut her off. “You ready to head home?”
If the startled widening of her eyes was any indication, the answer was... “No.”
He nodded, a smile teasing his lips. “I can wait, anim.” Oh yeah. He’d wait her out however long she decided to take.