Obviously this was a very bad thing, but she had no idea why he’d think she wanted to re-meet a man she’d already met. Then it dawned on her: Carter had used the word ‘dated’. As if they were dating. Or at least that’s what she thought he meant.

Oh God, that’s what she hoped he meant.

He opened the passenger side door and slid out. “I need some air.”

“We’re in a convertible, with the top down.” She followed him, grabbing his arm. “Look, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I only met Chase once or twice —”

“Twice.”

“Whatever.” Letting go of his arm, she flicked her hands in the air. “All I know is that I was trying to flirt with you. Bad me.”

“By saying the only reason you’re going to Charlotte with me is to meet the owner of this car?” He ran a hand through his hair, making it stick straight up in the front. “I already had two years of that shit. Trying to make me jealous all the fucking time. April lied to me about everything. Everything—look lying is a deal breaker for me. I’m honest and expect the same from everyone else.”

“I know.” Boy, didn’t she know it. In high school, he had once told her not to wear her favorite sweater because the knit knots on it looked like nipples. She’d taken a pair of scissors to that thing as soon as she’d gotten home.

“Which is exactly why this is a big fucking deal to me. I don’t need this kind of drama in my life, especially from you,” he said, his voice harsh. “Jesus Christ, woman. You’re already leading me around by my dick. What more do you want?”

Melanie’s face drained of color, then her pouty lips thinned. “You, Carter Ambrose, are a big jerk. Huge.” She stomped away from him, yelling as she headed to the road. “Ginormous. Enormous. All the words that describe every man I’ve ever tried to please JERK!”

Every man she’d tried to please? He strode after her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. “Just how many men have you tried pleasing?” Oh yeah, that didn’t sound jerky as hell.

“I don’t have enough fingers and toes, and neither do you to help me count them all.” Tears filled her pretty eyes. “All a man has to do is tell me I’m pretty and I drop my panties. Why, just the other day Mr. Henry said he thought I was cute as a button while I cleaned his house. So I took that eighty-five year old man by the hand and rocked his freaking world. Next week, I’ll get all swoony over the UPS guy telling me how neat my signature is, then let him put his package in my slot.”

Scrubbing his hands over his face, he tried to make sense of her, their situation and came up with nothing. “Dammit, woman. Would you be serious?”

“Can’t. I’m too stupid.” She shoved a finger in his chest. “But at least I’m not mean like you.”

“Arrg.” He almost dropped to his knees and pounded the dirt field in frustration. What the hell had happened in the last five minutes? He’d invited her ass to Charlotte with him, even said she could drive Chase’s car on the way and…oh , shit. “Melanie, did you think that car is mine?”

“Who else’s would it be?” she cried, then ran back to the car. “According to Ms. Leah, you have a whole garage full in Charlotte.”

Son of a bitch. Why couldn’t he actually talk to her like a real person? Oh that’s right, he turn into a certifiable dumbass around her. “Melanie…” he began.

“Don’t you Melanie me.” She snagged her purse, pulled out her phone and walked past him. He grabbed her around her middle and picked her up. She tensed, but didn’t fight him.

“You’re right.” Kissing the side of her neck, he breathed in her coconut scent. “I am a jerk.”

“It’s not supposed to be like this,” she said. “You’re not supposed to be like this.”

Setting her on her feet, he turned her so she faced him. “How am I supposed to be?”

She searched his face. Her eyes were red and her lips were swollen. “Not like the rest. You’re always telling me to quit assuming the worst about myself, but you assume the worst about me.”

A kick to the gut, not that he didn’t deserve it. He’d known Melanie since she was eight years old and he’d always looked out for her while he lived here. But he sure as hell wasn’t being protective of her right now.

She deserved better.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“That’s what they all say. Anyway, Zoe’s on her way to get me,” she said, her shoulders slumping as she tucked her phone back into her purse. “Things need to go back to the way they were before we made…hooked-up.”

Jerk was too good of a word for him. “Melanie—”

She held up a hand. “Don’t.” Rising to the balls of her feet, she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “Thanks for letting me drive.”

That one kiss almost had him on his knees, his arms wrapped around her middle and begging for forgiveness, until she relented. Instead he shoved his hands in his pockets. “See you tomorrow at work?”

“Nine a.m. sharp,” she said with an obviously forced cheerful tone. “Bye, Carter.”

He heard Zoe’s Camaro before he saw it. Slowly turning as Melanie walked past him, he saw the accusation in his sister’s eyes as she got out of her car. She gave Melanie a hug and then Melanie got in on the passenger side.

“What did you do?” Zoe hissed.

Carter stepped back. He’d never seen her so mad. “Shot off my mouth before my brain got in gear.”

“God, it really sucks to know that my brother is just like the rest.”

“First her and now you. I’m human, Zoe.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I screw up.”

Fisting her hands on her hips, she let out a disbelieving snort. “You did more than screw up. Melanie’s always been in lo—sweet on you. Everyone around here knows it.”

Yeah, they did. Hell he knew it, but thought it was a crush. Nothing serious, until now when his sister had almost said love. “Yeah, well everyone should know that I’m not looking for that.” And just when he thought he couldn’t be more of a jackass…he said shit like that.

“Too bad you didn’t tell Melanie,” Zoe snapped. “Stay away from my best friend, Carter, or so help me…”

“What?” He crossed his arms and tilted his head to one side, raising his brows. “You’ll write about it in your books?”

“Still trying to think of the perfect person to base the villain on.” She tipped up her chin. “Looks like you’re edging out the leading candidate.”

“Like you know anyone who’s villainous,” he said, gazing over his sister’s shoulder. Melanie sat with her head facing the passenger side window. Yeah, he was the damn villain, breaking a woman’s heart like some cold son of a bitch.

“You’d be surprised who I met out in California,” she said.

His gaze sliced to hers. Zoe had been different since she’d moved back home. “Something I need to take care of?”

“Nothing to it.” Zoe was lying, but if she wasn’t going to tell him, then there was nothing he could do. “See you later, Carter.”

“I promise to never hurt her again, Zoe.” Even if it meant staying away from Melanie, which he realized wasn’t something he wanted to do. He had to make things right.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, big brother,” Zoe said softly, then she walked back to her car and got in.

He held up his hand in good-bye, but Melanie still refused to look his way. Not that he could blame her. But he could make it up to her.

Starting tomorrow.

***

Melanie found her dad sitting in his usual spot, like he’d never been gone. Unfortunately, he was on his fifth beer and cursing at the television. A sure sign that he’d lost all twelve grand and then some. “Where have you been?”

“With Zoe,” she lied, jogging to her bedroom. Okay so it wasn’t exactly a lie. Technically she’d spent the past hour with her best friend, until Zoe had convinced her to come spend the night. They’d planned on going to Poor Boy’s tonight to dance their cares away.

“Mrs. Gregory said there was a car parked here all night.”

Searching her closet, she found the perfect quasi-breakup revenge dress to wear out tonight. “Mrs. Gregory also said there were little green men line dancing on Ms.White’s roof last month.”

Louis chuckled as she walked to into the living room. She bent down to kiss his scruffy cheek. “Don’t wait up for me. I’m staying at Zoe’s place.”

“I plan on going out of town for about a week, sugar. Got another job lined up in Wilkesboro,” he said as she straightened. If she didn’t stay as far away from anything that remotely resembled gambling, she would have bet the bank that he was headed up to Cherokee.

Biting back a sigh, she clutched her bag tighter. “That’s good, Daddy. Be careful.”

“Don’t you worry none.” He nodded, his eyes never leaving the television screen. “I’ve got a feeling that our luck’s about to change. Raylene will see that I’m the man for her.”

Yeah and some things never changed, she thought as she headed out the door and got in her best friend’s car.

An hour later, Melanie was downing another shot of Jose Cuervo. She slammed the shot glass down on the bar and headed for the dance floor. A live band had begun to play their version of Big and Rich’s Party Like Cowboyz.

She linked arms with Zoe, pulling her along. They shuffled, kicked up their heels and stomped to the beat, shouting the lyrics.

“Nothing like shaking your booty to chase away a man,” Melanie yelled over the music.

Zoe grinned. “Or have them panting for your attention.” She nodded at two men making their way over to them. “I’ll be your wingwoman.”

“Wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.”

Face turning pale, Zoe’s eyes grew wide. She grabbed Melanie’s arm. “Carter’s here and he looks pissed as hell.”

Melanie whirled around, smiling at the guys, and then frowning at the jerk glaring at her.

The song changed, bass hitting hard as she was surrounded by tall, hot and male. Sandwiched between them, she tossed her hair and slowly rolled her hips.

“Been staring at you all night, babe,” the one behind her said, his hands settling on her waist.

“Have you now?” She leaned back, then looked up at the one in front of her. “What about you, cutie?”

He shrugged. “Had to flip a coin on who got to dance with you first.”

“But you’re both dancing with me.”

“We play well together…on the dance floor and the bedroom.”

Melanie blinked. That was kinda hot, but not her thing. Just as she opened her mouth to turn them down, Zoe grabbed her arm. “Carter’s heading this way.”

“Your brother can kiss my—”

“Excuse me, gentleman, but I need to have a talk with my girl.”

“I am not your girl,” Melanie snapped and began to drag her dance partners away, but the two hotties were more interested who’d just walked up.

“Holy shit, bro. You’re Carter Ambrose.”

“Damn shame you’re not racing anymore,” the guy behind her said, his hands leaving her waist.

Melanie rolled her eyes.

“Nothing’s a hundred percent,” Carter said, shaking their hands. “But I can tell you this: Jake Henley is one to watch.”

“I’m Royce and he’s Van.” Of course they were, Melanie thought. Only she could attract two guys named after automobiles. “It would be our honor to buy you a couple rounds of beer”

Carter grinned, confident yet humble. “I’m going to take you gentlemen up on your honor and enjoy every last drop.” He leaned into Melanie, whispering in her ear. “Be back later, baby, then you can tell me exactly what I can kiss.”

“I’m not waiting around for you.” She crossed her arms, ignoring how happy her body got with him around. Two plus one didn’t turn her on as much as Carter Ambrose.

Stupid happy body.

“Yes, you will.” He sauntered off and she stared after him, knowing he was right. Knowing she was allowing him to dictate what she would and wouldn’t be doing, but only because she wanted to tell him off again. Or at least that’s what she told herself as she found the table she and Zoe had claimed when the first arrived.

Anticipation grew to epic proportions as Melanie waited for him. She drummed her fingers on the table and tapped her foot on the floor. She sneaked a peek at Carter and found him staring at her, then he set down his beer and strode toward her.

The band took a break and the bar’s jukebox kicked on. The Civil War’s Dance Me Until the End of Love began to play.

As he neared, her heart sped up so fast that she was sure it was about to run out of her chest. It knew what her brain refused to believe. She wanted to dance with him.

Wordlessly, he took her hand and led her on the dance floor, wrapping her arms around his neck. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, she lay her head on his chest. They moved slowly, bodies turning and swaying with the beat.

His hand coasted down her arm, sending shockwaves throughout her nerves, as it traveled and found a home on the small of her back. The heat of his palm was like a brand on her skin. Holding her away from him, he spun her around and pulled her back again.