“I guess I was wrong. That level of awesomeness apparently wears a girl out.”
He could hardly say no to walking a woman home after dark, even if it was only across the parking lot. She had him roped with that one. “I’d be happy to walk you home, Charlie.”
“Let’s go.”
Before they took two steps, Rayleen called, “Where are you going, Ms. Thang?”
“Beauty sleep!” Charlie shouted back. “And I have to rest up for the weekend. I’ve got men to hunt.”
Rayleen howled with laughter. “Keep me in the loop. I’ll help you tag ’em.”
Walker couldn’t believe it. “That woman doesn’t like anyone, not even her own flesh and blood.”
“Aw. Everyone likes me, Walker. After all, what’s not to like?”
His eyes fell to the dip of her collar and the faint rise of her cleavage. “Not a lot.”
“Are you calling me flat-chested?”
His gaze flew up to meet hers as he pushed open the saloon door. “No! What?”
She didn’t bother answering, she just swept by him with a gorgeous laugh, the scent of something crisp and flowery trailing behind her.
“Who was that woman?” she asked as she stepped off the porch stairs and headed toward the street.
“A friend.”
“Oh, playing coy. Is she a girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Is there someone else?”
“Nope.”
“Walker Pearce with no woman? That’s rare. I should make a move quick.”
She was teasing again. Pressing him. He should call her on it to scare her off. But in his current mood, he didn’t want to scare her off.
He’d been caught up in the idea that she wasn’t the same girl she’d been in high school. It had so confused him that he hadn’t put time into figuring out who she was now.
She wasn’t that sweet, studious girl, obviously. Now she was a successful businesswoman, bold and beautiful and wild. Exactly the kind of woman he was attracted to. And exactly the kind who saw him for what he was: a big, dumb ride to adventure.
He felt a little calmer now. A little less worried or maybe only worn-out from his conversation with Nicole. But he was also kind of pissed, and there was just enough adrenaline left in his veins to make him horny. And just enough regret to make him want to forget his mistakes.
Walker didn’t know what to do with a sweet, innocent girl, but this new Charlie? Yeah, he could deal with that.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her arm nudging his as they turned and headed up the walk to the Stud Farm. “You still look tense. Did she give you trouble?”
“Not too much.”
“I guess you’re used to it.”
He tightened his jaw. “Mm.”
“Even in school, some girl was always mad at you. You sure do cause trouble, Walker.”
“Yeah.” He shot her a dark look as he opened the door of the building. “You looking for trouble, Charlie?”