Taking my guitar from behind the bar, I make my way to the stage. I haven’t played in a while but after Cooper’s Religion came through, the locals have been asking for live musicians more often, so I fill in when I can. I’m no Johnny Cash but I can carry a tune. I go through my normal set, covering everything from Toby Keith to Coldplay. I have an eclectic taste in music. As I strum the chords, I can’t keep my eyes off that stunning brunette who came in a bit ago. I hope she doesn’t leave before I can properly introduce myself.
She keeps stealing glances at me when she thinks I’m not paying attention. It’s cute the way her cheeks blush when I meet her gaze.
By the time I make my way from the stage, I don’t see her anymore.
Damn, I was hoping to get her number. She is a welcomed fresh face around here. Either every woman around here is taken, I have already had her, or my brother has.
Making my way down the hall to the bathroom, she almost bumps into me as she comes out of the women’s restroom.
“Oh! Excuse me.” She smiles at me and her cheeks are tinted pink again—cutest thing ever, makes my dick twitch with anticipation. Oh yeah, she is definitely going to be writhing under me soon.
I step into her, leaning in close. “You never did give me your name.” I brush a strand of her hair behind her ear and I see goosebumps fanning across her arm.
She sucks in a deep breath, biting on her bottom lip like she is thinking of lying to me. “Hattie Mae, but Hattie for short.”
“Hattie, I like that. I am just about to head out. Can I give you a ride? Take you out for coffee?” I offer anything really to get her attention. There is simply something about her. Is she the woman Zelda was talking about? Z told me some interesting details about my love life today and she is never wrong.
She stopped me at the mailboxes, spouting off about how the woman of my dreams was going to appear to me soon but she’d be out of reach. Then she was at it again when I came in to start my shift. The woman is relentless when it comes to her visions.
“You’re going to meet the love of your life. She won’t be who you expect, and she will make you work hard to win her heart.”
As usual, I thought she was full of shit but then this chick walked through the door and I don’t know…
Hattie is curvy and nothing like the women I am used to bedding. There is just something so innocent and pure about her. Most of the women I meet are climbing all over me, eager for a chance to try to be the one to tame me. My reputation for being a player has gotten around. I’ve made quite the name for myself. It isn’t something I am all too proud of, but I wear the asshole badge I’ve earned and own it.
This chick, Hattie, shocks the hell out of me. She leans in close to my mouth and whispers a soft, “No.” And then she kisses me. I wasn’t expecting her to turn me down and then kiss me. It’s confusing as fuck. Her lips are parted, and I can feel her warm breath against my mouth. I wrap my fingers in her long silky brown hair and return her kiss. Eager to taste her, I dart my tongue out and lick her top lip. She tastes sweet. Her lips have a honey taste to them.
She pulls away from me and says, “See ya around, Zane.” I stand, unable to move, trying to process what in the hell just happened between us. She is into me. Her kiss told me that much but now she is just walking away. I touch my lips as if I am making sure she really did just do that. Licking my bottom lip, I can still taste her lip gloss—that definitely just happened.
“What, that’s it?” I follow her back to the bar where she continues to ignore me, and Sienna gives me a smug look. “Look, I know I am some guy you just met, but I feel like I was supposed to meet you today.” I continue mumbling about what Zelda told me and Hattie looks at me as though I am crazy.
Fuck, I sound it by telling her this shit.
I would run too.
Lucas, my dickhead older brother interrupts our conversation and asks Hattie if she’d like to dance. There is no way she is going to choose him over me. No fucking way. Bastard is always butting in where he isn’t wanted.
She rolls her eyes at me and accepts Lucas’ invitation to dance. Guess she likes to play games after all. She must not know I am a master at playing the game.
I always win.
I always get what I want.
After the song ends, Hattie joins Lucas and his followers at their table. He has a group of dorks that follow him around as if he is some sort of God. He had a few good rides at the local rodeo. He is only a has been if you ask me.
Whatever, I see Cassie is off tonight and she just winked at me. I do what I do best. I take her to the bathroom for a quick fuck.
Chapter 4
Hattie Mae
“Don’t let my brother’s eagerness run you off,” Lucas whispers as he leads me to the dance floor. “I take it you’re new in town.”
“Your brother?”
“Yeah, Zane is a whore, but he means well.”
“What about you?”