Love, Diamonds, and Spades (Cactus Creek #2)(9)

Ha! The man was anything but dull. Studying him, she saw the sincerity in his expression and instantly, a thousand questions poised for fire on her lips. She chose the one that was gnawing at her gut the most.

“Has a fan ever wanted to have sex with you?”

He thought about that for a second. “No. But to clarify, I’m thinking you’re asking if a fan asked to have sex with me as purely a fan, not a woman looking to hook up, am I right?”

She frowned. “What’s the difference?”

“I meet a lot of women at Ocotillos who want to have sex, but not necessarily because they’re fans, or even because I’m a musician.”

Arrogant donkey’s tail.

When his lips twitched to the side, she realized she’d muttered her G-rated musings out loud.

“I try not to use curse words since Cooper likes to copy everything I say,” she defended, trying to sound as matter-of-fact as possible.

“Wasn’t judging,” he replied back, eyes still laughing. “And while I probably am a donkey’s tail, my momma would slap me silly if I were arrogant.”

She rolled her eyes. “You basically just told me you have women coming on to you because you’re hot, and not because you’re a musician.”

His brows lowered tiredly. “No, I said I meet a lot of women who want to have sex. Most of them have beer goggles on by the time the guys and I are done with our set that they tend to be almost blind to looks. Some even blind to wedding rings.”

The last statement came out so disgruntled, Quinn started in surprise. “The two married guys in your band…they’ve cheated on their wives?”

“Hell no.” His expression turned fierce. “They wouldn’t still be in my band if they did. And again, you’ve twisted my words to shine the light only on the male half of the equation. Some of these women just want to get laid. Doesn’t mean the guys and I take what they’re offering.”

So different from her ex and his friends.

“You must have met some real class acts to have such a low opinion of me and the guys,” he groused, again with that hard edge to his voice that made him sound almost…possessive.

“Back in the day,” she replied. “I guess it’s colored my view of musicians a little.” Looking up at him, she added earnestly, “But I don’t have a low opinion of you and the guys. Honest. You were all great with Cooper, and you helped so much with our Desert Confections video.” It was the absolute truth. Even with her automatic gut-roiling reaction to musicians, a part of her had recognized every guy in the band as good men—down to earth, hard-working and always kind to others. Suddenly, she felt ashamed for judging them at all, even Rylan with his fluffle of women.

“What in God’s name is a fluffle?” he asked sounding equal parts exasperated and amused.

Dammit! She needed to get her lips wired shut. “A fluffle…that’s what they call a group of rabbits in Canada.”

“Ah, a fluffle as in a fluffle of band bunnies.” Now all the frustration was overtaken by the amusement. “I think I’m a little flattered that you took the time to research obscure Canadian words to beef up your case against me.”

“I didn’t,” she replied swiftly. “I just...know a lot of random things.”

He gave her a knowing grin. “Okay, Miss Trivial Pursuit. I actually need to get back to work, but if you think of more questions for me, here’s my number.” He dropped his business card on the counter. “That’s my personal cell phone so don’t go selling it to the harem—I mean fluffle—of women who we both know would just scratch your eyes out for it. Just saying. I don’t want to start a stampede in town or nothing.”

“Fine, fine,” she huffed. “I get it. I jumped to conclusions about the groupie thing.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

She glowered at him, mostly because she was pretty sure this was jealousy she was feeling itching at the tips of her fingers.

“Retract your claws, hellcat. I meant there are a few band bunnies who would do all that you’ve seen and imagined. But I have absolutely no desire to get caught up in that. Not one bit.” He ran his eyes over her face. “Do you believe me?”

Why was it so easy to trust this man? “Yes,” she admitted, sounding confused over that even to herself.

“Not that I don’t find the jealousy thing pretty darn cute.”

She glared at him. No one ever called her cute. Why on earth was she liking it?

“Okay, sugar, now I really need to head out. Errands to run. You going to be sticking around here for a bit longer? Say a few more minutes?”

“Yes.” She studied him suspiciously. “Why?”

“I’m having a grand opening present delivered in a bit.”

“You got me a gift?” Besides Luke and her sister, no one ever got her gifts.

“Yep. I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it,” he said confidently as he headed out of the shop. “See you tomorrow, beautiful.”

“Okay,” she replied automatically before she caught herself.

Wait. Tomorrow? If the whole ‘beautiful’ thing hadn’t hijacked her brain, she wouldn’t be standing here actually looking forward to ‘tomorrow.’ Whatever that meant.