Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)(89)

Damn nosy man. “Not a woman. An old friend of mine from Cheyenne.”


“Huh. You guys goin’ next door?”


“Probably.”


“Save me a dance. It don’t bother me none that you’re taller than me.”


The pervert just wanted to bury his face in her chest.


“See ya.” He bustled away.


But after she returned to the dining room, she noticed Busby hadn’t gone far. He eyed her from the bar as she sat next to Dillon.


“You all right?” he asked.


“Fine. I ran into someone I knew.”


“The band must be ready to start because everyone’s cleared out.”


“I’m ready to go whenever you are.” She hoped he took that as she wanted to go home.


Dillon signaled the waitress for the check. “It’ll be fun to dance together since we didn’t get the chance during our brief engagement.”


She met his gaze. “You dance?”


“Yes. See? You don’t know everything about me.”


I know enough. I know when you reached out to grab my hand I felt nothing. I know when I look in your eyes I don’t see burning desire that consumes you. I don’t feel a sense of urgency…


“Thanks for dinner,” she said as they waited in line.


“My pleasure. I think we broke new ground tonight by talking this out.”


What the hell? How had their discussion encouraged him? “Since I work tomorrow I’ll have to leave after the first set.”


Dillon paid the cover charge and they squeezed together at a tiny table in the back. “You want another drink?”


“I’m good. But go ahead if you want one.”


“Okay. Be right back.”


Not likely. They’d only staffed the bar with two bartenders. And this crowd liked to drink. She’d made three hundred bucks last time she’d worked this gig.


By the time Dillon returned, the band had started, making it hard to hold a conversation. That didn’t deter Dillon. He kept trying to talk to her and she kept saying, “What?”


He did give up beyond commenting on a song or to point out a dancing couple. After he drained his drink, he took her hand. “Let’s dance.”


Luckily the first two songs were fast. Then the band announced the next song would end the first set.


Dillon pulled her closer and she winced when he tromped on her foot. “Sorry.”


Rory caught herself trying to dance faster, like she could get this over with sooner.


“I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately,” Dillon said.


“Because of the job openings?”


“No. I miss you.”


“Why? We weren’t together that long and I’m not that cool.”


Dillon laughed. “I forgot that you’re so funny. Would it be so bad, giving me another shot?”


“Stop talking, Dillon. This isn’t going to happen.”


“Let me convince you another way.” He clamped his hands over her ears and mashed their faces together, laying a kiss on her.


No. Dammit, no! She didn’t want this. She tried to twist her mouth free from his, but he held fast, his tongue pushing between her lips.


Then he was ripped away from her and Dalton was in Dillon’s face. “What the f*ck do you think you’re doin’ with her?”


Dillon blinked with confusion then demanded, “What does it matter to you?”


Rory tried to step between them, but Dalton was immoveable.


“Answer the question.”


“What is your problem, buddy?”


“My problem is you, f*ckface.”


“Back off.”


“Or what?”


“Or I’ll make you back off,” Dillon snapped.



Dalton loomed even more. “Gonna hafta grow a bit before that happens.”


People were starting to take notice. Rory said, “Stop it. Both of you.”


“Rory, who is this redneck *?” Dillon demanded.


“He’s my…” Boyfriend seemed too tepid a term. Lover was too intimate.


“Why you havin’ trouble explaining who I am to you?” Dalton said without looking away from his opponent.


“Dalton, this is Dillon. My ex-fiancé.”


Then Dalton did turn and look at her. “Are you f*ckin’ serious? What the hell is Dildo doin’ here? Dancing with you? Goddamn kissing you.”


“I wasn’t kissing him back,” she said quickly.


“Jesus, I know that. It’s why I’m so pissed off.”


“Dalton—”


“I take it you’re the new boyfriend,” Dillon said.


“I am one helluva lot more to her than some simple goddamned boyfriend.”


“If that’s true, then isn’t it funny she never once mentioned your name during our dinner?”