Taming Wes: BOOK THREE|BILLINGSLEY SERIES

by Ellen, Melissa

  “Thank you. And I will,” I said, giving him a hug good-bye. Once he’d gone, I got to work unpacking and pulling my office together.

  * * *

  My phone was still ringing as I slipped into the driver’s seat of my car. I glanced over at the screen lying face up in the passenger seat. If it was Noah, I was hitting ignore and turning it off for the rest of the evening.

  I picked it up, smiling and relieved when I saw it wasn’t. “Hey.”

  “Hey! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all day. I was starting to worry and was about to call Mom and Dad to see if they’d seen or heard from you,” Jenna reprimanded.

  “I’ve been busy unpacking. Sorry. I was actually about to call you and ask where’s a good place to get a drink in this town?”

  “That kind of day, huh?”

  “That kind of month.”

  “He’s not letting up, is he?”

  “Nope. It’s been nonstop since I packed the U-Haul and left.”

  “I’m sorry, Dee. The man is an idiot. He better hope I don’t see him anytime soon, or he’s going to be walking away as a dickless dickhead.

  “I’d owe you if you made that happen.”

  “Consider it done. Now, enough about jackass, how are you settling in?”

  “Good. I just finished at the office. I still have tons to do at the house, but figured I’d take my time with that. I’m done for the night.”

  “Well, if you’re set on grabbing a drink somewhere, Dudley’s is pretty much the only decent place in town.”

  I switched my phone over to my car’s Bluetooth as I searched for the bar on my GPS. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t thank me, yet. You haven’t seen the place.”

  A small smile broke through as I turned over the ignition, steering the car out of the parking lot and in the direction of Dudley’s. “I’m not picky. I’m sure it will be just what I need.”

  “Okay. I warned you, though. Be safe and call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Later, tater.”

  “Bye, fry.” I could hear the smile in her voice as she responded with our traditional sign-off.

  I clicked ‘end’ and cranked up the music of The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army.”

  * * *

  Dudley’s wasn’t as low key and empty as I expected. It seemed it wasn’t the only place to be on a Saturday night but the place to be. When I pulled up to the metal building with nothing more than a gravel parking lot filled with haphazardly parked cars, I thought maybe my GPS had led me astray. But there was no missing the bright neon sign plastered on the side of the building.

  There was a moment I considered I might be underdressed in a pair of black skinny jeans with holes at the knees, an oversized vintage Rolling Stones tee that continued to slide off my left shoulder, Chucks on my feet, and my black hair in a messy top knot with barely a stitch of makeup on my face, but then I realized I didn’t care. I wasn’t here to impress anybody.

  I wasn’t looking for a man. The last thing I needed or wanted was to be hit on. I’d prefer if I repulsed every man tonight and maybe for the foreseeable future. The only person I wanted to approach me was the bartender, and I didn’t need to look good for that to happen. They were paid to serve me no matter how unattractive I might be.

  As I swung the door open and stepped inside, the music came to a screeching halt and every patron in the bar fell silent as their heads spun to stare at me.

  Okay. Maybe it wasn’t that dramatic of an entrance, but it did feel like all eyes were on me as I made my way to an empty barstool. I was just waiting for an old cowboy to walk up to me and say: “You ain’t from ‘round here are ya?”

  I was definitely underdressed compared to the other women in the bar, which was the only reason I could figure people felt the need to stare.

  Note to self: Next time, I should try to blend in more if I want to draw less attention to myself.

  It didn’t matter at this point. I was committed and determined. I’d have a few shots and then I’d get the hell out of here. I just needed a little something to relax my muscles after all the moving and stress I’d dealt with over the last few weeks.

  My phone rang once again with a call from Noah.

  I sighed as I climbed onto the stool and stared down at the phone in my hand.

  I wished he’d just stop. Mostly, because he was already wearing me down. At some point, I knew I’d give in and answer. Noah made me feel weak, something I wasn’t proud of. I hit ignore and silenced my phone as the bartender approached.

  “What’s it gonna be?”

  “Tequila. Fully dressed,” I said, setting my phone face down on the bar.

  “Coming right up,” he said as he walked away. Within seconds he was back in front of me, sliding the shot glass into my hand. “You wanna keep it open?”

  I tilted my head back, draining the glass of its contents before taking a bite from the lime. I waited for the distinct burn that flowed down my throat and warmed my belly to subside before responding with a nod of my head. “Yes, and I’ll have another.”

  He returned with another shot and a glass of ice water, placing them both in front of me. I arched an eyebrow. “You cutting me off already?”

  He chuckled. “Nope. Just making sure you don’t get ahead of yourself.”

  “I can handle myself, but thanks.”

  “I have no doubt you can,” he commented, not bothering to argue with me any further. With a grin on his face, he walked away again.

  I ignored the water and took the other shot before spinning in my seat to take in the scene. A live band played cover songs on the stage across the room as the patrons milled around, lost in their own conversations, or glided across the dance floor. My eyes landed on one particular dancing couple that were playing grab ass for all to see, which made my eyes want to roll into the back of my head.

  She laughed, her blond head falling to the side as he nibbled on her neck and whispered something in her ear. I felt a rolling pang in my stomach. I tried to convince myself it was from the back-to-back shots, not jealousy. I knew how being held by a man, being given that kind of attention, could make you feel. I also knew how blinded you could become by a feeling like that.

  She was pretty, nothing special, but pretty. Her clothes were tight and revealing, probably helping to land her tall, tan, and handsome. Not that I was looking. Or even knew if he was truly attractive. He’d yet to remove his face from her neck for me to really know. I’d only seen his backside, which even I couldn’t deny was nice in a pair of jeans.

  As if he’d heard my thoughts, they rotated and his head lifted with a gorgeous smile, beautiful green eyes, and the most perfect face I’d ever seen. The man was sickeningly attractive.

  I couldn’t help staring. Not just because he was hot and what would be considered universally good-looking to even the pickiest of women, but because there was something familiar about him. I just couldn’t quite recall how I might know him.

  The second his eyes roamed from her face to mine, I about fell out of my seat in embarrassment from his knowing expression. He’d caught me staring. Hard.

  I spun back around to face the bar, trying to find a way to distract myself from the flush I felt creeping up my skin. Catching the bartender’s gaze, I signaled for another round. He took his sweet time pouring my drink.

  Damn shot-blocker.

  When he finally set my third shot down in front of me, a warm body slid into the seat next to me. “You can put her drink on my tab, Timmy.”

  Timmy, the tequila-hoarding bartender, nodded and walked off before I could object to the stranger’s demand. Frustrated, I turned to face the man and tell him an obligatory thank you but was too dumbstruck to form words. Staring back at me was the man with the lethal smile, who I’d been basically eye-fucking only moments ago.

  As he peered down at me, oozing confidence, words finally shot from my mouth. “I won’t sleep with you.”

  His brows r
aised in question, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  “For the shot,” I explained further. “I won’t sleep with you just because you bought me a shot.”

  “It’s just a shot, brown eyes. A friendly gesture with no expectations attached. Besides”—he angled his body away from me and faced the bar—“we both know that’s not gonna be the reason you sleep with me.” He lifted the beer in his right hand, taking a slow pull from the bottle.

  I found myself unable to look away from him once again, despite his obnoxious comment. While staring at his profile, it suddenly hit me.

  I know him.

  Or more like, I knew of him. So much so that I felt like I might as well have known him personally. My mind was even more made up at that moment than it was before. This man, with his killer looks and seductive smile, was the last thing I needed in my life.

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I won’t be sleeping with you at all.”

  2

  WES

  I lowered my beer as she spoke, a warning in her tone as her gaze sliced through me. As determined as she sounded, I could see the heat in her eyes. She wanted me, but she wasn’t going to make it easy.

  It was nice to know she held herself to a higher standard. Most of the women around here hardly ever made it a chase. That alone made her even more attractive to me than I’d already thought she was the moment my eyes found her.

  She was a natural beauty—dark, raven-colored hair, beautiful light brown eyes, a tight, petite figure with just enough curves to grab onto, and full lips. I wanted to do dirty things with that mouth. The same mouth that was frowning at me now.

  “You got a name, brown eyes?”

  “Doesn’t everybody?”

  I cracked a smile as I stifled a laugh. This woman was definitely different from what I was used to. A challenge. I liked a good challenge. Yet, something about her smart mouth and laid-back confidence was familiar.

  Switching from watching me to keeping her eyes straight ahead, she took her shot of tequila like a champ then signaled for another. When I looked over at Timmy, I saw his hesitance. I didn’t blame him after counting the number of empty shot glasses in front of her. She’d already had three in what had to be less than thirty minutes. I gave him a silent signal, letting him know not to worry. I’d make sure she got home safe if she ended up drunk as hell.

  I could see him release a heavy sigh as his shoulders deflated. He shook his head in defeat while reaching for another glass and the bottle of tequila.

  “A woman of mystery. Is that what you’re going for?”

  “No. I’m just not interested. Besides, aren’t you here with somebody?”

  “Jealous?”

  She scoffed a sarcastic laugh, shaking her head. “You should leave me alone and go find her. I’m sure she’d be happy to finish what you started on the dance floor.”

  “So, you’ve been keeping an eye on me,” I goaded.

  She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her water.

  “She’s in the ladies’ room and I’m sure you’re right. But she’s not the one I want to talk to right now,” I added.

  She turned to look at me once again, her eyes nothing more than thin slits. “So, what was your plan here, slick? Get my number while she drained her bladder and was none the wiser?”

  I gritted my teeth at her comment, my muscles tensing. I could handle someone busting my balls, even a stranger like herself who knew nothing about me. I didn’t give a rat’s ass what most people thought of me. My family’s and close friends’ opinions were the only ones that mattered.

  Contrary to what most people would think, I didn’t treat women badly. I respected them and didn’t use them any more than they used me. If I got the hint that any woman wasn’t on the same page, I’d let them down easy and walk away without taking things further. They all knew up front where I stood whenever they entered my bed. I was not a relationship man. At one time, I thought I might be, but that ship sailed nearly a decade ago.

  And Mandy, the blonde she was trying to throw in my face, was on the same page as me. We didn’t come here together, and I didn’t plan on leaving here with her either. We’d shared a dance, one she initiated, and that was it. I admit, we may have gotten a little too friendly on the dance floor, more on her part than mine, but I’d already told her tonight wasn’t happening.

  I was here with some buddies for a guys’ night out. I’d planned to return to our table after my dance with Mandy, but as soon as I saw this girl, my feet started carrying me to her. I wanted to know who the hell she was and what she was doing here all alone.

  With the bite laced in every word she spoke, I was afraid I had my answer. She’d been burned. And from the looks of it, badly. It’s what had me grinding my teeth to bite back the anger I was feeling, an odd protectiveness for a woman I didn’t know. It was that fact I used to remind myself this wasn’t my fight. It didn’t seem to fucking matter.

  I ignored her ridiculous accusations. “Who was it, brown eyes? Who hurt you?”

  Her eyes flicked away momentarily, a sadness flashing across her face before she schooled all her features as a shield. Her lips flattened into a hard line as she refused to answer me.

  I leaned in closer, poising our mouths only inches apart as I stared into her eyes. I could feel the warmth radiating off her body, hear the hitch of her breath even with the loud noise of the bar surrounding us. “Whoever it was, didn’t deserve you.”

  “You know nothing about me.” Her words were weak, nearly a whisper, paling against the strength she had before.

  “You’re right. I don’t. And you know nothing about me. But that doesn’t mean I don’t recognize the pain you’re trying to drown in a bottle of tequila. The same pain you’re carrying and wielding as a sword against all mankind.” I pulled back and reached for a cocktail napkin and a pen that had been left on top of a receipt. “I’m not him, sweetheart,” I added, my eyes focused on the phone number I was scribbling onto the napkin.

  Her eyes dropped, watching my hand as I slid it across the bar top to her and stood.

  “I don’t want your number.”

  “Good. Because I didn’t give it to you. If you get too fucked up to drive, call that number. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to an Uber around here.”

  I turned my back to her and walked away.

  “I’m just supposed to trust you? How do I know this isn’t some creep?”

  Turning back to look at her, I continued to back away. “When it’s the right person, trust can be a beautiful thing, brown eyes.” I winked and gave her my biggest damn smile before spinning once again and heading for the table where all my friends sat.

  As I retook my seat next to Billy, they all tried to pretend they weren’t watching us the whole damn time. They all knew me well enough to read the look on my face and keep their mouths shut.

  * * *

  I swiped to answer my phone as I took the steps two at a time up to my front porch. “Hey, buddy.”

  “What the hell? I don’t have the patience for this, man,” Roger growled on the other end.

  “Is that the bastard? You tell him I want to talk to him!”

  Oh, now she wants to talk. I chuckled as I heard the slur in her angry voice in the background.

  There was some shuffling as Roger’s voice became distant. “Lady, if you don’t cut that shit out, I’ll arrest you and throw you in the back of the car.”

  I imagined he was fighting to hold onto his phone.

  “You can’t do that,” she hissed.

  “I can, and I will. You ever hear of assaulting a police officer, or public intoxication? I can arrest you on both counts if I want. So, keep your hands on that side of the car and pipe down.”

  I bit my fist, trying not to bust out laughing at their muffled conversation. It sounded like she was giving my buddy Roger hell already.

  When I’d taken off from Dudley’s for the night, she’d still been planted at the bar, scaring off any m
an who dared approach her. And there were plenty who did. As I closed out my tab and covered hers, I let Timmy know I’d given her Roger’s number. He agreed to call him if she didn’t do it on her own. I wasn’t sure if she’d called him, but she sure as hell didn’t sound happy about being in his squad car, so my guess was Timmy did it for her.

  “You all right over there, Roger?”

  “No! I’m not okay! Your lady friend here is a real pain in the ass.”

  “I’m not one of his lady friends! He only wishes!” she yelled in the background again.

  He ignored her as he continued to chew me out. “You can’t keep using me as your personal car service, asshole. You’re gonna get my ass fired.”

  “First of all, your dad is your boss. He’s not gonna fire you. And what did you expect me to do? Let her drive home drunk?”

  “Why couldn’t you take her?”

  “Do you not hear her screaming next to you? She’s not my biggest fan.” At least, not at the moment. I was hoping to change that in the future.

  “You owe me, dick wad.”

  I knew he’d forgive me. It’s not that he’s a pushover. We’d just been friends for years. He’d always been there for me and I for him.

  “Thanks, man. And I promise. Never again.”

  “Yeah, right,” he scoffed. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Good luck, buddy.”

  The line died with her screaming at Roger to not hang up. I shook my head, laughing to myself as I walked inside my house. I had a good feeling I’d be dreaming about a smart-mouthed, black-haired beauty tonight.

  * * *

  Lottie was already rushing out her front door with my baby nephew in tow before I could even park my truck. I jumped out and met her at the bottom step.

  “Thank you so much for coming, Wes. I’ve been worried sick and not sure what to do, with Tucker gone and Billy with Hannah at her OB appointment.”