“Okay, what’s up with the women over there, glaring at me?”
Again, Kaylee glanced up to the women and then back to me. “One word. No, wait . . . two words. No, four.”
I waited for her to tell me. Arching one brow, I said, “And those four words would be?”
She smirked. “The kiss. Small town.”
“The kiss?” I retorted with a laugh that screamed I knew she was right but was refusing to admit it. “Oh, please!”
“I told you that kiss was going to take off on the rumor mill. It’s gotten a good twenty-four-hour run.”
When I peeked back at the two women, they were walking away, but one glanced back to give me a dirty look.
“So, do you think people think I’m a slut now?” I asked in a hushed voice.
Kaylee laughed. “No, honey, they think you’ve snagged the golden boy, who, apparently, every single woman—hell, probably even some of the married ones—in this small town wants.”
Tilting my head, I narrowed my eyes at her. “How exactly do you know all this information? We haven’t been in this town that long!”
She shrugged. “I can’t help it if I know how to get information.”
“Miss Lincoln! Miss Kaylee!”
The sound of Blayze’s voice made us both turn. The boy was coming in fast and hot, so I leaned down and instinctively held open my arms, only for him to run into them for a quick hug.
“Guess where we’re going?” Blayze asked.
Grinning at his excitement, I asked, “Where?”
“The county fair! It’s here all week! Daddy is gonna win me some pwizes. You want to come with us? You, too, Miss Kaylee!”
Kaylee ruffled Blayze’s light-brown hair. “I wish I could, buddy, but I’ve got work I need to do, so I can’t take any time off to play.”
His lower lip jutted out, and it was the cutest thing ever.
The air around me charged, and I felt my lips tingling again, almost as if they were just as excited as I was that Brock was standing within a foot of us. And hoping for another kiss.
“Hey,” he said in a deep, sexy voice that had my insides doing all sorts of jumping.
The feel of his lips on mine resurfaced in my memory, and I felt my cheeks heat.
Glancing up, I smiled. “Hey back at ya. How are you?”
The left side of his mouth rose slightly, and Lord, if it wasn’t sexy as hell. “I’m good.”
I nodded. “I heard y’all are going to a county fair. Sounds like fun.”
Blayze spun around and grabbed on to Brock’s shirt. “Daddy, can Miss Lincoln come with us? Pwease!”
For a moment it looked like Brock was going to say no, so I beat him to the punch.
“I’m sure your dad wants it to be a guys’ day,” I quickly said, standing and giving Brock a knowing smile. Glancing down to Blayze, I felt my chest tighten with a desire to spend the day with both father and son. That was not going to happen. But those big blue eyes staring up at me nearly broke my heart. “It’ll be fun!”
“Aw, shucks. I was hoping to show you how well I could shoot the ducks!”
Laughing, I winked at him. “I’m sure you’re a great shot.”
I wasn’t sure where to look. My eyes bounced from son to father. Brock just stood there, and that stone-cold face he’d worn the first time I’d met him was back. Maybe the kiss had been a fluke. A knee-jerk reaction he’d had in the heat of the moment. He probably kissed women all the time when he was traveling from town to town. Hell, I was sure he did more than that.
The thought of Brock sleeping around with strange women made my chest ache, which, in some way, surprised me. I’d known the man only two days, and I was already jealous of women he might or might not have slept with.
Good grief. Get a grip, Lincoln.
Brock cleared his throat, as if he was somehow pulling himself from a dark place. A smile grew over his face before he finally spoke. “Nah, it would be, um . . . fun to have you join us.”
I could feel Kaylee’s eyes boring into me. One quick peek her way confirmed she was giving me that look that said if I didn’t go, I was an idiot.
Focusing back on Brock, I nibbled on the corner of my lip before asking, “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude on your time with your son.”
Something in his gaze shifted when he made eye contact with me. His whole body relaxed, and his dimples popped out. “I’d love for you to spend the day with us, Lincoln.”
“Then I guess it’s settled,” Kaylee nearly shouted, causing me to jump. “She’ll go! Now, maybe I can actually get some work done without any interruptions.”
Blayze jumped all around like he’d just been told it was Christmas morning as Brock and I continued to stare at each other.
Finally, he broke the moment and said, “We just need to grab some drinks for the cooler and some sunscreen. Can you join us now, or should we come pick you up at your place?”
The pained expression on his face when he mentioned picking me up wasn’t hard to miss. There really were painful memories at that house for Brock. I wondered if the rumor about his wife was true. I tried to push away the instant sadness I felt.
“I’m fine if y’all want to grab your stuff and head over there. I’m dressed okay?”
Brock glanced down my body . . . slowly. The light-fabric dress was finished off with my favorite cowboy boots.
“You look beautiful—I mean, you’re dressed perfectly. Do you have a sweater? It could turn cold.”
I felt my cheeks heat.
Kaylee gave me a push, and I stumbled forward. “Yes, she has one in the car. I’ll run and get it for her.” She held out her hand. “Keys, please.”
Before I knew what was happening, my best friend was racing out of the grocery store, telling the clerk she’d be right back to check out.
“Miss Lincoln, we’re going to have fun today!”
I smiled at Blayze, and before I could say anything, Kaylee was there, panting like she’d just run a marathon. She shoved my sweater at me.
“Okay, well, have fun, y’all!” she crooned as she wiggled her fingers at us.
Brock placed his hand on my lower back, and I nearly tripped from the contact. Swallowing hard, I let him guide me around the store. It was then I noticed that nearly everyone was staring at us now. I wanted to tell myself it was because Blayze was jabbering on and on about how he was going to show me everything and that I had to ride every single ride with him. But I knew I was kidding myself. It was those four words.
The kiss. Small town.
Brock wore a relaxed smile, but something around his eyes said he was feeling uncomfortable as well. I wasn’t sure what was making him feel that way, but I had every idea it was because of the unwanted attention he was getting from the locals who were openly gawking at us.
After getting drinks and sunscreen, we stood in line. One of the women from earlier walked up to Brock and plastered on a huge smile while pushing her chest out just a little too much.
“Hi, Brock. You gonna be at the dance tonight?” she asked, not once looking in my direction.
Turning, I focused on the cashier, willing her to hurry. Unfortunately, she was trying to listen to the conversation Brock and the woman were having, so she was moving at a snail’s pace, ringing up the items.
“Hi, Lucy Mae.” Taking out his wallet, Brock pulled out a twenty and handed it to the cashier while I placed the waters and Gatorades into a plastic bag. Lord knows, the cashier wasn’t going to miss anything by doing her job.
“So? The dance? Maybe you can save me a spot on your dance card.”
I tried not to look at Brock, but I could feel his eyes on me, so I glanced up. He smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.
Why does he have such an effect on me?
My insides felt warm, and my lower stomach pulsed with a need I hadn’t felt in over a year. Heck, if I was being honest, I’m not sure I’d ever had a man make me feel this type of desire.
“I hav
e a feeling my dance card will be full tonight. I’ll see ya around.”
And with that, he grabbed the bags from me and placed his hand on my lower back again. This time, he rubbed his thumb back and forth over the light fabric, and my insides nearly melted on the spot.
Breathe, Lincoln. Breathe.
It was refreshing to have someone care enough to take the time to guide me. Even if it was out of a grocery store with all the locals focused on us. Maybe Brock didn’t care about the unwanted attention. Maybe this connection we felt was new to him, as well. I dug my teeth into my bottom lip, trying to hide the smile that wanted to come out at that little thought.
A small part of me wanted to look back and stick my tongue out at Lucy Mae.
What in the world is going on with me? That was not like me at all. First, I was a grown woman, for crying out loud. And second, I wasn’t the jealous type, never had been.
Brock stopped walking momentarily, and I paused to see what the holdup was.
“By the way, there’s a dance tonight after the fair. I hope you can go with . . . us.” He’d hesitated, not wanting to make it seem like a date, and I was okay with that. There was no denying the attraction between us, but leaping right into dating, especially after our rocky start, was probably not a good idea. Or at least I told myself that.
I’d just met Brock, and I knew in a few days, he would be gone again. Besides, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to open my heart up like that. In my last relationship, I’d been betrayed. I’d sworn I would be careful next time, and something about Brock Shaw screamed the opposite of careful. His dangerous job. His past—which was clearly something he was still dealing with—and the fact that he had a son.
But when he touched me or smiled at me, my heart told me it wanted to open up and let this man in. It wanted to take the leap.
“I’d love to go to the dance with y’all.”
We continued walking toward his truck as Blayze pulled on Brock’s hand to hurry up.
“First thing we have to do is go to the ducks,” Blayze declared.
Brock and I both chuckled as we all climbed into the truck. “Then what?” I asked.
“Then the rides! Do you like carnival rides, Miss Lincoln?”
Turning around and facing him, I smiled. “I do! I love them.”
His blue eyes lit up, and I could see his father in him.
I couldn’t help but wonder what Blayze’s mother had looked like. Did he get his eyes from his father? Or did Brock’s wife have blue eyes as well?
“I’m so glad you came with us! Daddy doesn’t like all the rides.”
My eyes went to Brock, who was now driving. “How could you not like the rides?”
He shrugged. “Never been a fan of them.”
“But you ride bulls for a living. I would think you would like the rush of the rides.”
He brought the truck to a stop and looked directly at me. “There are only two things I love to ride that I get a thrill out of . . . and one of those two things, the rush is shared with someone else, and it has nothing to do with bulls.”
I looked away, feeling my face heat. Because I was pretty damn sure that the “someone else” comment was meant for me. Maybe I was still wound up over thoughts of that kiss. Crap.
“What’s your favorite ride, Miss Lincoln?” Blayze asked, causing me to pull my mind away from the image of Brock and sex.
“Um . . . I’m not sure I have a favorite.” Why did my voice sound all shaky?
When I peeked over at Brock, he was smiling like he knew exactly where my mind had just gone. Those dimples were going to be the death of me.
“Well, I don’t have a favorite either! So, that means we can ride them all!”
Chapter Ten
BROCK
I watched as Blayze and Lincoln rode on the Flying Dinos. My dick strained against my jeans as Lincoln laughed and let out a couple of small screams, purely for Blayze’s entertainment.
I didn’t want to admit that I loved seeing her with him, or how much he was enjoying it.
I’d never once brought a woman around my son. Never intended to, but after that kiss, Lincoln Pratt was the only thing I could think about. The hell with what my head was telling me to do. I wanted to be around her, and I knew she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Blayze. It was pretty damn clear she was having just as much fun as he was.
“So, do you think letting a strange woman you hardly know be so close to your son is a good idea?”
I wanted to groan when I heard Lucy Mae next to me. I had dated her for a bit in high school, and in her weird, crazy world, she’d always thought we would end up together. She had hated Kaci and had gone out of her way to make her life difficult.
“I think it’s none of your damn business, Lucy Mae.”
She turned to look at me. “A little birdie told me she stayed at your house the other night, and you were seen kissing her in the parking lot of the Blue Moose.”
My head fell back, and I laughed. “Wow, news travels fast in this town.”
“So, you don’t deny it?”
“Listen, Lucy Mae, what I do—and who I do—don’t concern you. Lincoln is a friend of mine and a friend of my family. If I find out that you’ve started giving her hell, you’ll regret it. Do we understand each other?”
Her hands went to her hips. “She’s a city girl from Atlanta, for Pete’s sake, Brock! You can’t possibly be serious. All these years you push everyone away, and this is who you open up to?”
“Daddy! Look at me! No hands!”
I turned away from Lucy Mae and looked at Blayze and Lincoln, both holding their hands up. I gave him a thumbs-up.
“I heard that she comes from a lot of money. Rumor is, she started an interior design company there in Atlanta, and she couldn’t make it work. Poor thing. Must have been so embarrassing to have to tuck tail and leave town. And that friend of hers, something creepy is going on with her. I’m wondering if they’re . . . together . . . if you know what I mean.”
“Well, considering Kaylee and my brother Ty were getting it on in his truck the other night, I’m going to say you’re wrong.”
The moment it came out of my mouth, I knew I had messed up. Lucy Mae would spread that bit of gossip all over town, and Kaylee would be slapped with a slut label. It wasn’t even true, so why I’d said it, I had no idea.
Fuck.
“What?” Lucy Mae gasped.
Turning to her, I smirked. “Just kiddin’, Lucy Mae. Wanted to see how you’d react. You still got a crush on my brother too?”
Her face went white. Lucy Mae had decided to get back at me for marrying Kaci by sleeping with Ty one night when he was drunk. I hadn’t cared the least bit. I had recently married Kaci, and Lucy Mae and I had been over for some time. When I found out she’d slept with Ty, she was disappointed to learn I didn’t give two shits.
“You know we were both drunk that night, and I told you, I thought it was you.”
“Right, because I would really cheat on my wife.”
Her eyes went to little beads. “Well, she always did believe those rumors about you whoring around on the road.”
My chest felt like someone had hit me square in it. I never understood why Kaci had believed Lucy Mae’s lies. A part of me thought she wanted to believe they were true, for whatever reason.
Leaning in closer to Lucy Mae, I said, “She only believed it because you fed that shit to her. I never cheated on my wife, and you damn well know it.”
“Everything okay here?”
Lincoln’s voice came from behind me, her hand landing gently on my arm.
I instantly relaxed.
Lucy Mae’s gaze dropped to Lincoln’s hand before she smirked, turned on the heel of her boot, and walked away.
“Bitch,” I mumbled under my breath. Turning, I looked at Lincoln. “Where’s Blayze?” I asked.
“He, um . . . he wanted to ride the ride again with his little friend.”
Darting my eyes over to th
e ride, I saw Blayze sitting on the ride with his friend Billy.
“Are you okay?”
Lincoln’s voice pulled me back from the darkness I had been slipping into. I looked at her and smiled. “Sorry. Yes, I’m fine.”
She grinned. “Don’t let her push your buttons. I didn’t hear what y’all were saying, but she was clearly trying to rattle you.”
My eyes searched this beautiful woman’s face. Where the hell were you all those years ago?
I instantly felt guilty for thinking that thought.
“Lucy Mae has a way of trying to rattle everyone. If she tries to say anything to you about me, will you do me a favor?”
Lincoln nodded. “Of course.”
“Ignore it. We dated back in high school, and she’s still bitter about me breaking up with her.”
When Lincoln’s eyes went wide with shock, I almost laughed. “High school! She’s still upset because you broke up with her in high school?”
I chuckled. “Yeah.”
She rolled her eyes and let out a chuckle of her own. “Wow. That’s sort of sad.”
“It is.”
“Dad! Let’s go shoot some ducks!” Blayze yelled out as he and Billy came running up to us.
“I like the sound of that,” I stated as I ruffled his hair.
I watched him and Billy turn tail and run toward the games. Once we got there, Blayze was raring to go. He shot enough ducks to get a small prize. Then it was my turn. I shot some and got him a bigger prize.
“Miss Lincoln, you gonna try?”
She grinned. “I sure am. I used to be pretty good at this.”
I looked down at the boys and acted like I was rolling my eyes at Lincoln.
“Girls can’t shoot!” Billy exclaimed.
Lincoln arched a brow. “Is that right?”
I paid for Lincoln’s turn, and she thanked me, picked up the gun—and proceeded to shoot every single duck down.
I was pretty sure my damn mouth was on the ground.
“She did better than you, Dad!” Blayze shouted with a laugh.
With a sexier-than-sin smile on her face, Lincoln blew at the end of her fake gun and winked at me. My damn knees went weak. They actually went weak.
“My daddy taught me how to shoot.”
Never Enough Page 9
