by MJ Fredrick
“A Ranger. That must be exciting.” She sat in the chair Killian pulled out for her, and Ryan resumed his own seat.
Damn it. Killian had no idea if Ryan was attractive or not. He seemed a little craggy to Killian, a little hard, but Liz was smiling at him and he was smiling back. Shit. Killian hadn’t thought he was the jealous type. He’d told himself he couldn’t be jealous and want Liz, not knowing her past.
But then she turned her head and gave him a real smile that lit her eyes. “This band better be good, because I could really go for some ice cream.”
His grin widened at the reference and he folded his hand around hers. “I swear, if they suck, we can go get ice cream.”
Ryan’s smile dimmed a bit, but he stuck around as Liz started talking about her day, and the new girl Jessica, and how she didn’t know how a girl so young could be so brave to set out to a new town and a new life.
“I wonder what would have happened if I’d tried that, you know? Pulled up everything and gone to the city when I was nineteen?”
Something kicked in Killian’s gut. “Was that something you thought about doing?”
“Yeah, I did, but the girls were little and I couldn’t leave my mom to raise them alone when she was already struggling. And actually, I don't think I could have been that brave, go live some strange place, try to make it on my own.” She looked at him. “I’m not saying I regret staying, but I’ll probably always wonder. I mean, you went away to college. I’ll always wonder what that might have been like, too.”
“Where did you go to beautician school?”
“Kingsville, but it was only a few months, and I drove every day. Gas was cheaper then.” She included Ryan in that smile. “You don’t have a lot of school spirit for your cosmetology school. No football team or any of that.”
She was talking a lot more than usual. Was Ryan making her nervous, or was she flirting with him, considering him an alternative?
“What do you want to drink?” Killian asked, pushing to his feet, needing some distance to clear his head.
“Just a beer.” She folded her arms on the table.
He refused to look back and watch her with Ryan, didn’t want to see her lean in.
But when he turned back with the beer, she was watching him.
So Allison blindsided him when she popped out of nowhere to stand between him and Liz.
“Hey, Killian. Nice to see you here.”
She was overly bright, as usual, which was weird, considering how they’d parted the last time they talked.
“Allison. Here to listen to the music?”
“Oh, sure, and to support Sage, you know. I really love this place.”
Something about her seemed brittle, somehow, maybe her shrill words or the way she was waving her hand around or the look in her eyes. He leaned in a bit, wondering if she was drunk, but he didn't think Allison ever let herself get that out of control.
“Liz and I are sitting over there.” He pointed, and saw Liz’s eyes go round, then narrow.
“Oh, I should go say hello.”
Should she? She and Liz weren’t friends, were they? But suddenly she was bounding across the floor in front of him, and he could do nothing but follow helplessly.
He circled around Allison to slide the beer across the table to Liz and returned to his seat.
“Liz, hi, I heard you hired a new stylist. Is she good?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned and smiled at Ryan. “Hi. Are you new in town?”
“Allison Bonner, this is Ryan Keller, Texas Ranger.”
Allison dropped into the chair next to Liz so fast it made Killian’s head spin. “Ranger? What’s a Ranger doing in our little ol’ town?”
Ryan gave her a slow smile of his own. “Ranger business. What does a gorgeous woman like you do around here?”
“Whatever needs to get done. I’m a world-class organizer, just ask Killian.” She waved a hand in his direction.
“Can I get you a drink?” Ryan asked Allison, who popped right back up again as he rose more slowly.
“I would love that.” She tucked her arm through his and followed him to the bar.
“Two birds with one stone, Mr. Mayor. Good job.” Liz saluted Killian with her beer.
“Maybe we should make our escape before they come back.” He folded his hand around hers.
“You wanted to hear the music.”
“Not that bad.”
She turned her hand beneath his and linked her fingers. “We are not going to let them chase us off. We’ll leave when we’re good and ready.”
*****
Ice cream wasn’t supposed to be an aphrodisiac, but just the smell of the shake as Killian drove his convertible out to the reservoir had Liz’s nerves tingling. Part of that was probably because the way he’d stroked her shoulder while they were watching the band, his fingers trailing back and forth over the bare skin. The way he’d led her onto the dance floor, staying close to her because, as she discovered when she was in his arms, he was painfully aroused.
Now, so was she.
They could have gone back to his apartment. She knew all it would have taken was for her to give his hand the slightest tug in that direction when they walked out of the Sagebrush. She hadn’t done it, though, and was still wondering why.
Once he parked, she stretched her arm along the back of the seat and trailed her fingertips along the back of his neck, to where his hair was trimmed so close. She knew he went to the barber on Third Avenue, and had probably gone to him for years. Most of the men in town had. Only the very young ones came into her shop.
“Giving me a professional assessment?” Killian asked.
“Mmm.” She angled her head considering. “No, Mr. Daphne knows what he’s doing.”
“Good thing, because I bet you could talk me into all kinds of procedures if I walked into your shop.” He curved his hand around her cheek. “I can’t see myself getting a manicure.”
She covered his hand with hers. “Good, because I like your hands a little rough.”
“Yeah?” His smile widened and he leaned in to kiss her.
Her breath shuddered out against his lips before she pulled him closer, needing a deeper kiss, a stronger caress. She pushed her tongue past his lips, rising to angle her mouth over his, to take charge. He made a sound of appreciation low in his throat and slid from beneath the steering wheel, his hands gripping her hips as she straddled him. For a moment, she hovered over him, looking into his eyes for a moment, seeing the affection there, mixed with desire, before she kissed him again, easing her body forward until their hips met.
This time he didn’t try to hide his desire, pushing against her body as the kiss heated, his hand tangling in her hair, his breath hot against her cheek. She slid one hand down over his chest to feel his heart pounding in time with hers. She toyed with the buttons of his shirt, feeling the crispness of his chest hair beneath. God, how she wanted to open his shirt, stroke his warm skin.
He curled his hands beneath her bottom and pulled her closer, at the same time pushing up against her. She rocked into him, her mouth hungry on his until he twisted away to kiss along her jaw, beneath her ear, making her squirm against him.
No longer thinking twice, she flicked open the top three buttons of his shirt and slid her hands inside, over his chest. He groaned against her throat and reached up to capture her hand, holding it for a moment before releasing it and stroking her bare shoulder, pushing the fabric farther down, stopping just at the curve of her breast.
She whimpered, her nipple hardening, needing his touch, but he retreated, sliding his hand behind her hair and holding her.
“Killian. Please,” she managed. “Touch me.”
“If I touch you,” he said against the dip of her throat, “I won’t want to stop. I’m not making love to you out here.”
“Then take me back to your place. Your apartment.” She broke away to look down at him, her fingers spread on his chest. “God, Killian.”
&nbs
p; “You deserve more.”
More? More what?
“I want more,” she said, bending to kiss him again, but this time he turned away. When she retreated, he met her gaze steadily.
“I want to give you more.”
What the hell was he talking about? She slid off his lap, frustrated, confused by his obvious arousal and his lack of interest in doing anything about it.
But he didn’t let her go far, instead scooping her hair off her face and brushing his lips over hers in the sweetest of kisses, something she might have dreamed of as a young girl. She let him take charge—maybe that was what he wanted, maybe she’d come on too strong—but couldn’t resist the allure of the chest she’d bared. He hummed against her mouth when she stroked his skin, but he made no move to end the caress. Her fingertips rested against his heartbeat as his lips played over hers, soft and tender.
Then he straightened, slid behind the wheel and started the car.
*****
The following night, Liz’s mother insisted Liz be home for dinner with her father. She agreed, only because her mother seemed a little frazzled. But now she was feeling trapped as she looked across the table at her father, who was pointedly ignoring her gaze as he chatted with Brianna. Fine. That gave Liz a chance to watch her mother, who was sitting back in her chair, a soft smile on her mouth. God, had her mother forgiven him after what he’d done? Had she—was she thinking about taking him back? The glance her father sent in Sophia’s direction told her more than she wanted to know. She curled her fingers into fists in her lap.
She looked over at Gracie, who had been on her side until she got a new car. Of course, Gracie was smiling in his direction, and all the women laughed at something he said.
“Oh, lighten up, Liz,” Gracie, said, smacking her leg under the table.
“How’s business, Liz?” her father asked, turning to her.
“Good enough. We hired a new stylist this week.”
“I’m so glad for that,” Sophia said, reaching over to pat her arm. “You’ve been working yourself too hard.”
“Not since she’s been going with Killian. I mean, she used to work when she got home and she’s not doing that any more,” Gracie said.
“My little girl, dating the mayor.” Her father shook his head.
He’d been gone through the worst of her behavior, so he couldn’t know just how unlikely it was.
“Is it serious?” Brianna asked, like she was the big sister.
“We’ve only been seeing each other a couple of weeks.” She rose to clear the table. She felt like she was walking on a tightrope here. Why didn’t they? Why didn’t they see that the more they let him into their lives, the more power he had to hurt them?
But she’d watched him throughout dinner, watched him work his charm on each of them. She felt immune to it, from him. But she knew another man who used his charm, and she wasn’t immune. Was she wrong to trust him?
The bell over the salon door clattered as Victoria Kenilworth bounded into the salon the next day.
“We’ve set the date!”
Liz stilled her razor just in time as Cassidy whipped her head toward their former classmate. Liz gave the strand of hair she still held a warning tug.
“You almost ended up with a completely different style than you came in for,” she told her friend in the mirror.
Cassidy waved a dismissive hand and turned her attention back to Victoria. “When?”
Cassidy and Grady had been postponing setting the date for their own wedding, but Liz wasn’t completely sure why. Victoria had been engaged longer, but surely they hadn’t been waiting for her to make her decision. Yes, venues were limited in Evansville, but Grady’s family had money. It wasn’t like Cassidy had to save up for a wedding.
“Labor Day weekend. And I want to hire Liz to do my hair and the hair of all my bridesmaids that day.” Victoria plopped in the empty chair closest to the reception desk.
“Okay, sure, we can make appointments.” Liz motioned for Brianna to get the appointment book.
“Oh, no, I don’t want to come in that day. It will be too crazy. I want you to come to my house and do us all up. Or maybe come to the church. That might be better. But I want you exclusively with us that day.”
“On a Saturday,” Liz clarified. Her busiest day.
“I will pay you. How many people do you usually service on a Saturday?”
“It depends on if I’m doing cuts or color. Around six, usually.”
Victoria nodded and turned to Brianna. “Okay, well, we’ll get our nails done the day before, so schedule us for that.” She pivoted the chair back to Liz. “But I need you on hand in case we need a fix between the wedding and the reception. I want everything perfect.”
Liz exchanged glances Jessica. She didn't know if the girl would still be here in September, or if she’d decide Evansville was too dull, and would head back to the city. Would she be able to hold down the shop? She’d have Bev to help her, and maybe Brianna. Liz would need an assistant herself. Did she dare take Mrs. Wachowski with her? Or worse, leave her in charge?
“I’ve never done anything like this,” Liz admitted.
Victoria’s eyes went wide. “You’ve never done up-dos?”
“Of course, and I’ll work with you ahead of time to make sure it’s just what you want, but I’ve never been—hired for the day.”
“Oh!” Victoria’s shoulders relaxed. “It’ll be great fun. Just a big party all day. When can we start working on styles?”
“I’m off Sundays and Mondays. Either of those good for you?”
They made the arrangements, and Victoria floated off. Liz’s pulse bounced—the wedding was bound to be a big event, and her part in it was a huge responsibility. Her continued success depended on her doing a good job.
“So when are you and Grady going to set the date?” Bev asked Cassidy once Liz went back to work on her hair.
“We’re actually thinking about not having a wedding.”
The entire salon went silent.
“What?” Bev asked, when no one else would.
“Well, weddings are a lot of money.”
“And you’re marrying a rich man.”
Cassidy looked at Liz in the mirror, as if to ask for back-up. Liz was too curious herself to give it.
“It’s not his money, you know, it’s family money. And his family isn’t over the moon about him marrying me. I have some money saved, but I can think of so many things I’d rather spend it on than a dress and a big party.”
Liz allowed a glance at Brianna, whose mouth hung open as she stared at Cassidy.
“But it would be so much fun!” Brianna protested. “You’d be the center of attention, and you’d be beautiful, and everyone would be so happy.”
Cassidy smiled at the girl. “I’ve been the center of attention plenty. And really, a wedding is about making a commitment to the person you love, not about having a party.”
“It’s about including the people you love in that celebration, though,” Mrs. Wachowski said. “We’re all happy for you, Cassidy. I for one would like to watch you get married.”
For the second time, the salon was quiet and everyone stared at Mrs. Wachowski, who scowled.
“What? I can’t be pleased that a young woman makes good?” She turned to Liz. “I might even be happy if you bring that handsome mayor to heel.”
Liz couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Honestly? He’s the one trying to bring me to heel.”
Mrs. Wachowski nodded and turned back to the perm she was setting on Mrs. Gonzales’s hair. “I’d be happy about that, too.”
*****
Killian loved going to San Antonio on occasion, loved the brightness and noise and the variety of shops and restaurants. But he wished Liz had accompanied him instead of Sage. Sage had convinced him months ago to sign up for this Small Town and Rural Development Conference. Truth be told, he’d forgotten about it until Norma had reminded him yesterday to be at the airfield early so G
rady could fly Sage and him to San Antonio.
Killian had thought about asking Liz to come along, but she’d have trouble leaving her shop, and it wouldn’t be fair for her to hang out by herself while Sage dragged him from one lecture to another.
He had to admit, at least the lectures were good. Sage was taking a lot of notes on her tablet.
“I’m surprised you would leave your bar so soon after opening,” he said as he sat across the table from her in a Mexican restaurant near the hotel.
She dropped a tortilla chip back into the basket on the table and grimaced. “I considered putting off the opening until after I got back, but I figured the place was ready, and people were curious. I didn’t want it to sit for weeks. And it’s in Grady’s hands. I trust him, for the most part.”
“Good, since he’s your brother.”
“But not a businessman. At least he has Cassidy, and she has some restaurant experience.”
Killian rolled his eyes. “She’s been working at the Coyote since high school. I’d say more than ‘some.’”
Sage lifted a shoulder.
“So things aren’t any better between the two of you? Now that she’s marrying your brother?”
Sage blinked at him. “We get along fine.”
He shook his head. “I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve known her a long time. I see you together.”
Sage broke a chip in half and dunked part in the salsa. “I admit to wanting someone…better for Grady.”
“Cassidy’s pretty awesome. She works two jobs, owns her own business, works her tail off. Seems to me the two of you would have a lot in common.”
“Maybe on the business side.” She dipped the other half of the chip. “But absolutely nothing else.”
“You both love your brother.”
“Why does it matter to you if I get along with Cassidy or not?”
“Because I know how tough it is to have tension in the family. Grady doesn’t deserve that. Neither does Cassidy.”
“I’ve been perfectly pleasant to her since they got engaged, especially since I found out she doesn’t want a wedding.”
