Surprisingly, that was partially true. Ty had spent all day and most of the evening with her and her family. He’d eaten both lunch and dinner there. Hung out inside the store until they did decide to close early. Then he got a full tutorial from her father on the step by step process used in making her chairs. They even packaged Braden’s chairs, getting them ready to ship off to the Bryants. Ty added a note that they were really a gift from him—he found that hilariously funny and laughed about that for hours.
“Kenzie, walk him out, dear,” her mom said when they got to the kitchen. That made her smile because her mom had done everything in her power, all day long, to give Kenzie and Ty some privacy.
“Good night, everyone. Thank you for letting me intrude on your day,” Ty called out from the back door.
“Come back again,” her pop replied from the living room.
“I’ll be taking you up on that offer.” This time Ty pushed open the back door, extending a hand to her. She took the porch steps down and started for his Jeep that was now parked in the driveway. It seemed the cold front might have been more of a fast moving cool off. The temperature hadn’t changed much since this morning’s dip, but since she hadn’t worn a jacket outside, she lifted her palms to rub over her arms as Ty jogged up behind her. He scooped her up around the waist, drawing her against his chest.
“If you’d come home with me, I could keep you warm,” he said, nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck. They were still walking awkwardly forward, and she couldn’t help but laugh. After lunch, when things truly seemed back to normal with them, anytime Ty got her alone, he developed very skilled octopus hands. Nothing ever dissuaded him.
“I have to be here in the morning to unload the truck,” she said. Ty pulled her in closer, rolling his hips into her ass, his rigid length grinding into her.
“I need you, Kenzie. I could have you back first thing in the morning,” he said and shoved one hand under her shirt, moving his fingers beneath her bra to cup her bare breast. They’d come to a stop in the yard as the arm around her waist tightened and he buried his face in her hair.
She couldn’t help the sigh. Kenzie dropped her head on his shoulder and indulged for a moment in the sensations he provoked. She looked up at the overcast sky, thankful the cloud cover kept the moonlight away. “You’re gonna have me back at five o’clock? I’m not sure a pampered guy like you has seen five o’clock in the morning for a while.”
“I’ll have you know you’re absolutely right, but I’d get up for you,” he whispered against the shell of her ear before nipping the lobe with his teeth. His skilled hand kneaded her breast, drawing her nipple into a tight bud before moving to the other side. She could feel the instant pool of desire forming between her legs. God, she wanted him so bad.
“Are you wet for me?” he whispered quietly and breathily against her ear. He began to work his fingers inside her jeans. As much as she needed him to touch her, he’d have her stripped and naked on the lawn if she wasn’t careful. “Did you hear me? I’d get you home, I promise.”
Lost in a daze, Kenzie forced herself to look around. He’d managed to move them toward the shadows of the house, closer to the garage. He’d absolutely get her off right here just to prove to her that she wanted him. She had to stop.
“No, that’s silly,” she finally answered and tried to step away. In a sudden move, Ty threw her off balance, flipping her around. He was right there to catch her, wrapping both his arms around her, holding her against his chest.
“Come home with me.” Deep need laced his voice.
“Not tonight. I think I’m too easy for you,” she said, which directly contrasted with everything her body wanted her to do. She could see he’d planned to argue until seconds later he barked out a laugh right in her face.
“You’re anything but easy,” he said and shook his head, laughing again. “Okay, I won’t press for tonight if you’ll agree to go with me tomorrow night to that country and western club we found in Gatlinburg. We can spend the night in town and come back the next day. Say yes…” he said, lifting his eyebrows and nodding.
“Like dancing? I haven’t been dancing in years…” She winced.
“Good. That way you’ll hold on tighter to me when we move. Say yes,” he said again.
“What time would we have to leave?” she asked, really just trying to buy time. Dancing. Was that a good idea? She really wasn’t that coordinated of a person.
“Late afternoon, early evening? Whenever you can swing it.”
“What would I wear?”
“Clothes,” he offered, and that made her laugh. “Honestly, I’m guessing jeans. It’s all I really have to wear so I’m hoping that’s it. If not, we can stop and buy something more suitable.”
“Okay, but you really need to know I’m not a very good dancer.”
“That’s fine. It’s more about spending time with you, that’s all.”
“I’ll text you for sure after I talk to my mom.”
Clearly, Ty wasn’t very good at accepting no as an answer. He bent his knees and dipped his hands lower, caressing across her ass until he cupped both her cheeks then drew her in closer. “Say we’ll go even if we have to come home tomorrow night.”
“All right, I’ll go,” she said, laughing at the hopeful look he’d developed.
“Good. Now come to my Jeep with me. I don’t wanna feel you up out here,” he said teasingly.
“You’re terrible,” she said, using both her hands to push against his chest until she broke free of the hold. He didn’t let her get too far. Ty was a toucher. She’d never had that before in her life, but she liked being drawn close to his body as he wrapped an arm around her waist and walked toward the Jeep.
“No, not terrible. Just a man completely taken with a woman,” he said quietly several seconds later. That caused her heart to trip with excitement until she remembered where she’d heard that line before.
“Wait. Did you say that in a movie?” Kenzie came to an abrupt halt. “I think I watched you say those words the other night in Over the Moon.”
Ty laughed solidly now and used the arm behind her back to get her moving again. “I think I liked it better when you didn’t watch my movies.”
“Yeah, I bet. I think I need to watch all your movies to catch more of this in the future,” she said and purposefully slowed down in order to make him work at getting her inside that Jeep. It was the least she could do.
Chapter 17
A huge neon sign had come out of nowhere to guide Ty to the entrance of the Cock and Bull Bar. Based on the coolness factor of the sign, Ty expected something far different than what they found. How had such a small building managed to hold such a badass sign so high in the air?
“I’m not so sure about this. It looks like a dive,” Kenzie said as they bounced down the gravel road. Ty had to slow the Jeep when he hit a giant rut that sent Kenzie flying forward in her seat.
Since there seemed to be no defined parking lot, Ty was forced to go off the road into a field to find the closest place to the front doors. From the sounds of the thumping beats inside, the party had solidly started. He’d seen a flyer when they were in town about a local favorite band playing there tonight which was sure to draw a large crowd. It seemed like a fun time, and from past experience, Ty knew that hiding in crowded, wide-open spaces always worked well for him.
“Nah, I think it looks local and well-used,” Ty said, turning off the ignition while looking out the front window at the club. Honestly, he’d have to give it to her, it did look like a major hole-in-the-wall biker bar kind of deal, but he was fully invested in this night, even excited to spend the next few hours with Kenzie and eager to get this night started right away. “You doubting my ability to keep you safe?”
“Are you taking me to a place where I need protection?” she countered, looking him over, even more skeptical now.
“Okay, that was a good comeback, and if I am, then we’ll leave,” Ty shot back, opening his door.
For the first time since they’d started dating, Kenzie was slower to move. Ty made it around the hood, almost to the door, before it opened. She was tentative in getting out, and he found he was kind of into that since it allowed him to put his hands on her and gently guide her down from the Jeep.
Once inside the building, Kenzie’s curiosity got the best of her. He paid their entrance fee, with her craning her neck to get a better look inside. He’d envisioned exactly this kind of honky-tonk. A huge bar ran down one side of the room, a large stage on the other, and a dance floor separating the two. Tables were arranged on either side of the dance floor. He scanned those, and they all seemed taken until he spotted two empty barstools at the far end of the bar.
“I was wrong. This looks fun!” she yelled when he came to a stop at their seats. Kenzie wore a short flowy skirt, a pretty blouse with matching jacket, and cowboy boots. She took the barstool, scooting up close to the edge of the bar. She seemed to relax as she shrugged off her lightweight jacket and put it on a hook underneath the bar.
“I’ll admit I was a little worried too when we pulled up,” he confessed, taking his seat and lifting a hand toward the bartender.
“What can I get you to drink, beautiful?” The bartender pointed a finger at Kenzie and yelled the same words Ty was about to ask. The guy was working continuously at pouring drinks in several glasses lined up in front of him. Ty swore the guy did a couple of tricks with the liquor bottles just to impress his girl, and based on the big smile she gave, he’d done well in achieving his goal.
“I’m not a big drinker. No beer. What do you suggest?” she yelled back and placed her elbows on the bar to get closer. Ty watched the guy get a little more mesmerized. He quickly finished what he was doing, shoved those drinks to some waiting patrons, and somehow managed to never take his eyes off Kenzie. Funny, Ty couldn’t even find it in him to be jealous when the guy grabbed a hand towel, ignored everyone else, and came toward her.
One thing for certain, she had no idea of her effect on men, because the best he could tell, she was just being herself.
“You like fruity, sweet drinks?” he asked, giving her a cocky grin.
“I like pineapple,” she said and raised her brow in challenge. The bartender gave her a speculative look before he cut his gaze toward Ty.
“You two together?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Ty nodded and reached for his wallet to dig out his credit card.
“Huh. Lucky guy.” His gaze moved back to Kenzie as he said exactly what Ty figured he would. “Why don’t you let me surprise you, beautiful?” Clearly he didn’t care too much that they were together with the wink he gave her, but in a stealthy move, he swiped the credit card from Ty’s hand, never looking over at him.
As the guy turned to fix her drink, Ty called out, “Heineken for me,” and turned toward Kenzie. “It’s not as bad as it looked,” Ty said again. From their position, he could see out over the entire bar. The dance floor was packed. He spotted a DJ over in one corner that he’d missed before.
“No, it’s not. I’m sorry about that out there. I had a bad experience with a biker gang in Texas,” she said, looking over at him, giving him another piece of the puzzle. Slowly, through one cryptic response after another, he was really picking up something life-shattering had happened to her.
“It was good that we stopped for dinner,” he said, knowing she wouldn’t want to expand on that piece of information. He reached out to tuck behind her ear a piece of hair that had fallen.
“I shouldn’t have worn this. I knew it was gonna be a problem,” she said, reaching up to unclasp the clip in her hair. She ruffled her fingers through her hair, swinging a large section over one shoulder. “Be honest, does that look okay?’
“You know I like your hair down,” he said. She was just so pretty and sweet with those big blue eyes looking over at him. He placed a hand to the back of her head and drew her closer for a soft kiss.
“Try this. It’s a Rum Runner,” the bartender said, putting a pinkish-colored drink in front of Kenzie. He waited there in front of her with his hand against the bar, looking excited as she picked up the drink and took a sip.
“That’s wonderful! Does it have alcohol in it?” she asked.
“Lots. You just can’t taste it. You drivin’, right?” he asked, looking over at Ty.
“Yep,” he said, and the bartender nodded.
“A few of those and you won’t have a care in the world. Enjoy.” The bartender reached over to grab a bottle, opened Ty’s Heineken, and placed it in front of him before getting called away.
“They’re magic, then?” she said, taking another drink before lifting the glass to Ty. “Try it. It’s like a gourmet fruit punch.” He couldn’t resist her invitation and did take a drink as she held the glass, but he could definitely taste the alcohol. No doubt it was strong.
“Very good. Drink as much as you want, I’ll be the DD tonight,” he said, before he scooted off his stool to stand there beside her. “Drink up. I wanna dance.”
“I told you I’m not a good dancer,” Kenzie said, losing some of that fun glow radiating off her.
“We’ve got all night to change that,” he said, running a hand down her back as he lifted his beer, taking a long a drink.
“You were in a couple of dancing movies, I think. You’re really good.”
“Yep,” he said, circling his finger in her face, encouraging her to drink. He loved to dance. Always had. He had a natural rhythm or so he’d been told often enough, but he’d also had some extensive training over the years, making him the ideal partner because he could usually give some useful tips.
“I’m nervous, Ty. I really can’t dance.” She had completely stopped drinking and sat there worrying her lip, staring up at him.
“Liquid courage. Take a big drink and come on,” he said and lifted a hand toward the bartender. After a second, he got the guy’s attention. “We’re going out on the dance floor. Another one for her when we get back.” He turned to Kenzie, and her one big drink had her gulping the contents down. “They’re strong, babe, be careful.”
Ice rattled as she slammed the glass back on the bar. That was fine by him. He wrapped an arm around her waist, scooting her off the seat. He draped his jacket over their stools, hoping to save at least one of them while they were gone. He placed her in front of him, guiding her out on the dance floor as another fast-moving country song started. A few steps from the floor, he bent in and asked, “You know how to do the two-step, right?”
“And that’s about all,” she yelled over her shoulder.
“I’ll handle the rest,” he offered, turning her in his arms, and wrapped an arm around her waist. He started right off, moving his feet, not giving her even a second to back out.
~~~
Four songs later, sweat trickled down Kenzie’s back as Ty twisted and turned her all over the dance floor. Kenzie had no idea how she did what she did, how she even looked executing those moves, or if she was able to keep up, but Ty Bateman was a dang fine dancer, and this was turning out to be one of the most fun nights she’d had in a very long time.
“I need a drink,” she yelled over her shoulder when he turned her. Now her back was against his chest. He tangled their legs together as he changed her position again. His hands came to her waist, holding her tightly against his pelvic bone. She could feel the hard erection he had pressing into her stomach as he skillfully moved her hips with his, dancing her toward the stage. The little dips he gave had her laughing, and she knew her feet were just moving forward, but the crowd on the dance floor seemed to love Ty’s dancing, many parting to let them by.
“Water!” she yelled, when it seemed he didn’t plan on taking a break. She broke free of his hold, and as she started to step away, he caught her hand, flipped her in a circle and they were back chest to chest.
“You dance better than you said,” he said, his lips against her ear.
“You know that’s a lie, Ty. We need a break,” she
yelled up at his ear. This time he seemed to listen, moving them back across the floor toward the bar. Right when she thought they were leaving the dance floor, Ty executed another stealth move, stealing her breath as she was turned again and again before being brought up against his chest. She gave little yelp, clutching to his biceps in order to keep on her feet.
“I like when you do that,” he said, waggling his brow, draping an arm around her back to keep her there against his chest as he walked her backward off the dance floor. “And I don’t lie.”
They were awkward, Kenzie kept darting glances over her shoulder to judge her steps as she shuffled backward, trying to stay on her feet. Laughing so hard didn’t help keep her balance. It wasn’t until she was hoisted up off her feet that she squealed out another yelp, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“There you go. I like your attention right here,” Ty said, easily holding her right there against his chest.
“Everyone’s staring at us, Ty. Put me down!”
“Everyone’s staring at you,” he countered, and that made her laugh right in his face.
“Absolutely not! Everyone’s staring at you.”
“No, my beard’s grown back in enough. They’re wondering how someone like me got someone like you,” he said, coming to a stop at the bar in front of her seat. His seat was now taken, but that didn’t seem to matter. He put her back on her feet and hovered close, scooting in next to her as he reached for her new drink, before grabbing his beer. Having him standing so close always did funny things to her heart, but her entire focus was on that cold drink. Kenzie couldn’t help but gulp the contents down her parched throat as he did about the same, emptying his beer in one long tilt of the bottle.
“Another one?” the bartender called out from the other side of the bar.
“One for her and water for me,” he yelled back. Kenzie turned in her seat toward him. Her skirt was a little above the knee and flowy. When he pushed her legs apart to stand in the middle of them, she made sure she was covered before taking his waist with one hand and held her drink glass in the other as she shook a cube of ice in her mouth.
Acting Happy (Texas Desires #2) Page 17
