Olivia knocked Jill with her elbow when Ty started rubbing his hand over his abdomen. “I’ve been looking for you,” he said.
“Now you found me.” The stupefied look on his face that only moments ago had her ready to flee suddenly felt like a giant rocket blast to her ego. It didn’t hurt that Eddie hadn’t taken his eyes off her legs. She leaned forward, giving him a bird’s eye view of her cleavage, took a sip from Ty’s mug, licked her lips, and resumed her position in front of the table. One of the trio of musicians Tommy had hired whistled at her backside while tuning his guitar.
Ty shot to his feet at the same time the lead singer spoke into the microphone directing everyone to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Olivia as she joined him on stage and basked in the attention. Ty moved to stand at Jill’s side, slipping his hand around her waist. “Are you trying to kill me?” he asked. “Or get me killed?”
“Excuse me?” He only scowled at her when she batted her eyelashes.
“Are you drunk?”
She swiveled around and tucked her hands into his back pockets, pulling them chest-to-chest. Of course she was drunk. She’d never have the nerve to grab him in public otherwise. “Not really.”
“Not really? Christ,” he said through gritted teeth when he grabbed her hips. She felt his fingers graze the skin of her backside. “I don’t even want to see what these shorts aren’t covering from behind.”
She wiggled her butt and he groaned, pulling her tighter. Olivia pulled Jill’s hand from his pocket just as she reached up to nip at his pouting lip. “It’s ladies dance.”
Ty loosened his grip, but didn’t let go. “Why don’t you sit this one out?”
Jill felt torn between her loyalty to Olivia and her desire to be with Ty.
Olivia made the decision for her, pulling on her arm. “No way, party pooper,” Olivia said. “She was mine first. You just have a seat and you can have her when I’m done.”
Chapter 23
Ty sucked in a breath as Olivia whipped Jill around and he got a look at her flipside. He could only stand and stare as Olivia pulled Jill into the center of the dance floor and they began a complicated two step that made Jill’s mile long legs flex and jiggle in the muted light. Ty didn’t have to glance around to know that every set of male eyes watched her gorgeous ass slide and bump along to the tune.
If he got out of the bar without getting into a fistfight, it would be a freaking miracle. As if to test the theory, Lyle came to a stop next to Ty.
“Well, I see Olivia’s birthday wish came true,” he said.
Ty wanted to glare at Lyle, but he couldn’t drag his eyes away from Jill. “What do you mean?”
“Jill. Last year Olivia talked her into skinny-dipping at the hot springs in Grover. I guess this year they’re playing dress up?”
“I think Jill’s drunk.”
Lyle laughed. “She’d have to be to wear those shorts.” He took a sip from his long neck beer. “Damn, I don’t envy you tonight.”
“How so?” Ty asked.
“Jill doesn’t drink much. When she does…let’s just say you’re going to have your hands full.”
“As long as they’re my hands.”
When the song changed and a young red head slipped his palms onto Jill’s hips to lead her around the floor, Ty shoved his beer at Lyle and pushed through the crowd.
Olivia blocked his way by placing two hands on his chest. “Lighten up, Indiana Jones. She’s having fun.”
“She can have fun with me. How much has she had to drink?”
“What are you, her keeper?”
“I’m the guy who plans to keep her upright, so I’d like to know how much she’s consumed.”
“A shot or two or four.”
“Of what?”
“Tequila.”
Lyle chuckled next to them. “Olivia, you just love stirring the pot.”
“Shut up, Lyle. You always think you know best.”
“It’d be hard not to know better than you.”
“What are you two talking about?” Ty asked.
“Jill gets a little crazy on tequila,” Lyle said with a slap to his back. “You’ll enjoy it at first, until she’s puking her guts up all night.”
Ty had heard enough and he’d seen enough of the red head’s wandering hands to know he needed to rescue Jill and fast. He cut in without asking and considered himself the better man for not shoving his fist into the kid’s face when he grumbled and then stalked off.
“Ummm, you’re back,” Jill purred and crawled her fingertips up his chest and linked her hands behind his neck. “I was hoping you hadn’t left.”
Uh oh. She was drunker than he’d first suspected and getting looser by the minute. Her heavy lidded eyes and dilated pupils had him hoping he could get her home before she started puking. “I’m not leaving without you.”
“I’m not ready to leave yet.” And to prove it, she flipped around in his arms, slithered her backside down his legs and up again before lifting her arms up and doing it once more.
“Jill.” He snagged her wrists, crossed her arms over her chest, and held her backside snug against his crotch. “Baby, you gotta stop.”
“Why?” She giggled and flipped around in his arms when he loosened his grip. “Don’t you like it?”
Ty gritted his teeth. “Too much. But you’re drunk and we’re not alone.”
“I wish we were alone,” she said in a throaty whisper. “You do things to me, Tyler, without even trying.” She nipped at his chin and he felt his knees go weak. “You make me forget who I am, what I am, what I want to be. All I want to be when you’re around is yours.”
It was everything he wanted to hear and nothing she would remember saying. Before he could even muster a reply, the song changed. She squealed in his ear and started bopping around the dance floor, her hair a riot around her face as she swung her head to and fro with the beat. Olivia appeared from out of nowhere and the two of them took over the small space in a swirl of motion.
Ty made a beeline for the bar. It only took a minute for Tommy to work his way down to where Ty stood with his eyes glued to Jill.
“What can I get you, man?” Tommy asked.
“A large glass of water.”
“Water?” Tommy’s brows shot up. “You done already?”
“Jill’s wasted. I need to get something in her to stem the bleeding.”
Tommy shook his head and filled a plastic glass with ice. “That’s Olivia. She gets her drunk every year. I should have warned you.”
Ty accepted the drink. “Yes, you should have.”
He waited by the edge of the dance floor until the song changed to something slow. Olivia was spun around by one of her fellow rafting guides and Jill stumbled into Ty’s arms. He handed her the water and ordered her to drink. She gulped it greedily.
She spotted Lyle standing in a group and called his name. They each took a step toward one another and embraced. Ty choked back a growl when Lyle’s hand grazed the skin between the top of Jill’s shorts and the bottom of her shirt. Lyle caught his warning glare and stepped back.
“You’re not driving tonight, right?” Lyle asked.
“Nope. Ty’s taking me home.” She reached out and snaked her arm around his waist while resting her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then looked up at Ty. “Is it just me, or is the room spinning?”
“That’s it.” Ty swung her up into his arms and made his way through the crowd toward the door. “I’m taking you home.”
“Now?”
“Now.” While the only one he needed to fight was her.
***
Jill peeled her eyes open one at a time. It wasn’t hard to do considering one was smashed to the edge of the mattress and the other felt like it was keeping her pulse. She tried to jerk her head upright when she realized the sun shining through the window was much brighter than it should have been at her usual waking time of six thirty, but her head protested and she groaned into
her pillow.
She felt a hand on her waist and slowly rolled over. Ty lay on his side, tucked neatly under her covers, his chiseled chest bare, his eyes on hers. “How you feeling?” he asked, his voice froggy from sleep.
“Is there a word that means both road kill and completely mortified?”
Ty lifted the corner of his mouth. “Shitty?”
“That pretty much covers it.” She placed a hand to her head and closed her eyes. God only knew what she looked like. He probably wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. “What happened?”
“Well, you managed to attract every guy in a fifty mile radius with your outfit and your dance moves before throwing up multiple times in the bathroom when I got you home.”
She shoved the pillow over her head. “Tell me you didn’t see that.”
He pulled the pillow away. “Say again?”
“Please tell me I excused myself and hurled into the toilet without any assistance.”
“I could, but then I’d be lying.”
“Oh, God. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. You’re a cute drunk.”
“No, I’m not. I’m a completely helpless dimwit who ends the night puking. What’s cute about that?”
Ty rubbed his hand over her stomach where, thankfully, she wore a tank top and sleeping shorts. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the way his pectoral muscles bunched when he moved his arm.
“You’re very dainty when you throw up and you apologized a lot.”
“A dainty vomiter? That’s a new one.”
He brushed the hair away from her face and twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “And you say the most interesting things.”
She slammed her hands over her face. “Don’t tell me. Please, let me believe I become witty and charming when I’m drunk.”
“Oh, you were charming, all right. Let’s just say you were very complimentary on the ride home.”
She peeked at him from behind her fingers. “I don’t even remember the ride home. I’m never drinking again.”
“Says the woman who manages a bar.”
“Oh no. I’ve got to get to work.” She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. “My shift starts in an hour.”
“I called Tommy. He got Meredith to fill in, but he said there’s a delivery truck coming in between three and five he’d like you to cover.”
“Thank God.” She turned on her side and reached out for his hand. “Thank you, Tyler. What a bust last night was for you. I’m sorry I ruined it.”
“Jill. I wanted to spend the night with you and I did.” His grin had her queasy stomach doing backflips. “I got a vertical lap dance and a visual that’s burned on my brain, thank you very much. I got to help a woman I care about, a woman so stubborn she has to be falling down drunk to let me help her, and I got to wake up with you.”
The cheerleader in Jill’s belly crashed against her raw stomach lining. “Did we…”
Ty laughed out loud. “No, we didn’t. I’d kinda for like you to remember when we make love.”
When. It didn’t escape her foggy brain that he said when. The cheerleader began doing cartwheels. “I’m sure that’ll be brand worthy. On the brain,” she added when his brows shot together.
“I’m sure it will.” He sat up and tossed back the cover. His boxers sported dancing fish. “I’ve got a float in an hour. Do you mind if I use your shower?”
“I’d say you earned it.” She eased up on her elbow and looked her fill as he walked toward the bathroom. “Ty?”
“Yeah?”
“How’d I get in my pajamas?”
“Olivia was home by then. I had her help you.”
Jill stared at him in awe. He talked about when they’d make love in almost the same breath he explained that he hadn’t undressed her while she was drunk. “I’m not perfect, Jill. I wanted to, but I want you to remember that, too.”
When the door shut behind him, she collapsed onto the pillow. “You are perfect, Ty. In every way that counts.”
Chapter 24
Olivia sat on the couch cradling the mug of coffee in her hands after downing two aspirins and a half a bagel. It was a curse that she could drink herself silly and be unable to sleep. Today was no different. But if she had been able to sleep, she would have missed seeing Ty tiptoe out of Jill’s room holding his shoes.
“You don’t have to sneak out, you know.”
He let out a startled gasp. “You scared the life out of me.” He sat on the chair to put on his boots. “I thought you’d be out until at least noon.”
“I wish.” She took a sip of coffee and set the mug on the table. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s felt better. She’s back asleep.”
“Thanks for taking care of her last night.”
Ty sat forward and rested his forearms on his thighs, his hands dangling between his knees. “I understand this is a yearly ritual for you. Getting Jill drunk on your birthday.”
“Yes, it’s a tradition of sorts. It didn’t take much this year since apparently she hadn’t eaten anything before we got started.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little irresponsible? Who would have taken care of her when you were dancing the night away if I hadn’t been there?”
“She’s twenty-two years old. She can get drunk without a babysitter. Besides,” she added as he continued to scowl at her, “Lyle would have been happy to help.”
“I’m sure he would have,” Ty mumbled. He rubbed his hands over his face. “What’s the deal with that guy anyway?”
Olivia shrugged. “They’re friends. They used to run together. He’s a total know-it-all who thinks nobody’s good enough for Jill.” She lifted her mug and took a sip, eyeing him as she did. “He’s probably in love with her.”
“I knew it.” Ty shot to his feet. “All that talk about breaking her heart.”
“Excuse me?” Olivia asked. Now this was getting interesting.
“Nothing.” He grabbed his keys from the counter and opened the door. “Do me a favor, would you?”
“Sure.”
“Jill’s got to be at the bar by three. Make sure she’s up?”
“By three?” Olivia looked at the clock on the wall and stretched out her legs. His eyes didn’t even move from her face. Damn it, she was losing her touch. “She won’t be late.”
At ten-thirty, when Olivia was well into a Little House on the Prairie marathon, Jill stumbled out of her room, her hair wet, her face scrubbed clean of makeup. Olivia sat up and patted the couch in invitation for Jill to join her.
“Sorry I ruined your birthday,” Jill said after plopping down and burrowing her legs under the cover Olivia had pulled from her bed.
“Who said you ruined my birthday?”
“I hardly remember anything past dancing with you. God only knows what I said or did after.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t do the deed with Mr. Hottie because I’m betting you wouldn’t forget.”
Jill slammed her hands over her face. “I had to ask him if we did. How pathetic is that?”
“Apparently he didn’t think so. I swear, Jill, that boy is whipped.”
Jill pulled the cover up and tucked her feet under Olivia’s outstretched legs. “Did you help me into my PJs last night?”
Olivia chuckled at the memory. Neither one of them could stand on their own, so they’d used each other for balance. “Above and beyond. You owe me.”
“How bad was it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Was there vomit everywhere? Was Ty pissed?”
“No, either you puked in the toilet or Ty had it cleaned up by the time I got home. And no, your boyfriend has an endless well of patience for all things Jill.”
“He’s…I think I dreamed him. He’s so perfect he can’t be real.”
“He’s real enough to be jealous.”
Jill sat up. “What do you mean?”
“He said something about Lyle warning him off.�
�
Jill’s eyes got so big, Olivia thought she’d march straight to Lyle’s house and read him the riot act. She was feeling just bad enough to keep her seat. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“I know you love Lyle, but he’s worse than a woman, butting his nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“Why would he do that?” Jill asked. “I know he’s not jealous. We tried the whole romance thing and it didn’t feel right.”
“Right for you or right for him?”
“Right for either of us.” She scrunched down into the cushions and pulled the blanket up to her chin. “I so don’t need this right now.”
“Yeah, it must be hell having two men fight over you.”
“Speaking of jealous…”
Olivia bit back a denial. She was jealous and it stung. “Sue me. I woke up alone this morning. But I did dance with Del.”
“Who’s Del?” Jill asked.
“He’s the new raft guide. He’s a little young and way green on the water, but he’s totally cute.”
“What did Tommy say?”
“What he always says. He warned Del to stay away from his sister or he’d lose his job.”
“So he’s now more of a challenge?” Jill guessed.
“Absolutely. Besides,” Olivia said, “if you and Ty can work and play together, why can’t Del and I?”
***
Lyle popped his head through the crack in Jill’s office door. Her feisty nature seemed a little dim as she sat typing on the laptop. Her skin seemed especially pale against her dark hair and black t-shirt. He knocked and offered a sympathetic smile. “How ya feeling?”
“Oh, God.” Jill dropped her head in her hands. “I forgot I saw you, too.”
“I saw a lot more of you then you saw of me.” Lyle came in and stretched out as he sat in the metal chair facing Jill’s desk. “What was up with the outfit?”
“I’ll give you one guess,” Jill said.
“Olivia?”
“Bingo. You know she gets her way on her birthday.”
“I don’t know why you let her manipulate you like that.”
Jill sat up straighter behind her desk. He knew a little poke to her sensitive spot would put some color back in her cheeks. “I don’t let her manipulate me. She’s my friend. She enjoys herself on her birthday and I play along for her sake. If I’d put my foot down, she would have backed off.”
Mending the Line Page 14
