as I am.
Lola nods, then looks at him. “You have other buyers, right?”
“I told them it was sold. But I’m sure I can put out another ad. Shouldn’t be too much trouble to find another buyer.”
“I’m sorry about everything.”
“No problem, Lola. I’m just surprised. You’ve wanted that car for so long.”
A woman walks up, wrapping her arms around Darko. “Hey, baby.”
He twists, and grins, letting the topic go. “Hey, my beautiful ol’ lady.”
She tugs him off the stool. “Come dance with me.”
After they move away, I bump Lola with my shoulder, drawing her attention from her drink. “What gives? I thought you wanted that car. You got the money back.”
Her blue eyes meet mine. “I just think I might need to hang on to it.”
I pull back my chin, knowing exactly what scheme is dancing behind those baby blues. “Don’t even think about it, babe.”
She doesn’t deny anything, just goes back to swiping her index finger at the condensation dripping down her glass.
“Lola, look at me.” She blows out a breath, but complies. “If you’re thinking about returning that money to the bank, forget about it.”
“Why?”
“Because it will not end well. For any of us.”
“Us?”
“You think I’m not complicit in all this? You think they didn’t probably pick up me, my bike, and my plates in the security footage?”
Her mouth falls open. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
I shake my head. “It’s not me I’m the most worried about. It’s you, sweetheart. That money is in your account. They ever put it all together, you’re implicated, big time.” I can see I’ve scared the crap out of her. “You just need to lay low, understand? Don’t do anything rash. Promise me.” I feel a slap on my back, and turn to see T-Bone.
“You doin’ all right, Memphis?”
“I’m great.”
“You need a room to crash for the night, the one at the end of the hall on the right is empty.”
“Thanks, brother.”
“You headin’ out in the morning?”
I nod. “Suppose so.”
Lola stiffens beside me.
“You should come back in September. Deer and Elk season start. We all go hunting,” T-Bone offers.
“Sure. Maybe.” I can’t keep from searching Lola’s eyes as I reply. She turns back to her drink.
T-Bone slaps my back again. “You better come find me before you hit the road.”
“Sure. Will do,” I promise, half-heartedly.
When he wanders off, I stand, put an elbow on the bar, and press my front to Lola’s side, crowding her. I dip my head to nuzzle her ear. “You stickin’ around?”
“For a while.” She won’t look at me or give any reaction.
“Want to show me where that room is?”
She’s quiet for a minute, then drains her glass and stands. “Sure. Why not?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Lola—
Memphis and I are barely in the room, before he crowds me against the door with his big body, his mouth on my neck, sucking my skin like he’s trying to mark me. What is it with men and the territorial thing? Besides, I thought he didn’t care, and it sure won’t do for my father to see it, unless that’s his plan. At that thought, I shove him back half afraid the damage is done. “What gives?”
“Baby, don’t play hard to get.” He reaches for me again.
“Maybe I am hard to get,” I snap back, swatting his hands away.
“You’re a shit load of trouble, and worth every ounce of it, Lola. Don’t you ever let me or anyone else make you think differently.” He’s clear-eyed and serious when he says those words to me.
I cock my head, thrown by his change in tactic.
He lifts his hand to my chin, and strokes his thumb over my lower lip, his eyes on my mouth like I’m some treat he’s salivating over.
“You’ve got the most kissable mouth, princess.”
I arc a brow, and taunt him. “That’s not what you’re thinking though, is it?”
His eyes lock with mine. “No. I’m thinking how fuckable it is, and how I want to sink my dick in its soft wetness, and feel your tongue on me.”
His words get to me, sending arousal zinging through my body. It seems all I have to do is get within six feet of the man, and my body hums with energy and pent up need until it pushes every other thought from my head except throwing my body against his, and wrapping my arms around him. It makes me want to climb him like a damn tree.
His look is smoldering, and I’m sure he’s imagining all kinds of things he wants to do with me and to