other side headed to a vacant table nearby with their drinks. They were giving Easton space, and I appreciated it.
I tipped my drink in their direction, a silent thanks, and faced Easton. “Now, where were we?”
With an incredulous smile, Easton knocked the bar top, drawing the bartender's attention. “I believe you were tryin’ to worm your way into my pants, and I was deflectin’.”
“Now, why would you do that?”
The bartender interrupted.
“Ice water with lemon, please, Terry,” Easton said.
“Coming right up.”
A minute later, the bartender slid a tall glass of water in front of Easton.
I flicked his glass, making it ting. “Now you go easy with that. Nurse it, or it’ll go right to your head.”
Ignoring me, Easton sipped from his straw before shifting again on his stool to face me. “How long are you in town, Lachlan?”
“Couple days. I’m supposed to be home by Monday.”
“Hmm.”
“What does that mean exactly? Hmm.”
He nodded at my ale instead of answering. “You like that lager?”
“It’s decent.”
“Y’oughta check out the brewery in town. They got a nice selection. Those guys do a fine job.”
“I plan to.” I paused, assessing him. “That is, if I can’t find anything better to do with my time.” I touched his leg, surprised by how firm the muscle was under my hand.
Easton’s gaze dropped to my mouth. “Y’oughta make time. It’s worth it.”
“Should I really take the advice of a guy who hasn’t had a single alcoholic beverage all evening?”
“I’ve had their beers plenty. My word’s good.”
I moved my hand, tracing the inseam of his tight-fitting pants. Easton sucked in a tiny breath and scrambled for his drink, sucking down more water almost provocatively.
“When’s the wedding?” I asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“Early?”
“Nah, they’re—” he mumbled the rest of the sentence and tensed as I slid my hand higher.
“Didn’t catch that. Try again.”
Easton cleared his throat and watched my ministration on his leg. “I said the ceremony is in the late afternoon.”
“So, if someone were to keep you up late…”
He wet his lips and side-eyed me.
I leaned in, the inches between us shrinking. “I have a room. Why don’t we take this conversation elsewhere?”
“That’s an enticing offer.”
“Then say yes and stop thinking about it so hard.” I squeezed his thigh. “Or are we going to sit here and beat around the bush all night?”
He sucked in a breath and looked like he was about to say something when he changed his mind and clamped a hand on my wrist. “Walk with me?”
“About time.” I pushed my drink away and waved at the bartender to ensure he added it to my room tab.
Easton left his stool, adjusted his pants, and then found his friend’s table. He ducked his head and spoke privately to the auburn-haired man named Austin. The guy nodded and eyed me once with a grin on his face.
Easton didn’t look back as he sauntered to the lobby.
When I caught up, he was waiting just outside the restaurant.
“This way.” I weaved down a hallway that led into another section of the lodge, assuming Easton would follow.
When I turned down a quieter corridor, a hand clamped around my arm, halting me. Easton spun me around and pressed me against the wall with his hard body. I wasn’t used to being manhandled. It was me who generally bossed guys around, so his actions caught me off guard.
One of his legs moved between mine, keeping me in place as Easton brought his mouth to my ear. His outdoorsy scent tickled my nose, growling a hunger to life inside me.
“I think you need to know something about me.”
I parsed through his mumbled words until they made sense. “I don’t need to know anything about you. Fucking doesn’t require a life history. In fact, it doesn’t require names, so the fact that we’ve covered those things is already a lot more intimate than I get with most guys.”
“That’s what I figured.” He pulled back and looked me in the eye. I was an inch shorter than him, but no more. Disappointment lingered on the surface. “I ain’t that guy, Lachlan. That ain’t my thing.”
I frowned. Was he messing with me? The regret shining from those amber spheres said no. “Then why are you stringing me along?”
“’Cause I couldn’t do this in the restaurant. Not in front of so many people.”
Pressing his leg forward, wedging it flush against my groin, Easton descended on my mouth. His hands landed on either side of my face, and he stole my breath. His hot mouth, searing palms, and razor-sharp tongue owned me for