easily he leaves me in the dust. I’m an active woman, yet I feel my inner couch potato dragging a hundred miles behind an ex-military workout fiend.
“Too much?” He sits beside me, hanging an arm around my shoulders.
I laugh. “You’re like the Energizer Bunny.”
“Aw.” He leans over and nuzzles my neck, stamping several more fiery kisses on the tender skin under my ear. “You sure you want to think of me as some cute, warm thing, darlin’? Whatever else you do, don’t think of me as small.”
Does. He. Hear. Himself?
Honestly, I’m sure he does. He’s trying to kill me with innuendo that’s about as subtle as a sausage to the face.
“Does your ego bruise that easily?” I bite my lip and roll my shoulder, easing him back. “How’d you like to be a jackrabbit?”
“Real smooth, Grace. I like the sound of that.” He lifts my chin with one hand and kisses my lips, sending another shock through my system. “Never skips leg day? Awesome hearing? Fucks like it’s going out of style? I can work with that animal.”
“You’re incorrigible!” I spit back, going slack in his arms, hating myself because it just opens the door to more mischief.
“And you’re adorable—especially when you whip out those ten-dollar words, darlin’.” He winks at me and then stands. “Ready to call it a night?”
I have to say yes, even as regret floods me, knowing the fun is over.
It’s back to stressing over Dad’s recovery and the psychos with B-movie villain names who might show up any day.
Ugh.
Nodding, I get up and wait for him to fetch my coat. A shadow falls over me, about as big as Ridge, but when I look up, it’s a tall, muscular man with a similar build, dark hair, and emerald-green eyes.
I tense as he extends a hand.
“So you’re the little lady giving Ridge all sorts of hell.” He grins, an accent in his voice that’s not from North Dakota. Somewhere southern, I think. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’m Quinn Faulkner, aka Faulk to almost everybody here.”
“Oh!” I snap my hand up and give him a hearty shake. “Right. He’s mentioned you. If you’re helping us with our problem, I—”
Faulk holds a finger up to his lips, still smiling. He’s handsome, chiseled in his own right, almost like Ridge belongs to some secret club of sexy strange men hiding in this little town. But I know which one’s my favorite.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you’d be here. Is everything all right?” I whisper.
“Besides losing a night of work so I could enjoy some good music and a buzz, it’s peachy,” he says with a nod. “I didn’t want to interrupt the main man while he was giving his speech, but I had to come over and introduce myself.”
“The hell are you doing here, man?” Ridge materializes behind him, holding my coat. “I thought I was hallucinating.”
“You know me,” Faulk laughs, raking a hand through his hair. “I gotta break up the monotony and put my finger on the pulse in Dallas. I’m just glad I came out and caught a live performance by the amazing Ridge Barnet. Especially seeing how it’s starting to feel like spring, and trouble’s coming with the pretty weather.”
“Yeah.” Ridge’s face goes serious, his smile melting. “Well, I’m glad you had a chance to say hello. I’m waiting on pins and needles for every email.”
His eyes flash, and he slaps Ridge’s shoulder. “Enjoy a night off. I heard from Drake that you’ve got the place all rigged up, looking out for any surprises. Everything’s quiet on my end, hoping to have some new leads for you soon. And if shit goes hot...”
He leans in, and I hear them whispering back and forth, but I can’t make it out.
“Lovely meeting you again,” Faulk says, turning back to me with a wave. “You two make a cute couple. Can’t wait for the wedding.”
He winks, scurrying away before Ridge can push him.
“What was he saying?” I ask, leaning in closer to his ear.
“Telling me he’s got our back. That’s Faulk for you, hell of a pain sometimes, but I’d be less of a man without friends like him.”
I smile, weirdly warmed at getting to meet someone else close to him.
A friend who’s willing to go out on a limb to banish our nightmare.
I slide both arms in my coat as he holds it for me.
The entire time, I tell myself this is all an act. There’s no good reason to be disappointed when we get home and