had a reaction to a man like this before. I knew I was screwed.
“I noticed that you just came out of the saloon,” he said.
“Yes,” I replied, clearing my throat, barely able to utter the single scratchy word. I took a deep breath, forcing my racing heart to slow down, reminding myself that he couldn’t hear it pounding inside my chest.
“I’m new to town and I wanted to take the time to meet everyone,” I said weakly.
He chuckled. “Oh… I see. And… is everyone in the bar?”
I loved the sound of his laughter even though I knew he was mocking me. It took all the strength I had to drag my eyes away from his golden stare and glance back to where the movers were closing up the back doors of the now empty truck. When I looked back, he was still staring at me, this time seeming to watch the pulse throbbing in my neck. He lifted his gaze to me as I spoke.
“You’re moving in?” I asked, ignoring his question.
Lasco looked back over his shoulder as two men came out of the store carrying what looked like some sort of sign as another man set up a ladder on the sidewalk. He turned back to me.
“Yes, I’m the owner of the new antique store moving into that building.” He smiled again and my gaze was drawn to his straight white teeth and those full fuckable lips.
Christ.
I smiled back at him. “New antiques? Isn’t that a bit of a play on words?”
Lasco laughed and I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. “I suppose it is.” He stared at me, his expression sobering a little. “You said you’re new to town. Where did you move from?”
“Los Angeles… I’m the new town sheriff.”
Lasco seemed to consider this a moment before he spoke. “Well, I’m so glad I met you then. It’s always good to know who to come to… if I should ever need the services of law enforcement.”
By the looks of him, I doubted he would need my help with much of anything. Something about the man screamed at how capable he was.
Suddenly I realized how much I wanted this conversation to continue. Unfortunately, dragging him back into the bar wouldn’t have been a wise move. It was packed with local townspeople who might question the drinking habits of their new sheriff if I suddenly decided I needed another beer after consuming two already. I had a feeling that everyone would be watching my behavior to size up my character. I don’t know why, but I figured that’s how small towns worked. Maybe I’d just watched too much of the Andy Griffith Show on television as a kid. Still… I was dying to continue this conversation with this stunning man.
A thought occurred to me and before I could stop it, words tumbled out of my mouth.
“You know, I was headed home but I’d love to buy you a drink,” I said, the words sounding strange even to my own ears. I glanced back over my shoulder at the saloon before turning back to Lasco. “But I don’t want to go back inside. The locals might not think highly of me if I do. I’ve already had two beers tonight.”
Lasco laughed and I could tell it was genuine and not forced. “My place isn’t far. I believe I have a nice bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer if you’d like,” he offered.
He was friendly. I was horny. And who knew? Maybe he was gay and the evening was about to turn out better than I could have hoped for. Straight guys didn’t invite total strangers over to their homes for drinks, did they? I had no frame of reference since I’d never dated a woman in my life.
“I’d really like that, Lasco… uh, Vincent.” Stumbling through sentences had never been an issue before meeting this guy. I realized I must sound like a teenager right now. I swallowed hard trying to get a hold of myself. I watched as Lasco’s gaze dropped to my throat, seeming to watch my large Adam’s apple bob up and down. I’d been told by some guys that they thought my throat was sexy. What did I know? Vincent made a tiny sound in the back of his throat and I felt my cock throb.
Christ… I was barely able to hold in my groan.
Maybe going home for a drink with this guy was a massive mistake. I was going to either embarrass myself