“Yes, and I’m sure I’m successful.”
Raising a brow, Rowdy sat back in his seat. “Sorry, love, but I’m seeing it all, every sexy inch.”
“Annnnd…” she said, “there goes your last chance.”
Amused by her drama, Rowdy watched her march off. He appreciated the back view of her as much as he did the front.
She probably stood no more than five-two, and he doubted she’d weigh over a buck-ten. But with each step, that thick auburn hair caught the bar lights, coiling down her back to the bottom of her shoulder blades, sort of pointing the way to that pert little ass. Even the baggy seat of her boy jeans couldn’t detract from that nice asset.
Yeah, he saw it all. And one way or another, he’d get her under him.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t even thought to ask her name. If she wore a name badge, he hadn’t seen it. Another deliberate move on her part?
For now, wondering if Logan also saw his sister in spite of her camouflage kept Rowdy from turning on the charm.
First things first. He would put a GPS tracker on Logan’s truck to see where he went. That’d give him a starting place for unraveling the neighbor’s mysterious interest in his sister. He’d take care of that tonight.
If Logan Stark had anything to hide, Rowdy would find out, and then he’d deal with it.
A woman sidled up to his table. “Hi.”
Rowdy glanced at her. Light brown hair tumbled over her shoulders, framing a lot of cle**age. A cloud of perfume wafted in her wake.
Unlike the waitress, this woman had all her curves on display, and they were many. She suited his normal preferences, but tonight didn’t feel ordinary in any way.
Already bored, he said, “Hey, yourself.”
“You’re not drinking alone, are you?”
Normally, at that point, he’d start the process that’d ensure he had a bed partner for the night. This time, he flat-out didn’t feel like it. Never mind that minutes ago he’d been thinking a tumble was just what he needed. “Yeah, I am.”
“How about I join you?”
“A persuasive offer, if all you want is conversation.”
She paused, coy, suggestive. “And if I wanted more?”
“Tonight’s a no-go for me, honey. Sorry.”
His rejection surprised her and set her to pouting. “Should I ask why?”
“I have something I need to do.”
She slipped into the chair opposite him. Touching his shoulder with one manicured fingertip, her eyes heavy, her mouth smiling, she whispered, “Do me.”
“Ah, now that’s tempting.” He took her warm hand and relocated it to the tabletop. “But I still have to decline.”
“I could be a nice distraction.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Admiration at her confidence gentled his tone. “But it doesn’t change anything.”
“Tomorrow, then?”
He half smiled. “So you don’t just want to share a drink, huh? All right then. If I’m here tomorrow, feel free to hit me up.”
She flattened both hands on the table in front of him, bent forward, and said close to his mouth, “Be here.” And with that, she straightened and sashayed off.
Damn, but he enjoyed women. The more brazen and confident and upfront, the better.
“The other waitress was busy,” said that familiar husky voice.
Usually he liked brazen and up-front. This time, something altogether different appealed to him. Rowdy switched his attention to the redhead.
She plunked his beer down on the table hard enough to slosh some out of the glass.
“Thanks.” That she hadn’t abandoned him as she’d threatened didn’t really surprise him. Women could be adorably predictable. Teasing her, he asked, “Something wrong?”
“Not at all. Is there anything else I can get you—and, no, no innuendo, please.”
Her prim voice amused him. “Would I be that clichéd?”
“My apologies for assuming that you would.” She started to leave.
“There is one thing.”
Even over the loud music and drone of conversation, he heard her groan of exasperation.
Keeping her back to him, she stopped, inhaled and finally looked over her shoulder. “Yes?”
Folding his arms on the table, Rowdy leaned forward. “I need your name.”
“Noooo,” she said on a laugh. “You most definitely do not.”
Three women approached, stepping around her and crowding his table. Rowdy wanted to curse the interruption.
“Just a sec, girls.” Impatient, he stood to see around them. The waitress, checking in at other tables, was already a few feet away. To the ladies, he said, “Be right back.”
Not caring what they thought of that, he took several long strides and snagged the waitress by the apron tie at the small of her back, drawing her up short.
In silky tones, he said, “Now, don’t run off.”
“I was not running. I have work to do.”
“If you say so.” Still holding on to that tie, he drew her closer. “You may as well give me a name. Otherwise I’ll have to ask around.”
Losing some of her good humor, she stiffened. “Why ever would you do that?”
Near her ear, Rowdy whispered, “Pure, hot, male…curiosity?” The warm scent of her made his gut clench as he breathed her in.
That pushed her over the edge.
She jerked around to blast him with temper but went still as she took in his size.