Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Rebel

She lifted a brow. “Yeah?”

He went for honest, although on a different tangent. “I don’t talk about clothes much either. Or shopping. What the hell. It’s a pretty dress and it looks good on you. That’s all we need to worry about.”

Her smile warmed, sunshine spreading across her face. “You’re a slick one, Joel Coleman.”

“Just enjoying the view.” He took a leisurely gaze down her body, lingering on her legs, sad that her knees barely showed. “Although the skirt is longer than it needs to be. I’m kinda pissed we started seeing each other so late in the season. I bet you do Daisy Duke shorts well.”

Vicki peeled herself off the wall and paced forward, skirt flaring around her hips nicely. “I don’t do Daisy Dukes at all. But for you? Sure.”

He opened his arms and she walked all the way against him, and Joel got reminded all over how much he’d been wanting her. Fooling around and kissing wasn’t going to be enough for much longer, not when she rubbed her torso over his as the kiss continued languidly.

He held her loosely, avoiding the temptation to run his hands up her thighs and under that flimsy skirt.

Pulling their mouths apart was tough, damn tough. “We’d better get going or we’re gonna end up—”

Joel stopped dead.

Vicki backed away, her eyes full of fire. Her words husky as she spoke. “Or we’re gonna end up what , Joel? You afraid to use the big words?”

He shook his head. “I’m not going to deny I want to take you to bed, darling. But not now. Not yet.”

They stared at each other for a minute before Vicki sighed heavily. “Damn you.”

He nodded. “Soon, okay?”

Vicki slipped on her shoes. “Don’t know what we’re waiting for, though. Like you want some signal the time is right?”

Hell. “Maybe.”

There was something, though. Something held him back from making the next move, and Joel knew enough to trust his gut.

She was locking her door when the neighbour poked his head out again. Joel couldn’t believe it as the man basically stripped Vicki with his gaze. Joel stepped between them and glared daggers.

The stranger’s door shut a hell of a lot quicker than it had opened.

They were down on the street headed for his truck when she hesitated. “You want to walk?” Vicki asked. “It’s only a couple blocks.”

“If it’s not too cold for you.” He checked her shoes, but they were more practical than fancy. He held out his arm, and she slipped her fingers over his elbow, cuddling close as they made their way down the sidewalk. “Who’s your nosy neighbour?”

Vicki made a disgruntled sound. “He’s a pain in the ass, that’s who he is. Moved in a couple months ago, and I swear every time I hit the landing he’s staring at me.”

“Have you complained to the manager?”

Vicki snorted. “Right, what am I supposed to complain about? That my neighbour opens his door? Joel, no one gives a shit.”

He fell silent for a bit. “I give a shit.”

She offered him a smile. “Yeah, you. Thanks, but it’s okay. I make sure I have my keys ready when I get home, and he’s never really bothered me.”

The more he thought about it, the less he liked it. “If you ever get worried, let me know, okay?”

She squeezed his arm then pointed across the street to a window decorated for Halloween, and talk turned to more general things.

A rush of heat and sound hit them as they walked into Traders. Joel took her coat, then her hand and led her toward where the family usually gathered.

Vicki stayed close to his side, her warmth like a gentle connection between them. “I am drinking tonight, just so you know.”

“You mean a drink, right?” He laughed at her sudden jab to his arm. “Well, if body weight has anything on it, half a glass of wine should make you wasted.”

“I can hold my liquor,” she insisted. Her gaze stopped on someone in the room, and she swore. “Hide me.”

He followed her line of vision to spot Eric Tell and a group of his cronies gathered around a table. Joel pressed his hand to her back and guided her forward. “Ignore him. Not worth the energy to spit.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. A nice direct hit, right between the eyes would be fun.” Vicki made a face. “Tell me again this is a good idea.”

“This is a great idea. Come on.”

Thirty seconds later they had chairs in the Coleman section of the bar. Tonight the group was smaller, but just as loud as usual. Pool tables and drinks, conversation and teasing.

Jesse looked up from the pool table where he was taking a shot. His gaze leapt to Vicki, then returned to Joel. His wink didn’t bother Joel as much as he expected. It was more a hello, and less like his twin was actually looking Vicki over.

He turned to settle Vicki in her seat. “Vicki, you know my cousins, Tamara and Lisa.”

Vicki nodded. “Hi.”

Tamara smiled back tentatively. “I heard you two were dating. Nice you finally made it out.”

Joel lifted his hands in protest. “Finally? Damn, you’re demanding.”

“Hey, the clan expects instant updates at all times,” Lisa teased, her expression still questioning as she peeked at Vicki, at Joel, and over both their shoulders at Jesse.

Ahhh, shit . The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Vicki wiggled in her chair, and he draped his arm around her, trying to reassure her and protect her at the same time.

It was about as awkward as the evening Travis had showed up with one woman after forgetting he’d already invited another to meet him at the bar. Joel twisted to eyeball the pool game, hoping it would be over soon and the guys would join them. And yet he didn’t really want Jesse to come over and hang around Vicki either.

He’d fucked up. Big time. Or more to the point, he hadn’t realized how bad the situation was going to be. Setting them up as a couple meant being in public, but this was damn painful.

Vicki answered a couple questions, but pretty much sat silently as the girls attempted to keep a conversation flowing, and the rest of the people in the bar found reasons to wander past and gawk.

The girls turned to watch something at the other end of the bar, and Joel leaned down to whisper in Vicki’s ear. “You okay? Want to stay or want to go?”

She caught his shirtfront, turning until her lips brushed his earlobe. “Staying here is like a negative twenty. Top of the list is going back to my place and having sex. And somewhere in the middle is getting you drunk enough you agree to teach me how to give you a blow job.”

Joel’s body tightened—everywhere—her words slamming into him and taking this way off the comfortable chart and into dangerous territory. “Don’t push me, darling.”

“I’m not, I’m trying to tempt you.”

Temptation was there, that was true. Joel wavered, because for a tiny package, Vicki was dragging him to the very limits of his control. And right now, he couldn’t blame her. Getting away and getting naked was way more attractive than the current option.

Vicki squirmed, the heavy sensation of being stared at worse than ever.

Well, wasn’t this a ton of fun?

She glanced around the room and counted how many people’s gazes darted away as she skimmed past them. Maybe the whole idea of breaking through her bad-girl rep was stupid. Awkward for sure. And this time she’d hauled Joel along into her unique brand of torment.

Brilliant. Way to go.

The idea of leaving was very appealing, so when Joel rose, hope rose with him. He caught her by the hand, tugging her to her feet. “Come on.”

Thank God. “My jacket…”

She reached for it, but he shook his head. “Not leaving. Let’s dance.”