Page 29 of Real Good Love
“Holy hell. I think ... I don’t know. I ...” Banner’s disjointed words trail off.
“What, baby?”
“I don’t know if that’s the longest orgasm I’ve ever had ... or the most. I don’t know. Either way, I win.”
I press a kiss to the top of her shoulder. “I think we both won, Bruce.”
Pulling away, I sidestep and rip some clean shop towels off the roll, then snag a bottle of water to clean us both up with.
Banner flops over on her back, her arms spread even wider than her smile.
“So, who’s going to tell Boone Thrasher his car has already been to Brown Town?”
Chapter 15
Banner
Walking into Pints and Pins the next night with Logan’s hand on the small of my back gives me a sense of belonging I didn’t have the last time I came here. The bowling alley is packed with people, and almost all the tables in the bar area are taken.
“What’s the occasion?” I ask him.
“Pay-per-view fight. None of the other places around get it, and most people don’t want to shell out fifty bucks or more to watch. Ben takes donations at the bar rather than charging an entry fee, and it usually covers the cost. Plus, he makes it up in alcohol and food sales.”
I scan the crowded room as I nod. It makes sense, even though it’s not something I would have ever guessed in my limited knowledge of what makes people gather in bowling alleys. The women are dressed in their country finest—jeans with silver stitching and rhinestones on the back pockets, fringed leather purses, fancy cowboy boots, and tight tops with plunging necklines.
Several of them light up when they see Logan, but their expressions turn to disappointment as soon as they realize I’m standing next to him.
Damn, I guess Julianne was right. The vultures are circling. I need to thank her for the call more than I realized. I understand the disappointment I’m seeing on a few faces, because if I lost out on my shot with Logan, I’d be devastated too.
Their judging eyes take in my outfit from the toes of my shiny Louboutin boots, up my skinny jeans, my sexy-but-casual black tunic-length tee, and my fan-freaking-tastic statement necklace—one of the few splurges I made with my new inheritance. The Swarovski crystals, black onyx, and gold catch the light and draw attention to my throat.
Julianne, just the woman I wanted to see, struts toward Logan and me with a drink in her hand and a man trailing behind her.
“Hey, city girl. Thought you’d bolted out of here for good. I would say I don’t have any idea why you’d bother to come back, but I do. By the way, if the vultures shred you to pieces, can I have the necklace?”
Logan wraps an arm around my shoulders. His tone is no-nonsense. “Of course she came back. And no one is going to say anything to Banner while I’m around.” He doesn’t acknowledge the man with Julianne, which surprises me.
Julianne laughs. “Maybe, maybe not. But they’ll definitely have plenty to say as soon as you’re not connected at the hip.”
I straighten my shoulders. “Hey, I can handle myself. I’m a big girl.”
“You tell me if anyone says a cross word, and I’ll deal with it,” Logan says.
With a sweet smile, I reply, “There won’t be anything to handle. I’ll be fine.” I look back to Julianne. “Who’s your friend?”
The man reaches out a hand to Logan. “Good to see you again, Brantley.”
“Mitch.” Logan’s tone is curt, and he doesn’t shake the man’s hand.
“Come on, boys, it was a long time ago. Besides, Logan, you’re the one who kicked Mitch’s ass.”
“No hard feelings, man,” Mitch says, lifting both hands into the air.
My gaze is darting back and forth between Mitch and Logan like I’m watching a Ping-Pong match, which I’d never actually do. With the exception ofForrest Gump, I guess.
“What am I missing?” I ask when I realize no one is going to fill me in, and the awkward silence grows too heavy for what’s supposed to be a fun night out for Logan and me.
“Mitch here thought it was his job to beat my ass when he found out I took his sister on a date.”
