“I understand. My mother had a hard time sticking to rules where my baby sister was concerned too. My parents had prayed for a daughter for many, many years. They kept popping out boys. When our family was finally blessed with a little girl, we all treated her like the princess she was. She got away with a lot.”
“Was? Did she die?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“I don’t understand.”
“She disappeared a long time ago. We searched for her, but couldn’t find her. The private detectives we hired ran into dead end after dead end, and the police gave up.” He stepped away from her. “We still keep our eyes out, hoping one day we’ll find her. Hasn’t happened yet.”
She stood on her tiptoes and caressed his jaw. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, my Jasmine. Your words comfort me more than I can express.”
The butterflies in her belly took flight. “You know, I’m starting to enjoy the odd way you talk. It makes me feel as if I’ve walked into a world where princesses wait to be swept away by knights in shining armor.”
He grinned. “You would make a beautiful princess.”
“Would I?”
“One to be fought for.” He twirled a lock of her hair around a finger. “What about me? Would I fill the role of your knight in shining armor?”
She ran her hands over his chest. The sensation of hard muscle under her palms sent a shiver of awareness through her body. “I don’t know if any horse would be able to carry you for long. I see you more as a warrior. Maybe a conqueror.”
“One who demands the bonny ladies as his reward after a battle?” He swept her into his arms. She gasped and grabbed his shoulders. “Oh yes, I like this fantasy, and in it I get to choose you as my booty.” He bent closer so his golden brown eyes filled her vision. “I think I might keep you.”
Her breath hitched. “I think you have a wild imagination.”
“Or a hopeful one.”
She pushed against his shoulder. “Put me down. People are starting to stare.”
“Let them. It’s not my fault the men in this town were stupid enough not to claim you.”
She caught her lip to stop her grin. “You know how to flatter a woman, don’t you?”
“I’m only telling the truth.”
“Are you now?”
“Yes, and I’ll give you another fact.” He focused his lust-hazed gaze on her. “I want you.”
The look in his eyes told her exactly what he desired from her. She wanted to give in to her body’s needs too. Tonight wasn’t the right time for it. Being late because she got caught up in the moment was one thing. Ignoring her responsibilities to have sex with a man she barely knew was another.
“Look, what we did wasn’t normal for me. I’m not like that. Easy.”
“I know.” He set her on her feet and took her hand. “Come on, let’s get our drinks before it gets any later.”
“Sounds good.”
He led her across the dance floor, weaving around the couples swaying to the music. Susan stepped from the bar, a tray of drinks held high. A guy seated on one of the stools yelled for another beer, calling her a slew of derogatory terms that made Jazz cringe. She hated how rude some people could be after they had a few drinks in them.
Rafe headed Susan’s way. He released Jazz’s hand and laid his fingertips on Susan’s arm. “Let me handle this.”
Susan sucked in a rough breath and jerked. The tray she held tipped, spilling beer all over Jazz. The pitcher and glasses shattered on the floor, spraying more booze on her legs.
Jazz gasped.
“Oh no!” Susan dropped to her knees and gathered the largest pieces of glass. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Jazz ran a hand over her top. She was soaked. “Accidents happen.”
Rafe moved closer but didn’t touch Jazz. She couldn’t blame him. Who wanted to go home smelling like a brewery?
“Are you hurt?” Rafe asked her.
Jazz shook her head. “Just wet.”
Susan dropped the handle of the pitcher on the tray and reached for another jagged section. “I don’t know what got into me.”
“No.” Rafe grabbed Susan’s shoulders and urged her to stand. “It’s my fault. I startled you.”
“Look at you, Jazz.” Susan pressed a hand to her mouth. “I ruined your outfit.”
Jazz smoothed her damp skirt. “It’ll wash out.” She’d just smell like stale beer until then.
“I have extra clothes in my locker.” She motioned to the employee hallway. “You can at least dry off and put them on. I’ll get your clothes cleaned.”
“I think that sounds like a good idea,” Rafe added. “Otherwise your car will smell too.”
“Yes, okay.” Jazz followed Susan back to the employee break room.
She cleaned up, using a wet cloth to wipe the stickiness from her skin left by the drinks, then tugged on Susan’s spare clothes—shorts and a T-shirt with a black widow spider on it. The stench of booze still clung to Jazz. Her hair had gotten sprayed too. Seth and Levi would cringe when she picked them up. There’d be no hugs from them tonight. Just as well. They’d smell a strange man on her. She didn’t want to have to answer any questions about Rafe, not until after their first date.
Rafe waited for her in the hallway. He gave her a small smile. “This was a memorable first meeting, wasn’t it?”
She tugged on the too tight shirt. It barely covered her stomach. “Yes, I’ll say. Let’s hope our first date is less action-filled.”
“I’m sure it’ll be pleasurable.” He raised his gaze from her chest to her face. “No matter what we end up doing.”
She blew out a slow breath. “I hope so.”
A pleased grin spread across his mouth. “How about a rain check on the drink so you can go home and shower?”
“I’d like that.”
They left the bar, and Rafe walked straight in the direction of her car, not even pausing by the other ones or asking where she’d parked. The memory of him inhaling deeply after she’d
