Slice (The Elledge Family #1) (58 page)

“Country girl…”

“Yes.” In only the American sense, Tennessee was the heart of the south for me.

The bartender smiled. “Kage, glad to see you back eh? I haven’t seen you in donkey ears?”

“I’m only back for a minute… family concerns are driving me mad? You know how they can be. Tiring and worrisome, but they are family and you have got to take care of them.”

“Of course they are and of course you will.” He nodded his head. “Your drinks are on the house. You and the lass. Let me know you what want eh?”

“Aye.” He smirked and looked back at me. His name was Kage. “So pardon me manners, I’m Kage love… who are yah?”

His shoulders were broad and masculine and that damn jaw line would make a model look like shit. “I’m Cypress.”

“Perfect name, beautiful just like you.”

“Good one…” I chuckled.

“So why is a lass as fair as you here alone?”

“Drinking my sorrows?” I smiled half-heartedly.

“And what are your sorrows?”

“Dead husband?”

“Oh,” He grew quiet. Way to kill the conversation before it can start. His finger swirled around the rim of the glass. “That’s sad.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I came out. My brother in law took the kids and I was thinking that I could feel alive again if I came out, but I think it’s draining what little life I have in me out.” Shut up, Cypress. Jesus.

“Well, look, I would like to offer you so relief by being the one that makes you smile tonight. We can sing bar songs… or we could dance around under the stars. Whatever, your wish is my command.” He flourished himself and cracked a smile.
      

“Could we get out of here?”

“I would love to but I didn’t drive. I rode into town with a cousin.”

“Leave him, I can drive you.” The impulse was something I was not used to but it had been such a while since I had even reacted to a man. Sure, I got hit on all the time I but I blocked the out for good reason. But now I wanted to feel something… not emotions. No, this was all physical.

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere?” I swallowed down the remnants of my beer and shrugged my shoulders.

“Are you looking to shag?”

“Shag?”

“Pardon me, you American women are so crude.” His smile brightened and he leaned closer to me. “Are you looking to fucked senseless?”

My chest ached from the beat of my heart pounding on it. “Yes, I whispered.

“Perfect, lead the way.”