Chapter 7

Lexie was a little nervous as she gave him directions. How would he react when she took him past some of Dusty’saccomplishments. She knew how all the sons felt about the man. Lordy, the whole town knew. But if Killian was really Dusty Walker’s son, then he should know the man was someone other than a guy who didn’t marry Killian’s mother. She pointed out the playground at the little park in the middle of a residential section. The new wing he’d paid for at the small retirement home. The high school where he’d paid for computers.

“There’s evidence of his giving nature everywhere,” Lexie told him. “He’s bought businesses going under, propped them up, and let the owners stay there rent-free until they got on their feet. Helped folks with their mortgages, and he saved more than one or two farms around here.”

“Okay, okay, okay,” Killian said at last. “I get it. The man was a goddamn saint. A fucking angel. Wonderful. I’ll get him a halo.”

“He wasn’t a saint at all, but he was more than you believe him to be.” She shifted in her seat. “That’s all I’m saying, for now. Take the next right, and we’ll head to The Roadhouse.”

Since it was a weeknight, the restaurant was barely half-full. Still, Killian requested a booth rather than a table. People watched, curious, as the hostess led them to their spot. Lexie smiled at some of them and dipped her head in a casual nod.

“Will the gossips be working overtime tomorrow?” Killian asked.

She laughed that light musical sound. “Probably, but not to worry. The next day, they’ll be chewing on someone else.”

The hostess seated them and told them their waiter would be right with them. Lexie saw Killian taking a long look around the place, at the planking on the walls, the high-back booths, the long bar with its old-fashioned mirror. A tiny stage in one corner was currently empty.

“Weekends a band plays here,” she explained. “They aren’t half bad.”

He turned those incredible onyx eyes on her. “That so? You like to dance?”

She lifted one shoulder. “Same as anyone else, I guess.”

“You do your dancing with anyone special?”

Before she could answer him, the waiter in jeans and a Roadhouse polo shirt showed up with their menus.

“Something to drink?” he asked.

“Lexie?” Killian deferred to her.

“Um, a glass of white wine, please.”

“Beer for me,” he told the waiter. They discussed brands until Killian settled on one he liked. Then he turned his attention back to Lexie. “So, do you?”

“Do I what?” She’d hoped he’d forget the question.

“Dance with someone special,” he reminded her.

“Let’s say no one special at the moment.” Or for a long time. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here with you.”

“Good to know.”

The long, slow grin he gave her sizzled her nerve endings. She hardly knew what to do with the chemistry exploding between them. She didn’t remember any other man having this effect on her. Danger, she told herself, yet she didn’t seem to be able to control her reaction to him.

Lexie had never realized exactly how erotic eating a meal could be until tonight. She was fascinated at the play of muscles in Killian’s face as he chewed and in his throat as he swallowed. Whenever he lifted the bottle of beer to drink, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the way his lips closed around the neck, imagining how they’d feel pressed against hers. Or wondering how his long fingers clutching the bottle would feel on her body.

Good lord, Lexie! Get it together!

“You okay?” Killian’s voice broke the spell.

“I’m fine. Why?”

“You’ve hardly touched your steak, and you had a weird expression on your face.”

What she had on her face was a flush of heat. Damn it.

“No, I’m fine. The steak is fine. Excellent, in fact.” To demonstrate, she cut off a piece, popped it into her mouth, and chewed.

Killian laughed, a nice, husky sound. “Lexie, if you aren’t having a good time, we can leave. I hate to see a woman forced to pretend something she doesn’t feel. I really was hoping we could have a good time. I’m only here for a week, and I’d like to spend some of it with you.”

“A week?” She wrinkled her forehead. “So, you aren’t staying, either?”

“Either?”

“Well, your brothers made it plain to everyone they were out of here as soon as possible. I guess you feel the same way.”

He nodded. “Sorry. My life doesn’t include Red Creek.” He paused. “I don’t want to mislead you, Lexie. I felt a connection with you the minute I walked into Heart Starter and thought it would be nice to spend some time with you. It doesn’t matter that we just met. I like what I see, and I want to know you better. Nothing more than that. I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea.”

Embarrassment surged through her. “I didn’t get any idea, Killian. If you think—”

He held up a hand. “I didn’t think anything. Except, as I said, I’d enjoy spending time with you. Can we do that? Just enjoy the evening? No pressure?”

At his words, she suddenly found herself relaxing. She wanted that, too, didn’t she? Maybe a fling for a week to prove to herself she was still a desirable woman? Especially to a man as hot and sexy as Killian Walker. She had never been a fling sort of person, but hadn’t she told herself just tonight it was time to break out of her shell? And who better to do it with than a man who would only be around for a week?

She looked across at Killian and saw him watching her carefully.