Part 7 (1/2)
Tonight was her only chance, the last opportunity she had to fulfill her fantasy, to summon the courage to invite him to her bed. She'd even groomed herself for a potential seduction, for a slow, sweet, s.e.xual night. Beneath a slim black dress, she wore thigh-high stockings, wispy panties and the see-through bustier she'd accidentally dropped at Bobby's feet nearly a week ago.
”Do you play?” he asked.
She blinked, felt her pulse jump to her throat. ”Play?”
”Pool.” He motioned to the back of the bar. ”There's a free table. Should we claim it before someone
else does?”
She glanced over her shoulder, in the direction he indicated. ”Truthfully, I don't play all that well. But I'm more than willing to try.”
”I can help you.”
”Okay. I'll just get my wine.” And let her cousins know she was spending the rest of the evening with
Bobby.
As he headed toward the billiards area, Julianne told Mern and Kay her news, which they saluted with
thumbs-up smiles, boosting her courage.
Anxious to return to her cowboy, she joined Bobby at the pool table, where he racked the b.a.l.l.s.
”I think you should break,” he said.
Julianne shook her head. ”No. You go ahead.”
”I want you to do it.”
”All right.” She set her belongings on a nearby ledge and reached for a pool cue, chalking the end
because it seemed like the right thing to do. Her knowledge of the game was more than limited.
She aimed the stick at the white ball and sent it rolling into the triangle of numbered b.a.l.l.s, barely
scattering them. ”I told you I wasn't very good at this.”
”That's okay. I'llrerack and you can try again. Only this time, I'll help.”
And help he did. He rolled up his sleeves, critiqued the way she held the cue, and then repositioned her,
giving advice she was determined to follow.
This time, she crashed through the b.a.l.l.s, sending them in a variety of directions.
She turned to smile at him and he grinned back at her.
”Keep going,” he said.
”Isn't it your turn?”
He shrugged. ”We don't have to play by the rules.”
”That sounds good to me.” After all, this was her night to break free, to teeter on the edge. To make turning forty a wild, wondrous experience.
”Take your time,” he coached.
Julianne studied the table and started to go after what she thought was a logical shot. But when she glanced up at Bobby, he shook his head.
”Try it this way instead.”
As he explained where to hit the ball and what pocket it should land in, he leaned into her.
His fly b.u.mped her rear and for a second they both froze. Julianne tried to concentrate on his direction, to stay focused on the game.
But she couldn't.
He smelled like the wind, like a warm, dark, summer night. He lowered his body, just enough to bring his face closer to hers.
”You need to imagine the cue ball touching the ball you want to pot,” he said.
Because thefront of his jeans were still pressed against her bottom, she wondered if he was getting aroused. His breathing was raspy, she noticed, his voice rough.
”Does that make sense to you?” he asked.
The hair on his arm tickled hers and goose b.u.mps raced up her spine. ”Yes.”
”Good.” He stayed right where he was, his body molded to hers. ”Do you want to give it a go?”
Julianne nodded, and he moved away, but not abruptly. He took his time, running his hands down her waist and over her hips. Slowly. Gently. Almost provocatively.
He was aroused, she decided. Hehad to be.
A little dizzy, she took her shot. And made it.
Stunned, she rose to look at him. And for a moment, neither spoke. They simply smiled at each other.
Soft, flirtatious smiles.
”I just might cream you,” she said.
”Really?” His smile deepened. ”We'll have to see about that.”