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Chapter Five

RED

W hen I ran into Gretchen in town earlier, I felt terrible about the way I ignored her last night. Which brought back the mystery woman again and the fact that my balls were too heavy for my liking. So when Gretchen asked me to join her for dinner, who was I to decline?

We’ve been sitting in the Italian restaurant for over an hour and having a casual conversation. This means she’s been going off at the mouth about all the local gossip, and I’ve been grinning and nodding while eating the pasta in front of me.

I’m tired and need a good romp to get me out of my foul mood.

Gretchen isn’t who I want, but she’ll have to do until I can fuck this woman out of my head.

“Oh hey! I see you found the best place in town for dinner.” I glance up when Gretchen starts talking to someone new.

CHRIST.

It’s her. She’s wearing a red wrap-around dress and sky-high heels. The neckline dips just to the edge of her cleavage without showing much, and the split of the dress teases my eyes at mid-thigh.

FUCK! My dick is hard as stone and pushing against my button flies with urgency.

“Hello again. I see your night is progressing like you expected.” She glances at me out of the corner of her eye.

Wait, they know each other and spoke about this?

I sit back, confused as they speak, as if I’m not even there. Never in the history of my life have I been so thoroughly dismissed by a pair of women? Can’t say I like it.

“I’m sorry, we haven’t had the pleasure.” I am dying to know her name.

“No, you haven’t. Nor will you. Enjoy your evening, Gretchen.” She twirls away to follow the hostess who was politely waiting to seat her, leaving my jaw on the ground.

“You alright, Red?” Gretchen asks as if nothing happened.

“How do you know that woman?” She shrugs as he spins a fork full of pasta on a spoon.

“I don’t. She was in Misty’s shop today when I picked up your surprise,” she continues to talk all about the sexy little black lacy number she can’t wait for me to ruin, but I stare across the restaurant and watch my mystery girl.

She ain’t yours, jackass. She can’t even stand you.

I try to pay attention to my date, but I’m hyper-aware of every movement the woman in red makes. When she stands to head to the restroom, I’m on my feet to follow without meaning to.

“Sorry. Will you excuse me?” Gretchen nods and keeps eating as I quickly make my way to the restrooms.

I check behind me to make sure no one is looking and slap the woman’s bathroom door open.

“What the fuck,” she mutters when she sees me.

“Who are you?” I close the door behind me and block her only exit because neither of us is leaving until I get some answers or I get my cock inside her.

Preferably the second, but I’ll settle for the first for now.

“Not your date. Better run off. I hear you’re prize number one in this town’s marriage market.” The disdain dripping from her words makes my eyes narrow.

“It’s not my fault I’m the most eligible bachelor.” She snorts and freshens up her lipstick in the mirror before turning her sharp eyes at me.

“Eligible bachelor? No, this town just has a lack of options.” I shrug her insult off.

“I have nine extremely handsome brothers.” She shakes her head at me like I’ve missed her point.

I haven’t it but hell if I’ll admit it.

“I see. Is the rest of your family just as humble?” I smirk.

“Not even a little.” She nods with her lip pursed.

“So it’s a genetic problem then. Is inbreeding an issue here?” Ok, this city bitch can insult me all she wants, but my family and town are off limits.

“Lady, I don’t give a shit where you’re from, but nothing gives you the right to be that ugly about people you don’t even know.

I won’t be wasting your or my time any longer.

It’s best you finish your business here and move the fuck on.

” I swing the door open and pull out my wallet as I approach the table where I left Gretchen.

“Hope you’re finished, Darlin’. Cause I’m ready for dessert.” I slap a hundred down on the table to cover our bills and offer her my hand.

“Damn, Sugar, that sounds like a great way to end the night. Let me just say goodbye,” she points behind me to where the woman who will no longer invade my dreams stands, watching us with a blush on her face.

I’m not sure if I caused it, but at least her eyes looked embarrassed by her actions.

Good.

She whispers something to Gretchen, and she stiffens. They both glance my way and then my date runs out of the restaurant, leaving me staring after her. What the hell just happened? I stomp over to the city bitch and grab her wrist to stop her from trying to escape.

“What did you say to her?” She turns sparkling eyes full of mischief, and I’m mesmerized by the swirls of browns and yellows in the amber orbs.

“Oh, just gave her a friendly word of advice from one woman to another.” She leans in to whisper in my ear the same way I did to her last night.

“Seems I may or may not have overheard you mention a bug problem as you walked out of the bathroom.” I push her away.

“YOU TOLD HER I HAD CRABS?” The sound of silverware dropping echoes in the now very quiet restaurant.

All eyes are on us.

“And you just confirmed it to the entire town. I really hope Serenity’s residents aren’t the gossiping type.” She spins away and leaves me, staring at the spot she just vacated.

“Fucking shit.” I storm outside, but all I see are her taillights as she leaves the parking lot.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I groan when I see Ma’s name on my screen.

“Red?” She says my name like a question, and I pinch the bridge of my nose, wondering how on Earth it only took her three minutes to hear about the scene I just caused.

“It ain’t true, Mama, I swear.” What am I, a toddler?

I’m a grown thirty-three-year-old man who should not have to justify being a clean, responsible adult.

“The reverend’s wife seems to think otherwise. This is going to make Sundays really awkward.” Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

“What am I supposed to do? Get tested and post it on the city bulletin board?” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth.

“Or stop sticking your dick in every woman that walks by you. That might actually allow you to find one worthy of marrying. I raised you better than this, Fredrick Allen.” Well, shit.

“Yes, Ma’am.” She hangs up on me, and I hang my head.

“So, no crabs?” I turn to see my baby brother Easton leaning on the restaurant, smoking a cigarette behind me.

“Fuck, how’d you find out?” He lifts his phone to show me the family text thread.

“Bobbielyn asked Eliza when she heard it from Gretchen. I read it while I was on my way to pick up dinner. Who the hell did you piss off now?” I look up at the sky and let out a long, deep breath.

Yet again, I have no name for her beautiful face, and I doubt my libido will allow me to sleep tonight, wondering what it is.

“I wish I knew.” His chuckle makes me look back at him.

“You’re smitten,” he slaps my shoulder and walks into the restaurant.

Is that what this feeling is?

I’m still standing in the same spot, evaluating what he said when he returns with two bags full of food. He raises an eyebrow at me with concern, but I wave him off.

I want to have this existential crisis alone.