Risking Delaney. Rhonda Leah

      Leaning over, he mashed the top bun down. “There, I think you can handle it.” He plucked a French fry from the platter between their plates. “Of course I thought you could have handled it before.”

      He dropped the French fry into his mouth and chewed heartily. She shook her head and lifted half the burger.

      He was right. It was excellent. They fell into heated banter. It took all she had to finish half the burger and a couple of fries. Brock wiped out his entire burger. Then the waitress picked up the dishes and offered them another beer. They both refused.

      Brock stood. “I guess Dirk got sidetracked. I’ll be right back.”

      She nodded and lifted an advertisement from the edge of the table, thumbing through the paper, checking the ads and the formats. The few days she’d been off work had been nice, but she liked what she did. Even though Brock was a danger freak, he had great business ideas. Both he and Dirk did. No doubt they would succeed. The afternoon had her excited about the project.

      Brock returned to the table and Dirk was walking in the door.

      “I see y’all waited for me,” Dirk said with laughter in his voice.

      “Skipped lunch,” she replied.

      “Ah. Well, they do make the best burgers around. Want to shoot a game of pool?” Dirk asked.

      Brock looked to her. “Are you in a hurry?”

      “No, and I’d love to watch.” She smiled easily at this man who had the ability to make her entire body go on red alert.

      * * * *

      After the first round Delaney stopped next to him and leaned in close. “When you finish the game do you think we could dance?” she whispered.

      A small crowd was swaying to the music on the dance floor. “Here?”

      She laughed. “Yeah, unless…”

      “The only other place is the bar on the far side of Chandler Bayou. This is good.”

      “I need something to drink. Want anything?” she asked, and when he shook his head and reached for his beer, moved to the bar.

      A few minutes later, he knew the smirk on Dirk’s face couldn’t bode well for him.

      “Busted, buddy,” Dirk said with a jerk of his thumb toward the bar.

      Brock turned and looked. He didn’t see anything unusual. “What?”

      “Don’t look now, but in case you forgot, Sue Ellen has that article about us…”

      He swallowed. “Oh shit.”

      Dirk nodded. “She’s done eased herself behind the bar. What’s the deal with that anyway? You’ve only jumped a time or two? You’re so full of shit.”

      Brock rose and paced to the bar, then around it to stand beside Delaney. She was engrossed in the old newspaper article Sue Ellen had framed.

      “I can explain.”

      She shot him a look that said she knew he couldn’t, but shrugged and turned back to the article. “It’s okay. Of course, I don’t like being lied to.”

      “I–”

      Her hand came up, warding off his words. “A time or two?” The look she gave him was incredulous.

      “Well…uh, you didn’t seem to like the idea.”

      “And that mattered to you?” She put her hand in the center of his chest.

      He clasped it, then practically dragged her from behind the bar. Sitting on a stool, he pulled her into the vee of his legs. “Yes. It mattered.”

      She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the side of his mouth. The fist in his gut tightened.

      “You didn’t come across as a danger freak back in Austin.”

      He let out a sharp laugh. She’d only been there a week. Of course it was true he’d been more focused on making money when he’d lived there. Though he’d taken on his share of adventure, he’d been less rowdy. “I slowed down once I moved, but I’ve always been up for an adventure, still am.”

      “Danger,” she countered.

      “No, I’m all about safety first.”

      “There is nothing safe about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Seems insane to me.”

      “Drinks, hon,” Sue Ellen said and slapped him on the back. He handed Delaney’s glass to her, and she took a long swallow of the cold drink. His body tightened as he watched her.

      “Ready for that dance?” he asked as a slow song started.

      Delaney took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. A few couples were already embraced and swaying to the music.

      “I guess you know the whole town?” she asked as he pulled her close and settled his hand at her waist.

      Arms on his shoulders, she moved with him to the rhythm. “It’s a small community, but I’ve been away for a long time.”

      “Well it seems like a place where everyone knows your name.”

      He leaned in closer. The fresh scent of her shampoo tickled his nose. “A lot of people have spent their entire lives in this area. Not everyone is as adventurous as you and move off to New York.”

      She seemed startled, and he wondered why. “Well I grew up in New Orleans. It’s not exactly a small town.”

      He shrugged. “Maybe not.”

      “I was thinking maybe you could show me around Chandler Bayou and some of the area.”

      Now she was talking. “Sounds like an excellent idea.”

      “I thought so, but I didn’t know if you’d have time,” she said and leaned her head on his chest.

      “I’ll make it.” He stroked her hair.

      It wasn’t long before Dirk and some woman headed out the door. Delaney mentally debated a pool lesson for a few minutes before she decided against it.

      The ride back to Chandler Bayou went too fast, and he didn’t want the night to end. This woman was driving him mad.