I shoot up in bed, gasping for breath. I’m covered in sweat and my heart is racing. But I’m alive.

Willing myself to calm down, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and run my hands over my face. A quick glance at the digital clock on the bedside table reveals the time to be 3am. Flicking on the lamp, I stand up and leave the room, stretching my arms above my head as I enter the kitchen and open the fridge. Grabbing a bottle of beer, I pad on bare feet back through the small house and re-enter the bedroom. Sitting on the bed, I pull the blanket up to my waist and open the bottle. I hesitate only briefly before lifting it to my lips. I know I made a promise to Keets, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

One beer can’t hurt…

When I enter the bar the next afternoon, I’m greeted by a sight I know will be etched into my memory forever. Shannon is bent over the bar as she retrieves a few glasses, her heart-shaped ass sticking proudly up in the air. I feel myself grow instantly hard and groan inwardly. I can’t tear my eyes away from the smooth space of bare skin around her midriff that is exposed when she reaches up to put a glass away. I clear my throat and she spins around, gasping as she holds a hand to her heart. “Ethan,” she says with a small laugh of relief. “You scared me.”

“Stone,” I correct her as I walk over to the bar. “No one’s called me Ethan in years.”

“Stone,” she repeats, testing the name. I like the way it sounds on her lips. My cock does too, as it twitches in my jeans. “We don’t get much of a crowd on Sunday afternoons,” Shannon says, breaking the sexual charge that fills the bar as she takes a step away from me. Did she feel it, too? “Ruth will be in shortly, but you should be able to get out of here by five.”

“Ruth?” I ask, drawing my eyes away from her pert little tits to look at her face. She blushes and ducks her head, tucking a strand of curly hair behind her ear. I decide I like her hair left out of the tie.

Shit, busted.

“Ruth is one of the barmaids here,” Shannon is saying. I force myself to pay attention. But damn she’s making it hard for me to think straight. As if right on cue, the door of the bar opens and I turn to see the same pretty, young blonde I’d tried to save from the drunken fool the night I wrecked the bar.

“Hey, Shan,” she calls out with a bright smile as she drops her handbag on the bar and runs a hand through her hair, staring directly at me. I shift uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

“Ruth,” Shannon starts with a warm smile. “This is Stone. He’s going to be helping out around the bar for a while.”

“Hello,” Ruth says shyly, looking up at me from beneath heavy, dark lashes.

“Hey,” I reply, giving her a warm smile. She’s pretty—gorgeous, if I’m completely honest. Her platinum blonde hair hangs straight down her back, and her big, blue eyes would make most men drop to their knees and promise her the world.

So, why isn’t she having any effect on me?

I glance over at Shannon just as she looks up at me. Her blue eyes widen, her skin flushes a dull shade of pink, and immediately I feel my cock stir. What is it about her that gets under my skin?

“Thank you,” Ruth is saying, forcing my eyes back over to her.

“I’m sorry?” I respond, feeling like a heel for ignoring her.

“I just wanted to thank you,” Ruth repeats, her small hand resting on my large forearm. “For the way you stood up for me the other night.”

I smile indulgently at her. “Think nothing of it,” I say, perhaps a little too grandly. I glance at Shannon who’s standing there smirking at me. Does she notice the way Ruth is hanging onto my arm, as though I’m her white knight? Is she jealous? Why do I care? I stand up a little straighter, puffing my chest out.

“But I feel terrible,” Ruth continues, shaking her head, tears threatening to spill from her large eyes.

“It’s okay,” I tell her, patting her hand awkwardly as I look desperately at Shannon, who’s still smirking. Help me, I mouth at her.

“Come on, Ruth,” Shannon interjects, smiling brightly as she links arms with the younger girl. “I have some things in the back for you to do this afternoon.”

I watch as she leads Ruth away, throwing a wink at me over her shoulder that almost brings me to my knees. I slump into the nearest chair and rest my head in my hands, leaning against the small round table. My head is killing me. I hadn’t been able to sleep after my nightmare last night… a nightmare that comes all too often.

“Are you okay?” Shannon asks as she re-enters the room. I look up at her wearily, giving her a small smile.

“I’m fine,” I answer, pushing myself up and tucking the chair back in. I follow her over to the bar and start putting clean glasses away as she watches me.

“Listen,” she says, shifting uncomfortably. “I’m sorry about last night.”

I pause, half-bent over the bar, and glance up at her. “It’s okay,” I finally reply, putting the last glass away and straightening up. “I understand.”

“Did Keets talk to you?” she asks, twisting the hem of her t-shirt worriedly.

“Don’t worry,” I assure her. “He didn’t tell me anything personal, just that you don’t like nicknames.” I move over to the far wall and pick up the broom.

“It’s not that I don’t like nicknames,” she says, following me across the room, watching as I manoeuver the broom around the chairs. “I just don’t like being called kitten.”

“Well, why not?” I ask, not looking at her. “It’s not as though I called you a bitch or anything.”

“I know,” she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it’s what my ex called me.”

I pause and glance up at Shannon. Her face is pale, her voice trembling. “Ah, hell,” I curse, letting the broom slip from my fingers as I grab her wrist and pull her to me, wrapping my large arms around her awkwardly. What is it about crying women in this town? They seem to converge around me in droves. First Ruth, now Shannon? “What’s going on?” I ask against her hair.

Shannon sniffs and leans her head back, giving me a tremulous smile. Her tits press against my chest and I feel my cock harden. She must feel it too, her eyes grow large and round as she takes a step back. I already miss her being in my arms. “I’m sorry,” she apologizes, quickly wiping her eyes.

I have an almost overwhelming urge to hold her again, but she turns away before I can. “Shannon,” I say, causing her to pause and slowly turn back to face me. “I know you don’t know me all that well,” I continue, my voice sounding gruff in my own ears. “But if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you.”

Shannon stares up at me thoughtfully. “You are, aren’t you?” she muses.

I don’t get the chance to question her further, as Ruth comes back into the room to open the bar.

For the rest of the afternoon, Shannon makes herself scarce as Ruth and I serve the few customers who come into the bar. I briefly consider asking Ruth what’s going on with Shannon, but quickly veto that idea. She’s clearly close to Shannon, so I doubt she’d do anything to violate that trust.

“Hey.” Ruth nudges me with a grin. “You okay?”

“Hmm?” I ask distractedly, glancing down at her as I dry a glass. “Sorry.” I flash her a quick smile. “I guess my mind’s on other things.”

“You mean Shannon?” Ruth asks slyly.

I almost drop the glass in shock. Quickly placing it on the bar, I grab another, refusing to look at her. “What do you mean?” I ask nonchalantly.

Ruth lets out a light laugh, and I know the jig is up. “I’m young, Stone.” She smiles at me. “But I’m not stupid.”

I sigh and turn to face her. “I just don’t understand her,” I admit.

“I don’t think anyone does,” Ruth says.

“But why won’t she let anyone in? What’d her ex do to her that was so terrible?” I ask. “Did he hit her or something?”