I smile to myself in amazement of this guy. Who does he think he is?! My god the worst part is that he was kind of right, I was curious and I DID want to get to know him. I look back to the fire I was sitting at before, not too far back at all, trying to figure out what my next move will be. Do I go back to the party and hang back alone or do I follow this jackass? Even as I was thinking about it I instinctively took a step closer to his truck. Damnit. Might as well find out more about the cute cocky cowboy I think to myself.
I walk the rest of the way over to him "It's fascinating how comfortable you are at being so forward, what exactly would be the gameplan if I wasn't into that that? If I didn't find it somewhat cute?" I ask leaning on the front part of his truck. My curiosity got the best of me it seems.
He scratches at the light scruff on his chin, considering the question like it's a serious one. The fire pops and someone behind us laughs too loud, seems someone thought it would be funny to throw a cracker into the fire.
"Gameplan?" he takes a slow sip, letting the question hang in the air. "Same as any hunt. You read the signs. If the quarry ain't interested, you back off. Don't make no sense chasin' something that don't wanna be caught." His shoulders roll in a shrug, eyes staying steady on mine. "I'm forward cause I ain't got patience for dancin' around shit. But I ain't a prick about it. You say no, that's the end of it. No hard feelings, no drama." he cracks his neck, the sound sharp in the warm air like the cracker from earlier and yet he seemed like he was as calm as ever. "But you ain't said no yet. You're standin' here drinkin' my beer, callin' me cute, askin' questions like you wanna figure me out."
He set his beer down on the hood of the truck and crossed his arms, biceps pulling against the damp fabric of his shirt. "So I'm thinkin' you like the forward just fine. Maybe more'n you wanna admit. Am I wrong?" He asks an eyebrow raised.
"Hahahaha," I smile wide while laughing. "You might just be right about that I think. Although I believe I called you being forward cute. Not you." I wink at him teasingly trying not to show how deep under my skin he has already gotten in such a short amount of time.
"So what exactly do you want to skip the small talk to? Tired of having me trying to figure you out already?" I ask raising my eyebrow my smile still playing on my lips. I'm liking this back and forth. Easy is boring to me and for the first time since I got here I'm not feeling all that bored anymore.
He pushes off the truck hood and steps into my space, close enough now that the heat from him radiates through the air onto me. His voice drops low, just for me to hear over the summer air and distant music still playing at the bonfire.
"What do I want?" he reaches up and brushes his thumb along my jaw, the calloused skin rough against my face. My mouth opens in surprise. "I want to find out what sounds you make when you ain't busy bein' clever." His eyes look me over like I'm prey.
His rough hand drops away and he takes a half-step back, giving me room to breathe, to decide.
"My truck bed's got blankets in the toolbox. Tailgate folds down. We could sit, talk more if that's your speed." He says tongue dragging across his bottom lip slowly.
"Or we could find out if that curiosity of yours runs as deep as I think it does." His eyes grow just a little bit wider as his smile reaches the corners of his face.
I raised my hand to my jaw where his hand had held me, mouth still open in surprise. I shut it as I take a breath in. I can't believe I'm getting flustered by this bastard, but I'd be lying if I said I'm still thinking clearly and just wanted to mess with him. I was still feeling something alright, but I don't think it was just curiosity anymore.
"Your call, Alex. I told you I read signs. And every sign you're givin' me says you want the same thing I do. If you're man enough anyway." He smirks again that damn smirk that makes me want to punch him… and maybe something else too… The challenge hangs in the air between us, thick as the smoke drifting from the bonfire further away.
My eyes narrow, my blood boiling. "You're on cowboy just don't cry if you can't keep up." I say walking past him towards his trucks bed. I'm going to put this arrogant, hot asshole in his place. I think to myself.
His grin splits wide and he lets out a low whistle, watching me walk past. He doesn't move right away, just lets his eyes drag over me real slow as I reach the tail of his truck he pushes off the side then follows.
He fishes keys from his pocket. I glance away as he digs in his pants for them. A blush creeping on my face. What is wrong with me? I think. This is so unlike me; I don't get flustered by cocky guys. Did I have too much to drink?
The toolbox clanks open as I'm having my little spiralling moment. I don't notice him grab a couple old wool blankets, rough but clean enough, and toss them into the bed.
He swings himself over the side easy, landing on the blankets with a thud now next to me on his side. The truck's parked facing away from the bonfire, nothing but scrubland and stars stretching out ahead. Outlaw country still drifts from the cab speakers, playing something about whiskey and women. He unlocks the tail end of the truck and I sit flat on it. Watching him on his hunches.
"You know how many nights I sat in this exact spot just wishin' something interestin' would happen? Ryan throws these things every week but damn it's been a while since I've seen someone new." He pulls me up beside him from behind, I yelp as I'm pulled from sitting on the tail of his truck into a leaning position on the blankets on the trucks bed. His grip firm on my arm letting his hand linger a second too long before letting go.
I swallow down a knot in my throat. My thoughts a complete mess, I can't believe I let myself get so uncomposed by such a simple thing.
"Ain't every day someone catches my eye at one of Ryan's shitshows. Usually just the same old faces, same old stories." he leans back on his elbows, looking up at the sky, then back at me with that sharp grin that makes me feel something… Anger? Hunger? Who could say.