There was a girl.
Ezra barked a laugh. Yeah, well, youll have to be more specific with that, too. Even more of them than shithole dive bars.
Natalie. Long blond hair. Big blue eyes. Dimples. Juicy mouth. She worked in the bar. We had a thing. Hot, hard, fast, for two weeks before we left for L.A.
Hmm, sounds familiar, but, Paddy, you have a thing for blondes. There are stories like that from coast to coast and across Europe. They all run together after a time.
I do have a really fucking awesome life.
Ezra rolled his eyes. Does this story have a point?
Shes here. In town, I mean. This morning after our ride, I went down to get some coffee. She was there. At the counter. Hair is short now, but it exposes her neck.
Ezra hummed his approval as he put things away.
Shes a librarian.
Ezras brows rose appreciatively. Well, now.
Right? But she pretended she didnt remember me.
Ezra turned and then laughed so hard he had to brace his hands on his knees. Man, I wish Id have seen your face when that happened, Ezra choked out in between fits of laughter. I love how your ego paints it like she pretended not to know you instead of her just not remembering.
Har har. She remembered me. Theres no way she forgot it. It wasnt a night or two. It was two really intense weeks. Plus, asshole, Im unforgettable. Anyway, she didnt deny knowing me. She just stepped around admitting knowing me. I know the difference.
Ezra stood up, wiping his eyes and settling down a little. Thanks for that. Totally made my day.
Im asking you for advice. You give Damien advice all the time.
Hes an idiot. He needs it more than you do, Ezra said, referring to one of their brothers, the drummer of Sweet Hollow Ranch.
Yeah, there is that.
Okay, so hit me. What advice do you want? How to deal with the blow to your ego? Suck it up and move on. So what? There have to be dozens upon dozens of women who feel the same way about you, Paddy. You dumped her, and she does not have fond memories. Youre lucky she didnt knee you in the gooch.
I didnt dump her! It was fall, she was heading off to college and we were on the road. It was fine. No tears. No drama. He ran a hand through his hair. I liked her. I liked her then, and I want to know if Id like her now.
Ezra looked him over carefully as they left the stables. So you want to what? Be this womans friend? See if she wants another turn in the sheets with you? This is your hometown, Paddy. Dont shit where you sleep. If you charm her out of her panties and then it goes bad, then what? Do you really want some pissed-off ex-girlfriend who knows where you live?
Paddy made a face. Its not like that. I cant believe I havent bumped into her before now. Its not like Hood River is a bustling metropolis.
Yeah, well, youve been out on multiple tours in a row and traveling in between.
True. Anyway, I dont just want to nail her, though shes gorgeous and all. Like I said, I want to see if we still click.
Cut the shit. Youre into it because its a challenge.
Paddy sucked in a breath. Okay, so maybe thats part of it. But not all of it.
For whatever reason, you have an unhealthy level of self-confidence. Youre okay-looking and all. Chicks dig you, and you hate to lose. So go for it, but dont be a dick.
Which, come to think of it, was pretty good advice.
* * *
NATALIE WALKED INTO Common Grounds with a spring in her step. Shed had a really great dinner with her housemate and best friend the night before. Theyd watched a movie, and shed gotten eight solid hours of really good sleep.
It was sunny, a breeze came in off the Columbia and she was well and truly prepared for an excellent Friday.
She waved a hello at Bobbi. Good morning! I think Id like an Americano today with lots of room. What sorts of delicious, calorie-packed goodness do you have left in the case?
Bobbi looked over to her left. See, like clockwork.
Natalie followed her gaze and nearly jumped when she saw Paddy Hurley sitting there with a grin on his face. The muted sunlight from the window he sat next to danced over his skin. Jesus H, he looked fantastic, his long legs stretched out, the denim straining at the thighs and over his crotch.
He packed quite a treat behind his zipper. Her belly and regions south tightened at that memory.
She snapped her gaze from his cock and tried not to blush.
Have a seat. He pushed the chair across from him away from the table with one booted foot. Not cowboy boots, worn work boots she figured cost more than she made in a month.
She wanted to go over and sit. Wanted to flirt and chat and let it lead right back to her place. Something about the man had gotten under her skin right from go. He was dangerous. Wanting too much was dangerous.
I have to go to work. With sheer force of will, Natalie turned her attention back to the bakery case.
Bobbi gave her a single raised brow but then got started on the Americano. The sounds and scent of the coffee-laden steam settled Natalie a little. Ooh, I want one of those banana chocolate chip muffin things.
Heres the thing, Natalie. Suddenly, Paddy was standing very close. How had he done that? That muffin is on hold. Im a nice guy, though, so Ill happily let you have it if youll sit and have coffee with me while we catch up.
In her head, her sigh was wistful, but on the outside, she added a little annoyance to keep him back. Natalie had a weak spot for charming men, and boy, did Paddy have that in spades.
She was careful not to turn to look at him. He was so close, she probably couldnt have kept her little resolution and stay on her Paddy Hurleyfree diet. Ill have the blueberry one instead, then.
Bobbi, clearly confused about the entire situation, shrugged and handed over the Americano and the muffin. Natalie thanked her and paid before heading toward the door.
Paddy caught up to her before shed gotten more than a few steps. Natalie? I was under the impression that when we parted ways before, things were okay between us. I guess I got it wrong. Im sorry for whatever I did.
Natalie paused. She might know it was best to keep him at a distance, but she didnt want him feeling guilty or to come off looking disgruntled. It was fine. Theres no need to apologize.
His expression was smug for a moment, and then he caught himself with an easy smile. So you do remember me.
There was no way she could stop her smile in response. Yes. Youre pretty memorable.
So whats the deal? He leaned a little closer. You like being chased?
With an annoyed hiss, Natalie stepped away. No. Im not interested in this...whatever it is. I dont want to play games. Im not being coy. I have a nice, quiet life. I like it that way.
Theres no whatever it is. Not yet. We already had that. I just think we could get to know one another again. I promise not to trash your living room or put a guitar through your television or anything.
The charisma flowed off him in waves. It wasnt something he put on. It wasnt an affectation. It was impossible not to be attracted to him. Theyd clicked all those years before, and it was still there, that chemical pull that made her a little sweaty and dizzy.
She stood a little straighter. I have to go to work. Im glad things are going well for you and your career. Have a good life, Paddy.
He grabbed her hand, twining his fingers with hers, and a shock of connection rang through her. She could not want this.
The heat of him sort of caressed her skin, and it wasnt even gross and sweaty because it was a thousand degrees outside. Was he some sort of sorcerer or something?
His attention shifted from where their hands were together to her face. Wait. Let me walk you over. Youre at the library, right?
Using all her will, she slowly pulled her hand free, their fingers still connected until the very last.
No. Really. I cant. I dont have room in my life for you and all that comes with you.
He flinched a little, but she had to give him credit for doggedness. You dont even know me now. How can you know what comes with me?
Im truly happy to see your success. You worked for it. But come on, Im no dummy. I know what comes with a life like yours. She took a step away and then another until she was far enough to get a breath that wasnt laden with him. Enjoy your Friday.
She left him there on the sidewalk as she kept going until finally, after shed turned the corner, the squeezing pressure in her belly eased and she could breathe again.
Shed made the right choice.
She liked him. It wasnt like she could lie about that. But shed spent years of struggle to make herself a life she wanted, too many to let her ladybits take over. Truth was, she let that fear remain. The fear that his wild life would be one cringeworthy experience after the next; the fear of all that chaos and insanity kept her steadfast.
The library beckoned, and she kept moving toward it. She had a direction, and it was forward, not back. There was room for pleasure; she certainly hadnt left sex behind, after all. But fleeting pleasure wasnt stable or strong. Thats what he offered, and so she needed to pass on it.
* * *
BUT WHEN SHE walked into the coffee shop on Tuesday, he was there. Natalie ignored him and once she got out to the streetand man, was she glad shed driven that day so she could put a closed door and a bunch of steel between themshe saw he waited just on the other side of her car.
What? God, I told you, Im not interested.
His smile was slow, easy and effortlessly sexy. Youre not interested in Paddy the rock star.
Natalie frowned. Is that so hard to believe? Not everyone wants to latch on to you for your fame, you know. Im happy for you and your brothers. I like your music. But I dont party like that anymore. Hell, she didnt live like that anymore. Im not that girl.
He leaned against her car like a cat. Darlin, none of us are those people anymore. If I drank like that now, Id be seriously fucked up the next day. When Im not on tour, Im here in Hood River. Not exactly known as a place to do blow off a hookers ass now, is it?
She groaned. I have no idea. It could be, and there could be a huge hooker-cocaine thing going on, and I wouldnt know it. This is my point. Why are you so set on me, anyway?
Youre so suspicious. Its sort of sexy. Im set on you because I like you. Let me take you to dinner. Somewhere low-key. Hell, Ill make you dinner at my house. No photographers. No keg stands. Just Paddy and Natalie.
Patrick, just leave it be. There are a million women who would be happy to have dinner with you. Im a librarian living in a small town. I dont have dinner with rock stars.
I wont be a rock star at dinner. Ill be Paddy. Anyway, I love books. Come on. Give me a chance. While Im impressed youd think a million women would be interested in me, Im only interested in one woman. You.
She got in and closed the door. After shed started the car, she opened her passenger window a little. Look, Im flattered, I really am. But Im not the woman for you.
She pulled away, and he gave her a cheeky wave.
In retrospect, it was right then that she knew she was in very big trouble when it came to Patrick Hurley.
CHAPTER THREE
SO REALLY, HES JUST... Its like I keep telling myself I need to lose ten pounds before my high school reunion, but hes a dozen doughnuts. Ooooh, Natalie, you know Im delicious. Just one bite. Im so good with coffee.
Tuesday, Natalies housemate and best friend, broke out laughing. I know how much you love doughnuts, too. So why not eat one? Or six? My point is, who freaking cares if you get a taste of Paddy Hurley? This isnt Little House on the Prairie. Youre not going to get fired for premarital sex by the town elders.
Its not that. She made no bones about liking sex. Natalie considered good sex as important to her life as doughnuts and coffee. Paddy came with too many complications and too much noise. He had complicated written all over him.
Then what is it?
That wasnt it, either.
Its just... Natalie licked her lips. Hes messy and complicated. Hed take so much time to handle, and Im over handling other adults. I dont want to be a nursemaid, a psychologist, and I sure have no desire to parent him while Im fucking him, too. Ugh. I spent years and years stepping over people passed out in my house. I had to call the paramedics more than once because some random stranger, or my dad for that matter, had overdosed. Ive had enough cleaning up puke and pretending not to smell liquor on breath at nine in the morning.
Shed lived a life utterly out of control until shed finally left home at seventeen, and even then it wasnt until college that she finally got her shit together. Control meant everything. It meant you lived a life of your own choosing and not at someone elses mercy, and it meant not being responsible for keeping grown-ass people from driving off a cliff.
It was the leaving that had been the key. The ultimate act of taking control of her life was walking away from that house. That pretty, solidly upper-class shell that was rotting inside. Just like her childhood had been.
He comes with too much shit that pushes my buttons. Hot in bed or not, I just dont want to chance it. Paddy was a walking-talking advertisement for out of control.
Tuesday was careful to keep pity out of her eyes, but she sighed heavily. All Im saying is that life is made from chances you take. How do you know he wont be worth it?
Easy for Tuesday to say. Then again, her best friend sat in the house making gorgeous jewelry or hiking instead of going out on dates for her own messed-up reasons. Still, being someones friend meant knowing when to call bullshit and when to leave it alone. Tuesday wasnt ready to confront those demons yet.
I cant deny knowing he lived here. I found out about six months after I bought the house here. The fact that the dudes from Sweet Hollow Ranch lived in town and were locals who continued to make the city their home was a point of pride to Hood River. The town tended to be protective of the entire Hurley family. People didnt call the paparazzi when one of them ate in their restaurants or shopped in their stores. There werent pictures sold to the tabloids of them going about their daily business.
When shed discovered it, shed been mildly worried, but shed already begun to put down roots. She had no plans to run off simply because some old lover was in the same area.