The woman had a body to kill for—and she knew how to use it, too.
Stop it.
That kind of thinking was unproductive.
Slut .
“Tasha?” Crap. Mary, her boss was calling her. It was just as well. Tasha didn’t need to see the man of her dreams play her for a fool.
Chapter Seven
“T ell me exactly what you saw,” Emmaline said. “It might not be that bad.”
Tasha tipped back her beer. Normally, she only had tea when she went out during the week, but tonight she needed something stronger. Before she gave any details, she looked around to make sure Burke hadn’t wandered into the bar without her knowledge.
Tasha leaned forward. “I was in the area where I read to the kids and happened to look out the window. What do I see, but Burke wiping his forehead with a red bandana while leaning on a shovel he’d planted in the dirt. I’m thoroughly enjoying the eye candy when none other than Dee Dee Duncan shows up.”
“Oh, shit. That’s not good.”
Her stomach tumbled. Dee Dee was trouble indeed. “See? I told you. She brought Burke some kind of drink. He smiled at her, grabbed the proffered cup, and then took a chug.”
Her lips thinned. “Dee Dee works at the café. Perhaps he ordered a drink, and she delivered it. It could be as simple as that.”
“That thought crossed my mind, but it doesn’t fly. Here’s why: when have you known the waitresses to wear Daisy Duke shorts and a very revealing top?” In high school, a few of the girls had claimed the name Dee Dee fit the woman because it matched her double D cup size.
“She might have been on her break,” Em said lifting a shoulder.
“Are you saying you think this exchange was completely innocent?”
She slumped back in her chair. “Not on hoochie mama Dee Dee’s part, but it could have been on Burke’s.”
“I like your description of her.”
Em smiled then sobered. “I want this to work out between you two. You deserve a good man.”
Tasha nearly spit out her beer. “A good man? He’s the consummate player. Is he incredibly hot in bed? Sure. Does he make me feel special? Of course, but that’s what players do. They’re experts at getting laid.” Fortunately, she kept her voice low to avoid anyone overhearing.
She expected Emmaline to agree, but she pinched her brows instead. “I think you’re just telling yourself what you want to hear.”
“What are you saying? That I want him to rip my heart out?”
She leaned forward, resting on her elbows. “It’s almost as if you’re trying to doom the relationship before it starts. Give the guy a break.”
“He looked at Dee Dee with adoring eyes. You might not be aware of this, but they dated in high school,” Tasha said.
“First of all, from where you were standing, you weren’t close enough to see what his eyes looked like. You’re projecting.” She waved a hand. “Besides, Dee Dee’s past history.”
“Who’s to say she’s not his mate?”
So what if every time Burke came near, her body went crazy. Hell, Tasha didn’t want a mate, didn’t need a mate, and certainly wasn’t looking for someone to complete her, but she and Burke had a connection. She was sure of it. Rejecting a mate would result in her never finding the love of her life—or so she’d been led to believe. She didn’t know if she was willing to take the chance the rumor was true.
“Pu-lease. I can guarantee you that Dee Dee Duncan isn’t Burke’s mate. Many in our Clan say she’s a gold-digging psycho. I wouldn’t be surprised if Burke bragged about how hot you were and Dee Dee found out. She’s just the type of wolf to try and snag him just so you can’t have him.”
Now Tasha laughed. “You’re full of shit.”
“Maybe, but don’t give up yet. If you are in the least bit interested, you have to go after him.”
“Me? Go after Burke Devereaux?” She’d fall harder when he turned her down. “I’m not really interested.”
“Now who’s full of it? You wouldn’t be drinking on
Stop it.
That kind of thinking was unproductive.
Slut .
“Tasha?” Crap. Mary, her boss was calling her. It was just as well. Tasha didn’t need to see the man of her dreams play her for a fool.
Chapter Seven
“T ell me exactly what you saw,” Emmaline said. “It might not be that bad.”
Tasha tipped back her beer. Normally, she only had tea when she went out during the week, but tonight she needed something stronger. Before she gave any details, she looked around to make sure Burke hadn’t wandered into the bar without her knowledge.
Tasha leaned forward. “I was in the area where I read to the kids and happened to look out the window. What do I see, but Burke wiping his forehead with a red bandana while leaning on a shovel he’d planted in the dirt. I’m thoroughly enjoying the eye candy when none other than Dee Dee Duncan shows up.”
“Oh, shit. That’s not good.”
Her stomach tumbled. Dee Dee was trouble indeed. “See? I told you. She brought Burke some kind of drink. He smiled at her, grabbed the proffered cup, and then took a chug.”
Her lips thinned. “Dee Dee works at the café. Perhaps he ordered a drink, and she delivered it. It could be as simple as that.”
“That thought crossed my mind, but it doesn’t fly. Here’s why: when have you known the waitresses to wear Daisy Duke shorts and a very revealing top?” In high school, a few of the girls had claimed the name Dee Dee fit the woman because it matched her double D cup size.
“She might have been on her break,” Em said lifting a shoulder.
“Are you saying you think this exchange was completely innocent?”
She slumped back in her chair. “Not on hoochie mama Dee Dee’s part, but it could have been on Burke’s.”
“I like your description of her.”
Em smiled then sobered. “I want this to work out between you two. You deserve a good man.”
Tasha nearly spit out her beer. “A good man? He’s the consummate player. Is he incredibly hot in bed? Sure. Does he make me feel special? Of course, but that’s what players do. They’re experts at getting laid.” Fortunately, she kept her voice low to avoid anyone overhearing.
She expected Emmaline to agree, but she pinched her brows instead. “I think you’re just telling yourself what you want to hear.”
“What are you saying? That I want him to rip my heart out?”
She leaned forward, resting on her elbows. “It’s almost as if you’re trying to doom the relationship before it starts. Give the guy a break.”
“He looked at Dee Dee with adoring eyes. You might not be aware of this, but they dated in high school,” Tasha said.
“First of all, from where you were standing, you weren’t close enough to see what his eyes looked like. You’re projecting.” She waved a hand. “Besides, Dee Dee’s past history.”
“Who’s to say she’s not his mate?”
So what if every time Burke came near, her body went crazy. Hell, Tasha didn’t want a mate, didn’t need a mate, and certainly wasn’t looking for someone to complete her, but she and Burke had a connection. She was sure of it. Rejecting a mate would result in her never finding the love of her life—or so she’d been led to believe. She didn’t know if she was willing to take the chance the rumor was true.
“Pu-lease. I can guarantee you that Dee Dee Duncan isn’t Burke’s mate. Many in our Clan say she’s a gold-digging psycho. I wouldn’t be surprised if Burke bragged about how hot you were and Dee Dee found out. She’s just the type of wolf to try and snag him just so you can’t have him.”
Now Tasha laughed. “You’re full of shit.”
“Maybe, but don’t give up yet. If you are in the least bit interested, you have to go after him.”
“Me? Go after Burke Devereaux?” She’d fall harder when he turned her down. “I’m not really interested.”
“Now who’s full of it? You wouldn’t be drinking on
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