ow about..."
Putting her beer down firmly, Beth said, "I get your point," then she picked
up her beer again and nearly drained it.
"Want another beer?" asked Cade. "Want to give things a little more
thought?"
"Are you trying to talk me out of it now?"
Shaking his head, Cade poured some of his beer in her glass and said, "Oh,
no, ma'am. Definitely not. I just thought another beer might be in order before
you pounce on me."
Her eyes got big in startlement.
"Me pounce on you?"
Nodding, Cade said, "Yeah. I was kind of hoping you would, you know. It's
always nice to feel appreciated."
Beth snickered and sipped her beer. The bartender had seen Cade share his
beer and looked inquiringly toward their table. Cade nodded. Two fresh beers
arrived shortly.
"Another one of these," said Beth, "And I may do more than pounce on you,
Cade."
"Suits me, ma'am. Could you wait until after I've licked you senseless,
though? I'd really enjoy making you..."
"Cade!" she hissed, glancing at the bartender.
Sharing her glance, he nodded knowingly and said, "Ah. Yes, of course,
ma'am. Mustn't embarrass the natives."
"Screw the natives! We mustn't embarrass me!"
Leaning forward, she whispered sharply, "And you won't tell anybody, right?
By God, if you do, I'll..."
"No need for threats, ma'am. I don't kiss and tell. Or lick and tell. Or..."
"Cade, dammit!"
Raising a hand in polite protest, he said, "Yes'm. I'll shut up now. No need
to get all fuzzed up and rowdy. Yet. I'll try to make it worth your while later,
though."
Beth looked at the ceiling and let out a soft, exasperated, "Ah, hell!" then
grabbed her new beer and finished it.
"Enough of this," she said, setting the glass firmly on the table. "Let's go
now."
Draining his own beer, Cade said, "Yes'm. As you say. By your command,
milady."
He stood up and went to pay the bill, then held the door for Beth and
followed her to the sidewalk. Yup. She had real nice legs and it was going to be
a true pleasure to...
"You're doing it again," said Beth, without turning around.
"What's that, milady?"
"Staring at my legs."
"Oh. Yup. Sure was. Just planning my route north."
That made her turn to face him. "Your what?"
"My route north. I intend to memorize you, Beth. I'm gonna taste you from
your ankles up. Hope you don't mind."
She came to stand a few inches from him and