Carter's Treasure by Amy Gregory Page B

for the shot. I’m sure Carter enjoyed it as much as I did. I’d have him tell you if it worked or not tomorrow, but I don’t think he’s the kind to kiss and tell.” She gave Dylan a little cocky shrug. “Sorry.”
    Dylan glared at her. “Fuck you.”
    Molly did everything she could to keep her patience in check and her breathing slow, showing nothing but steel to her rival. With her eyes still locked on his, a full poker face and a voice that was knife’s edge sharp, she left not a trace of uncertainty. “You already know that’s never going to happen.”
    “I’m outta here.” Dylan’s chair scrapped across the floor as he pushed himself back.
    Her calmness was apparently unnerving to him, she held in the smirk as she capitalized on his weakness. “After only one?” she asked in a cute, coy voice. She couldn’t help but play with him like a cat with a mouse. And after two days of the asshole, it was oh so fun.
    “You’re a bitch .”
    Her arm instinctively went across Carter’s chest again, but without breaking eye contact with Dylan. “Maybe…“ She held stone still, at the last second she threw up a shoulder and winked. “But…I was right.”
    Molly threw him a little smartass wave as he and his two buddies turned to leave. She waited until they got out the door, then cringed and grabbed the nearest water, which happened to be Jesse’s, and through gritted teeth, she hissed, “Oh my God, that shit burns.”
    Their table exploded. Carter shook his head, laughing as he watched her drink half the glass of water. “It does burn. How’d you fake that it didn’t?”
    “I sure as hell wasn’t going to let him know it hurt.” Molly laughed. “Sorry, cowboy.”
    Jesse laughed even louder than he already was. “Oh, honey, that’s all right. That was too awesome, I’m just glad I got to witness it. I’d never of believed it otherwise.”
    Molly winked back.
    “So am I to assume you’ve nicknamed me?” Jesse’s warm smile crinkled his eyes.
    “Yep. You wear the boots, you’ve got the accent. So yeah, cowboy , I did.”
    “Do you think he’s ever going to learn not to mess with you? Cause at some point, I’m just going to take him out, just warning you all now.” Joey started passing out the rest of the shots to everyone else. “And that asshole better have already paid for these. And you…” He pointed at Carter as he spoke. “You’re damn lucky she held you back. I have a feeling George wouldn’t be so kind if you pummeled that jackass. I think you got a free pass the other night. Let me take him, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
    “Thanks, Joey, but I don’t give a shit. No one’s going to mess with her,” Carter said.
    Joey stared a moment, then nodded.
    Eli brought her knuckles to his mouth for a sweet peck. “Thanks for letting me be a part of that, even if it wasn’t as good a role as Sterling’s.”
    Brody’s gaze narrowed in on her. “What…in…the hell…was that?”
    “What?”
    He slapped the table. “The whole sex kitten act. What the hell? Where did you learn…that?”
    “Brod, I’m a big girl now.” She answered nicely—on purpose.
    “You aren’t that big. Dad would shit.”
    “Then don’t tell him.” At this point, she was about to go off like a rocket. Her insides felt like a damn pinball machine. Between sitting close enough that only clothes separated her from Carter all night, this last battle with Dylan, and now Brody back on her ass, all she needed was the spark to set her off. And God help the person that lit that match.
     
     
    “That is not what he meant by not knowing how to do a real shot! You lick the salt, shoot, and suck the lime. That’s it.”
    “You’re right, Brod…it’s all in the lick…and the suck .”
    Carter slapped his hand over his own mouth and was about to die as Erin finally lost it.
    “You! You taught her that didn’t you?” Brody looked at Erin with the tears running down her face. “I’m going to kick