Lilac Temptress

Chapter 13

"Kyle, why don't you get Mr. McCalister a drink on the house. Sierra honey, I'll help you put the new shipment away." William walked toward her.

"It's all right, Wil. I can do this myself." Sierra didn't want Drake to see her with William. It was humiliating and unsettling enough that Drake knew that she felt like William's prisoner.?

She had only told Drake this because she hadn't expected to ever see him again after last night. She had wanted to vent to a stranger,someone she wouldn't have to worry about gossiping throughout the town.

"You cost me money every time you drop a bottle, and we know how long it'll take before the next shipment arrives." William snapped Sierra out of her daze. Standing close to her, he handed her a shiny bottle-after-bottle of liquor.?

Sierra did her best to keep from watching Drake. She didn't want to meet those captivating blue eyes. She didn't want William to catch her watching Drake.

"So, what do you think about me finally deciding to sell?" William asked Sierra with a broad, crooked grin.

"What am I supposed to think, Wil?" she answered anxiously.

Drake watched Sierra with William. The sight of William near her struck a possessive chord in him. He didn't like how close William stood next to her, brushing against her each time that he handed her a bottle.

William laughed at her. "I've got plans for us." He waved at Kyle. "Don't just stand there. Get the man a drink."

Kyle approached Drake. "Mr. McCalister, your drink is on the house. It would be impolite not to take it. What will you be having?"

"Whiskey will do." Drake watched William retire to the back, and within minutes Sierra had finished stocking the shelves.

She proceeded to polish a table with a flannel cloth. Drake eyed her from his seat as she knelt to wipe down the chairs. The sensuous curves of her body were hard to miss, even underneath the oversized clothes she wore.

Not only did she have Drake's attention, but every so often, the men sitting at the nearby table glanced her way.

You're not meant for this, Drake thought. He was sure he wasn't the only man in that room who thought so. However, he was sure only he could give her everything that they couldn't.

Sierra looked at Drake as he made his way toward her. She hoped that she appeared busier than she was. She couldn't allow Drake to sense the pleasure that swelled inside her at the sight of him. Then, he'd know that she'd wanted him all along. What would she do if she found him standing outside her bedroom door for a second time?

"We meet again, Sierra," Drake said.

"We do," Sierra blushed, hiding her face by leaning over a table, polishing it, trying not to gain too much attention from Kyle or William's boys.

"I've thought about you, Sierra. I would like to see you again tonight." Drake kept his voice low so that only she could hear.

Sierra swallowed a hard lump in her throat and glanced up at him. "You mean while I'm here in the bar dancing tonight or, elsewhere?"

"You amuse me. I like that about you." Drake chuckled. He walked out of the bar before she could respond, leaving her gasping.

Kyle watched Sierra as she stared after Drake. What in the hell had gotten into her? He had never seen her look at a man like that,full of desire.?

Kyle sprinted outside toward Drake. "Hey there, Mr. McCalister, wait up," he called.?

Drake turned to meet Kyle's glare. Kyle was just under Drake's height, but not anywhere near as intimidating as he was trying to be.

"How does my sister know you?" Kyle demanded.

"You ought to ask her," Drake answered resolutely. Kyle needed to be put in his place; he had no business inquiring about a grown man's private affairs.

"I thought I'd ask you. I saw the way that you were looking at my sister in the bar. You didn't seem to like the kind of attention Wil was giving her."

"What does it matter to you?" Drake c****d his head sideways and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Stay away from her. Finish up your business here and leave town," Kyle warned, his nostrils flaring.

Drake bit back his laughter at the boy who was barely a man, speaking with so much authority. "Why should I stay away from her?"

Kyle studied Drake. Naturally, Sierra must have been interested in him. To her, this man must look like a knight in shining armor that swept into town, much like Jason had.?

But this man was not Jason. He was, by the looks of his fine clothing, filthy rich, and there was something else about him. Kyle got a clear impression that Drake McCalister was a man not to be trifled with. Drake either was a dangerous man or fool to have stood in the presence of Wil's stooges without blinking an eye.

"I can see she already has you wrapped around her pinky finger." Kyle stepped back slightly. "How long did it take you to fall for her? Was it her singing that hooked you or the way she danced?

"I heard Wil say that he told you and your friend to leave town last night, which means that you must have come into the bar. Sierra performed last night," Kyle spoke aloud as he put two and two together.?

Drake answered with a sigh.

"Hmm, she got to you." Kyle scrutinized Drake. "Mr. McCalister, Sierra is trouble. Don't get involved with her."?

"Whether I'm involved with her or not will be her choice." Drake clenched his jaw, ending the conversation with a hard look and sharp tone that let Kyle know that there would be no further discussion.

Kyle grunted, throwing his hands up in a gesture of surrender and headed back to the tavern. As he approached the tavern's entrance, Sierra brushed past his shoulder.

"Where are you going? You can't be finished with work yet?" Kyle snatched her arm.

"I've done enough for the day." Sierra tried to pull away, but Kyle's grip was tight.

"Please don't tell me you're going after McCalister," Kyle protested.

"Why shouldn't I? After all, you chased him down the road, didn't you?"

"I want to know what's going on between you and Mr. McCalister."

"I don't have to report to you, Kyle," Sierra snapped. "I look after you."?

"We look after each other. There can't be secrets between us," Kyle said.

Sierra twisted her arm out of his grasp. "I promise to tell you everything later. I have to go now if I'm to catch Drake." Sierra touched Kyle's cheek to calm him, then walked away. Her stride became a skip until she spotted Drake ahead.?