Page 8 of One Kind Soul

In three moves, she possessed all of the red checkers.

“Sorry there, Chrissy.” She leaned back in her chair as the audience around them hooted and cheered. “I always win at checkers.”

Christian pulled his lower lip between his teeth as he stared at the board now devoid of all his pieces. “You’ll be in Vermont for how long?”

The question was unexpected. “For two weeks.”

“Good.” Christian stood and Nicole couldn’t stop her gaze from combing from his mouth down to his thighs. That torso was prime real estate.

In all the times she’d talked to Tessa, her best friend had never mentioned how attractive Christian was. It’d only been flirting playboy stories about him that had sounded more like warnings than actual tales.

“Good?” She rose to her feet as well. “Why good?”

“That means there will be time for a rematch.” A dangerous half smile shot her way and Nicole liked it far too much.

“So you fancy getting destroyed then?”

Christian gestured to the table between them. “I wouldn’t call that getting destroyed.”

“I wouldn’t either,” the red-headed guy said. “She didn’t mop the board with you.”

Christian pointed to the guy. “Yeah. What he said.” He shook the man’s hand. “Thanks.”

“No problem. It gives me hope that you’ll beat her.” He winked at Nicole. “It was a pleasure playing you, but my ego is shot to hell.”

The crowd dissipated around them and Nicole led Christian to the booth where her bag and luggage were hanging out.

“How did you end up in a checkers tournament here today?” he asked.

“Two people came in and set up the board.” She shrugged. “They caught me watching and invited me over. Next thing I know, I’m playing everyone in the bar and then you.”

“Hopefully it made the time pass,” he said. “I drove as fast as I could without breaking the speed limit. Mostly.”

“I appreciate that.” Nicole peeked up at him. “I also appreciate you hauling your ass down here to get me.” She gestured to the table. “Can I buy you dinner to say thank you?” She hoped that didn’t sound like a pickup line. She really did want to thank him.

She also wanted to make up for beating him in checkers. That was a new concept—feeling bad about winning. What was that about?

Christian put a hand to his stomach. “I could eat.”

“Good.” They each slid into a booth seat on either side of the table. “Because I didn’t get any road trip snacks.”

“What?” His mouth dropped open and he put his hands on the table between them. “No cheese curls? No licorice? Nothing?”

“Nothing. As soon as I left the airport, I came here,” Nicole said. “I expected to have time to visit a convenience store while waiting for you, but then checkers happened and boom. You’re here.”

“We’ll stop before we get on the road again.”

“But you won’t be hungry after eating here.” She pulled the menus from the holder on the table and gave him one.

“Rule Number One about me.” Christian held up his index finger. “I’m always hungry. Always.”

That statement gave Nicole ideas about how he worked off his food if he was hungry all the time. Something told her his workouts involved some cowboy stuff but also sex stuff. Did Tessa’s label of flirt mean Christian fucked anything in a skirt?

And how many skirts had she packed?

She scanned the menu, not lingering on such foolishness. The waitress took their orders and Nicole figured she’d better get the small talk going if only to keep her from imagining what Christian looked like when he was having sex.

Because surely he wouldn’t want to have sex with her. He probably attracted the attention of supermodels. She was no supermodel.