Page 49 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda

‘Of course we don’t, sis. I’ll bring your food over to you once it’s ready.’

‘Cheers, bro. You’re the best.’ She leant into Rose’s ear. ‘Have fun, lovely lady, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’ The twinkle in her eye spoke of what fun she was referring to.

‘So, Jonesy, how about a little lick, slam and suck to get the night on a roll?’ Ty wiggled his brows.

Rose had to stop herself from slapping him across the face – she’d never heard him be so loutish. ‘I beg your pardon?’

A frantic-looking barmaid skidded to a stop on the opposite side of the bar. ‘What can I get you?’

Ty looked to Rose with wide eyes. ‘Yes or no to the shooter?’

‘Oh! You meant a tequila shot.’ She slapped his arm, realisation making her blush. ‘Yes, please.’

Ty spun back to the barmaid and ordered two before looking back to Rose. ‘What did you think I meant?’ His brows rose playfully as he shook his head. ‘Oh, someone has a very dirty mind.’

Rose joined in the banter. ‘A creative mind, thank you very much.’

He shook a finger at her. ‘That too.’

The barmaid placed two shots, salt and a couple of pieces of lime onto a tray on the bar. Ty tapped his card then grabbed a shooter and carefully passed it over to Rose.

Rose accepted it with a thankful smile and raised it to his. ‘To happiness.’

‘Oh, come on Jonesy, you can do better than that, surely?’

‘Okay, give me a sec.’ She rolled her eyes to the open-beamed ceiling, then said, ‘To doing whatever the hell I want, when I want.’

‘Much better.’ He clinked his glass against hers.

Licking the salt from their hands, they threw their heads back and downed it, then each grabbed a piece of lime and sucked. The liquor burning her throat, Rose screwed her face up and jiggled on the spot.

Ty’s throaty chuckle resounded. ‘That good, huh?’

‘It was good.’ She smacked her glass down on the bar. ‘Just strong.’ She rarely drank, and could already feel her body relaxing into the party mood surrounding her. Add in the fact she hadn’t eaten yet, and it was going straight to her legs.

‘Good and strong, huh? A bit like me, don’t you think?’ Taking a swig from his beer, Ty cast her a sidelong glance. ‘What do you say?’

A smile teased the corner of her mouth. ‘I say, let’s have another.’

‘Righto, Miss Party.’ He gave her a nod. ‘You’re on.’

They ordered another, salted up and got their lime at the ready.

‘Bottoms up,’ Rose said, right before executing a flawless lick, sip, suck.

Ty did the same and this time, they both jogged on the spot.

Rose smacked her empty shot glass back onto the bar. ‘Woohoo! That’ll put hairs on your chest.’

‘Maybe good for me, but you certainly don’t want that.’ Appreciation glinted in Ty’s eyes as they skimmed over her. ‘Seriously, though, you look great tonight, Jonesy.’

‘Why, thank ya.’ She flushed from head to toe with his compliment but curtsied it off playfully. ‘And so do you.’

He curtsied too, cracking them both up. Devastatingly handsome in his black button-up shirt, Wranglers and matching black hat, and emanating raw masculinity in spades, he was a whole lot of danger – the kind of hazard she craved.

Their burgers and three cups of hot chips arrived, saving Rose from suggesting another shooter – probably not a good decision, given it was the start of the evening. After delivering Leah’s share to her, they sat on a huge rug scattered with cushions. Getting comfy with legs crossed, they devoured their food while watching the band rock it out on stage.

Ty grabbed all the rubbish and squashed it into a ball. ‘So, Jonesy, what’s next?’