“You would become something you aren’t for me?”
“Yes.” She blew out a long breath. “I’ve wanted you for a long time, Jeremiah. I can be whatever you want me to be for however long you want me. No hearts or feelings will get into the mix. I promise.”
He swallowed rather hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing a couple of times before he spoke again. “Are you propositioning me for a one-nighter?”
“Yes.”
“And the rules of this fling?”
“We have one great night, no feelings get involved. We part as friends.”
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel for a minute before he pushed his hat back on his head and turned to look at her. “One night?”
The grey of his eyes turned stormy in the fading light of the evening. Labor Day would be on them soon. The summer would be coming to a close. Winter in Bandera always seemed long and lonely to her. She wished for more than one night, but if that’s all there was, then so be it. “Yes. I’m game for one night of hot sex with you.”
“You really want to do this?”
“Yep. What do you say?”
A rough exhale pierced the silence of the cab. “Let’s have dinner. We can decide for sure at the end of the evening. Who knows, maybe we aren’t even compatible.”
Like hell. Judging from how I react to your touch, if we aren’t compatible, I’ll eat my shoe. “Sounds good to me.”
He nodded once, put the truck into gear and pulled out into traffic as Callie contemplated what she’d just done. A deal with the devil, no doubt, and she was sure she’d get burned in the process. One night of mind-blowing sex with Jeremiah Young. What could go wrong?
* * * *
Jeremiah parked the truck along the narrow road near the San Antonio River Walk so they could take a stroll down the sidewalk to the restaurant he wanted to take Callie to. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever been to this particular restaurant, but it was one of his favorites and they even had a mariachi band that played while the diners ate.
The evening breeze blew softly through the area, cooling things down from the heat of the afternoon sun. Lights bathed each restaurant in a soft glow as they approached the one he’d made reservations for.
“Young, party of two.”
“Ah, yes sir. One moment please and I’ll have your table ready.”
“Thank you.”
They stood side by side, not touching, but shifting from foot to foot as they waited for the hostess to seat them. He hadn’t said anything more about her crazy scheme on the ride into the city as he continued to roll it over in his mind. It was the perfect scenario, but somehow he just knew things would go wrong in the end. However, he’d never had trouble walking away from a woman before, so he shouldn’t with Callie, right? Of course not. His heart and his head hadn’t interfered in the past. They would have some great sex and get the urge out of their systems, he hoped. Still being able to see other people when things were said and done seemed like a great idea to him.
“Right this way, please.”
He laid the palm of his hand at the small of her back as they followed the hostess through the tables toward the patio area up on the second floor.
“Will this be all right, sir?”
“Perfect. Thank you.” Callie rubbed her arms as if chilled, so he took off the suit jacket he wore to drape it over her shoulders. “Can’t have you getting chilled with your shoulders bare.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He held out her chair while he waited for her to sit before taking his own across from her. He wanted to be able to look into her gorgeous blue eyes while they sipped margaritas and ate chips.
“You’re such a gentleman.”
“My mother would be proud to hear you say so. She raised us boys right, I guess.”
“I would say so.” Callie laid the napkin on her lap before she picked up the menu. “Hmm. What sounds good besides having you for supper?”
He wasn’t sure he heard her right. “Would you like a margarita?”
“I suppose, although something a bit stronger would certainly loosen things up in the nether regions.”
Jeremiah ordered her one and a Jack and Coke for himself when the waitress stopped at their table.
“I’ll have one of what he’s having instead of the margarita.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back with your drinks,” the waitress said, sliding the tortilla chips and salsa onto the table between them.
He must have had a startled look on his face because she said, “What?”
“I figured you for one of those fruity drink kind of gals.”
“I’m feeling right adventurous tonight.”
“Apparently.” As he perused the menu, he kept glancing over the top to look at the woman across the table from him. He couldn’t believe this was the same sweet girl he’d tutored in math in high school. Sure, he’d talked to her, saw her, and watched her off and on since they graduated several years ago, but he hadn’t seen her like this.
“Is there something on my nose?” she asked, setting her menu down on the table to her left before she grabbed a chip, dipped it into the salsa and then popped it between those tempting as hell lips.
“No. Why?”
“You’re staring.”
“Sorry. I’m trying to figure out what happened to the Callinda Lewis I know, because I think you left her back at your house. I don’t know this girl at all.”
“What’s wrong with me being different than the girl you grew up with?”
“Nothing, but I like Callie too. Is this Callie or Callinda?”
“It’s me, Jeremiah. I’m not any different than the girl you’ve known your whole life, but you haven’t been out with me on a date. This is how I am.”
“Somehow I don’t think so. Don’t put on a different persona for me. I liked you the way you were.”
“You don’t like this me?”
“It’s not that. I think this you is hotter than holding a firecracker, but the sweet Callie is nice too.”
The waitress brought their drinks and then took their order for food. The evening darkness had started to surround them as the sun went down. Candles were lit on the tabletops covered with brightly colored tablecloths. The light flickering from the small candle made her eyes sparkle like sapphires. He hadn’t noticed their deep blue color before or how kissable her lips were.
“I’m not a virgin, you know. I’ve been around a bit. Dabbled in some bondage. Nipple clamps, rope work, dildos…that kind of thing.”
He choked on the sip of his drink he’d just swallowed. “Oh?”
Her lips bowed into a teasing little smile. “No. I lost it in high school so you don’t have to worry about my inexperience.”
After a couple of coughs, he said in a gravelly voice laced with the whiskey he’d practically choked on, “I really hadn’t thought about it.”
“Well I have. I wish it had been you.”
“Callie—”
“Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“A little. I’m not used to you being this bold.”
“You don’t like bold women?” she asked, sipping her own drink with a wide-eyed expression that made her look all the more innocent except the dark eyeliner she rimmed her eyes with.
This Callie had him stumped. He wasn’t sure what to make of the changes in her and he wasn’t sure he liked it at all. Of course, he liked bold women to an extent, but this didn’t fit the Callie he knew. “I do.”
“So what’s the problem?”
Their food arrived, saving him from trying to explain his thoughts to her. Was she trying to impress him? Make him want her over Lydia? Didn’t she realize he’d much rather go out with her than Lydia?
They ate for several minutes in silence as he tried to think of how to approach this. He didn’t want to put Callie off, but he wanted the old Callie, not this new throw herself in your face girl sitting across the table from him.
“You
aren’t eating. Aren’t you hungry?”
He looked down at this plate and true, he’d been shoving his food around with his fork more than he’d been eating his enchilada. Placing the fork to the side, he tented his fingers so he could watch her. “I guess not so much.”
A blush spread across her cheeks as she glanced down at her own plate. “The food is wonderful. I’m glad you brought me here. I haven’t been to this one before, although I’ve been down on the River Walk thousands of times.”
“This one is my favorite restaurant. I come here as much as I can when I’m in town.”
The mariachi band strolled by their table to ask if they wanted them to play a song. After Jeremiah gave them a tip, they played a soft Mexican ballad meant for lovers. A moment later, he felt her foot slide along his inner thigh, heading for his crotch. Holy hell! “Listen, Callie.” He shoved her foot down. “This is moving a bit fast for me.”
“What’s wrong?” She swallowed hard, looking like she was about to cry. “I’m coming on too strong, aren’t I? I’m sorry. I’m totally embarrassed now.”
“It’s okay. This just isn’t the girl I know. I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I like her very much.”
“Wow.”
“I’m finished if you want me to take you home.” He signaled the waitress for the check as he pulled his wallet out of his pants pocket.
“I guess so.”
The moment he paid for their tab, he stood to escort her back to his truck. This whole date had turned into a disaster and he wasn’t sure what to think about it. Obviously, he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did because man, this Callie wasn’t for him. She made Lydia look like a saint. That was hard to do since Lydia was a bitch.
Silence stretched between them on the ride home. They didn’t talk at all and he thought he heard her sniffle several times like she might be crying, but he didn’t know what to do. If he played it like it was okay, he’d feel like a heel because he’d led her on. He didn’t want the girl she’d been at dinner. He wanted the sweet Callie he’d known all his life. He wasn’t sure how to find the real girl.
Chapter Three
I’m such an idiot! Callie felt like shit. She’d totally screwed up this date with Jeremiah. She probably wouldn’t get a chance with him again and didn’t know how to fix this. Trying to be the woman she thought he liked turned out to be the last thing he wanted. What to do? “Jeremiah, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Acting like a prima donna or whatever you want to call it. I thought you like those kind of women.”
“No. Yes.” He raked his fingers through his hair as they pulled up to the curb in front of her house. “I’m not sure what I like at this point, Callie, but I know the woman you were at dinner tonight wasn’t what I wanted. I liked you the way you were. Sweet, innocent, tomboyish. It’s nice to be with a woman who isn’t all about the hair and makeup. You work on cars. You like to go fishing and four-wheelin’. Those are the things I like about you.” He shut the truck off before he turned to face her. “I don’t need to jump into bed with you on the first date either. Not that I wouldn’t mind, but it’s not what this is about. I want to get to know you as the girl I went to high school with who has turned into this hottie.”
“Hottie?” she asked, blushing to the roots of her hair. He thought she was hot? Wow.
“Yeah.” He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “I like you the way you are. Don’t change.”
“Okay.” She loved the feeling of her hand in his. Warmth spread up her arm, making her heart flutter in her chest. She had it bad for this man, always had. “Can we start over?”
“Sure.”
She captured her bottom lip between her teeth as she tried to think of how to start this whole night again without the act. Once she unbuckled her seatbelt, she turned to face him. “How was your day today?”
His lips lifted in a half grin as he began telling her all about what he did at the ranch, how his stocks were doing, and everything about his life as the Young brother in charge of the finances. Her heart warmed as she relayed everything about her day. They almost sounded like an old married couple as they talked. She told him about working on the transmission she’d been having trouble with at the garage, how the same customers came in every week for gas, including him, and how she enjoyed spending Sundays with her dad going to church before they went out for Sunday dinner at his aunt’s diner.
“She enjoys having you for supper, I’m sure.”
“It’s just me and Dad time, so it’s fun. We talk about all kinds of things.” She scooted closer. “Tell me what it was like growing up with such a huge family.”
“I forgot you were an only child.”
“Yeah. When Mom left us, Dad had to do what he could. He didn’t know how to raise a girl.”
“He did a damn good job. I don’t know many women out there who can do what you do. It’s a great trait to have.” He brought her hand to his lips, brushing the back lightly. “You are an amazing woman, Callie.”
She smiled at the compliment, absorbing everything about being with Jeremiah she could. Talking to him about little things made this the best date ever. “Would you like to come in?” She glanced at the front of the house, watching as her dad’s light in his bedroom went out. “Dad went to bed so we can sit and watch a movie here since we didn’t hit the theater.”
“Okay. Do you have some popcorn?”
She gave him her best are you crazy look and said, “What is a movie without popcorn?”
With a tip of his head, he pushed open the driver’s side door before slamming it shut. She waited for him to come around to open her door and help her out of the truck, knowing it was what men like Jeremiah did.
When they stopped at the door of the house for her to open it, he rested his hand at the small of her back. The warmth emanating from his skin sent goose bumps down her legs. She knew he probably only did it because he was raised to be a gentleman, but she loved having him touch her. “Let me check in with Dad for a minute. There are movies on television or you can pick one of the discs we have in the entertainment center.”
“Okay.”
She headed down the hall to tap on her father’s door. Since he’d seen the light go off only a few minutes before, she figured she should at least let him know she was home. “Dad?”
“Come in.”
“We’re back.”
He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “It’s early.”
“I know. We decided to watch a movie here instead of going out.”
“All right. You two kids have fun.”
“We will. I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, doll baby. Be good.”
She laughed. “I’ll try.” After she closed the door behind her, she walked down the long hall toward the kitchen to make the popcorn and get them something to drink.
Jeremiah was still looking through the discs when she glanced across the island. “What would you like to drink?”
“Anything cold is fine.”
“I have Coke?”
He looked back at her with a grin on his perfect lips. “Perfect!”
She poured him a glass with some ice in it as she kicked off the heels on her feet. With a heavy sigh, she leaned on the bar with her elbow.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, but those heels were killing me.”
He set the discs he was looking at down and walked around the island. “You didn’t have to do all of this for me.”
“I thought you liked those kinds of women.”
“Sometimes, but like I said, I like the Callie I already knew. I just want to get to know her better.” His gaze raked down her body, causing her nipples to pull into tight little nubs under her dress. “Although you look killer in that dress.”
Her cheeks heated with a blush as she set the can down on the counter. “Thanks.”
He leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. “Why don’t you chang
e into something more comfortable like sweats and a T-shirt?”
Her whole body shivered from the touch of his lips. She really wanted them on hers. Once would be enough, right? Yeah, probably not, but she could live for the moment. “Really?”
“Yes. I like seeing your curves in that clingy little number, but I know it can’t be very comfortable.”
He’d noticed her curves, wow. “It’s not.”
He swatted her on the butt as she started to walk toward her room. “Then go change, woman, and I’ll get the popcorn in the microwave.”
The moment she had a second for herself, she leaned against the closed door and sighed. He’d kissed her even if it was just on the forehead—she’d had Jeremiah’s lips on her skin. Why did he have to be the one to turn her upside down like this? Why did it have to be one of the Young brothers? Why not someone easy to love? Not them. They all were bachelors to the core. Well, until they met the right woman. A few of the boys had settled down recently, but all of them were women from somewhere besides here. Bandera, Texas residents weren’t what the boys looked for when they contemplated a mate, or at least it appeared so. “They’re attracted to a different woman, not some down-home country girl like me.” Oh well. She’d take what she could get. For tonight, Jeremiah Young was all hers.
After she quickly changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, she did a quick swipe of a makeup cloth to get the majority of the goop off her face. She’d done herself up with dark eyeliner, lipstick and all, thinking he liked women all dolled up. It turns out he didn’t want it at all. Who knew? If she compared herself to Lydia, she came up lacking. She didn’t do her hair on a regular basis, she didn’t wear makeup all that much, and she didn’t dress fancy. With a glance in the mirror behind her door, she screwed up her mouth in a twist of a sarcastic smile before she opened the door so she could head back into the living room.
“Now there’s the girl I know and love.”
Love?
Jeremiah patted the couch next to him as he settled the full bowl of popcorn on his thigh. “You look like what I picture you always wearing. I bet you’re more comfortable too.”
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