by Joann Baker
Grabbing a blue jean skirt she’d found in a thrift store, she laid it on the bed, stripping off the worn terry cloth robe she’d put on after her shower. She still wasn’t sure going out dancing with Gabe, and his girlfriend-of-the-week was a good idea. She dried her hair, not bothering to do more than make sure it was dry all the way through. She noticed the ends were growing out, making the curls less bouncy. She needed a cut. Maybe next payday, she thought.
She applied foundation and a light dusting of powder. Her eyes stared back at her, filled with what she vaguely recognized as excitement.
“Down girl,” she warned herself. “This is not an actual date.” A little brown eyeshadow and a swipe of mascara and she finished her makeup.
She grabbed a set of underwear from the dresser that had come with the house and tugged on the black panties and matching bra along with a pair of thigh high stockings. Luckily for her, most consignment stores didn’t take underwear so she’d felt no guilt in keeping her over-the-top collection of lingerie.
Going back to the closet, she pulled a long-sleeved, lightweight blouse from another hanger. The neckline of the shirt was a little low, but she’d fallen in love with the teal color. It was one of the designer things she’d refused to part with. She shimmed into the skirt and completed her outfit with a pair of black ankle boots.
The jewelry she had to choose from was limited. She picked up the pair of golden hoops her father had given her for her sweet sixteen and the dozen bangle bracelets she’d bought herself right before his death.
The rental house she’d managed to secure was a far cry from the house they’d left behind, but it was quite cozy, she thought, recognizing with a slight smile the five seconds it took to get from the bedroom to the living room. Her uncle had offered to let her stay in his house, but she’d wanted her independence. She wanted—no needed—to be on her own. She’d spent most of her adult life doing what others thought she should do—such as allowing her accounting degree to go to waste and accepting a proposal from a man with whom she had nothing in common. Both thanks to her mother.
“Are you really going out in that?”
Ivy sat on the couch, a drink in one hand and magazine in the other. As if she hadn’t just insulted her daughter, she spread the magazine across her lap and used her free hand to flip open the pages.
“Yes, mother, I’m really going out in this.” If I didn’t have to support you, I could have nicer things.
Immediately, Kristen regretted the uncharitable thought. At this point in her life, she doubted her mother would even recognize her self-centeredness, let alone ever attempt to be different. Besides, she had a life now, even if her parent didn’t think very much of it. She had a job and a home of her own. She had friends and…
The doorbell rang. Her mother shrugged indifferently as Kristen went to answer it. Cal stood on the threshold, dressed in his usual blue jeans, boots, and a button-down shirt. The green color deepened his brown eyes to rich chocolate and Kristen found herself staring into the glittering depths as though she might find something extremely important there.
“You look great, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, I wasn’t sure what to wear.”
“What you have on is perfect.”
She sent a smug look over her shoulder. Take that mother.
The ride to the bar was all too brief. Cal helped her down from the truck and across the gravel parking lot. She was glad she hadn’t worn high-heeled shoes. Falling in front of Cal would have been oh-so-embarrassing. Still, she breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the door.
As expected, the place was crowded on a Friday night, and the music had to be loud to be heard. The sounds of clanking glasses, noisy conversation, and twangy country-western music made speech impossible. “There’s a band that plays in about an hour, so it’ll quiet down some,” Cal yelled in her ear as he led her through the crowd to the tables surrounding the stage set up near the back wall of the bar.
As they neared, she realized Ryder and Georgie were there as well.
“Hi, Kristen, I’m so glad you came.” Georgie wore a wide smile, and so did Ryder. Kristen couldn’t help but grin back at the obviously happy couple.
Cal helped her into the other side of the booth but didn’t sit down. “I’m going to get us something to drink. What would you like?”
Kristen hesitated. She wasn’t much of a drinker. “I’ll just have sweet tea. Thank you.”
“How about you two?”
Ryder held up a long-necked bottle of beer that looked as if it had just been opened. Georgie’s glass of tea was still full as well. “We’re set, bro.”
Cal walked away, and Georgie quickly grabbed Kristen’s attention. “So, how’s my brother-in-law doing at romancing you?”
Kristen felt the heat of a blush steal over her. “I’m sure Ryder told you that this is all an act for Gabe’s benefit. There’s…there’s really nothing between us.”
“Hmm, I’m not so sure about that. I see the way you two look at each other.”
“Georgie,” Ryder scolded his wife gently. “That’s none of our business.”
Georgia scrunched up her pert nose, tilting her face toward her husband. “It is if she’s going to be my new sister-in-law.”
Ryder groaned as he apologized. “You’ll have to excuse my wife, Kristen. Hormones are making her crazy.”
“Humph, that’s not what you said last night when I—”
Ryder slapped a gentle hand over his wife’s mouth before she could finish her sentence, making Kristen giggle. Georgie pulled his hand away with a look that said he would pay for that later. “Come on, you saw the kiss he laid on her the other night.”
That comment deepened Kristen’s blush to the roots of her hair. If Georgia had seen the kiss in the hallway…
Luckily, Cal arrived back from the bar, and the subject dropped.
She automatically scooted over to make room for his big body in the booth, secretly thrilled when he took her arm, stopping her from moving too far away. Taking a deep breath, she put the brakes on where her thoughts were trying to take her. This was not a real date. It was a ruse. She had to keep that in mind. Taking a sip of her sweet tea, she let the conversation flow around her as she took in the atmosphere of the bar.
“Penny for your thoughts, honey.”
Kristen blinked, aware that Cal, Ryder, and Georgia were staring at her. “Once again, you’d be over paying cowboy.” She covered her lapse with a grin. “So what did I miss?”
“Georgia asked what you thought about the place.”
Kristen looked around the bar once more then back to the faces looking at her expectantly. “I’ve never been anywhere like this before. It’s certainly…lively.”
“You mean you’ve never been out honky-tonking? I thought you were from Dallas.” Cal’s surprised look was comical.
She grimaced, then grinned. “The concrete cowboys in Dallas don’t date women like me. They’re looking for something a little less…plush. Besides,” she shrugged, “this wouldn’t be their scene.”
Cal snorted. “I find that hard to believe. You’re a very beautiful woman.”
Kristen found herself mesmerized by the sincere look on his handsome face and suddenly it was as if they were they only two in the room. Georgie and Ryder faded away as did the rest of the noisy crowd. “I’m not,” she protested softly, “but thanks for saying so.”
“I think you…”
“Well, you made it. I was sure you’d chicken out.” Gabe’s loud voice broke the spell Kristen had found herself under. He appeared to be more than a little drunk already, and she hoped he hadn’t arrived like that. The slender woman plastered against his side was dressed more for a Halloween costume party than a night out with the family of the man she was dating. A short leather skirt, low cut, sleeveless cotton blouse tied beneath a pair of breasts that were obviously fake, and a pair of cowboy boots combined with big hair and layers of makeup completed the bimbo look.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cal’s eyes narrowed.
“You know damn well what that means.” Gabe’s eyes darted from Cal to Kristen and back again. “This damn ruse you’re pulling is—”
“Shut up, Gabe.” Cal stood up to confront his brother.
“Dance with me.” Kristen scooted out of the booth and took Cal’s hand, drawing him along with her and away from the tense confrontation. Once on the dance floor, she boldly pressed against him, forcing his attention away from his inebriated brother. “Don’t let Gabe get to you. He’s doing it on purpose, you know. He’s goading you the same way he did in the hallway.”
Cal didn’t reply, but pulled her closer against him, pressing their clasped hands against his chest. Automatically, they started moving to the music, swaying along with the other couples. Luckily it was a slow song. Fast dancing was not Kristen’s thing at all.
“If he wasn’t such an ass, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
Kristen froze at his words. “I told you we didn’t have to do this, but you wouldn’t listen. Just tell him the truth, and we can stop this charade.” She tried to pull out of his arms, but his hold tightened.
“No, wait, honey, you misunderstood me.”
Kristen stopped moving. “Your words were pretty plain.”
“Sometimes you think too much,” Cal growled. “We need to talk.” Keeping a tight hold on her hand, he pulled her along with him, much as she had done when she’d led them onto the crowded floor. Instead of going back to the table, he made his way to a darkened hallway that led to offices sporting ‘employees only’ signs. The noise faded, giving the false impression that they were alone. Backed against the wall, she stared up at him. With the limited light spilling down the deserted space, his face was in shadow. She didn’t need light, however, to know that his expression was serious.
She pushed a stray curl behind her ear. “I still have a few more days of work left, but I think it would be best if I stopped working for your family now.”
“No.” Cal immediately shook his head. “That’s the last thing I want.”
He leaned closer, boxing her in with his arms as he rested his hands above her head against the concrete block wall. The heat radiating from his big body made her mouth go dry. She licked her lips, her breath catching as he watched the slide of her tongue. A different kind of tension electrified the space between them, making her bold. She lifted her chin. “Then what’s the first thing you want?”
“This,” he whispered as his head lowered. Their eyes locked and held as he bent closer, closer, closer…until their breath mingled and their lips touched. He pulled away a fraction of an inch.
“Oh, Calhoun.”
He moved faster than a tornado across a small Kansas town as he swooped back in, fusing their lips together. The taste of the beer he’d been drinking lingered on his tongue as he probed her lips seeking entry. She gave it willingly. Immediately, the fire that had been burning low in her belly flashed, filling her with a need so profound it rocked her to her core. Her hands came up to grip the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer still.
“Kristen,” he breathed her name on a swiftly indrawn breath before kissing her again, their tongues and mouths hungry for the taste of each other. It soon became apparent that kissing wasn’t enough for either of them. Cal’s hands left the wall to circle her waist, pulling her soft body completely against the solid length of his, letting her feel his raging desire.
When her breasts flattened against his chest, they both moaned. “You are so beautiful, baby,” he muttered thickly as his warm fingers found their way beneath her shirt. His mouth left hers to travel across her jaw and down her throat, as far as the low cut neck of her shirt would allow. He nudged the fabric barrier aside, nibbling the firm flesh plumped up along the edge of her lacy bra. His hand glided upwards, and she inwardly winced as it traveled along her curves. Her embarrassment was quickly forgotten when his hand cupped her breast. He squeezed gently, and her hardened nipple scraped against the palm of his hand as he slid it beneath the lacy cup, holding bare flesh and sending explosions of heat throughout her body. She was putty in his calloused hands.
“So pretty, Kristen.”
His mouth returned to hers, and they were both soon lost in the sensations created by his touch. She arched into his hand, and he gathered her closer still, gently pinching her nipple between his thumb and finger. “Oh, God, baby, I want to taste you…there.”
They both knew what he was referring to. Kristen’s body was aching with need. “I…I want that too. I want—”
“Cal? Where are you?” The sound of Ryder’s voice was like a splash of cold water against Kristen’s heightened senses.
“Damn it.” Cal cursed as he quickly pulled his hand away from her body, straightening her shirt with hands that shook. “Are you okay?”
Kristen nodded her head quickly, ignoring the jelly-like feeling in her legs. “Yes. I’m fine.”
Ryder appeared around the corner before they could say anything else. He must have realized what he’d interrupted because he grimaced. “Sorry, bro, but I need your help.” His eyes flickered to Kristen. “And Kristen’s.”
“Gabe?” Cal queried, brow raised.
“Yeah,” Ryder frowned.
“What’s the damn fool done now?”
“He’s, ah, kind of ditched his date and,” he glanced quickly at Kristen, “is now with someone else.”
Cal grabbed Kristen’s hand and started forward. “So help me, if he’s hooked up with Missy Rivers again, I’m gonna knock some sense into his head once and for all.”
Ryder put a restraining hand on his arm, but that didn’t stop Gabe’s forward momentum. “It’s not Missy.” He turned a distressed gaze on Kristen. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but it’s your mom.”
“What?” Kristen’s voice was shrill, to say the least. They’d made it to the end of the hallway and were beginning to attract a little attention. “My mom and Gabe have hooked up?”
“No,” Ryder hastened to reassure her. “They’ve just become drinking buddies.”
“Great.” Now it was Kristen’s turn to grimace. She knew her mother had a drinking problem. She’d had to take her home early from more than one event during the last few years. It was something else the family had never talked about.
Several people called out to them as they made their way through the tables lining the edge of the dance floor. The live country-western band was scheduled to start anytime, and the place had become even more packed. Ryder led them to a small table not far from the booth where they had been sitting.
“Where’s Georgie?” she asked.
“I took her out to the truck, just in case.”
“Yeah, just in case Gabe turns into a bigger shithead and starts swinging at us.” Cal turned to look at her. “I want you to stay here where it’s safe, too, sweetheart.”
“What about my mother?” Kristen frowned. “I have to get her out of here.”
“I’ll help you, I promise. Just let us deal with Gabe first. He’s usually not a mean drunk, but I never know about him anymore.
“What makes him do this kind of shit, anyway?” Ryder’s voice was full of concern, and an ounce of sadness and Kristen felt for the brothers.
Cal’s hand tightened on hers almost to the point of pain. “I don’t know, Ry. It’s like he’s been hell-bent on destroying himself since we were kids.”
“After mom and dad died, you mean?” Ryder nodded, answering his own question.
They made their way through the crowd, each lost in his own thoughts.
“Do you remember the time that Gabe left home after Grandma Alice died? He was gone for like, what, six weeks?”
Cal’s forehead creased as he searched for the memory. “Yeah. I honestly didn’t think he was ever going to come back.”
“Me either,” Ryder acknowledged. “But I do remember that when he did, he seemed even more miserable than when he left.”
“Yo
u’re right.” Cal slowed his pace, not wanting to deal with the confrontation that was about to take place. “But he was Grandma Alice’s favorite. Maybe her death was harder for him to handle on top of everything else.”
“Maybe,” Ryder muttered.
“Ready?” They made their way to the table where Gabe sat hunched over a table littered with overturned shot glasses and whiskey bottles. A nearly empty mug of beer was clasped in his hand.
“They’re soused,” Ryder supplied unnecessarily.
Ivy Thomas’s blue eyes stared up at him with a look of derision. “Well, well, looky here, some more cowboys.” Her slurred speech indicated that she’d been more than helpful in putting away the alcohol Gabe had provided. “Looks like your good time is over.”
Gabe attempted to set up straight. “This ain’t your concern, Cal. Or yours either, Ryder. You always were a little snitch.”
“That’s enough, Gabe,” Cal warned, wanting nothing more than to slam his brother’s face into the wooden table. Not only had his behavior interrupted his time with Kristen, but he was just damn tired of picking up the pieces left behind by one of Gabe’s benders.
“Come on,” Cal stepped beside him, reaching for his arm, “let’s get you home.”
Gabe jerked his arm away. “I am not ready to leave.” A fuzzy grin appeared on his face. “I’m having a pretty good time with pretty Kristen’s pretty momma. She’s not half the bitch I thought she was the other night.”
“He’s right, I’m not.” Ivy clanked her beer against the glass that Gabe had lifted in salute.
Cal winced, wondering if there was enough alcohol in the entire city to make him think better of Kristen’s mother. Immediately he regretted the unfriendly thought.
“Mom! I’m sorry,” Kristen rushed to apologize, embarrassed that once again her mother had managed to put the worst possible foot forward around Cal.
“You should be nicer to your mother, you know?” Gabe muttered, squinting up at Kristen. “One day you won’t have her, and then you’ll be sorry.”
“Shut up, Gabe,” Cal ordered again, grabbing his wayward brother by the arm and holding tight when he attempted to jerk away once more. Pulling him from his seat, he shoved him toward Ryder. “Get his ass in the truck and keep him there.”
