“Charlie looks really good. She’s wearing jewelry, too.”
Aw, hell. Dustin stared at Charlie, like a dog that found a bone and wanted the first bite. Not if Zack had any say. “Thought you were interested in that riding instructor in Livingston.”
“I am. Going out next week.” Dustin’s gaze remained locked on Charlie. “Just never realized how pretty Charlie was. She looked nice at Nate and Rachel’s wedding, but so did the other women. You gotta admit Charlie’s sweet.”
Sweet, sexy, and everything in between. A part of Zack wanted to call dibs. He couldn’t do that, but he could rein Dustin in before the guy decided to put a move on Charlie and cause the same trouble Zack had been trying to avoid for all of them.
“Be careful. Dealt with workplace romances when I was in the army. Not smart to play where you get paid.”
“What happened?”
“Things fell apart at the worst possible time. Three of us got shot. Two didn’t come home.”
“Damn, man.” Dustin looked at him. “Was she your girl?”
“No. Another guy’s, but we all suffered for his romantic urges.”
Zack stared at Charlie, knowing she could make him feel better. Laughter lit her eyes, and ignited something deep, unexpected within him. “Take it from someone who’s been there. Leave Charlie alone. Stick to the riding instructor. We’ll all be better off.”
“Drop the BS and come clean.” Dustin’s gaze bounced from Charlie to Zack. “You like her.”
Crap. Zack straightened. “Never said that.”
Dustin flashed a lopsided grin. “Didn’t have to.”
Okay, Zack was attracted to her. He wasn’t about to deny that fact. Any red-blooded man with a heartbeat probably felt the same way about Charlie Randall. But he’d learned from his staff sergeant that in certain situations, the less said the better. Zack pressed his lips together.
“I see.” Mischief gleamed in Dustin’s eyes. “Having trouble taking your own advice? Must be why you both act like you don’t get along. But how do you get away with dating other women? Some kind of open relationship or is it kinky foreplay?”
Zack’s muscles bunched so tightly a silver dollar would bounce off them. His hands balled. He counted to twenty in Spanish to keep his blood pressure from soaring into the danger zone and his adrenaline from pushing him into action. That didn’t work. The urge to punch Dustin kept growing. Zack counted in Arabic.
Family, he reminded himself. Sometimes family members got on each other’s nerves.
He unclenched his fists, then he took a deep breath, followed by another. “Nothing’s going on, but if there was, do you think I’d tell you?”
“Maybe.”
Zack gave Dustin a time-to-cleanse-the-gene-pool look. “You think?”
“Nah, you wouldn’t say a word.”
“Neither should you.” Zack kept his voice low and his tone steady. “Imagine how Charlie would feel if she overheard you. Or worse, if someone in the stands repeated what you said.”
Dustin’s cheeks turned fire engine red. “She’d kick my ass.”
“And rightly so.”
“Sorry.” A contrite expression crossed Dustin’s face. “You don’t think she heard do you?”
Zack surveyed the scene. Some habits died hard. People around them chatted, read the program, texted on their phones and snapped pictures. “No, I think you’re safe.”
Dustin blew out a breath. “Great. I wouldn’t want Charlie mad at me. You never know what might happen between us someday.”
Zack watched Charlie open a water bottle for a guest. So helpful and kind. A special kind of woman. His kind…?
“Someday ain’t happening,” Zack said in a low, but firm voice to Dustin. “If anyone one at the Bar V5 is going to be with her, it’ll be me.”
His words shocked the hell out of Zack. He’d thrown the gauntlet, but he’d only meant to deter Dustin, right? Zack wished he knew.
However appealing the idea of being with Charlie might be, if Zack accepted the challenge, he would break the one rule he swore he never would.
Chapter Six
‡
On Saturday night, Charlie and the Bar V5 guests traveled from the community steak dinner to the stage area on Main Street like a herd of cattle. Anticipation for the dance and seeing Jake Kohl kept people from minding.
She hurried everyone along the outside edges of the crowd, eager to reach the stage before the non-Bar V5 attendees. Dustin had texted he and Zack had saved spots for the guests. A few minutes later he waved at her from a location with easy access to the dance floor in front of the stage.
Charlie looked around in awe. “I can’t believe you snagged these prime viewing spots.”
“Zack managed this,” Dustin said. “Spoke with a former Marine.”
“Well, you were here to help. Great job. Nate should give you a bonus.”
Dustin’s cheeks flushed. “Thanks.”
Ty looked around as if counting off guests the way he would cows. “This crowd’s bigger than last night. Going to make keeping track of our people difficult.”
“They’ll be fine.” Something Charlie couldn’t always say about those attending the rodeo with the Bar V5. “This group doesn’t need babysitters.”
But the wranglers might. She noticed Zack speaking with Tess and Paula. He wore a plaid western shirt with a white T-shirt underneath, jeans, and boots. Handsome, as usual, and being polite to their guests.
Not that Charlie was jealous. This was part of their jobs, and she liked the two women, who genuinely enjoyed attending rodeos. They were walking encyclopedias about rodeo trivia and traveled to a new one each year. They didn’t act like buckle bunnies, but had mentioned wanting to go to Grey’s after the dance.
The friendship between the two made her think about Caitlin, who was skipping the concert while Noah worked swing shift. She wanted to look through bridal magazines and pin wedding ideas on Pinterest, rather than deal with a big crowd. Charlie didn’t blame her friend, except she’d miss Jake Kohl’s performance.
The country and western singer would be the only man she’d be able to see tonight. Forget about finding a potential boyfriend unless she bumped into one, literally. Walking anywhere, except to the dance floor, would be too much of a chore.
Earlier today, her search had come up empty. Taking care of guests had been her priority. All she’d managed to do was check out names in the program. Locals like Levi Monroe who traveled the circuit and out-of-towners like Cordell Morgan whose name she hadn’t recognized.
Maybe she would have better luck tomorrow. Charlie crossed her fingers. Finding a guy to could make Zack—well, thoughts of him—disappear from her mind and heart was her only way to stay sane.
Jake Kohl walked out on stage. Screams and applause filled Main Street. The handsome singer wore jeans, a black western shirt, boots, and a straw cowboy hat. He stood in front of a microphone and smiled.
“Hello. I want to welcome everyone to the 76th Copper Mountain Rodeo,” he said with a butter-melting Southern drawl. “I’m thrilled to be this year’s honorary chair. Thank you for moving the dance to tonight, so I could attend and perform a couple songs for y’all.”
The crowd went crazy, cheering and whistling, stomping and shouting.
Jake’s grin widened, sending female hearts aflutter. He tipped his hat to more cheers. “I’d like to kick off the evening with a new song about what happens when love doesn’t work out as you planned.”
Charlie nearly laughed. Bet she could have written the lyrics herself.
Jake strummed his guitar. His voice was strong, one that could easily crossover to the pop charts, but his heart seemed rooted in Nashville and country music. He sang lyrics about sunsets, pickup trucks, and broken hearts.
Fitting, Charlie thought, ignoring the lump in her throat. The urge to glance at Zack was strong, but she wasn’t going to do it. Nope. No way.
So what if the song perfectly summed up her longing
and frustration, in less than a verse? She tapped her toe to the beat, watching people step onto the dance floor.
“Hey, Charlie.” Dane Wilcox, aka sex in cowboy boots, stood next to her, his jean-clad thigh touching her leg. His hair was mussed, his eyes dilated, and his skin flushed. “You’re looking hot tonight.”
She focused on the stage. “I’m sure you say that to all the women you meet.”
“Only the pretty ones.” He stumbled into her. She smelled beer on this breath. “I made the calf roping finals. Been celebrating. Want to take this party back to your bunkhouse?”
Charlie looked at him to see if he was serious. He seemed to be, although he was drunk. “Sorry, Dane. I’m working tonight.”
“Don’t know what you’re missing girl.” Before she could reply, he was moving on to another woman.
“You handled that well.” Zack spoke loudly to be heard over the music. He must have finished talking with Tess and Paula. Charlie was surprised he wasn’t dancing with the female guests. Most of the wranglers did. Maybe he would later.
“Thanks.” His gaze was intent, focused only on her. She liked feeling like the only woman in his world. At least until he turned his head. “I’ve had practice over the years.”
“Nice song.”
She nodded. “Jake Kohl is one of my favorites.”
“Good singer.”
“Yes.” But the sound of Zack’s voice gave her a thrill no singer could. Her pulse accelerated and her palms felt clammy. She nodded, hating the way her body betrayed her.
He extended his arm. “Care to dance?”
Her heart slammed against her chest, an uncertain and dangerous rhythm taking hold. He wanted to dance with her? She wasn’t sure what to think, what to say. Then she realized this was part of getting over him. She could dance with him and not act like a schoolgirl with a crush. She took the hand he offered.
He led her the short distance to the dance floor then placed his free arm around her waist. “Do you want to lead or should I?”
Her cheeks warmed. Someone must have told him about her dancing at Nate and Rachel’s wedding. He’d been there, but never came close to her. No wrangler had. Must have been the dress she’d worn. None of the guys knew how to deal with the unexpected where she was concerned, including Zack.
Time to move on, she reminded herself. “You, please.”
“We can take turns if you’d like.”
Her cheeks burned hotter. Strange, she rarely blushed. Well, except around Zack. But that was over. Or would be soon.
“That’s okay,” she said. “Maybe next time.”
“Sounds good.”
Did that mean he wanted to dance with her again? Hope uncurled inside her. She could barely breathe.
Uh oh. Passing out on the dance floor would not be good or tripping over his or her feet, either. No swooning, remember.
He squeezed her hand. “Relax. You’re so tense.”
Easy for him to say. This was a moment she’d dreamed about so many times she’d lost count and was turning out better than what her subconscious had imagined. But she couldn’t forget this was just a dance. No reason to indulge in more fantasies that wouldn’t come true. “Sorry, I enjoy dancing, but I don’t get the chance except at weddings.”
“You’re doing fine.” He danced gracefully, doing a two-step, with no clunky movements or stepping on toes. “There are places to dance in Marietta.”
“You need to have someone to dance with.”
He pulled back slightly to look at her. “What am I?”
The perfect guy. Crap. She hoped she didn’t say that aloud. “You and Ty aren’t about to take me along when you hit the town on a Saturday night.”
“I’m not minding this.”
“That’s because you aren’t here to pick up chicks.” At least she didn’t think so because Zack was dancing with her, and they were working. Unless she was the chick he wanted.
Hope flared once again then crashed to the asphalt, breaking open like an egg. She couldn’t let herself get carried away. Dancing was a way to wean herself off him.
“I’m here to have a good time,” he said.
She gazed into his eyes. “I’m having the time of my life.”
What was she saying? Nerves were getting the best of her, making her resolve waver. She should press her lips together to keep quiet.
“Glad to hear it.” His smile took her breath away. “Me, too.”
The way he looked at Charlie made her believe him. She had no idea why he’d asked her to dance or why he was being so… attentive, as if she was more than one of his fellow wranglers from the ranch, but she no longer cared about his reasons, or hers for agreeing to dance.
His hand rested low on her back, his hold possessive and protective. Every nerve ending tingled. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she was awake.
A hundred thoughts whirled through her brain, but she was afraid to say anything that might ruin the dream come true moment. Too bad she wasn’t wearing a tiara, not that she owned one, but she felt like Cinderella at the ball sans fairy godmother, magic wand, high-heeled glass slippers, rodents turned attendants, and a giant pumpkin.
One dance meant nothing in the grand scheme of life, in Marietta for that matter. No happily ever after was waiting for her, and that was okay.
This time—shared with friends, neighbors, ranch guests, and people they would never see again—was something she would cherish. In this instant, dancing with Zack gave her the freedom to be herself. She loved the feeling, more than she thought possible.
She was no longer hiding behind familiar labels—wrangler, one of the boys, coworker. She was a woman in the arms of a handsome man, and relishing every single second. Maybe what she wanted was as simple as someone seeing her as Charlie when she worked at the ranch and Charlotte when she didn’t.
Zack pulled her closer, spinning her until she was dizzy. She clung to him. Laughed. Leaned back her head.
“You’re so light on your feet,” he said.
“Are my feet touching the ground?” She sounded breathless, the way she felt. “I feel like I could float away.”
“I’ve got hold of you. I promise I won’t let go.”
If only he wouldn’t let go. Not when the music ended. Not ever.
She had to stop focusing on what she couldn’t have. This song needed to be enough. “Thank you for asking me to dance.”
His gaze locked on hers, as if transfixed by an invisible force. She felt connected to him, the way she had that night at the river. She couldn’t have looked away if she tried. And like then, this didn’t feel like infatuation or lust. This was love. He was a sexy cowboy, heroic veteran, and a caring friend all rolled up into one. How could she not love him?
“Thank you for saying yes,” he said.
Charlie would say yes. Again and again. All he had to do was ask. The way he looked at her, she could almost believe…
She wet her lips.
Only a dance. Don’t get carried away.
Jake Kohl went straight into a new song. Dancers remained on the floor. Zack didn’t let go of her, so she kept dancing.
Other ranch guests joined them. Allie and Dan. The women from Las Vegas. A couple from Boise. Charlie lost count, but everyone was moving to the music and smiling.
Especially her. Her entire body seemed to be smiling.
The band played, but Jake Kohl stopped singing.
“This is what I love to see,” the singer said into his microphone. “Happy people having a great time. Are you having fun at the 76th Copper Mountain Rodeo?”
Cheers and screams hurt Charlie’s ears, but she didn’t join in. Her gaze locked on Zack, afraid if she looked away the moment—everything—would not only end, but also disappear.
More people screeched and clapped. Jake must have said something, but she’d missed his words. Hundreds of dance attendees surrounded her and Zack, but Charlie felt as if they were dancing alone for the attention she’d paid othe
rs.
“Hold your dance partner close,” Jake said in a playful tone. “Now come on. I know you cowboys can hold women closer than that.”
Zack released her hand then wrapped his arms around her. She went willingly. Her fingers splayed across his back. She pressed against his solid chest, soaking up his warmth and his strength.
Was this really happening?
“Gaze into your partner’s eyes…” Jake laughed. “We’re getting to the good stuff.”
Yeah, Charlie agreed. Good stuff.
“Now cowboys.” Jake’s voice deepened. “Kiss your partner.”
Desire flashed in Zack’s eyes, desire for her. Her lips parted, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. He lowered his mouth and kissed her like a man who’d been in the desert without water. She knew exactly how he felt.
Unexpected, but oh-so-welcome.
His lips moved over hers, making her knees feel like soggy hay. She clung to him, not wanting to let reality intrude on this fantasy come to life.
His taste and scent brought a rush of memories from the night that changed everything. Only tonight something was different. He’d kissed her first.
Her lips tingled, and the sensation spread through her body. With each kiss she fell deeper into him.
Deeper and deeper.
A warning bell sounded faint, but there nonetheless.
If she weren’t careful, nothing would be left. She didn’t dare take the chance.
Charlie drew back. But Zack wouldn’t let her go. He followed her, keeping his lips against her mouth. She could easily give in to the moment, to the sensations pulsing through her and the tingles she never wanted to end. But self-preservation made her let go of him.
“What are we doing?” she asked.
He touched her face. “Following orders.”
The caress of his fingers against her skin made her feel special, but she couldn’t be distracted. “You’re not in the army any longer.”
“You complaining?”
“No.”
That was the problem. Charlie should be. She wanted more of his kisses. Like Sage’s salted caramels or Rachel’s cookies, one was never enough. But if Charlie gave in to temptation, if she went after what she wanted, she worried Zack would bring up his stupid rule or give some other excuse to downplay what happened between them. Foolishness wasn’t fatal, but could make her feel like dirt. Been there, didn’t want to do that again.
Kiss Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo Book 3) Page 8
