Choose Your Heart

by Callie Hutton

  She sighed. “If I’m fortunate enough to have children, they would be an extra set of grandparents. I have no intention of cutting them out of my life. They’re too important to me.”

  Kerry became lost in her thoughts as silence descended in the truck cab. She and Cody had put off starting a family until it was too late. They’d argued about that only a few weeks before he died. She had been more than ready to be a mother, but Cody insisted they wait longer. She suspected his parents had something to do with that. Laura Mackenzie, with her lithe body, blonde-streaked brown, stylish hairdo, and youthful clothes, was not ready to answer to grandma. Now the woman expected Kerry to bury herself with her husband. So inconsistent.

  She fiddled with the radio, too far from Amarillo now to pick up its stations. Hitting on a favorite country and western oldie, she settled back and glanced at Damian.

  He lip-synced the song. His eyes shifted back and forth as the traffic grew heavier. There was a lot of energy hidden in the slow moving, slow talking cowboy he presented. And a sharp mind, too.

  “How about we stop for lunch?” Damian’s deep voice broke into her thoughts.

  “Sure. Now that you mention it, I am hungry.”

  Kerry studied him from underneath half-closed eyelids. Damian Greer had certainly snagged her interest. Had things been different, she might have enjoyed getting to know him better. As much as she liked to deny it, there was an attraction between them. But a sane, mature woman didn’t change major plans because she passed through a town and met a sexy cowboy. That was stuff for romance novels.

  Chapter Five

  Kerry crossed her legs and settled against the high backed, wooden booth at Smokey Joe’s—The Best Barbeque in Texas. “Now you know all about me. What’s your story?”

  Damian reached for two plastic menus stuck between the metal clips on the napkin holder. He handed one over and signaled the waitress.

  “A beer for me, please.” He glanced in her direction. “Pop?”

  She nodded, and the waitress left.

  No point in studying the menu. There didn’t seem to be any point in coming to Smokey Joe’s and getting anything but barbeque. They both laid their menus down as the waitress slapped the drinks in front of them, took their order, and left.

  “Well?” Kerry asked, pulling the paper off her straw.

  “My story?”

  She nodded.

  “Okay. Raised on a ranch, and a twin.” He took a deep breath and sat back. “Don and I are the tail end of six kids. He’s a minute and a half older than me—and never lets me forget it. I swear the old man kept trying until my mama presented him with a boy. Only I don’t think he counted on two of us at once.”

  Kerry’s eyebrows rose. “Twins, huh? And four sisters?”

  “Yep. And every one of them bossier than the one before her. Anyway, Pa sent me off to Texas A&M, where I learned all sorts of new ways to breed animals. But it took about two years after I graduated to convince him to try things my way. Don and school were never great friends, so he stayed at the ranch while I was in college.” He took a large gulp of beer and set the icy mug down. “Once we changed methods, the stock improved, and now we’re probably one of the biggest ranches in Texas.”

  “Interesting,” Kerry said as she nodded to the waitress who set plates piled high with barbeque, dripping sauce, and fat French fries in front of them.

  “Another one?” The waitress pointed to Damian’s glass.

  “I’d love to, darlin’, but I’m driving. Just bring me a cola.”

  Kerry dove into her lunch, eating with gusto. She chewed and swallowed, running her tongue over her lips.

  Damian found it hard to swallow as blood raced to his groin. His stomach clenched as he sat mesmerized by her movement.

  What the hell’s the matter with you? You’re behaving like a randy teenager.

  It’d been years since a woman affected him this way, this fast.

  She dipped a fry into a pool of ketchup. “Any kids?”

  Her question jerked him from his musing, and he grinned. Hopefully, she didn’t know where his thoughts were.

  “Nope. As far as I know—no kids.”

  That was probably a dumb way to answer her question. He tried to be flippant, but it came across sounding like he had no control over his actions. He’d never had sex without a condom, even when the lady in question said she was on birth control. Not that there had been a parade of women through his life. The senseless hopping from bed to bed had never appealed to him.

  A quick glance at Kerry assured him she wasn’t staring at him open-mouthed, as if he were a complete jerk. Never had he cared so much what a woman thought of him as he did now. And that seemed to have him acting like the idiot he didn’t want her to believe he was.

  Twenty minutes later, Damian wiped his mouth with a paper napkin, wadded it up, and tossed it on his empty plate. “You know, the way you handled Bev yesterday was amazing. I know that’s what you do, but, given the circumstances, you sure pulled it off in a completely professional way.”

  “Thank you.” Her cheeks reddened and she smiled.

  The innocence of that blush made his lust shift into something else—a protectiveness—and a strong desire to wrap Kerry in his arms, to hold her and keep her close.

  ****

  The clock on the truck’s dashboard read four-ten when they entered the city limits of Albuquerque.

  “I’ve only been to Albuquerque once,” Kerry said as she whipped her head around, glancing from the side to the front windows. “And that time, all I did was my interview, and right back home. It was my two days off, and I didn’t have any time to spare.”

  “Well, darlin’, you’re in for a treat.”

  She settled back and studied him. “You’ve been here before?”

  “Many times.” He eased into the heavier traffic as they entered the center of the city. “We’ll get a room—sorry, rooms—and then I’d like to take you to the downtown district. It’s pretty busy at night, even on a Wednesday. Albuquerque has some great restaurants, and after dinner, we can walk around. There are a lot of galleries and small shops you may like.”

  They ended up in a Hampton Inn, two rooms side by side. Kerry took a quick shower and finger-combed her wet, curly hair as she ran the blow dryer over her head. After, she pulled on a flowered, knee-length, full skirt, then tucked in a white, off-the-shoulder blouse, which she secured with a wide silver belt. Flirty, low-heeled sandals completed the outfit. She grabbed a shawl and her wallet, opting to leave her purse in the room.

  Damian stood in the lobby, his hands tucked in the back pockets of pressed jeans. Tanned skin at his throat contrasted with a long-sleeved, white western shirt. He’d rolled the sleeves, displaying muscles on his forearms sprinkled with blond hairs. His dusty boots had been swapped out for well-polished ones.

  Her insides softened and her lower parts wept. It took all her resolve not to wrap her hand around the back of his head and pull his mouth to hers.

  What is wrong with you, girl? Get yourself under control.

  His eyes lit up when he noticed her heading toward him. “Wow. You look great.” His long legs ate up the distance between them, and he reached for her hand.

  Kerry felt the heat rise to her face. Her hand burned where he held it, shooting a message directly to her core.

  Don’t get attached. He’s in Amarillo, and you’ll soon be a resident of Albuquerque.

  “Where are we headed?”

  He shook his head, as if collecting his thoughts. “My favorite restaurant in Albuquerque. It’s not too far from here.” Damian clasped their hands together, her bracelets jingling in rhythm with their steps, and led her out the door into the warm summer evening. “It’s about a six-block walk, or we can take the truck.”

  Kerry inhaled the flower scented air from the plants surrounding the hotel. “I’d rather walk. It’s a beautiful night.”

  They took their time and wandered along, Damian pointing out v
arious things about the city Kerry didn’t know. “I think I’m going to like it here.”

  He winced. “Maybe I should quit mentioning all the interesting sights.”

  “Why?”

  Damian pushed a short curl behind her ear. “I’m sure you know why.”

  His voice deepened, sending chills along her spine.

  “No, please,” she whispered.

  He tugged her close and squeezed her hand. “Don’t make any rash decisions.”

  She glanced away from his piercing stare. “That’s precisely what I’m trying not to do. On the other hand, my plan to move here is not a rash decision. I’ve been working on this for a while. I already have a job lined up.”

  “Ah, a job you could easily get in any city in the country,” he said.

  They continued on for a few more minutes.

  “Here we are.” He moved her toward a brightly lit restaurant and pulled open the heavy wooden door carved with sunbursts.

  Inside, it was almost as if they’d entered a café in any one of the countries south of the border. Crowded tables were scattered around the room, which opened up to an outside area strung with colorful lanterns swaying in the soft breeze. A small Mexican group, dressed in black velvet outfits with heavily embroidered, bright designs, played a lively tune while several couples gyrated on the tiny dance floor.

  The hostess handed Kerry a flower that Damian took from her hand and clipped into her hair, above her ear. He drew out a chair for her at an outside table far enough away from the band so they could hear each other.

  “They make the most fantastic dish called Chilaquile Casserole.” He didn’t even bother to open his menu. “But first, we have to have a margarita. They have four different kinds.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been here a lot.” Kerry smiled at his enthusiasm.

  “Actually, it’s been a while, but when I was in college, I spent a lot of time in Albuquerque.”

  She frowned. “I thought you said you went to Texas A&M.”

  “I did.”

  “Quite a drive.”

  He shrugged. “I was dating a girl at the time. You know how that goes.” Damian flashed a killer smile. “I ate up a lot of miles back and forth.”

  “What happened?”

  “My best friend used to take the trip with me. To keep me company on the drive. He and my girlfriend decided I was the third wheel.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Yeah.”

  The waitress appeared and took their orders for two frosty melon margaritas and the dish he had recommended.

  An hour later, Damian pushed his plate away, leaned his forearms on the table, and nodded at her half eaten dinner. “Is that all you’re going to eat?”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m stuffed. It was a really big serving.”

  The band had been on a break and started a new session with a merengue. Damian hopped up and dragged her to the dance floor.

  Kerry held back, laughing the whole time. “I can’t do these fancy dances.”

  “Sure you can. Follow my lead.”

  He took her in his arms, and within minutes, had them spinning on the dance floor as if they’d done it together for years. Every time Damian turned her, he tugged her closer. The scent from the flower in her hair combined with the light perfume she’d used was an aphrodisiac. He slid his thigh between her legs and spun her halfway across the floor. Her skirt billowed out, and her curls danced in the light of the lanterns.

  Kerry threw her head back, her throat muscles moving as she laughed. He did some different movements, and each time she followed him with ease. Her beautiful, hazel eyes sparkled and her cheeks flushed a deep pink.

  Was this how she would look in the throes of passion?

  The music reverberated through his body, tightening his gut as the woman in his arms held him captive. Her scent, her feel, her softness.

  His gaze met hers, and her smile faltered as she searched his face, questioning.

  The band finished the merengue and moved quickly and easily into a slow number. Damian cupped Kerry’s face and lowered his head. His lips pressed against hers, and she slid her palms up his chest to circle his neck. Slim fingers played with the hair at his collar. He turned their fused bodies slowly in a circle and ravished her mouth, pressing against her lips with his tongue, seeking entrance. She opened, granting him access to the sweetest nectar he’d ever tasted.

  The dance was slow and long. Kerry felt perfect in his arms. Exactly where she belonged. He tucked her head against his chest, and leaned his cheek on her silky hair. It didn’t matter what it took, he would have this woman. Not for one night, or one week, but forever.

  She drew in a deep breath as the last note slipped into oblivion. “I really need to get some sleep. I have a big day tomorrow.”

  “That you do.” He intertwined their fingers as they strolled back to their table. Damian picked up the check, and after a brief examination, threw bills down. “Let’s go.”

  Once they were outside, he turned to her. “Do you want me to fetch a cab?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m not quite ready to give up this beautiful night. The walk will help me sleep.”

  “I can think of another way to help you relax so you can sleep.” He slid his glance toward her.

  She smirked. “Nice try, cowboy. But the answer is no. I hate to use an old cliché, but I’m not that kind of girl.”

  Indeed, her experience was very limited for her time. She’d never dated anyone except Cody, and never slept with another man. In all honesty, no one else had appealed to her that way. Until now.

  After the kiss they’d shared on the dance floor, Kerry was no longer so sure about what kind of a girl she was. Her body had never reacted so swiftly to a man. She licked her lips where the heat from his mouth still tingled.

  It scared her more than she cared to admit.

  Damian continued to hold her hand as they walked. She noted the street was a lot less populated than when they’d been going in the other direction. After the brief twenty minute walk, he held the hotel door open for her, and they entered the lobby. A woman in a red and gold uniform jacket waved from where she talked on the phone behind the desk. Kerry’s thoughts about Damian and her reaction to him twisted her into knots as the elevator brought them to their floor, and he walked her to her room.

  “Thanks. I had a really good time.”

  He tucked a lose curl behind her ear. “So did I. Did you notice we danced together like we’d done it hundreds of times?”

  She nodded, chewing her lower lip.

  “What does that tell you?”

  Kerry tilted her head and chuckled. “We watched the same ‘how to dance the merengue’ video on YouTube?”

  He grinned. “Smart mouth.” Damian drew her to him and groaned as he captured that mouth with his.

  Kerry sucked in a sharp breath, and then joined him in a dance of tongues, sending sparks throughout her body, and setting her heart to thumping so loud he must’ve heard it. There was a dreamy intimacy to their kiss that enveloped her with heat, and a desire to have more. He slid his arm around her shoulders, his other hand cupping her bottom, as he pressed her to his groin.

  “Do you feel what you do to me?” he whispered in her ear as he scattered kisses along her neck, her jaw, and back to her lips.

  She gripped his shoulders, her hands shaking from desire as they kneaded his flesh. After a minute, she slid her palms to his chest and pushed him back. “I need to go in now.” Her voice trembled.

  “All right, darlin’.” He released her, and ran his knuckles over her cheek. “No pressure. As nuts as it sounds, I want you more than any woman I’ve ever met. But when we make love, it will be your choice.”

  She raised her eyebrows, studying his determined expression. “You say that like it’s a given.”

  He cupped her chin, rubbing his thumb over her lips. “It is.”

  The butterflies in her stomach did their own version of the merengue. �
��Please, Damian. I’m new to this single life and only now feeling my way. As I told you, I’m not a bed hopping type person. Cody was my first and only.”

  His fingers played with her hair. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  She sighed. “Goodnight.”

  “I’ll meet you in the dining room for breakfast. What time?”

  “Eight?”

  “Sounds good.”

  He kissed her on the forehead, and stood there while she slid the plastic card in the slot. The lock popped, and she placed her hand on the doorknob. She smiled at him over her shoulder, then entered the room and closed the door.

  No longer able to sustain her weight, her legs gave out, and she slid to the floor, her back pressed against the coolness of the metal door. Everything female in her screamed to open it back up and drag Damian in. Take him to her bed and finish what he so eagerly had started. Kerry counted to ten to give her heart a chance to slow down, and her senses to return.

  She inhaled deeply, and unclenched her fists. No. This was the time in her life to assert her independence. To do the right thing, not what someone else thought was the right thing. She’d come this far, and wasn’t giving up.

  Slowly, she rose and headed to the bed, where she collapsed on her back, staring at the ceiling.

  Why was it the right thing didn’t always feel right?

  Chapter Six

  “The zoo?” Kerry stared in amazement into Damian’s deep brown eyes.

  “Yeah, why not? You have a few hours to kill until your appointment.” They’d finished breakfast, and Damian had suggested they visit the Rio Grande Zoo. “I’ve been there a few times, and it’s very entertaining. One of the better ones in the country, in fact.”

  She smiled. “I like zoos.”

  “See? Another thing we have in common. I try to make it to the zoo no matter what city I’m visiting. Sometime, I’ll give you a run down on the best and the worst in the country.”

  Kerry glanced at the small gold watch on her wrist. “As long as we’re back at the hotel by one-forty-five for my appointment with Spencer Realty. Marilyn Spencer is meeting me here. She has several condos to show me.”