Greyson (Cloves County Cowboys Book 1)

by Amelia Shea

  “Not really.”

  “Fine, but your ass better be home early. Ten hours, Britt.”

  Once she got off the phone, she confirmed plans with Sarah. They were meeting at Steers for drinks at five-thirty.

  She got to the bar at exactly five thirty to find Sarah waiting at a table. Sarah waved her over and got up for a hug when Britt made it to the table.

  “Thanks for coming, Britt.”

  “It’s been awhile since I had a girl’s night. I do have to head back home in a few hours though.”

  “Meeting my cousin?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Yes.”

  “I think it’s great, you and Grey. You will be the envy of many women, trust me.”

  They laughed and chatted a bit. She recognized the waitress, the one Travis had been flirting with the other night, when she came over to take their order. She was wearing cutoff shorts with a ridiculously low-cut red shirt putting her boobs on display. Show them if you got them, she guessed. Her hair was teased with dark overgrown roots. If she’d been friends with her, Britt would have a serious talk about getting her color done. It was awful, along with the massive amount of makeup caked on her face.

  She smiled and winked at Britt. “Having a girl’s night?”

  Britt smiled back at Kellie. “Yep.”

  “Fun! What can I get you?”

  “I’ll have whatever you’ve got on tap.” Britt looked over to Sarah. She was scowling at Kellie, her nose pinched, looking at her as though she smelled of week-old fish.

  “I’ll have a Cosmo and you need to clean this table. It’s filthy,” Sarah sneered.

  Britt’s mouth dropped open. Sarah was being outright rude. This was a side to Sarah she thought sucked.

  Britt looked over at Kellie, who pasted on a smile. “Sure thing, let me put the drink orders in and I’ll grab a rag.”

  Feeling embarrassed by Sarah’s attitude, Britt mustered up an awkward smile. “Thanks.”

  She watched Kellie walk back to the bar before turning her glare to Sarah.

  “Was that necessary?”

  “What?”

  “‘You need to clean this table, it’s filthy?’ Really?”

  Sarah shrugged. “Well, it is, and it is her job.”

  “Okay, but was it necessary to talk down to her? You were rude.”

  Sarah huffed a breath. “I don’t like her. Everyone knows what Kellie’s like.”

  “Oh yeah, what’s she like?”

  “I told you, she’s the town tramp.”

  Britt laughed. “Oh my God. You do realize how ridiculous you sound, right?”

  “It’s not ridiculous, it’s true, and I know she’s got her eyes on Lucas and has for a long time. I’m not about to let her take my man.”

  Britt shook her head and opened her mouth to speak, just as her beer was placed in front of her.

  Kellie leaned over, wiping down the table, careful not to let any debris fall off onto her or Sarah. There was a tense air as she silently finished up. There was no doubt in Britt’s mind, Kellie had heard their conversation. The thought left Britt mortified. She never played a part in the “mean girl” bullshit and she wouldn’t start now.

  Britt glared at Sarah, who looked down at the table. Good, hopefully she felt as bad as she should. Britt herself had fallen into her catty bitchy girl moments, but Sarah seemed blatantly rude, all because she thought Kellie had a thing for Lucas. It was becoming clear Lucas and Sarah’s relationship was in more trouble than Tripp’s bullshit story.

  Kellie stood up. “Anything else, girls?”

  “No, we’re good. Thanks, Kellie.”

  She nodded and walked away, leaving Britt feeling bad and angry as hell at Sarah.

  They only lasted thirty minutes before Sarah decided she was done for the night. Dropping cash on the table, she barely even said bye to Britt before she was out the door. Britt got the impression Sarah didn’t like her calling her out on her treatment of Kellie. Well, too bad.

  Gathering the cash and her tab, she walked to the bar and paid the big burly guy behind the counter. Scanning the floor, she didn’t see Kellie.

  “Looking for someone?” he grumbled.

  “Yeah, our waitress.”

  “Kellie’s on break out back.” He pointed down a long hall where she knew the bathrooms were.

  “Mind if I go back there?”

  “As long as you ain’t gonna hurt her feelings like your bitch friend.”

  His hard eyes scowled down at her. Shit. Had he heard Sarah? Great, now he assumed Britt was a bitch to Kellie, too. She shook her head.

  “I’d actually like to apologize.”

  He inspected Britt, looking to see if she was being genuine. She understood why. It was obvious Kellie had heard them, and while she didn’t say anything bad, she still felt the need to say sorry, even if it didn’t come from the direct source.

  He jerked his head to the back and Britt walked down the hall, pushing open the heavy door to peek her head out. Kellie was leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette when she looked over at Britt.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey, girl. Is there a problem with your bill?” she asked, stomping her cigarette into the gravel.

  “No, no, I just um…” She met Kellie’s curious eyes. “I just wanted to apologize. I don’t know what got into Sarah, she’s usually pretty cool. Anyway, she treated you awful and I’m sorry.”

  “Really?” She laughed. The opposite of what Britt expected. “You just confirmed you’re not a local.” Her laugh grew louder and Britt couldn’t help but wonder what she was missing.

  “I don’t get it.”

  Kellie held up her hand, reining in her laugh. “Girl, I’ve been dealing with the ‘Sarahs’ of Cloves County for years. Girls who like to believe everything they hear, girls who want to make me into some slut who’s after their man.” Her eyebrows quirked up. “I’m sure she told you I’m the town tramp.”

  “Uh…”

  Kellie burst out laughing. “Britt, your face is too funny.”

  “So, you’re okay with it?”

  Kellie stopped laughing, her smile not quite reaching her eyes, and she shrugged. “People are gonna say what they’re gonna say. There’s nothing I can do. My mama always said, ‘It’s none of your business what others think of you.’ They can say what they want, I know who I am. Nothing they say is gonna change that.”

  Britt watched this so-called ‘town tramp’ and smiled. “Well, I am sorry, and for what it’s worth, I don’t let others tell me what to think or who to like. I think you’re a pretty cool chick.”

  “Well, thank you, Britt.”

  The bartender called for Kellie and she started through the door Britt was holding. “Break’s over.”

  “Here. Your tip.”

  Kellie took the cash and snorted, holding up the two tens. “You’re leaving me a twenty-dollar tip? For two drinks?”

  Britt knew it was guilt money, but she just shrugged. “It was great service?”

  Kellie laughed and handed back a ten. “Tell you what, save your ten and let’s get together for a drink. You can treat me.”

  Britt took back the ten and smiled. “Absolutely!”

  Chapter Twenty

  It was just coming up on eight o’clock when Britt parked in front of her house. The light in the living room was on and she saw a shadow pass by the window. She smiled. He stayed. An odd tingling rush coursed through her. It was reminiscent of the feeling she’d gotten when she heard the cutest boy in her sixth-grade class liked her. It had been a while since a guy had given her butterflies.

  It was quiet. All the ranch hands, including Lucas, were long gone. She walked up to the porch and opened the door which had been unlocked. The sound of the TV was low, but she heard Grey’s voice. He sounded angry, a tone she was familiar with, but was relieved it wasn’t directed at her this time. Dropping her bag on the table next to the door, she followed his voice to the kitchen. He stood, leaning back into
the counter, one arm holding the phone to his ear, the other propped around his chest. His tone proved her right when she saw his face.

  A deep line edged the crease between his brows and his lips turned down.

  “No, it’s not okay. This is not how we do things, Tripp, and you goddamn well know it.”

  Britt stopped in the doorway, and his eyes wandered up her body to her face. She waved and he held up one finger in a “give me a minute” gesture. She backed out of the kitchen and nodded. Slipping off her shoes, she grabbed the remote to change the channel.

  “Now, you listen here, boy. You will be at the ranch at five-thirty and you will do all the chores necessary. ’Cause if you don’t, you’re gonna find out fast what it’s like to work in the real world.”

  Britt turned toward the kitchen and waited.

  “Five-thirty, Tripp. If you’re even a minute late, don’t bother showing up, just make your way into town to find yourself a job, you hear me?”

  Britt whipped her head back to the television when she heard footsteps. Could you eavesdrop in your own house? Grey made his way to the couch, still scowling and angry, and sat next to her, throwing his arm on the back of the couch.

  Dragging his hand over his face, he glared over at her. “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. Everything all right?”

  “No, but I don’t want our time ruined again by my little brother.” He pulled her shoulders and she fell into his side. “How was girl’s night?”

  “I don’t want to ruin our night either so let’s not talk about it.”

  Grey leaned to the side, drawing Britt’s attention to his face. He looked confused. “Sarah causing trouble?”

  Britt sat back on the couch. “Kind of, I don’t know. Everything was fine when I got there but when the waitress came over to take our order, Sarah was so friggin’ rude to her. Then when I called Sarah out on it, she said she was the town tramp, like the waitress’s reputation made it okay, or excused her behavior. It went downhill from there.”

  “Kellie?”

  “Jeez, seriously? I say town tramp and you say Kellie? Ya know, Grey, for the record, I talked to Kellie, apologizing for Sarah’s behavior and just from talking to her, I get the vibe she’s not whatever you all think she is. Even if she does sleep around…so what? Doesn’t give you all free rein on being assholes to her. Slut shaming is fucked up, Grey.”

  “Whoa, darlin’…slow down. I’ve never once been mean or disrespectful to Kellie. In fact, I like Kellie, always have, she’s a sweet girl.”

  Britt’s eyes narrowed. “How sweet?”

  Grey held his hands up and laughed. “Never been with Kellie. Just sayin’, she’s always been real nice to me and I wouldn’t be rude to her just because of her—” he cleared his throat, “—reputation.”

  “So, she really is known as the town tramp? To everyone?” Her eyes went wide and she felt a little sad for Kellie. Although she seemed to have a good attitude about her assumed reputation, it had to hurt, knowing people were talking about her.

  “Darlin’, people talk.” He shrugged.

  “Well, that explains why she was amused I apologized for Sarah.”

  “She’d probably be shocked to hear you stick up for her right now, too. You’d make a good friend to Kellie. From what I personally know, she’s a good girl with a big heart, who may or may not have made some poor choices when it came to men.”

  “Well, I like her.”

  “Good, now can we stop talking about other people and get down to us?”

  “You wanna talk, Grey?”

  “No, but I want to listen…to you moan.”

  The blare from his phone blasted and he cursed. “Fuck.”

  Britt giggled. “Just take it and I’ll be right back.” She leaned over for a quick kiss and darted up the stairs. She had a nightie Darcy had sent when she shipped her clothes last month. It was included with a card saying, “For when you finally give in to the cowboy.”

  Britt grabbed the nightie and put it on. It fit perfectly, showing just enough to entice but leaving a little more wanting. She headed back down the stairs and felt her nerves tingle. This was almost awkward, knowing they were going to have sex, and now, with her in this nightie.

  Hearing Grey’s voice low, still on the phone, gave her a moment to think. This was so cliché, her in a nightie. She stepped down to the last step and decided this felt wrong, too planned. She backed up a step.

  “Hold on,” Grey growled into the phone, staring at her and covering the phone with his hand.

  His finger crooked up and gestured her over to him, his eyes scanning her body. He liked what he saw. Score one for the nightie. His stare never left hers. She bit her lip and smirked. She could so play the seductress.

  “You got ten seconds, go.” He spoke into the receiver, his stare remaining on her. His eyes gave her a full-length perusal.

  She had never been shy when it came to sex. She had boyfriends in the past and aside from the first, they had all been amazing lovers. To say she was brazen when it came sex might be an understatement. She was confident when it came to the opposite sex, but Grey wasn’t just another guy. There was something different with him, something she’d never felt before.

  She walked toward Grey, who had taken a seat on the couch closest to the fireplace. She smiled sweetly at him as she got closer. This man was gorgeous. Those eyes had her panties wet from just looking at them. His lustful smile had her stopping a foot away.

  “Contact Jasper in the morning, he’ll get you a price.” He clicked the phone without saying goodbye.

  “Do you have to leave?” Britt asked.

  “No.”

  She dropped to her knees between his legs. “Do you want to leave?”

  His eyes darkened as his attentive stare followed her to the floor. “Hell, no.” He reached for her from his seat, but she grabbed his hands in hers and pushed back. She shook her head with a coy smile. She was making sure she got a taste of him tonight. It was his turn, since he sent her home last night. His eyes watched her.

  She caressed his jean-clad thighs. Strong, solid, muscular thighs. Her eyes kept contact. His face was serious and full of lust. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  “You’re very sexy, Grey,” she purred. She reached up to the zipper on his jeans and rubbed her hand over him. His erection was straining through his jeans, the same as last night. She rubbed harder and watched his eyes grow darker. She smirked at him and unbuttoned his jeans. She started to unzip when his hands stopped her.

  He rumbled, “Let me take a closer look at the nightie you got on. C’mere.” His voice was deep and seductive.

  She gave him a coy smile and shook her head. “I want to taste you first.”

  Her words were meant to seduce him and turn him on, but they seemed to have the opposite effect. His hands tightened on hers and he leaned in, his eyes so dark they looked navy blue. Her heart raced with lust and slight fear. She had seen him demanding but never when they were intimate the two times.

  “You’ll get your taste when I’m ready to give it to you.” He peered at her, his hands still holding a firm grip on her. There was a bite to his voice, a stern tone. She had never been with anyone who demanded control in the bedroom. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but her body was responding, which was evident in her wet lace panties.

  “Now…come here,” he commanded, releasing her hands and resting back in the chair.

  She stood up. Her eyes never left his as he got his fill, his eyes lustful and needy. She was not used to being submissive during sex, but this was a turn on, to have him decide how this would go down.

  His eyes traveled her body. “Take it off.”

  She cocked her brow and challenged, “Why don’t you take it off for me?”

  He scowled. “Are you testing me, Britt?”

  She smirked and shrugged playfully. “Maybe.”

  “The minute I get my hands on you, I won’t be able to let go.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “You won’t be able to get the taste you seem so eager to get.” His eyes narrowed. “Take. It. Off.”

  Britt stared into blue eyes which promised a night she would never forget and decided control was overrated. She slipped her hands down to the hem of her nightie and lifted it slowly. Dropping her arms down to her side, she tossed the nightie onto his lap.

  Not even looking down at where the nightie landed, he nodded to her lace panties and waited. Reaching down, she hooked her thumbs through the edge her panties and slowly slid them down her thighs onto the floor next to her.

  “Do you approve?” Her voice was breathy.

  He growled. She resisted the urge to smile. His growl confirmed he definitely liked what he saw. His gaze shifted to her breast and down to her pussy. A chill ran over her skin. She was left in the middle of her living room, naked, in front of a fully clothed man, waiting for him to tell her what to do. Strangely enough, she was excited. Her breasts perked up and her nipples beaded. She could feel her heart race and knew he could see it through her chest.

  His eyes traveled her body. She knew she had a nice body, but it was far from perfect. From the way he was entranced by every inch of her, she had a feeling Grey thought differently. She licked her dry lips as she tried to steady her pounding heart.

  His eyes lifted to meet hers. He shifted his hips up and wrangled his jeans down to his ankles. She’d never felt this much excitement at going down on a guy. Mostly, she felt it was obligatory; returning the favor. But not this time, not with Grey. She sauntered closer and dropped to her knees between his legs.

  His cock was long and hard lying against his stomach. The desire in his eyes was evident. He wanted her mouth on him. She cocked her head. “Now, what?”

  His face twisted in confusion. She lightly caressed her fingers over his muscled thighs. His body tensed under her touch.

  “I think you know what comes next.”

  “You?” she asked innocently.

  He reached forward, cupping her jaw with a grin. They were inches apart, and she could feel his breath on her face. “You love teasing me, don’t you?” He kissed her lips, sliding his tongue over her bottom lip. She shivered under his touch when he gripped her waist, pulling her bare body over him.