by Ciana Stone
“As opposed to?”
“Suck big, loud and long.”
Jayce laughed and Mason chuckled as well. “Man, when we were growing up, I figured I’d grow up and work the rigs like my dad. Find me a little gal, settle down and have a family.”
“Things don’t always go the way we thought they would.” Jayce agreed. “Hell, look at me. Until a couple of years ago, I thought I was doomed to be single. Then Callie showed up with her little girl, Lily and my whole life changed.”
“That Callie is a hell of a woman,” Mason commented. “Smart and my god is she talented. I can’t believe she turned down a recording contract to marry you and stay here. No offense, but that was a big deal.”
“Yeah, it was. And I never forget what she gave up.”
“She seems to think you’re worth it. And man, the Lily is something. The other day, she and Callie came in the leather shop and she must’ve asked a hundred questions. And not foolish ones.”
“Yeah, Callie told me you gave her a kit to make cell phone holster and Lily’s working on it to give to me for my birthday. That was nice of you, Mason.”
“She’s a great kid, and her face just lights up when she talks about her dad. I get the feeling the sun rises and sets on your shoulders, man. You have to love that. And your little boy, Lucky is a pistol. A year old and not just walking but running.”
“Oh yeah, he doesn’t burn daylight, that’s for sure. He’s on full steam from the time he wakes up until he drops over.”
“Drops over?”
“Yeah, he goes until he’s done and then he just lays down wherever he is and it’s lights out for eight hours.”
“You’ve got a great family, Jayce. I envy you.”
“Well, there’s nothing stopping you from finding a good woman and settling down.”
“Except that I can’t find the right good woman.”
“Well, from what Callie tells me, that writer lady, Savannah, the friend of Annie Morgan’s who is here to work on a book with her? Seems she’s been seen quite a few times watching rehearsal.”
“Riley said she was there for research on a book. In fact, she left me a note the other day asking if she could hire me to answer some questions – research stuff.”
“What did you say?”
“I haven’t called her yet.”
“Maybe you should. She’s hot.”
“But is she single?”
Jayce’s eyebrows rose. “Good question. I don’t think anyone has ever mentioned that. I guess you could ask.”
Mason shrugged and looked up as the waitress returned with their breakfast. “Maybe I will.”
Or not. He thought. That lady looked like one of those hot intellectuals, the type who would slice you to ribbons with their words and leave you bleeding in the street.
And he’d seen two of the movies that were adapted from her books. She rubbed elbows with people way out of his league. He couldn’t imagine she’d be interested in an ex-Broadway dancer turned leather shop owner and small-town dance teacher.
Which was a shame. There was something about her that made him wonder if she was as cold beneath the surface or if that frost concealed a heat she didn’t let show.
It might be interesting to find out. After all, nothing was going to happen in terms of them getting emotionally involved.
They were just too different.
Chapter Three
Savannah watched Riley as he leaned down to kiss Annie. “I told Cody the band would do a set at the bar tonight. How about I treat you ladies to a fine barbecue dinner beforehand?”
“You had me at do a set.” Annie replied and looked at Savannah. “You in?”
“Honky Tonk barbecue and Riley Morgan singing? I think I could soldier through.”
Riley laughed, gave Annie another kiss and straightened. “See you ladies later.”
“God, girl, how are you not in a constant state of hormone storm?” Savannah asked when Riley was safely out of the house.
“Who says I’m not?” Annie asked.
“I still have trouble calling him Riley. All I can see is Nate Bridges.” Savannah indulged in a moment of being a fan girl “Nate Bridges. Oh my god, you’re married to Nate Bridges.”
Annie laughed. “Listen, not a day goes by that I don’t pinch myself to make sure it’s real.”
“I’m so jealous I should be glowing green.”
“Oh yeah, like you’ve got so little to be happy about. Girl, you should be on top of the world. Three books on the bestseller list, not one but two film adaptations, you’ve already sold the television rights to the new series and it hasn’t even released.”
“I know and don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful, but it’s not much company when you’re alone in your bed, if you know what I mean.”
“So, I’m guessing you’ve decided that you’re definitely going through with the divorce?”
As much as Savannah hated that she’d failed at marriage, she accepted it. Hers was a marriage that had been doomed from the onset, and she’d finally come to terms with it. “Definitely. It’ll take damn near everything I have, but I’m buying Tim out. He gets the house, the cars, the boat – all of it, plus a lump sum settlement. I just want out.”
Annie reached out to put her hand on top of Savannah’s. “Are you doing this because you’re mad that he cheated on you or because you don’t want to be married to him?”
“At first I told myself it was the cheating.” Savannah stood and headed for the coffee pot, looking over her shoulder at Annie. “But the truth was, I don’t think I’d ever really been happy. I mean− God, it sounds awful to say, but Tim was my “safety net”. I was nearing the end of my twenties and had no other prospects, so when he came along, I figured marrying him beat being alone.
“Only it didn’t beat anything. Six weeks after the wedding he was already looking at me with a what the fuck have I done expression. And I wasn’t feeling much different but I didn’t want to admit it. So, when I realized he was cheating, I guess I didn’t really care.”
“Why?” Annie asked as Savannah returned with the coffee carafe and refilled both of their cups. “I mean surely you couldn’t have been happy?”
Savannah shrugged. “No. I mean, I don’t know. I don’t remember every really being happy. We got along okay. He pretty much did his thing and I did mine. Even with the cheating. It wasn’t like we fought or anything.”
“And you didn’t care that he was screwing around?”
“To be honest? No. Sex with Tim wasn’t the stuff of romance novels, if you know what I mean. We – we made decent friends and got along okay until the first book hit. Then it all started to unravel. Tim hated my success.
“At first, he tried to make fun of it, put me down and make me feel that I’d earned this money by being some kind of joke or by doing something that was frivolous or inconsequential. Later, he just got mean about it.
“So, we started avoiding one another and over the course of a year or so, we became these strangers that skirted around one another, avoiding looking at or speaking to one another and then that rag mag published those photos of him and that girl and – and well, that was pretty much it.”
“I remember.” Annie said. “That was during the time we first started talking about doing the anthology.”
“Yeah, it’s part of the reason I came here. I mean, it’s a lot easier to work this way, being close, but I also had to get out of there.”
“Well, if you want a divorce I think you should get one. Start fresh somewhere else.”
“Actually, I made an offer on the place I’m renting from Charli.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I love it and I’m making friends here and that feels nice. Plus, I’m tired of city life. You know I grew up in Georgia, right?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yep. Named after the place I was born.”
“And you don’t want to go back?”
“No. I mean I like
to visit my parents there, but I don’t want to live there. I want to make my own place somewhere – maybe here. Unless you don’t want me here?”
“Are you kidding? I love you being here. And not just because of the book.”
“Thanks. And speaking of books, my second book for the anthology is giving me a bit of a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Well, it’s the main characters. At first, he was going to be a guy who showed up in town, down on his luck and with no apparent skills. But then I changed it, thanks to Deanna Walters, you know the lady who runs the day spa? She and I have gotten to be friends of sorts and she asked me to take a free dance class with her.”
“Mason James’ studio?” Annie asked. “I would love to do that, but Riley gets this look on his face like a rabbit in the crosshairs of a rifle every time I suggest it. How was it?”
“Horrible. Apparently, I have no rhythm whatsoever. I spent the whole night stepping on Deanna’s feet. She was black and blue the next day.”
“But what about Mason?”
“Dear lord.” Savannah had to look away, for fear that her feelings would show on her face. “I have never seen a man move like that – well not in person.”
“I’ve heard watching him dance is like taking an aphrodisiac.”
“It’s a religious experience.”
“As in a lot of calling on God? Oh my god, oh my god.”
Savannah chuckled. “To say the least.”
“So, you have the hots for Mason.”
“I didn’t say that!”
“Yes, you did.”
“No, I didn’t. I said – never mind what I said. The point is, I thought I’d model my hero after him – a guy who shows up or comes home and who charms the town’s women.”
“And a woman he can’t charm?” Annie asked.
“Maybe.”
“It could work.”
“I think so. The problem is, I have to watch him work – at the dance studio and at rehearsal, but I don’t want him to think I’m stalking him so I left him a note at the dance studio and asked if I could pay to interview and observe.”
“Oh, please tell me you didn’t.”
“I did. What’s wrong with that?”
“Well, now he’ll think you’re only interested because of the book.”
“Which is exactly what I want him to think.”
“But why?”
Savannah would not have been honest six months ago, but a lot had change in her life, including having friends who were trust worthy, so she didn’t even think about lying.
“Because he makes me think about things I only write about.”
Annie looked surprised. “But you were married so you must have− “
“I was and we did, but honestly it never did all that much for me. Tim always said I had no sex drive and should get shots or something. I mean, sometimes – well, sometimes I’d have an orgasm but mostly not, so I just figured I was one of those women whose sexual peak was more like a sexual bump. You know about a foot high? Just enough to trip over and fall flat on your face?”
Savannah tossed her napkin at Annie who was giggling. “It’s not funny.”
“Well, it is a little. But also kind of sad. So, Mason makes you want to try things that you never tried with your husband?”
“Girl, he makes me want to try all of it. I− god, this is humiliating, but when I watch him dance, I feel like – like… like the ugly girl at school who never had a date and goes to all the football practices just to see the quarterback. It’s embarrassing and awful.”
“Why? I mean why would you feel that way?”
“Why? Have you seen him?”
“Yeah, he’s fine, but you’re gorgeous, Savannah.”
“I’m okay, but he’s got women all over him all the time. Young women. Younger than me. And ones who can dance.”
“Oh, come on, you can dance.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Sure you can.”
“No, I’m serious, I can’t.”
Annie got up and left the room. A few moments later the sound of a sexy tune filled the house. Annie danced back into the room, took Savannah’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
“Come on, I know you can dance. Just try.”
“Okay, but seriously, I can’t.”
Five seconds later, Annie’s smile faded and her body stilled. Savannah stopped moving as well. “See?”
“Yeah. You know what this means, don’t you?”
“No, what?”
“Private lessons.”
Her first inclination was to protest, but then it hit her. How better to spend time around Mason James?
She might not be the woman of his dreams, or even a woman he wanted to have dinner with, but he would work with a paying customer.
If nothing else it would be valuable research for her book. And a secret fantasy for her. After all, this wasn’t like his theatre performance. Good girls like her who always did what was right and proper didn’t end up with guys like him.
Except in the tale she was now eager to write.
A note from the Author
I've been a reader my entire life, finding solace, excitement, happiness, fear and love in the pages of books. If anything has been a constant in my life it's reading.
I also remember all of the times in my life when being able to buy a book was a luxury, a treat that I didn't get every week. I've never forgotten those times.
That's why I am so grateful to you, the readers. Regardless of your level of income or profession, I understand how precious your reading dollars are and I feel humbled that you've used some of those dollars to purchase my books.
I hope my stories prove worthy of your investment and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Many blessings.
Ciana
About the Author
You can find all of Ciana’s books on Amazon. Visit her author page
Visit Ciana’s website and sign up for her newsletter
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Books by Ciana Stone in reading order:
(Connected Books)
Honky Tonk Angels Series
Southern Comfort – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 1
Finding Justice – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 2
Baby I’m In — Honky Tonk Angels, Book 3
Ask me to Stay – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 4
Playing for Keeps – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5
Lookin’ for Trouble – Honky Tonk Angels Book 6
Honky Tonk Angels Box Set
Legacy Series
Longing
Craving
Yearning
Untamed Series
Feels Like the First Time
When You Least Expect It
Colton’s Memory
Untamed: A Three Book Box Set
Rangers or The Whisperers
(Can be read in either order)
Rangers
The Whisperers
The Seven Box Set
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Hot in the Saddle Box Set
Chase’n’ Ana
