“I’d think babysitting a grown woman was off your list of judicial duties.” The cool interior of the house was welcome relief from the heat.
“Maybe my political ones, but not my friendship ones. You’d do the same for Sam and don’t even try and deny it.”
He had her there. Not that she’d let him know her thoughts. “Whatever.”
****
Carter followed the lucky bead of perspiration that travel down Eliza’s neck and disappeared down the ‘v’ of her shirt. He shifted on his feet as he thought of where that tiny bit of moisture might have traveled. At five seven, Eliza’s sun kissed skin and sultry, brown eyes had a way of drawing him in.
As if sensing his attention, Eliza tilted her head to the side. Her movement forced his eyes from her breasts to her face. He didn’t even have the decency to be embarrassed about being caught checking her out. He should be, he knew. But he wasn’t. Carter lowered his eyes to their hostess who stood beside Gwen and Neil and pretended to listen.
Thirty minutes later, they stood on a vast lawn surrounded by split rail fences a few hundred yards away. The smell of horses and heat filled the air.
“We own over five-hundred acres,” Mrs. Hawthorn was explaining.
“How do you keep out unwanted guests?” Neil asked.
“I’ll have extra ranch hands available to head off any wandering spectators. They’ll have to walk a long way to reach us here. And if they drive a car, we’ll see them long before they have a chance to sneak in.”
Mrs. Hawthorn strolled over to the large outdoor entertainment area, complete with fire pits and permanent tables. Bales of straw outlined the area adding to the charming Texas setting.
Eliza walked away from Mrs. Hawthorn toward one of the ranch’s employees. The cowboy wore tight blue jeans, boots, and a Stetson. The man smiled and tipped his hat when she strolled up. Carter walked a couple of steps her way but couldn’t hear what she was saying. The young cowboy glanced over to Gwen and made a couple of hand gestures. Eliza seemed to thank the man and turned back to their tour.
Gwen directed her attention to Eliza. “Why don’t you go on and show Carter the inside layout while I speak with the man in charge of security.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice. It’s hotter than sin out here.” Eliza pivoted on her heel and bee-lined for the house. “Coming?”
Carter picked up his pace to meet her at the door, holding it open while she walked inside.
“Mrs. Hawthorn has offered half a dozen rooms for our use the night of the wedding. For guests who might have too much to drink, or for those who come at the last minute without accommodations.” Eliza walked past a back staircase and pointed. “There’s a balcony overlooking the venue—one where Blake can post extra security who might be able to spot something in the distance, or an uninvited guest.”
Carter followed behind, watching the sway of her butt as she rounded the corner and walked down the long hall.
“You guys can stage in here while you’re waiting on Sam.”
She kept walking and talking. Carter barely heard a word. Much like most of the times he’d been in Eliza’s presence, she numbed his brain to nothing, making it difficult to think. He’d always felt a sizzle when she walked in the room. If he had to guess, he’d say she was as attracted to him as he was to her. Yet neither of them ever acted on it.
Well…almost never.
Christmas the year before while celebrating with Blake and Samantha and about fifty friends, there was their almost kiss under the mistletoe. They’d both been drinking, barely skimming the surface of sarcasm with each other the whole night. Eliza had worn a skintight red dress that was slit half way up her thigh. She’d pulled back her dark hair allowing only small bits of it to swing along her slender neck. Every time she’d passed him that night, her perfume caught hold of him. It was like she’d gripped his neck and squeezed. Sucked in by her light, he’d noticed when she peeled away from the crowd and followed her.
She’d turned unexpectedly, colliding into him. They stood there for a moment, appraising each other. Eliza broke eye contact and glanced at the ceiling. She’d mumbled something under her breath and he’d looked up. God bless mistletoe. He placed a hand on the side of her face and fanned his fingers to the back of her neck. He remembered the need to kiss her slowly.
So much for that plan.
Just as he leaned in to taste, one of the party guests called his name from across the room. Eliza jumped back and out of his arms.
Neither of them ever spoke of it. In fact, they went on as if it had never happened.
He supposed it was because both of them were such good friends with Sam and Blake that neither of them wanted to screw that up.
Carter went on to date, or at least be seen with other women, and Eliza did whatever she did for the company she and Samantha ran.
“So what do you think?” Eliza was talking to him, but he didn’t have a clue about what.
“Excuse me?”
“The house?”
“What?”
You’ve not heard a word I’ve said.”
“No, no you told me about the room we’ll be in, about the balcony.”
She perched her hands on her hips and offered a haughty look. “I went over that fifteen minutes ago. I don’t know why I bother,” she said turning away.
“I’m distracted,” he admitted. “Lot of things on my mind.”
“I have better things to do with my day, too. Tell you what, why don’t you just tell Neil you approve, and we’ll be on our way.”
Carter smirked. “Trying to get rid of me?”
Her eyes shot to his faster than lightning strikes a stormy sky. “Wanting you gone would imply I care that you’re here.”
She was trying hard to keep a disinterested look on her face, but she started to nibble on her fingernail and broke eye contact. You care. You might not want to, but you do.
“Ouch.”
She glanced at her fingernails and fisted her palms. “Oh, forget it. Let’s get out of here before I melt.”
“Sounds good.” Because standing here fantasizing about her wasn’t doing anyone any good. Besides, last time Carter checked, he had a date for this wedding and it wasn’t with the woman in front of him.
Eliza strolled off and followed way behind. He really should be thinking about the Texas millionaires attending this “renewal of vows” ceremony and not about the maid of honor.
“I’ve thought of everything, Neil. You can tell my brother he’s perfectly safe and the only media pictures being taken will be from the one reporter he’s invited to attend.” Gwen waved Carter’s way. “Be a love and appease him, will you?”
Carter eyed Neil and shrugged.
“Thank you again for your time, Mrs. Hawthorn. We’ll see you in a few days.”
Mrs. Hawthorn allowed Gwen to kiss both her cheeks and waved as the two other women climbed into the car. “Have fun, girls.”
Carter stood beside Neil and Mrs. Hawthorn while Eliza and Gwen drove away.
Eliza didn’t even glance in her rearview mirror as she drove away.
“They were in a hurry to leave,” Neil announced.
“I noticed that, too.”
Mrs. Hawthorn placed a hand on one hip. “Wedding planning isn’t easy. They’ve been working hard. It’s a good thing they can get away for a night of fun before the festivities.”
“Night of fun?” Neil asked.
Carter followed the dust down the road.
“According to Billy, Eliza asked about a local watering hole where the two of them could kick back and relax for a few hours. Dance a little and blow off some steam.”
Carter rolled his eyes. “Watering hole?”
“I can’t see Miss Gwen in a Texas bar,” Neil exclaimed.
Eliza maybe, but Gwen? “Looks like you’re not flying home tonight,” Carter told Neil. Passing up the opportunity of spying on Eliza and Gwen was out of the question.
Chapter Two
>
The hotel gift shop provided the perfect pair of skin-tight jeans, cowboy boots, and cowgirl hats. Gwen wasn’t about to go into a Texas bar dressed as the daughter of a duke. Unlike shopping for the yellow bridesmaid dresses, Eliza actually enjoyed their brief walk on the country side of the store.
Loud music with just the right amount of twang, and lyrics about lost love filled the bar. Several couples crowded the dance floor. Their bodies were glued together and moved as if they were one unit.
Eliza took the lead and walked through the crowd to a couple of empty seats at the bar. The two of them turned a few heads and received a couple of smiles before they sat down.
“I can’t believe how crowded it is,” Gwen said over the noise.
“Makes it more interesting,” Eliza told her.
The bartender placed a couple of napkins in front of them. “Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat.
She lifted up two fingers. “Two beers.”
Gwen scoffed. “But—”
“You can’t drink wine in a beer bar, Gwen.” Eliza knew where her friend was going with her haughty but. Surprisingly Gwen didn’t argue.
Gwen folded her hands in her lap on top of her purse. She sat rod straight with her big doe eyes wide open. Her fingers tapped to the music and a smile played on her lips. What did Gwen see? For her, this night was about adventure and overcoming some of her social fears. Sure, there were people dancing and having a good time. From the looks of the crowd, there wasn’t anyone completely wasted, yet. Beer drinkers tended to get rowdy later in the evening.
“Here ya are, ma’am.” The bartender sat the bottles down. Eliza reached into her purse to pay. “Already taken care of,” he said nodding to the end of the bar. There sat two single men with button up western shirts and Stetsons. Eliza made eye contact with the one sitting closest to her. His dark hair and finely manicured mustache outlined a ruggedly attractive face. She lifted her bottle with a tiny nod.
“Did they buy the drinks?” Gwen asked.
“Seems so.”
“Should we go over and thank them?”
Eliza turned away from the men and brought the bottle to her lips. After a sip she said, “No need. They’ll be here in less than five minutes.”
Gwen held her bottle and smiled over the bar to the cowboys. “How do you know that?”
“Because you’re still staring at them which they’ll take as an invitation.”
Gwen dropped her glance to the floor and swiveled in her seat.
“My God, you really don’t get out much.”
Gwen’s cheeks turned red. “I’m pathetic.”
“You’ve been sheltered. Not completely your fault.”
Gwen sipped her beer. To her credit, she didn’t frown at the taste. “Sheltered and pathetic.”
Just how innocent are you? “Please tell me you’ve had boyfriends.”
Gwen’s jaw dropped. “I’ve had lovers. I’m not a virgin if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Why that’s a mighty fine piece of information, darlin’. I could swear you’re as innocent as a new born calf.”
Eliza and Gwen both shot their eyes to the rugged cowboy who had made it to their side in less than two minutes.
Gwen’s cheeks grew instantly red, and her eyes opened wide.
“Thanks for the drinks,” Eliza said, trying to remove the attention from Gwen’s outburst.
“My name is Rick. This here is Jimmy.” Jimmy was an inch or so shorter than Rick and a good twenty pounds thinner. Both were easy on the eyes.
“Eliza,” she said, “And my non-virginal friend Gwen.”
Gwen elbowed her in the side and Eliza laughed.
Rick and Jimmy were kind enough not to keep the joke going. “Mind if we join you?”
Eliza nodded to the empty seat on her right. Rick sat and Jimmy said, “I’ll keep an eye out for an open table.”
Gwen moved a little closer to Eliza when Jimmy stepped closer to her. This was going to get awkward in a heartbeat. “Why don’t I hold this,” Eliza reached for Gwen’s beer, removed it from her fingers. “And you two dance.”
Gwen leaned over and tried to whisper. “I don’t even know him.”
Eliza smiled and nudged her out of her chair. “Go. We’re here to have fun.”
Jimmy was already reaching for Gwen’s elbow.
“But I don’t know how to dance like that.”
Jimmy helped her to her feet. “Where are you from?”
“Outside of London.” Gwen sat her purse on the barstool.
Jimmy winked. “Well, English, I learned the two-step when I was five. I’m sure I can show you.”
“You sure?”
“C’mon.”
Eliza followed Gwen as she stepped on the dance floor. She stiffened when Jimmy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his frame. After only a couple of missteps, Jimmy successfully had Gwen swinging to the music in what appeared to be complicated dance moves.
“Do you always watch your friend so closely?” Rick asked.
“It’s in the handbook of girls. We go to the bathroom in pairs, tuck each other’s tags in, and we watch out for each other.”
“She doesn’t seem to be watching you.”
Eliza let her gaze drift to the cowboy on her right and smiled. “She’s just trying to keep from breaking your friend’s feet. Hard to do that and watch me at the same time.” Rick was cute. His accent adding to his smooth demeanor, but he wasn’t doing a thing for her libido. Chemistry was a bitch that way. On the outside, two people might seem to be right for one another, but on the inside, they simply didn’t fit. Or they exploded much like her and Carter.
Rick must not have felt the same. He settled into his chair and kept the conversation going.
****
Carter elbowed Neil into the back of the bar far away from Eliza and Gwen and did his level best to slip into the shadows.
From the look of Gwen’s faltering steps, the women had been in the bar for at least an hour, maybe two. Gwen’s hair was falling out of place and on occasion her voice rose above the others. She’d danced with at least three different men in the short span of time he and Neil had been there. If it was any consolation, Eliza dumped some of Gwen’s drinks into forgotten glasses on the table.
Neil’s white knuckles clutched the beer in his hands as he watched Gwen spin around the dance floor. “She’s drunk,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
“I’d say you’re right.” Carter took a pull on his beer, eyes glancing over to Eliza. She was talking with two men sitting at her table where she’d spent most the night. One of them stood and offered her his hand. She hesitated, but then stood and let him lead her to the dance floor.
Her tight little ass wiggled in step with the music as if she were born to country western dancing. Her partner kept his hands on her hip for about thirty seconds, and then they started to slip.
It’s hard to hold the glass when my fingers want to crush it. Another couple blocked Carter’s view. He shifted in his seat but still couldn’t find Eliza in the crowd. When he caught up with her, she’d called the dance short and was sitting at her table again, this time talking with another guy. When cow-dick number two reached over to touch Eliza’s shoulder, Carter couldn’t take any more. “You watch Gwen.”
“Don’t worry, I am,” Neil said.
The music shifted into something slower by the time he reached Eliza’s table. Not too gently, he removed cow-dick’s fingers from Eliza’s back and grasped her elbow.
Her shocked expression met his and the cowboy took to his feet. “Can I help you?”
A tattoo of a cross sat on the man’s hand who was making time with Eliza. It was almost unnoticeable, but Carter knew its meaning. “You owe me a dance,” Carter told her while ignoring the man
Maybe she was too shocked to deny him, but she stumbled to her feet and let him pull her in his arms. Her heat socked him in the gut as his body grazed hers.
�
��What the hell are you doing here?”
Carter darted a glare at the men watching them from across the room. “Saving a woman from a bunch of yahoos planning on a night of fun.”
He spun her around, she spun him back and glanced at the men. “They’re harmless.”
“Really?”
“They only look rowdy.”
“So they’ve been buying you ladies drinks all night to test your limit for nothing?”
She stepped on his foot. He quickly recovered and kept them dancing. “How long have you been here…watching?”
Oh boy, he shoved his foot in far this time. “Long enough.”
“How long, Carter?”
“Neil was worried about Gwen.” Thinking of his best friend’s sister, he lifted his gaze around the room to try to find her. He caught a glimpse of her blonde hair and petite frame as someone led her out the door. “Oh, damn.”
Carter abruptly ended the dance and tugged Eliza alongside him.
Neil was already ahead of him.
The crush of sweaty bodies made it hard to cut across the bar. Carter knew at least one of the men at Eliza’s table followed.
“What are we doing?”
“C’mon,” he told her. They finally reached the front door and emptied onto the parking lot just in time to see Neil grab the guy Gwen had been dancing with. Neil pinned him to the hood of a truck and pulled his fist back.
“Stop!” Gwen shrieked
Neil hesitated, but only for a second before his fist flew.
The man across the hood of the truck was no match for Neil. The bodyguard let loose two blows and pulled back. “The lady said no.”
“Where the hell did you come from?” one of the men from the bar yelled as he shoved his way into the mix.
More people poured out from the bar to watch the drama. Carter was sure at least one cell phone zeroed in on him. A bar fight in a parking lot in Texas was probably not the best way to get votes.
“It’s all over, buddy. The big guy here is just protecting an innocent woman,” Carter said trying is best to defuse the situation.
“She looked willing to me,” the guy yelled before the stranger’s fist flew and connected with Carter’s face.
Married by Monday (Weekday Brides) Page 2
