She smiled. “This place is amazing. Maybe we can come back here in the future, but right now…would you hate me if I wanted to leave?”
“No. Of course not.” Relief rippled through his features, unclenching his jaw and brightening his gaze. “Because there’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands off you if we stay.”
“Ditto.” She grinned. “And I know we were trying to get through a normal dinner date without bringing sex into it.”
“True.” He rose to his feet and pulled back the curtain. “Where would you like to go?”
“How about a fast food place? Should be able to count on no intimacy there.” She grabbed her flower from the table, shoved the stem in her purse, and zipped it until only the petals were visible.
“Okay. Fast food it is.” He helped her from the booth and they nodded their regards to the startled hostess on their way out.
Once outside, Beth breathed in the humid air and sighed, already feeling more in control. Damn, she’d been a minute away from climbing onto Brick’s lap.
Crazy.
“There’s a burger joint on the next corner, is that okay?”
“Perfect.”
Hand in hand again, they walked a few feet before he stopped and turned to face her. “Are you sure about the fast food? I wanted to take you somewhere nice.”
“Brick.” She smiled up at him. “Any place is nice if I’m with you.” Ugh…that came out corny, but apparently he didn’t care, because a smile split across his face and warmed his gaze. If he kept that up, she was going to melt into a pile of goo at his feet. “Any place, except maybe that restaurant if we want to make conversation instead of whoopee.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” He squeezed her hand, and they continued to the end of the block then crossed with the “walk” sign. “Whoopee, huh?” His chuckle sent tingles down her spine while he held the restaurant door open.
Heat rushed to her face as she walked inside, that newfound boldness made Beth bump him with her shoulder while she leaned in close to whisper in his ear, “Sex with you makes me want to shout, ‘Whoopee!’”
The sound of his muffled curse brought a smile to her face, and she was still smiling when they sat down with their food. Needing a smidge of normalcy—a little control—in the chaos surrounding them, Beth opened her plastic silverware and set it on a napkin next to her salad, then placed her drink within reach on the right. It was silly, but the sight of everything laid out economically efficient soothed her anal retentiveness.
She glanced around. Just as she suspected, intimacy wasn’t an option here. Life surrounded them. All walks, all stages—all decibels. A young child whined about a kids’ meal toy he didn’t get. A table of teenagers horsed around, tossing their food at each other, and her favorite, an older couple shared an order of fries and coffee.
Perfect.
She reached across the table to touch Brick’s hand. He halted eating and looked at her. “Thanks. This is great. I’m enjoying myself.”
He opened his mouth to respond right when a crowd of screaming six-year-olds rushed through the doors, carrying presents and way too much energy. The decibel level in the restaurant rose so high she thought her ears might pop. Catching Brick’s gaze, she laughed because it was damn funny. The first place was too quiet. Too intimate. This place was too loud. Too crowded.
Zero chance of holding any conversation.
After a few more bites and several winces when piercing screams rattled her brain, she tossed out the remains of her salad and readily followed him outside.
“Damn, my ears are still ringing.” He shook his head, staring at the building in disbelief. “I think there’s permanent damage.”
She laughed, hooking her arm with his. “You’ll live, cowboy.”
“Yeah, but will I hear?” Entwining their fingers together, he smiled down at her, those sexy dimples of his making a grand appearance. “You feeling adventurous? Want to try to get some ice cream from the place down the street? Who knows? Maybe we can top off this perfect evening with a good case of brain-freeze.”
“I’m always up for a good brain-freezing.” She laughed, more than happy to go anywhere with him.
As they walked toward the busy little ice cream shop with a line curving down the sidewalk, they talked about their jobs, their dreams. He mentioned plans to move to Vegas to work for his buddy after he helped his brother with their construction business, and she told him about her plans to go to college, watching for signs of censure or disapproval. She saw none. In fact, he appeared pleased and surprised her when approval flashed through those gorgeous brown eyes of his.
“I’ll probably be the oldest senior freshman on campus.” She snickered.
“Don’t count on it. People go in their eighties.” He stopped when they reached the line, then turned to face her. “You’ll certainly be the prettiest.”
The urge to throw herself into his arms and kiss him silly was nearly too strong to resist, but the guy gawking at them from one of the picnic tables off to the side cooled her jets. “Thanks,” she said, bringing his knuckles to her lips instead.
“Aw, that’s sweet. Isn’t that sweet, Roy?” An elderly woman in front of them tugged the sleeve of the elderly gentlemen next to her.
When the couple turned in their direction, Beth recognized them from the fast food place.
“So nice to see respectful young ones these days,” the lady remarked.
“That’s because he’s in the military, Martha. Thank you for your sacrifice, son.” Roy suddenly stood at attention, his curved posture mysteriously gone as he saluted Brick, waiting for one in return.
Brick released her hand and complied before lowering his hand to shake Roy’s now outstretched one. “How’d you know?”
So much for hoping she’d been wrong about the cowboy being in the military. Her brother was just going to have to get over it.
“Takes a soldier to know one.” The older man winked. “Former Army. I served during Korea and Vietnam.”
“Former Ranger.” Brick nodded, thankfully too occupied with the older couple to notice she’d stopped breathing.
Ranger?
Actually, that may help. She exhaled and resumed breathing, feeling less panicked. It would give Cord and Brick something in common.
They spent the next half hour eating ice cream and listening to the sweet older couple reminisce about days gone by. Brick and Roy talked military procedures and weaponry that went over Beth’s head, so she asked Martha questions about fashion and music and etiquette from that era, filing the information away for future use. Clients were always requesting special themed parties and she knew sooner or later she’d use what the kind woman divulged.
“Well, we better get going, Martha. These old bones need to be in bed by eight.”
“Oh, who you trying to fool, you old fool? You just want to get home to watch that pretty blonde lady turn letters in that game show.” Martha stood with a twinkle in her eyes. “But it’s time we let these two young lovebirds enjoy the night.”
Beth stood with her arm around Brick and watched Martha and Roy walk away hand in hand. It warmed Beth’s heart to see a couple that age still in love and not afraid to show it.
“What are you thinking?”
“They give me hope. You know?”
“Yes, I think I do.” He tucked her in closer. “Where to now? You up for some dancing at the Roadhouse? It’s probably crowded and noisy with some great music in the background.”
“Well now, how could I possibly turn that offer down?”
Laughing, they crossed the street, and she contemplated suggesting they turn right and head to her hotel, instead of left toward the bar. But, despite their rather unorthodox date, they’d managed to keep sex out of it, and it seemed important to Brick to keep it that way, so she followed his lead without question.
“That couple was really sweet. Must’ve been hard on Martha while Roy was off to war.”
He nodded. “Hardest
on those left behind.”
Surprise washed through her. She hadn’t expected such insight from him. “Yes. But a soldier, worrying about those on the home front, worrying about the soldier serving can’t be easy, either.”
“No. It isn’t.” He sent her a sideways glance. “Sounds like you know from experience. You date someone in the service before?”
She laughed. Like Cord would’ve allowed that. “No. My brother served.”
“Oh?” He brought them to a halt outside the Roadhouse entrance. Muffled music from the live band reverberated through the wooden walls. “What branch?”
About to reply, Beth paused when the phone in her purse started to ring. Sending Brick an apologetic look, she withdrew her cell and glanced at the screen. “My boss?” She frowned. “Sorry. I have to take this.”
Brick nodded. “Of course.” He released her and stepped away to give her privacy.
“Hi, Georgina. How are you feeling?”
“Terrible. Sick to death of sitting around, but since I’m stuck here, you get to be my ears and eyes, and well, body.”
Beth got the feeling she wasn’t going to like where this was going, so she remained quiet.
“Anyway, I’m texting you an address. Be there at 8:00.”
“Tonight?”
Please say in the morning.
“Yes, tonight. Why? Is that a problem?”
She glanced at Brick and sighed. Yes, it was a problem. “No.”
“Good. Because you’re in Braxton to work. Not play around. I’ll email you the contract. Just meet Mr. Holcomb at that address. He’s hired us to plan his daughter’s surprise sixteenth birthday party this Sunday.”
Holy…seriously?
Beth sighed again. “Okay.” And after promising to update her boss after the meeting, she hung up. And sighed a third time.
“Got called in to work?” Brick stepped closer, wry smile on his lips.
She nodded, shoving her phone back in her purse. “Sorry. New client. I have to meet him in a half hour at a possible venue. He needs a party planned for this Sunday.”
“Ouch. That’s cutting it close.” He grasped her hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your hotel.”
Squeezing his hand, she reluctantly fell into step. “Thanks. And you’d be surprised how often it happens. A good portion of our parties are more spur of the moment than planned months in advance.”
And, of course, the kind like Rachel’s which were planned, then changed.
Brick chuckled. “Not much different than military ops. Most were spur of the moment, or the op changed last minute and we had to improvise.”
“Improvising.” She snickered. “I’m the improvising queen. Even considered getting that on a tattoo.”
All too soon they reached her room, and there wasn’t enough time to invite him in, which of course she wouldn’t, because tonight’s date wasn’t about sex.
Dammit.
She leaned back against her door and tipped her head to stare up at him. “I had a great time tonight, Brick. Sorry we have to cut it short. It was the best no-sex date ever.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “Good. I’m glad.” He set his palms on her door on either side of her head and leaned in close without touching. “There’s something I need to know.”
Beth’s heart hammered so hard in her chest the force of the pounding dried her throat and interfered with her breathing. “What?”
He glanced down at her body and very slowly back up, gaze heated and grin wicked. “Where would you put that tattoo?”
She smiled. Not well-versed in the art of teasing, she was, however, a quick learner. Holding his gaze, Beth ran her finger up her body to trace circles on her breast, hiding a smile as his breathing increased. “Maybe here. Or…” She ran it back down to rub as far south as her hand would reach, just below her belly. “Here. Or maybe on my butt.”
The pulse pounding in the vein at the base of his neck increased again. She reached up to brush the protrusion with her thumb.
“Which would you prefer?”
His gaze lifted to meet hers, and the deep hunger smoldering in the dark depths stole her breath. “All of them. All of you.”
“You have all of me, Brick,” she said a second before he captured her lips in a demanding, hungry, hot kiss that had the blood in her veins turning to liquid heat.
With his palms still on the door, he pressed his body against hers, sliding down and up in a slow, sexy pull, and her body quivered, recognizing his touch. She ran her hands up his sides and around his back, reveling in the play of muscles under her palms while needy, desperate sounds emanated from her throat as she pulled him closer.
Body vibrating with need, she gave him everything she had, and he let out a very male sound of pleasure.
But still his palms remained on the door and not her.
Dammit.
Somewhere in her lust-hazed mind she knew he was trying to keep control, to keep from allowing the kiss to get out of hand. To keep their date sex-free.
Right now, her body insisted it would be more than happy if every date with Brick ended in mind-blowing sex.
The phone in her purse—crushed between their hips—dinged with an incoming text. Brick immediately broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers, spurts of hot breath washing over her neck and chest that rose and fell with the same desperate need for air.
“Damn, Beth. You consume me. Once I kiss you, I can’t seem to stop.” He drew in a few more breaths then pushed back, forcing her to release him and reach for the doorframe to keep from falling. “Have lunch with me at my ranch tomorrow.”
Her pulse increased and she stared at his mouth for a slow beat, trying to grasp a stray brain cell or two. There was a reason she should say no, something she was already scheduled to do tomorrow, but it was just out of reach, and without her permission her mouth accepted. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” He blinked and a gorgeous smile spread across his face, indicating her visit to his ranch meant a lot to him. “You sure you don’t have work?”
“Probably, but at the moment, I can’t seem to think straight,” she told him honestly. And she honestly knew she wouldn’t disappoint him.
“Well, I wouldn’t be able to come and get you until around one, if that helps.”
“Okay,” she repeated as her phone buzzed again.
He leaned in and kissed her nose. “You should probably check that. Could be the client you’re supposed to meet.”
Beth nodded but made no move, way too mesmerized by the amber specks in his dark eyes.
“See you tomorrow, angel.” He brushed her temple with his lips then pushed back from the door. “Go inside. Call me if you can’t make it.”
“I’ll make it,” she promised with a smile, then scooted inside and closed the door behind her, knowing the guy wasn’t about to budge until she did.
Tugging the curtain aside, she watched him walk away. God, he was hot.
Sighing, she pulled out her phone…and her stomach sank. It was a text. From Cord.
Reminding her of their lunch date tomorrow at noon.
Chapter Five
By the time noon rolled around the next day, Beth was antsy with anticipation. Half of her wanted to tell her brother about Brick, and the other half insisted she keep him a secret a little longer, convinced her brother would send her handsome cowboy packing.
Yes, she and Brick were old enough to make their own decisions and didn’t need Cord’s approval. But the thing was, she loved her brother and wanted it. Even if what she and Brick had was temporary.
The fact he was a former Ranger like Cord should be a plus, but it could also be a big fat negative. So, she decided to feel her brother out, see if she could get a read on what his eventual reaction would be.
A knock sounded at her door promptly at eleven fifty-five.
Cord, punctual as ever. A family trait. They liked to have their ducks in a row, plan out every last detail, then execute the plan.
> She opened the door and fought a moment of panic when she found the wrong Ranger on her doorstep. “Brick?”
“Hey, angel. We finished up a little earlier than expected this morning.”
“Oh…I…” …am in big trouble. She glanced past him, convinced she’d find her brother parking his truck. He was due any second.
“Something wrong?” Disappointment and unease creased the happiness off his face. “Did you forget about our lunch?”
“No. I thought it was at one.”
“It was. Why?” His eyes narrowed. “You were expecting someone else right now, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, actually. My brother. He’s the one I was trying to remember when you kissed me stupid last night.” She laughed, hoping to lighten the mood. God, she hated seeing suspicion in his dark eyes. “I had lunch plans with him at noon. He’s dropping by before he heads south to see our mom.”
“Oh.” His tone sounded anything but convinced.
She sighed inwardly, knowing what she had to do and hating it. “You’re welcome to go with us.” The two were bound to meet eventually. She was just hoping to prolong it a little longer.
“No. I wouldn’t want to intrude on family time,” he said. “I’ll just come back in an hour.”
That’d be great, except his face still wore that uncertain expression that knotted her gut. She reached out to grab his wrist and pulled him inside. “Don’t be silly. Stay.” A few more words teased her lips but remained unspoken as her phone started to ring. “I hope that’s not my boss again.”
Beth had already called the woman and updated her about the party she was now coordinating for Sunday. An easy event that was to start out with a party and food in a private room at the back of the restaurant and end in the parking lot where the clients would present their daughter with a small pickup truck.
Beth had no idea why the Holcombs needed her. They could’ve coordinated the party themselves, but it wasn’t her issue. She was just following orders.
Releasing Brick, she walked to the table where her phone vibrated like a bass to her La Grange ringtone, surprised to see her brother’s number on the screen. “Hey, you okay?”
Her Secret Ranger (The Men of at Ease Ranch) Page 6
