Roses and Rodeo (Rough and Ready)

by Cheyenne McCray

  And then his mouth was on hers. He kissed her with rough passion. His tongue slid between her lips and she tasted his warm male flavor and felt the wildness in his exploration.

  She lost her breath as he jerked her close to him. His body was hard against hers and she felt the rigid press of his erection.

  A thrill shot through her, from her belly straight between her thighs. She imagined him inside her, taking her. His kiss deepened, filled with a primal need that she wasn’t sure she could tame if she tried.

  She placed her palms on his chest and felt the light sprinkling of hair and the taut, smooth skin beneath her fingertips. He raised his head, drawing away from the kiss. His chest rose and fell beneath her hands, his breathing heavy, and then she realized she was breathing hard, too.

  With his gaze still fixed on hers, he moved his fingers to the column of her throat to the V of her blouse and skimmed his knuckles over her soft flesh. His fingers found the top button and he slowly undid each one as he looked into her eyes.

  He was waiting for her to stop him, giving her the chance to say no before it went too far. But she didn’t want to say no—she wanted him far too much. Maybe it was crazy when she’d only known him a short time. Most of that time had included long daily conversations on the phone. But maybe that was why she felt so comfortable with him…and it felt so right being with him.

  But was it right? What about the reports of him being a womanizer? Maybe they weren’t true, but maybe they were. Did she want to be next in his long line of conquests and then be tossed aside?

  What about the crying woman from the bar in Las Vegas, and then by the courthouse in Prescott? Was she another one of Creed’s past conquests? Did he have some kind of relationship with her now?

  And the truth was, she did barely know him.

  She brought her hand up and put it over his, stopping him, as she met his gaze. “I’m sorry, Creed.” She stared into his eyes that searched her own. “I—I think maybe this is a mistake. I’m letting my desire for you cloud my judgment.”

  She lowered her head, looking away from him. He caught her by the chin and raised her head back up to meet his gaze. “The last thing I want you to do is regret any time we spend together, Danica. I want you to have only good thoughts when you think of us.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He gave her a soft smile as he started re-buttoning her blouse. “Not saying it’s easy, but I understand and I only want what’s right for you. And what’s right for you is what’s right for both of us.”

  “I think I need to take a shower now.” She stepped back. “But the bathroom door is going to be closed and locked this time.”

  He gave a low laugh. “That is definitely the smart thing to do.”

  She gave him a quick kiss then sat on the edge of the bed to take off her boots.

  “Let me.” He grasped her boot by the heel and tugged it off and set it aside, then did the same with her other boot.

  “Thank you.” She smiled at him then peeled off her socks and carried them to the bag she was using for her dirty clothes.

  She went to the wardrobe where she’d hung up a few things that she’d brought with her in her duffel bag. This morning, before the bull riding event, she’d ironed the dress she’d picked out. It was a pretty royal blue eyelet western dress, the blue a compliment to the blue of her eyes. She avoided Creed’s gaze as he watched her select black panties with a matching black bra and take them into the bathroom with her.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Creed… She didn’t trust herself. So she locked the door behind her to avoid temptation for either of them. The tiled floor was cool beneath her feet as she started to take off her blouse. She could almost feel the brush of Creed’s knuckles as she unbuttoned her blouse and her heart rate picked up.

  She swallowed and tried to turn her thoughts away from what she and Creed had almost done.

  “Thank God for keeping my head on straight.” She sighed as she looked in the mirror. “You just about made a big mistake, Danica.”

  She unbuckled her belt and slipped it out of the belt loops before stripping out of her jeans and then her panties and bra and going to the shower.

  As she turned on the water and let it run until it was warm, she tried not to think about Creed, naked, beneath the same showerhead that she was about to step under. She was tempted to bang her head against the shower’s tiled wall but it wouldn’t do her any good to get headache. Or would it?

  She rolled her eyes and stepped under the spray to take a nice, long, warm shower.

  * * * * *

  Danica's long dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders as she walked with Creed into the dancehall and her western dress swirled around her legs and the top of her boots. He touched her elbow as he escorted her inside. They’d just had dinner at a great steakhouse and she was full.

  Large wood-bladed fans hung from the open-beamed ceiling, stirring the air, and it smelled like fresh paint and sawdust. The interior walls had been painted a glossy brick red and the floor was concrete with sawdust scattered over it.

  Loud country-western music filled the place and the dance floor was packed. Creed took Danica by the hand and shouldered his way through the crowd surrounding the dance floor. She wasn’t sure exactly where they were going, but she liked the way her hand felt in his large one. She was a tall woman at five-eight but he made her feel petite.

  Men and women greeted him, men slapping him on the back and congratulating him on his successes. Several buckle bunnies stopped him to get his attention then saw that he was holding Danica’s hand and left when he didn’t respond to their flirting.

  “Am I cramping your style?” Danica said after the third woman left, probably looking for another bull rider to flirt with.

  “What?” He raised an eyebrow.

  She gestured toward the retreating back of the woman who’d just left. “You seem to be in high demand tonight by everyone.”

  “I told you, Danica,” he said in a patient tone. “When I’m with someone I don’t flirt or go out with other women. That’s not my style.”

  “I believe you.” She smiled and he squeezed her hand.

  From the time they’d had that conversation about reports saying he was a womanizer, she’d found that she really did believe him. There was something genuine and honest about Creed that was incredibly attractive.

  When they reached the opposite side of the dancehall, he walked up to an equally tall man who had dark hair and a hard look to his tanned face. He wasn’t what she’d call good-looking like Creed was, but there was something about the man who exuded power and virility.

  “Danica, this is my oldest brother, Blake.” Creed turned to his brother. “Blake, this is Danica.”

  Blake held out his hand. “A pleasure,” he said with a nod and took her hand. His grip was firm, his hand callused from hard work.

  “Nice to meet you.” Danica smiled as he released her hand.

  “Are you here with Sally?” Creed asked.

  A dark look crossed Blake’s features and he squeezed the empty paper cup he was holding, squashing it completely. “No,” was all he said and Danica had a strong feeling that Blake didn’t want to talk about Sally whatsoever. Had the woman broken his heart?

  Apparently Creed had the same impression because he changed the subject. “Have you seen Tate, Ryan, or Gage?”

  Blake gave a nod toward his left. “Gage is that direction,” he said in a slow drawl. “Haven’t seen Ryan or Tate.”

  Creed clapped his brother on the shoulder. “I’m going to take Danica to meet the rest of the family.”

  Danica smiled and said, “It was nice meeting you.”

  Blake gave a nod. “Likewise.”

  Creed squeezed her hand and led her through the crowd. “Blake’s not big on conversation,” he said.

  “I had that impression,” she said.

  They were stopped three times by people Creed knew including two bull riders and the wo
men they were with.

  Danica knew at once when they’d reached another one of the brothers because of his resemblance to Creed.

  Creed introduced his brother, Gage, to Danica and they shook hands. Gage had a powerful build, dark hair, green eyes, and a sexy grin that would be enough to make a girl’s heart flutter. If Danica wasn’t with Creed, she might have found Gage intriguing in a different way than she did tonight.

  A cute little bouncy brunette walked up to Gage. She reminded Danica a lot of a high school cheerleader, but the brunette had to be in her thirties.

  “This is Chloe,” Gage said as the petite woman stood next to him. He introduced Creed and Danica.

  “Hi.” Chloe gave a winning smile and slid her hand into the crook of Gage’s arm. She turned her face up to look at Gage. “Let’s dance.”

  Gage nodded to Danica then Creed as Chloe tugged on his arm. Gage gave Chloe a sexy grin and they headed out to the dance floor. The cowboy was quite the lady-killer.

  Creed led Danica out to the dance floor and brought her into his arms. It was a slow song, and he held her close.

  “Gage and Blake couldn’t be more different,” Danica said as they danced.

  “Wait ’til you meet Ryan and Tate.” He gave a low laugh. “One thing about us McBrides—no one can say we’re boring.”

  “Yeah, I’d say that’s the last thing you are.” She leaned back a little, her arms looped around his neck. He wore a black shirt and a black Stetson and he’d never looked better.

  Okay, maybe naked would qualify as looking better. It was hard to compare his naked, muscular form to all that luscious skin being covered up.

  She mentally rolled her eyes at herself.

  “You look amazing.” Creed ran his thumb along her jawline and she shivered from his touch. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She glanced away and looked at the other dancers then returned her gaze to his. “Thank you.”

  He trailed his fingers to her ear in a slow, erotic motion and she felt desire stir inside her. Desire that she wanted to quench, but she couldn’t. It was too soon. She hadn’t known him long enough.

  She swallowed. “Don’t.”

  “Don’t touch you?” he murmured.

  “Not like that.” It was hard to get the words out. “It’s too…intimate.”

  “I can’t help but want to touch you.” He studied her eyes. “You’re so soft and warm in my arms.”

  She bit the inside of her lip before she said, “Then maybe I shouldn’t be in your arms.”

  He shook his head. “There’s no getting away from us, Danica.”

  She frowned. “Just because I came out to see you ride doesn’t mean there’s an us.”

  He gave her a grin that made butterflies swoop in her belly. “You’re not foolin’ me, sweetheart.”

  She tilted her head. “You’ve got quite the ego, Creed McBride.”

  “Just stating the truth.” He whirled her around on the dance floor as the song concluded then brought her close to him and they fell immediately into the next song, a country waltz.

  He was great at country-western dancing and she loved dancing with him. They went from the waltz to a two-step.

  They left the floor when a line dance started. He hooked her around the waist with his arm as they watched and she didn’t move away from him. She liked the feel of being in his embrace.

  She closed her eyes for a moment. Danica, you’ve got to stop this.

  But she didn’t want to stop it.

  Perspiration from dancing cooled on her skin as she relaxed with his arm around her and watched the people line dancing. She hadn’t line danced since she left for San Diego and she found herself tapping her toe to the sound of the music.

  A familiar face caught her eye—Darryl was on the opposite side of the dance floor. And the woman she’d seen him with earlier was in his arms.

  Danica’s whole body went tense and she gripped her hands into fists.

  “What’s wrong?” Creed put his hand on her shoulder and when she looked up at him he had a concerned expression.

  “Darryl is with another woman and he’s still dating my best friend, Kelsey.” Her words were tense as she looked from Creed to the place where Darryl and the woman had been standing, but they weren’t there anymore.

  When she looked back at Creed he was frowning. “To be honest, your friend would be better off with someone else. Darryl isn’t a good guy.”

  Danica returned his frown. “What do you mean?”

  Creed dragged his free hand down his face. “I do know that Darryl was arrested for domestic violence several years ago. He was never charged because his ex-wife never pressed charges. Rumor is he’s rough with the women, but that I don’t know for a fact.”

  Danica’s skin went cold. “I need to tell Kelsey right away. I swear if he touches her, I’ll kill him.”

  “Morning will be fine for that,” Creed said. “It’s late and Darryl isn’t going anywhere.”

  She nodded, realizing that he was right. It could wait ’til tomorrow. But first thing in the morning, she was calling Kelsey.

  Creed grasped Danica by her shoulders. “You and Kelsey both need to stay away from Darryl. He’s dangerous.”

  She nodded and he kissed her on the forehead.

  “There’s Ryan and Tate.” Creed took Danica by the hand and smiled at her. “They’ll love meeting you.”

  He led her through the crowd to a pair of handsome cowboys who were standing just behind the crowd at the edge of the dance floor. When Creed and Danica reached his brothers, Creed made the introductions.

  “What in the hell are you doing with a bull rider?” Ryan asked with a teasing glint in his eyes. “A bull rider isn’t worthy of a woman like you.”

  Creed lightly punched Ryan in the shoulder then looked at Danica. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous ’cause I have the prettiest woman in the place here with me.”

  “You’re right about that.” Ryan winked at Danica.

  She laughed. It was easy to see that he had the kind of teasing nature that would be fun to be around.

  Tate just shook his head, an amused look on his features. He was quieter that the others—not distant like Blake had seemed to be, but the type of man who stayed a little more to himself.

  By the end of the night, Danica was tired and ready for bed. Creed took her back to the B & B and walked with her to the door of her room. He took the key from her and opened the door. Light spilled out when the door swung open.

  “I’d invite you in,” she said, “but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s not a good idea. I just can’t keep my hands off of you.” He reached out and touched the side of her face. “What about a goodnight kiss?”

  “Yes.” She moved her mouth to his and when their lips met it was like flames exploded inside her. She grasped his collar and pulled him closer as they kissed each other with fire and passion that made her head spin.

  He pressed her up against the doorframe, his hands at her waist and his chest hard against her breasts. His kiss was searing, sending heat straight through her from her scalp to her toes.

  When he drew away from the kiss she was breathing hard. She was so close to telling him to stay when he said, “Good night, Danica.” He brushed his lips over hers one more time then turned and walked away and into the night.

  Chapter 9

  When she arrived home from Arizona, Danica tossed her bags on the bed and immediately stripped out of her clothing and got into the shower. She closed her eyes as she stood beneath the warm spray, thinking about Creed.

  She had sent a text message to him as soon as her flight landed, like she had promised she would. He was headed to a bull riding event in Wyoming and his flight would be in the air by the time hers landed. He said he’d call her as soon as he arrived at the airport.

  Somehow she had avoided going to bed with him, but it had not been easy. As badly as she wanted to, she kn
ew she needed to get to know him better.

  She’d enjoyed talking with Creed’s brothers last night. She liked all four of his brothers, including Blake, even though he’d been distant. Maybe he had seemed that way because he’d been upset over the woman named Sally.

  Creed had wanted to take her to his family’s ranch but there hadn’t been time for that. She’d had to leave Sunday morning in order to get home and prepare for work on Monday. He’d taken her to the airport and walked with her to the security checkpoint. The kiss he’d given her was beyond amazing and she’d wished she didn’t have to leave.

  While waiting for her flight, she’d tried to reach Kelsey, but her call went straight to voice mail and she’d had to leave a message.

  When she finished showering and had dressed in jean shorts and a T-shirt, she wandered into her living room. It felt lonely not being around Creed, which was crazy since she’d lived alone for some time now. She’d never felt this way while dating anyone. Maybe it was because he was so far away, on the road again.

  Her phone rang and she’d picked it up from where she’d left it on the end table by the couch. Barry was on the caller ID.

  Danica frowned at the phone. When would Barry get the hint? How would she make him get it?

  “Barry,” she said as she answered the phone, prepared to tell him this had to stop.

  “A bull rider?” he said before she had a chance to say anything. “You’re seeing some bull rider named Creed McBride?”

  “How did you know that?” Danica frowned. Was Barry having her followed?

  “Ran into Kelsey this weekend.” Barry sounded angry. “She told me you’re dating this cowboy.”

  Kelsey and her big mouth.

  But then, Danica thought, this could work in her favor. If Barry knew she wasn’t making it up about dating a guy, maybe he would go away.

  Not likely.