Ainsley took a long swallow and slumped back in her chair. “I needed this.”
“It’s been a crazy week,” Meagan agreed, sipping her own beer. She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “Don’t look now, but that guy is totally checking you out. Five o’clock.”
“Yeah?” Ainsley stretched and peeked over her shoulder. A good-looking guy, maybe in his early twenties, in jeans and a plain white t-shirt swaggered over to them.
“Well, I thought I knew all the pretty ladies around here so how come you two have escaped my notice?” he asked, flipping a chair around one-handed and sitting on it backwards.
Meagan’s face filled with amusement and they both took time assessing him before she spoke. “Not bad. But the chair thing was a bit much.”
“Good delivery, though. Friendly, direct.” Ainsley nodded. “Clothing is understated. But your hair is nice and shiny.”
Meagan gave him a slow perusal. “I disagree. I like the clothes. I give you a nine point two.”
“Eight point nine.”
The man’s eyes flickered between insult and amusement and a slow smile spread across his mouth. “You both get a ten for originality, and point taken. I’m Dylan.”
Ainsley made the introductions as another guy came over to them. He reached for a chair and Dylan gave a quick shake of his head before he introduced his friend Justin. Instead, Justin held his hand out to Meagan and asked her to dance. She took it, raising her eyebrows at Ainsley as he led her away.
Dylan circled the water mark of a beer bottle on the table. “Would you, uh, like to dance, too?”
Her dancing came with a warning label. “I don’t move very well to choreographed steps.”
“Oh, that’s not a problem,” he said, raising his eyes and giving her a wicked grin. “I’m a really good teacher.” He led her to the crowded dance floor, staying out of the way of the quickly circling couples, and showed her the basic steps. By the end of the dance, Ainsley remembered most of the moves and had stopped stepping on his feet.
Meagan, however, was a much faster learner, and Ainsley admired her ease on the dance floor. The next song was much of the same, and she became more confident while Dylan twirled her around. However, when the music slowed for the next song, Ainsley held up her hand before Dylan could pull her closer.
“I’m having a really fun time,” she said, “but in the interest of fairness, I think I should tell you that I’m not looking to hook up with anyone tonight.”
“Boyfriend?” Dylan asked.
“Not exactly.”
“So there’s still a chance for me.” He grinned and pressed a light kiss on her knuckles.
“You’re welcome to try,” Ainsley said, laughing. “But I won’t be offended if you want to find some other pretty young thing to take my place.”
In response, Dylan fitted his hands around her waist, molding his hips to hers and swaying to the music. Ainsley resisted the impulse to lay her head on his shoulder. He was nice, but he wasn’t Riley.
When the song ended, the four of them went back to the table. “I hear that there’s a mechanical bull here,” Meagan said with sparkling eyes.
“There is,” Justin said.
“I must try it. You must, too,” she declared to Ainsley.
“No. No way.” Ainsley debated with herself while they followed Meagan to the long line. “Okay. Maybe. What happens if I fall?”
“Don’t worry—the floor is padded. Mostly,” Dylan said.
“And it can’t hurt any worse than riding around on a horse all day,” Meagan said.
“Okay. Where do I sign up?”
* * *
That accountant really was an idiot and Riley needed to smooth over his own territorial behavior. He went to her cabin. He went to the stables and the gazebo, but there was no sign of Ainsley or Meagan. Cookie met him on the path to the house and dropped the hint that they might be at Shy Ann’s. The fifteen-mile drive gave him time to decide what to say. He entered the bar and caught sight of Meagan atop the bull, waving someone’s hat in the air and squealing as the machine spun beneath her.
Ainsley stood next to the bull pen, cheering Meagan on, the man beside her resting a casual hand on her back. Frustration at seeing someone else staking a claim to her—again—nearly sent him back out the door. He took a deep breath. She wasn’t leaning into the pre-pubescent guy, nor maintaining eye contact. A streak of possessiveness ran through his body and he strode to the ring. Ainsley mounted the bull before he got there, her lithe body bucking with the movements of the ride, her right arm waving wildly in the air. Right before she fell on her backside.
He rushed to help her, but stopped short when she laughed and took the boy’s hand instead. The women went to a table followed by the boy and another guy. As the boy pushed in her chair, Riley claimed the seat next to her, her vanilla scent a beacon in the smoke-filled room.
Ainsley choked on her beer before regaining her composure. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, man.” The guy put a possessive hand on her shoulder and stood between them. “You got a problem? You want to sit with the lady, you ask her, not take her date’s place at the table.”
“Date?” Riley asked him, his eyes narrowing.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Ainsley said, rising. Annoyance heightened her color and made her green eyes fiery. “You are not doing this to me twice in one night. You came here to talk to me, you talk to me, not my…” she trailed off and flicked a glance at Dylan.
“Date?” he supplied.
“Don’t try to help.” She turned back to Riley. “Dylan and I are going to dance. You sit down and wait like a good boy. And if you ask me nicely, then maybe I’ll talk to you when I’m done.” She stalked off. Dylan assessed Riley and gave a curt nod before following.
Riley tapped his fingers against his leg until Meagan gave a gentle cough. She hadn’t hid her coming here from Cookie, but why was she hanging around this guy? “This is Justin.”
The two men eyed each other, then nodded. The three of them sat in silence, watching Ainsley and Dylan moving to the music and carrying on an animated conversation. Riley could just guess what the subject was. Meagan couldn’t sit still, crossing her legs one way and then the other, folding her arms, picking at her nails. “You didn’t have to come after us.”
“I was concerned.” Concerned, jealous. Whatever.
“Edward means nothing to Ainsley. He sounds just horrid,” Meagan said, placing her hands flat in front of her.
Riley leaned back in his chair, hoping his clenched muscles didn’t tighten the casual pose. “Then why did he follow her here? And send flowers?”
“He’s a confused, lost man, and he’s hanging onto Ainsley like she’s his lifeline. If anything, she’ll lead him to her sister.”
Which matched what Ainsley had told him earlier, but she could have been lying to Meagan, also. The music ended and the dancing couple came back. Dylan held Ainsley’s hand but released it when they got to the table. He gave Justin a jerk of his head and the two men left.
Ainsley rubbed the mouth of her beer bottle before taking another drink. Her slender fingers slid over the smooth glass. If Riley hadn’t been such a bonehead, her fingers might have been gliding over him instead. The sole thought of her stroking him gave him an instant erection and he shifted in his seat.
“So he follows you all the way out to Wyoming?” he finally asked.
“I’m going to get more beers.” Meagan rose. “You guys want? Yes? No? I’ll just get…yeah.” She left them alone at the small table.
“I didn’t ask him to,” Ainsley sighed, her eyes downcast.
“Why are you doing that?” He didn’t like it when she hid. He wanted her fierce, like when he first met her.
“Doing what?”
“Avoiding me. Is there something more that you’re not letting on?”
“You can ask me that after the time we’ve spent together? Do you think I do things like that with rando
m men on a regular basis?”
“I don’t know what to think.” He stayed silent, the twang of guitars and swishing boots a momentary distraction. “A man comes all the way across the country for you. It must be pretty flattering.”
“Not even remotely. He’s running away from himself. Tracking me down made sense to him.” She didn’t offer any other explanation. Meagan came back with beer and placed one in front of everyone.
“Daisy was flattered that Clay came for her.” Riley nodded to Meagan and picked up a beer, then put it down again.
“Daisy was in love with Clay,” Ainsley said flatly.
“And when I got here, you were in the arms of another man.”
Meagan held onto her beer and edged away from them. “I’m just going to…go over here.”
Bless her roommate for giving them privacy. “And you’re in the arms of a different woman every day,” Ainsley countered. She lowered her voice and put a hand on his arm, her delicate touch stroking his flame-licked senses. “I like you, Riley. I could tell that this singles adventure was your family’s idea and you’re going along with it. Aside from my sister, I can’t imagine anyone in my family being that selfless.” She smoothed the taut muscle under the fabric of his shirt and leaned into the space between them. “Being with you today was the most I’ve felt like myself in a long time.” She kissed him, gently brushing her lips against his. He remained silent, taking her in with his hardened gaze, and she fixated on the table. “Now you say something so I’m not completely mortified.”
Riley had no words. Instead, he framed her face in his hands and kissed her back, but this was no gentle brushing. He claimed her with his mouth, teasing and nibbling and waiting to hear that groan of pleasure from the back of her throat.
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Her body swayed close to his and he could feel the heat and arousal she exuded. His gut clenched when vanilla drifted to his nose. Too bad they couldn’t leave Meagan and go find a nice, secluded area, away from bachelorette wannabes and desperate number crunchers, and take all night. She nestled into him and he closed his eyes, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm together. He’d been hard since that afternoon and dancing caused painful friction against his jeans, but he was still sorry when the music ended. Ainsley held tightly to his hand when they rejoined her roommate.
He danced with Meagan next, but it was nothing like the primal feel of being with Ainsley. Her brave admission had made his heart bang around his chest and his skin ached for her silken touch. He’d have to bare his own feelings if he wanted to keep her by his side. But he didn’t know how much he was willing to risk.
* * *
Ainsley squeezed against Riley during the truck ride home. Truthfully, there was room in the front seat between her and Meagan, but she enjoyed the feel of his hard, muscled thigh through her jeans. He parked next to their cabin and guided them as they stumbled to the door, giggling and shushing each other as Meagan tried repeatedly to fit their key in the lock. He finally took it from her, then waited while they slid inside. Meagan hightailed it to her room and closed the door.
His arms slid around Ainsley’s waist and gently pulled her back against his chest. “I didn’t expect you.” His low voice vibrated against her. “After my sisters told me of their plans for the single women on the ranch. I expected the Jewels and Robins and even Daisy, but not you. And now I don’t know what to do about it.”
Love me. The words formed unbidden in her mind but she held them back. He wasn’t ready to hear them, to trust them. And she wasn’t ready to say them. Instead, she turned in his arms and stood on tiptoe, gently brushing her lips against his mouth. He pulled her tight, crushing her as his mouth devoured hers.
“Come out with me tomorrow night.” He panted as he said the words in a rush, as if he had to get them out fast or never say them. He swallowed. “I mean, like a date.”
She flashed back to his words by the cabin. “Will it take all night?” A husky quality filled her voice and her face got hot, thinking of his hands all over her body.
His breath quickened and his hazel eyes melted, and one large hand cupped her neck while the other pulled her to him. She tasted the rough passion on his lips and her own arms found their way around his body, caressing the smooth skin of his back with her fingertips.
His lips slid to her neck, a touch below the ear, giving her rippled shivers. He stepped away from her. “Tomorrow night.”
“You’re killing me, Cowboy,” Ainsley muttered. “So your goal was to get me all hot and bothered, ready to rip off your clothes and pounce on you, and then send me to my bed alone like a good little girl?”
“You’re not the only one hot and bothered.” Riley captured her hand and lowered it so she could feel for herself how hot and bothered he was.
She rubbed her thumb over the bulge in his pants, wishing she could have him naked and hard beneath her right now.
He groaned. “What about Meagan?”
Her lips found his throat and led a trail of small kisses to his ear. “I don’t think she’ll mind,” she whispered.
Damn, but he was a good kisser. One large hand cupped her breast, his thumb rubbing her nipple through her shirt. Her breath quickened when he broke the contact, resting his forehead on her shoulder for a brief moment before he whispered, “Good night,” and left.
She closed the door behind him, leaning against it as her world swam. That kiss had loosened the coils of reserve she’d wrapped around herself. Awareness of how much she wanted to be with this man zinged her senses. Regret tugged at her heart, but she tucked it away. She had already told him she liked him and expected no commitment. And she wasn’t looking for forever anyway.
Yes you are, you big liar.
Meagan peeked out of her room, coming into the common area when there was no sign of Riley. Her presence interrupted Ainsley’s beginning panic and let her hold the euphoric feeling for a little bit longer.
“That was fun, but I am so tired,” Meagan said.
“Think Justin will call?” Ainsley asked. “He’s so dreamy!”
Meagan stuck out her tongue and sat on the floor, stretching her legs apart and rubbing her lower back. “It’s a good thing no one saw Riley drop us off at our cabin. I can only imagine what everyone would say this time.”
This time? Ainsley’s stomach took a nosedive and ended up in her toes. If Meagan had told everyone about her and Riley, it would certainly explain the animosity of the other women. But her roommate didn’t seem the type to gossip. She kicked her shoes off and flopped on the sofa, playing with her hair and sorting things out.
Meagan stopped stretching when Ainsley said nothing, her dark brows drawn over bright eyes now full of caution. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Nothing. Everything.” Ainsley pulled her legs up so her chin rested on her knees and ignored her sick feeling. “Can I ask you something? And please don’t get offended.”
“You can ask.” Meagan sat down next to her and put the soles of her feet together.
“I’m going to sound paranoid. Or insulting.”
“So noted. Ask away. I think I have an idea what this is about.”
“Okay.” Ainsley took a deep breath and steeled herself for an angry reaction from the other woman. It would be easier to let the matter go, except for the tiny, little, miniscule effect the insults and manipulations were having on her life. “Have you told the other girls anything about what I’ve been doing this past week? Or with whom?”
Meagan snorted and shook her head before answering. “I suppose that’s a logical conclusion, but no. I’ve said nothing. But you want to ask what the other women say when neither you nor Riley are with them.”
“They talk about me, don’t they?”
“They do.”
“To you?”
“Even they’re not that stupid,” Meagan laughed. “Cookie overheard them. Robin was with Jeanne when she saw Edward’s flowers, and she told the rest of them. It
became a war-game operation to figure out what to do to keep you and Riley separated. Cookie didn’t stay and listen, though, and he wanted to tell you but didn’t feel right about spreading gossip. But he thinks you’re being treated unfairly and wanted to help, so he told me and let me do with it what I thought was right. I didn’t say anything because you seemed happy.”
Ainsley leaned backward on the brown cushions and rubbed her temples against a sudden headache. “I knew it! So there is a conspiracy. And it’s working.”
“I had Riley pegged for a better man than that.”
Her heart tugged in her chest as his hazel eyes flashed in her mind and a warm liquid feeling spread over her. “He is. But for how long is he going to keep believing me when I protest? Plus with Edward showing up… there’s a lot working against us.”
Meagan nudged her arm. “What do you want, Ainsley?”
A tingly feeling covered her jaw and worked its way up her cheeks. She shifted her gaze to the floor. It was something she had yet to admit to herself, to even let herself think about. Her livelihood, her family relationships, her very world would be in peril if she let herself be a permanent part of his life.
It didn’t matter. “Him,” she whispered, closing her eyes. Heat blossomed in her chest and tears welled under her lids, but the power of saying the word out loud tightened her resolve. She straightened her spine and gave her roommate a determined stare. “I want him.”
“Then go get him!”
“Now? It’s really late and he’s probably already in bed.”
The shrill ring of the phone made both women jump, and Meagan frowned at Ainsley. “Riley, do you think?” she asked as she went to answer it.
“I have no idea.”
Her friend held it out, giggling. “It’s Edward.”
“That is so not funny.” This caused louder giggles from her roommate, who continued to hold out the phone. “You can’t possibly be serious. Hello?”
Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy? Page 17
