Grinning, he said, "Had lunch with two of your brothers. Drew couldn't be there as he was in Dallas on a case, but Jim had some interesting things to say about your new boutique."
Rising to her feet, she bit her lip. "Like what?"
"Oh, he's worried about you. You've not been coming home."
"Well, you know the reason for that."
He winked at her. "Jim said you were acting strange and thinks a man could be involved."
"What did you say?"
"Don't worry, I told him I was taking good care of his sister. How she spent the last two nights in my bed."
Kelsey's eyes widened and she gasped. "Oh, God no, you didn't."
Laughing he smiled at her. "No, I didn't. The thought crossed my mind that he asked me to lunch to tell me to leave you alone."
"They don't know?"
"Not yet. They're concerned about you. Said you were not acting yourself."
Unable to contain his grin, he laughed. "Don't worry, I told them you have a lot on your plate. What with quitting the job, moving from Dallas, setting up the boutique, dancing the Cupid dance and having great sex with me."
A loud gasp escaped her. "You didn't! The urge to slap you is strong. Please tell me you didn't say that. Jim will give me hell."
"No violence," he said smiling. "The part about the Cupid dance and having sex with me was for your benefit."
"Thank goodness," she said with relief. "Jim is ultra conservative and worried about the reputation of Lawrence Ranch. Nothing can damage the distinction of the fine cattle bred in our pastures."
With a sigh, the smile disappeared off his face and he frowned. "What if we went ahead and told your brothers, we were dating. Lying is not something I like to do."
Patting him on the arm, she laughed. "Not yet. Would you put me through hell, lose their friendship, and never give us a chance? After the third date, if I still like you, we'll go public and you can tell them."
Stepping closer to her, the scent of Cody filled her senses and made her heart beat a little faster.
"I'm confident you like me. Do you want me to prove it to you?"
"Hmmm...since they're coming here in about twenty minutes, I don't think that's a good idea. Don't want them to walk in and catch you kissing me.”
"Horrors," he said. "After today's lunch, I'm having second thoughts about keeping this a secret."
"Oh come on, you want to tell my brother you slept with me?"
"Not really" he said. "But I don't like hiding."
"Neither do I, but until I'm certain, this is the way it has to be."
"There's one other little thing that came out of today that you might need to know," he said leaning against a wall.
"What?" she said, concern filling her at the serious nature of his tone.
"Well, your brothers realized that if they don't let anyone in Cupid date you, then eventually you're going to meet a man and move away from our little piece of paradise. Soon, they will give you a list of eligible candidates for you to choose a husband."
"What the hell!" she said, jumping up from the floor. "Does no one believe I'm capable of doing anything on my own? No one finds me a man, but me. In fact, I'll put a stop to this right now."
Walking over to her, he placed his arms around her. "Calm down. Everything is okay. Don't stress, you are a smart, wonderful woman and you're so lucky, I'm a candidate."
Her head jerked back. "And you think that gets you brownie points? If anything, it makes me rethink everything. Even sleeping with you."
"Frankly, the idea of sharing you with one of their pre-approved matches just pisses me off."
"Try being the person they're wanting to marry off," she said.
"Take a deep breath. Don't overreact when they say something or I'll stop sharing their secrets with you."
The urge to walk out the door, hop in her car, and drive as far and fast away from Cupid overwhelmed her. Then she remembered something Cody said: “our little piece of paradise.” It was true. Living here out of the big city, the quiet, the friendly people, she could handle her siblings.
Everyone in her family thought she was helpless, but she would show them. This boutique would be a success. No man was going to ever make her dependent on him - not even her overprotective brothers.
"You're right and I can manage this just fine," she said. "No one chooses who I marry, but me. End of story."
Still standing within the circle of his arms and she thought of how this felt nice. Like a safe place where she could rest and be secure.
"All better, now?"
"Yes," she said and laid her head on his shoulder.
"For our date, I thought maybe we would go to the Mardi Gras festival over in Nocona. There are floats and beads and bands. What do you think?"
"When?"
"Saturday. I'll pick you up here about three?"
"Okay, thank you for finding something to do outside of Cupid. I'd been worried how we were going to date and not be seen around town together."
"Always thinking about your needs and wishes," he said with a smile.
"Now kiss me lightly and walk out the door. Unless you want to stay and help me build shelves."
"Can't," he said. "Cattle arrive tomorrow and I need to be ready. Besides, I don't do light kisses."
His lips covered hers and he kissed her thoroughly, but just when it started to meld into hot pleasure he pulled back.
"See you Saturday."
Watching him leave, the backside of those jeans, his cowboy strut, everything about him had her heart pounding. The man deliberately set her senses aflame and left her hungry for him. Dang, he was good.
So her brothers were making a list of possible husband candidates for her. She'd take a match and torch that line-up to the ground.
Chapter 5
Kelsey looked up from the floor where she was tightening the last screw in the first of the display shelves as her brothers Kyle and Jim walked through the door.
"We're here," Kyle said. "Where do we begin?"
"There are five more boxes of shelves in the back. What have you boys been doing all day? I thought you were going to be here an hour ago."
Jim helped her up and the two of them lifted the shelf she finished. "We had lunch with Cody and it took a little longer. Then I needed to go by the bank."
Gazing at him, suspicion tightened her chest. "About the ranch?"
"No, the boutique. The final bit of paperwork required a signature."
"Jim, I know that part of my trust fund went toward my store, but if that damn banker doesn't start dealing with me and not you, I'll find another bank."
Stopping, he stared at her like she'd lost her mind. "Why would you want to do that? We've been clients a long time and have a great credit rating. The transactions for the boutique went very smoothly."
"Because the banker, Bert Hoffmeister, only wants to deal with you. Not me."
Shaking his head, his mouth scrunched in a frown as they moved the shelf where she indicated. "That's because he's use to working with me, not you."
"Whose shop is it? Yours, the Lawrence Family Holdings, or mine?"
"It's yours, of course," he said. "Oh come on, he's just a good ole boy I've been dealing with for a long time. He worked with Grandfather, Dad, and now me."
"Well, he better start working with me or I'll move my business."
The silence told her Jim didn't agree, but when had she and Jim concurred on anything. The man made a stiff shirt look like a straitjacket.
Kyle came back into the room carrying a box. "Ready to put together another one?"
"Lay it down and I'll get started," she said.
"Hey, sis," Kyle said. "Do you mind if I invite Cody to your grand opening?"
Gritting her teeth, she ripped open the carton and pulled out all the pieces to screw. The husband search was starting. No, they hadn't said anything directly and probably wouldn't for a while, but she knew how their minds worked. They would vet the candidates
first and then bring them to her, one by one.
But this candidate she enjoyed. She wondered how she could invite him to the party without it looking suspicious and now her brother Kyle had shown her the way.
"Sure, I don't see why not. He's like a brother," she said and watched as they glanced at each other. Oh yes, something was afoot.
That should cool their jets for a while.
* * *
Kelsey caught up with the girls at Valentino's Bar and Grill. The memory of their last time at this joint still way too fresh. Yet it was also the first night Cody and she had unbridled sex.
Taylor finally arrived.
"We're all together again," Meghan said, hugging each girl.
"Where have you been?" Kelsey said. "I don't see you very often."
"Working. I don't leave the restaurant most nights until after ten. By that time, I'm exhausted," Taylor replied, but her cheeks were flushed and the girl looked good.
Sitting at a table in a quieter area of the bar, they gazed at each. "I'm not letting you girls talk me into anything foolish tonight," Meghan said. "I'm still paying for that stunt."
"Me, too," Kelsey said, thinking of Cody, but she didn't mind the payment. Great sex. More great sex than she had ever experienced before.
"What about you, Taylor. Ryan still coming around?"
They both looked at her expectantly. "Occasionally, he comes into the diner. But tell me about you girls."
Kelsey would not mention one word about Cody. If the news somehow found its way back to her brothers, she would have a lot of explaining to do, and at this moment, she didn't want to talk about him with anyone. Their relationship was her secret and she liked it that way.
It wasn't that she was ashamed of her man. He was so fine, she wondered why he hadn't been snatched up already, and she didn't want to share him. Right now, she was enjoying this peaceful time.
"Coach and I are battling it out. The man has some nerve. He's still mad at me about high school. I don't understand."
Taylor shook her head. "Men."
"I think from now on, we should all forget we knew each other back then and start fresh. We've all changed. I have," Meghan replied.
"Not me," Kelsey said. "I'm still the spoilt little princess or at least my brothers think so. You'd think I was nine years old instead of twenty-six. But now the idiots are pushing me toward Cody. My oldest brother told me he would make me a fine husband. Like that's going to make me want to go out with the man."
Still she did like him, a lot. Yet that didn't mean she wanted to walk down the aisle with him.
"I thought you liked him," Taylor said.
Kelsey sighed. "I do. I just don't want anyone to push me, especially my family. He's their best friend. It would be like me convincing one of you girls to marry one of my rowdy siblings."
Meghan laughed. "Your brothers are handsome men, but they're a little too bossy for my taste."
"Nice guys, not for me," Taylor responded, laughing. "I think I know too much about them."
"Exactly," Kelsey said. "Do you want to date a man you saw running around in his Superman underwear, playing games? Not an image that gets me all hot and bothered."
No, the memory didn't get her all hot and bothered, but just a glance from Cody and she felt like a piece of dynamite ready to explode. There was such chemistry between them.
Never had she experienced this explosive attraction, and now, they had that silly bet going that she instigated. And already, she realized he would take advantage of the situation and make her life difficult teasing her, kissing and leaving her.
"But you're interested, aren't you," Meghan said.
"Meghan, you are way too perceptive," Kelsey said with a sigh. "Abs of steel, a trim waist and the darkest emerald eyes that when they look at you, seem to start a fire in your belly. But I'm fighting this all I can. My family loves him. There's a strike against him right there."
What her brothers didn't know was for the best. So far, their insinuations had been subtle, but now she was on to them and they weren't going to dictate who she should marry.
Taylor laughed. "I'm happy for you."
"Don't be happy for me. Warn me, tell me to run."
Like running on a treadmill, Kelsey was jogging as fast as she could, but with a glance, Cody could reel her back in. And she hoped he did, soon.
"Tell Ryan--" Meghan stopped. "Speaking of the devil, there he is."
"Hello, ladies," he said. "I hope you girls are staying out of trouble. Don't let Taylor convince you it's a great night to dance around the Cupid statue," he said.
Frowning, she shook her head. "Hardly. Someone promised to arrest us if we did that again."
"I'll be waiting down the street with handcuffs if you want to test me," he said as he tipped the edge of his hat and walked away. "Duty calls."
Kelsey watched him walk away while Taylor sat stiffly facing front.
"I'm so glad you didn't start dating him," Kelsey said.
"Why?"
"In high school, he partied a little too much. Part of the reason we broke up," Kelsey said.
"You need to find someone to date," Meghan said staring at Taylor. "We're both busy and I don't like the idea of you being alone."
Taylor sighed. "I don't have time for a boyfriend. We've all changed in the last seven years, hopefully for the better. I'm more responsible now. I don't want to be the person I was at eighteen. I want to be someone unique. Someone better."
Kelsey agreed, she wanted to be improved - she wanted to be a success. Somewhere in her life, she needed to win on her own without anyone's help. Not even Cody's.
* * *
Saturday afternoon, they made the drive to the small town of Nocona for their Mardi Gras festival. It took them about two hours to get there and on the way, he tried to teach her Cajun.
"Say it again," he told her. "If we're going to party, you need to know this term."
"Laissez les on temps rouler!"
A grin spread across his face at her attempt. "Spoken like a true Texan. French with a drawl."
"What's the other word you should know today?"
"We're going to the fais, do-do." With a laugh, he said, "My mother and grandmother are rolling over in their graves. My mother always told me to fall in love with a Cajun girl, but Dad imported his, and well, my wife was a frat girl. After we married, I learned she didn't like living on a ranch."
"I remember your mother," she said softly. "Your mother and mine always visited when she came to pick you up. I'm sorry she's gone."
"Yeah, me too. Both my parents went unexpectedly. But then again, I arrived late in their life."
An accident, his parents had been surprised when he came along. Already in their forties, they hadn't planned on having any more children. They'd died much sooner than he'd been prepared to lose them, but he kept their memories close to his heart.
"You don't act like a Cajun."
"You don't seem like a prissy princess, but your brothers think you are," he replied.
"That they do."
"What happened in Dallas that sent you running?" he asked, glancing at her and quickly back to the front of the truck.
Shifting in her seat, she glanced out the window and he could feel the sadness radiating from her. "Are you sure you want to hear this. It's ugly."
"Tell me why you appear sad whenever you think of Dallas," he said.
Bristling, he could almost see her claws come out. Taking a deep breath, she gazed at him and he knew the subject had touched a nerve. Staring at him, her eyes filled with hurt, and yet, she didn't look mad.
"The firm I worked for, my job was to bring in big accounts and set up their advertising. My college roommate's father owns a pickle company. No one would think there would be much money in crunchy cucumbers, but his operation is a multi-million dollar corporation."
A brand came to mind, if it was that company, they were all over Texas. And the daughter was her friend. Certainly not the same c
ircles Cody ran around in. Her brothers were the richest people he knew and they'd been friends since elementary school.
"One year after graduating college, her father gave me the opportunity to do his advertising. Told me to come up with a better design than what he currently had and I would have his business. This would have moved me into the second highest account executive in the company."
Sighing, the sound heavy in his truck, she gazed out the window, her voice a dull ache. "For weeks, I struggled to create his campaign, getting everything just right. The night before my meeting with him, my boss confiscated my files. Called the client and told him he created the designs since I wasn't quite ready to tackle his account size just yet."
"Couldn't you prove you did all the work?"
Almost growling in her throat, she said, "No, I did the research, the schematics, all the designs for both his website advertising, television, print, and even some Facebook ads." With a sigh, she said, "He took credit for everything. Said I was still learning. In private, he said at this stage in my career, he didn't think I should handle that size account. Yeah, he wanted the commission in his pocket."
"What did you do?"
"My boss had a client - Nacho Restaurant chain with over fifty fast food places. Every year, he updated their advertising portfolio. Right before he went to visit the customer, I made some subtle changes."
Giggling, she said, "When he started presenting, his files had their competitors brand all over their information with a sexy girl saying, 'You're going to love my nachos' as she spread cheese in certain areas."
Cody threw back his head, laughing, knowing the girl had a mean streak, but he hadn't realized how much she enjoyed revenge. Yet, how could he blame her. Weeks of work gone when the boss commandeers the account and takes credit when the client is happy.
"Did your boss get fired?"
Shaking her head, she said, "We were both fired and told to never come back. As much as I hated losing that job, I accepted why I was let go. My client stealing superior kept making threatening phone calls. Frightened, they were starting to get ugly, I contacted Drew hoping something legal might help me. The next thing I knew, they're moving me home. Looking back, it was probably for the best."
Cupid's Dance: Western Small Town Contemporary Romance (Return to Cupid, Texas Book 3) Page 6
