“You are being safe, aren’t you?” Danielle asked, eying Stacy suspiciously.
Stacy rolled her eyes and snarled up her lip in irritation. “Hello, Danielle, of course I am. By the way, if I wanted to talk to my mom, I would just call her.” Stacy smarted off sarcastically and made a kooky face with her fingers shaped into a phone by her ear.
Danielle burst out laughing again. “Okay, I have to pee now.” She eyed a station and pulled over quickly.
Back on the road with fifty miles to go, Stacy began babbling about the summer fun they would have. Danielle beamed. This was the last summer to be free, unaccountable and reckless…safe, but reckless.
“So, what’s first on the list, Stacy? Jump off Johnson’s Bridge naked?” Danielle poked at Stacy.
“Nope, we did that last summer.” Stacy giggled. “Wasn’t that the most fun summer of all? We have to trump it this year, ya know.”
“Yes, we will, but remember, we had all that fun without a guy around,” Danielle added with a confident grin on her face.
“Wow, you are really down on guys, aren’t you? What’s the story? Who broke your heart this year?” Stacy questioned as she rifled through the bag of licorice between them.
Danielle coughed again and pointed the red licorice rope at Stacy. “No one broke my heart.”
In fact, no one had gotten close enough to her to do that. In fact, only one guy had broken her heart, and that had been four years before when she left for college. It was reminiscent of Scarlett’s Ashley Wilkes, the man she wanted but couldn’t have. But Danielle’s broken heart came from a man that had the sex appeal and mannerisms of Rhett Butler and not Ashley. He was a smooth, handsome man that seemed to have everything and more. The only difference was her Rhett didn’t want her, and she’d never gotten over it.
Danielle could still picture his gorgeous face, brown hair, and shimmering blue eyes being shadowed by his straw hat. She could still picture his plump lips that looked so kissable and the sexy way they moved when he spoke. She could still picture his heart-stopping smile and smell his intoxicating cologne. Her memory was so vivid of him that butterflies raced through her stomach.
Danielle cursed herself internally. She hated him, despised him, hoped he got hit by a bus. Yeah, she never wanted to see him again, or at least she tried to convince herself of that.
Stacy looked at Danielle suspiciously. “Right, I’m not buying it. So who’s the guy?”
“Guy? There is no guy, Stacy,” Danielle stated. “I just haven’t met anyone worth the effort, none that made my heart flutter, ya know? That kind of stuff.” Danielle nodded curtly for extra measure.
“Oh, brother, you are one of those, aren’t you?” Stacy rolled her eyes and batted her lashes.
“One of what?” Danielle questioned. She could never have a very serious conversation with Stacy when she acted so silly.
“Oh, ya know, those girls that are waiting for Mr. Right to sweep them off their feet, take them to the ball, hunt the countryside for them carrying a glass slipper.” Stacy patted her chest with her hand in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Danielle tried hard not to smile but found it was an impossible task. “No. I’m no prima donna, fairy-tale castle, bullshit girl.” She sighed and became serious as she stared ahead at the highway. “I just want a guy that will send butterflies fluttering through my stomach, the guy I can’t wait to see, one that pulls out my chair for me and has eyes for no one else except me.”
“Well, good luck with that,” Stacy said giggling.
Danielle felt the slap, and it stung worse than she imagined. “Laugh all you want, but don’t you get tired of all the men you date? Don’t you just want one that you totally connect with? How many of them do you keep around for very long anyway?”
Stacy thought a moment while she sipped her soda and fluttered her lashes. “Well, none, but I’m only twenty-three, Danielle. Good grief, it’s 2012, not 1957.” She flopped back against the seat in a huff.
Danielle thought about what Stacy had said. She was correct to a point. What was the rush? She needed to just enjoy life, enjoy being herself. Sure, one day she’d like to have the perfect wedding, kids, and all that. Right now, first things first, and that was to find a great job.
How she wished she could be more like Stacy. Not the jump-into-bed-just-for-sex Stacy, but the Stacy that never seemed to get her heart broken. The Stacy that lived for fun and took what she wanted out of a relationship and ran. That would be easier than pining away over a man that made it very clear he wasn’t interested in her.
All of that would be easy if she hadn’t felt all those wonderful feelings of first love before and knew they happened and were real. The event though must have been totally one sided. John, the one that broke her heart wide open so many years before, gave her fantastic adrenaline rushes, and her stomach fluttered and did somersaults when she was near him. Her hunger begged for him to kiss her, hold her, and one day, love her. She wasn’t sure if she affected him at all.
The one and only kiss he’d ever given her had sent her mind skyrocketing into space. She could still feel his soft but strong lips touching hers while feeling his hands run through her long blonde hair. His possessive mouth had roamed freely with vigor and enthusiasm. The kiss had been hot and sensual. It was the kind of kiss Rhett laid on Scarlett at the bottom of the stairs in the movie. Her heart had thudded so hard in her chest that night she thought she was going to pass out.
John’s kiss and eyes told her one thing while his words said another. He’d backed away from her and stabbed a knife in her chest when he told her she was too young and naïve for him. Bastard.
John was everything she wanted, everything she dreamed about. Even at eighteen, she’d known her feelings for him were so extraordinary she would never feel them again for anyone else. To date, she still had not felt those emotions.
Danielle pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. The yard was full of vehicles, and she groaned. “I told them not to go to the trouble of putting on a big party.”
Smoke billowed up from the grill, and a large banner hung from the trees congratulating her.
“You had something to do with this, didn’t you?” Danielle looked at Stacy with a brow raised.
“Me?” Stacy coughed. “I can’t plan a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
Gabby waved from the crowd, and Danielle smiled. It was sweet they cared so much. Stacy, too, if indeed she had a hand in this. Initially she’d cringed at the thought, but now she relaxed, realizing there were a lot of people she hadn’t seen in years. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Danielle met up with her mother in the yard with Stacy close behind. “Hi, Mom,” she said and gave her a hug. “You really didn’t need to go to the trouble. I told you that.”
“Nonsense, sweetie, this is a big deal. We are so very proud.” Gabby beamed while she spoke.
“So, ladies, what bridge y’all plan on jumping off naked this summer?” Dean cracked as he waltzed up.
“Very funny, Dad,” Danielle said, then turned and smacked Stacy in the arm.
“Ow. What was that for?” Stacy complained.
“I can’t believe you told him about that. You are definitely just like a little sister, really.” Danielle blushed. Her father shouldn’t know she pulled stunts like that, but Danielle saw him smile.
She knew he was just as wild when he was young, and the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree. He patted Danielle on the back laughing. “It’s all a part of growing up.”
Maybe it was a part of growing up, but having her parents know she’d jumped off Johnson’s Bridge in the buff wasn’t setting well. Paybacks to Stacy for that.
Danielle settled into conversations with friends and family, and the hours passed. At eleven, she yawned. The day had been long, too long, and now, she wanted nothing more than her pillow and bed. She said her good nights and trudged toward the house.
Chapter Two
“Rise and shin
e, sleepyhead,” Stacy squealed in Danielle’s ear. “Time to get up. We have a big day.”
Danielle blinked her eyes open and squinted from the morning light streaming in her window. “I had a big day…yesterday. Now go away.”
“No, ma’am, you’re getting up. We have places to go, people to see. By the way, I forgot to tell you. We are going to the rodeo in Ardmore today.” Stacy flitted to the closet and jerked the closet door open. “Girl, where are your boots and jeans?”
Danielle sat up and pushed her strewn hair back. Rodeo? No…no rodeo. She’d quit going to rodeos the day John Evans crushed her heart into a thousand pieces. She had been a hardcore rodeo fan until that day, mostly to see him ride, but after that day, she’d vowed never again.
There was too much pain, too many memories wrapped up in it all. When she’d been in high school, she’d never missed seeing John ride. She stood next to the pipe fence and held her breath while watching him. He was all she’d ever wanted, all she still wanted but hated. Damn John Evans.
John climbed over the rail and settled onto the bull while it thrashed beneath him. The hot summer sun shone down on his face as he glanced toward the arena filled with spectators. The rim of his hat shaded his eyes as he returned his attention back to readying himself.
The seconds were excruciating for Danielle. Apprehension and nervousness welled up in her stomach as she stood on tiptoe against the fence in anticipation.
John’s features were drawn and determined. His lips pursed sternly as he tipped his hat for the gate to open.
The bull bounded out of the box in a fury of action fueled by irritation. Saliva and snot slung from the bull as he bucked and twisted furiously to knock John off.
With his left hand bound and his right hand high in the air, John held tight. The cords in his muscles flexed as sweat dripped from his brow. His blue eyes were focused and unwavering as the bull twisted violently underneath him.
Seconds felt like minutes as Danielle gripped the pipe fence and willed John to hang on. Six seconds, you’re almost there. Seven. Eight.
The buzzer rang as the crowd cheered. The bull flung John around, his body flailing like a rag doll. He loosened his grip on the rope as the bull bucked again, sending him into the air. He landed hard on the rough ground and rolled to keep from getting stomped by twenty-five hundred pounds of pissed off animal.
John leapt to feet and ran toward the fence with the bull inches behind. Danielle squealed as his feet touched the second wrung of the pipe fence then the third and fourth. The bull ran his head into the fence, narrowly missing him.
John stood on top of the fence and took his hat off for the crowd. A smile broke across his face as he waved.
Danielle stood in awe and watched intently as John returned his hat to his head and waved to her at the other side of the arena. He slung his leg and heavy chaps over the other side of the fence and jumped to the ground while the other cowboys congratulated him.
Wow was the only thought that ran through her mind as she watched him walk away. His tight jeans glorified his muscled ass. The chaps of brown and blue leather framed his bulging cock and championship buckle. His arms flexed when he took off his gloves. The summer sun highlighted the perspiration of the moment on his tan skin, showcasing his muscles and strength.
John put a bottle of water to his lips to quench his thirst. Danielle’s mouth went dry watching a stream of water escape and roll down his chin. Her lips parted, and her tongue wetted them wanting to explore his mouth with her own. She watched intently as he took another drink. His neck muscles flexed as he swallowed. He pulled the water from his lips and licked his plump upper lip in satisfaction. She wondered how it would feel to have his lips kissing her skin. She wanted to feel his tongue trace her erect nipples.
When John took off his straw hat and poured the remainder of the bottle over his face, she hummed. Danielle could envision him swimming in a river, coming out of the water into the sunshine. He’d pull her close, their bodies entwined. His blue eyes would be wild and hungry for her. She could almost feel his strong arms wrap around her waist. She could almost feel his lips caress hers while his tongue darted in to explore. A hum vibrated on her smiling lips. One day she hoped for that daydream to come true.
Danielle cleared her mind with determination. “I’m not going to a rodeo. Forget it, Stacy.” She flipped off her quilt and stepped out of bed.
Stacy whirled around, smiling. “Oh, yes, you are. My boyfriend is riding today. Please, please come,” she whined and batted her lashes.
Danielle looked at Stacy, raising a brow. She had a hard time saying no to her, especially when she batted her lashes so innocently and sweetly. One of these days she would learn to say no to her. Maybe she could get her to do anything else, anything besides revisiting Hurtville.
“Stacy, I’m just not into rodeos anymore. Could we go shopping or something instead?” Danielle pleaded.
“Did you hear me, Danielle? My boyfriend is riding, and he has an older brother who is riding, too,” Stacy said in her best schmoozing voice while winking.
Danielle waved her finger. “Oh, no, no way…I’m not being set up. I’ll go with you, but I’m not being set up with some random guy.”
“He’s a good-looking championship bull rider,” Stacy emphasized with a sugar sweet smile beaming across her face.
Now there was no way Danielle would go. John was a bull rider, a sexy, hot bull rider. Ugh. He was a cocky, chauvinistic bull rider that women swooned over. There were plenty of women around him at all times. No wonder he took no interest in her. Bastard.
“No, no…Sorry, sweetie, I’m not going,” Danielle said sternly.
“What’s up with you and rodeos? We used to go all the time. I don’t get it.” Stacy sounded disappointed. “What haven’t you told me? I thought we didn’t keep secrets.”
Danielle had never told anyone about her crush on John nor did she tell anyone of her heartbreak suffered from him. She felt terrible. Stacy was basically her sister, and she’d never confided it to her, but she’d been so embarrassed at the time. She would have rather died than tell the story, and she had no plans of telling the story now. It didn’t matter. It was in the past. All Danielle could do was push the painful memories away and be there for Stacy.
“I just got out of the whole rodeo thing years ago. All right, I’ll go…for you, but I’m not going to be set up with Mr. Eight Seconds, period,” Danielle said, waving her finger again at Stacy, warning her.
“Okay, we just thought y’all would hit it off. No biggie.” Stacy hugged Danielle with a knowing smile. “So what are you going to wear? Your wardrobe is, well...”
“Shut up, I know. It’s boring.”
“Well, we could make a stop on the way. You can’t wear sandals and, eew, what’s this?” Stacy said, pulling a shirt out of the closet and making a face.
“Don’t laugh. I have been busy, and that’s comfy in class.”
Stacy laughed. “I have never been too busy to shop. You’re seriously having issues here. Thank goodness you’re home so I can help salvage the situation.” Stacy pinched her nose and threw clothes out of the closet onto the floor.
Danielle smacked Stacy in the arm. “I get it, I get it. Let’s get going. What time is the rodeo?”
After a quick stop at a Western store, Danielle was decked out in tight denim jeans, black boots, and a snug, sleeveless, frilly, white shirt. She had looked in the mirror and frowned. This was exactly the type of outfit she would have picked out to try to impress John. He did notice, and she knew he did. She could tell when he gave her that heart-stopping smile and nodded in appreciation.
Huh, where was John now? Danielle suspected his luck had run out. Some young hotshot took his place. He was probably at a dead-end job by now, struggling to make ends meet. Yeah, she needed to picture John that way. She needed to see him knocked off his pedestal. Really, it made her heart feel better. She couldn’t, after all, tie herself to someone with no futur
e.
In college, Danielle had paid close attention during psych class trying to figure out what was wrong with her. She had only shared a kiss with John and light conversations over a couple of years but nothing more.
From her studies and own thoughts, she felt she had an incurable case of infatuation with him combined with psychotic tendencies followed by control freak issues. Her infatuation should have died a long time ago. She should have met someone that made her forget what’s his name. But, she hadn’t. The kiss had been so much more than a kiss. She’d felt it through her entire body to her soul. Was that even possible?
When he’d kissed her that night, her body had thrummed and felt electrified. A wash of serenity had passed over her, a feeling of complete harmony in those few seconds. Then, heartbreak and pain came, inflicted by words, words that cut her to the bone, and after that, she’d had years of regret, shame, and hate.
“Danielle, girl? Are you here? You passed the turnoff,” Stacy shouted trying to get Danielle’s attention.
“Oh, sorry, I’ll turn around,” Danielle said and offered a weak smile.
“Are you okay? You have been so distant since lately. It’s almost like you aren’t even here,” Stacy commented.
Danielle didn’t like to hide anything from Stacy. She knew her in and out, knew most of her secrets, and all of her habits. The only aspect of her life she knew nothing of was how badly she’d been hurt four years ago, and she never would.
“I think I’m trying to recoup from the festivities yesterday, sorry,” Danielle said as she turned her truck around.
“When we get there, we are going straight to the beer stand. I’m going to take your mind off school, graduation, and the job search. We are going to have fun. I have missed you,” Stacy said with a bright smile and gave a quick punch to Danielle’s right arm.
Danielle knew today and the summer meant a lot to Stacy. It did to her as well. This summer was the last hoorah before transitioning to a career woman with a ladder to climb. Being with Stacy meant the world to her. One day she would tell stories to her grandchildren of all the shenanigans they had pulled. More importantly, this summer was a transition for her as well. She had to make this summer epic in every way, a summer to remember, always.
Eight Seconds (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 2
