“I beg to differ. Why can’t we just air the dirty laundry so that we can at least be friends.”
He blew out a breath. “I’m over it,” he said a little too roughly.
“And so you say, but maybe I’m not.” She placed her palms on the table. “I called you after I left—”
“I know. It was the right decision that you left, Tyler. I get that. You look happy now. You’ve blossomed into a strong, confident woman. There’s not much else that needs saying outside of that.”
“I guess I just expected you to say, ‘I told you so’.” She looked down into her glass as if she were reading tea leaves. She wished she could read into her future because everything right now seemed murky. Her feelings she had for Kace especially.
“Now why would I go and do a thing like that?”
She shrugged. “Because my father told me I’d never make it as an actress and he certainly couldn’t wait to tell me ‘I told you so’.”
“Damn. I’m not you father and I truly did wish you happiness when you left Bohannan. You were good on stage.”
“I was good on stage?”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, at the local theater. Those plays you’d perform in.”
“I should have listened. I mean, the first few years I landed amazing roles that helped me hone my acting skills, but I missed the invisible memo that my career was doomed. I wasted a lot of years playing parts that I hated, hoping I was just in a lull. You were right when you said I was running from bad reviews. Those are what convinced me that it was time to switch hats. So, here I am with no clue where I’m going and how I’ll get there.”
“You’re still young, maybe you gave up too soon.”
“Aw, that’s very kind of you, but honestly I was ready to come home. Thankfully, I have some money saved up. Rogue wants me to come back to the ranch and help run it.”
“Probably not a bad idea. There aren’t many opportunities for an actress here and I remember how you loved working the ranch. Loved the horses. You even talked about breeding. There’s still that possibility.”
“I have given it some thought.” She ripped the paper towel into strips. “I saw that the old Majestic Theater is still empty. I’ve tossed around the idea of making an offer to buy it.”
“Sure, but considering you have a business degree I don’t need to tell you that you’ll need to make a profit. The movie business can be draining, especially in a small town.”
“I could have drama classes too. Even live theater.” Her mind spun with ideas.
“And you’d be happy doing that?” He scratched the bridge of his nose with his thumb.
“Why are you looking at me as if I’ve grown horns?”
He shrugged. “Bohannan wasn’t enough for you fifteen years ago. A few more stop lights, craft stores, and a new diner probably isn’t enough to hold your attention now that you’ve gotten the taste of the city life.”
“Whether you believe it or not, I love Bohannan. I still love horseback rides, dancing in the rain, and cowboys.” Her eyes shone brightly. “I’ve missed the county fair. Carnival food. Townspeople gathering during those street parties and forgetting all their troubles after a few line dances. Remember how much fun we had just being kids? We were young and dumb, but who needed wisdom when life was amazingly good? Do you still play darts? I could kick your butt then, and I bet I still can. Point is, I’m still the country girl you remember.”
“By the looks of your choice of clothing,” his warm gaze swept down her T-shirt and her nipples were so tight she thought they’d explode. Not a good feeling when she was trying her best not to round the table and sit on his lap like she used to back when they were kids. “One could think the county girl is back, but the truth is, sass—” he must have caught himself using the old nickname because he swallowed hard, “you’re used to fancier things. When was the last time you ate at a greasy diner? I’d bet my eye teeth you haven’t had a fried pickle since you wore braids. Or had too strong coffee made without all those fancy schmancy brewers or been touched by a good ol boy with callused hands.”
She squirmed. “You might be right on a few of those things, but do you need to watch me down a slider and an order of fried pickles? You can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of a girl. I can still spit a watermelon seed farther than you, Cade.” Although it was very unlady like to do so, she used to challenge the Cade brothers to watermelon spitting contests and she’d win almost every single time. “I bet I can still throw a dart and hit the bullseye each and every time.”
He laughed. “Fine, you’re still a country girl, and if opening the theater is something you’d like to do, then by all means, have at it.”
“I’m speaking with the owner tonight.” She could barely contain her excitement. “Imagine this town with a theater. I mean, who wants to go all the way over to the next county just to watch a movie?”
He swiped a hand down his jaw. “Movies. I haven’t been to one in…well hell. I can’t even remember.”
“You know it’s not healthy working all the time. We swore when we grew up we’d enjoy life.” She brought the glass to her lips and sipped.
“Yeah, until we actually grew up and realized we had responsibilities and bills to pay.”
“Remember how we used to dance during your family’s shindigs?” She jumped up and twirled. “They were so much fun. I have an idea.” She crossed to the old, dusty radio, turned it on and crooked her finger. “Come on, cowboy. Show me those moves.”
He snorted. “Yeah, I haven’t danced in too long. I’m rusty. We wouldn’t want any broken toes.”
Not taking no for an answer, she grabbed his hand. “I’ll chance a broken toe. Are you chicken?”
He met her gaze and a tingling sensation shot through her limbs. With a smooth grin he stood and together they stepped to the center of the room. The slow country song played from the radio as she stepped into his arms and brought hers up around his neck. Pressing her breasts against his hard chest, her nipples ached and her toes curled. Dropping her head back to look up at him, she said, “Do you and your family still get together every Sunday?”
“We try.”
His hands settled on the small of her back and his warmth seeped through her clothing. Their bodies molded together and she felt his desire rub against her stomach. Swallowing hard, she lowered one hand to touch his broad, smooth chest, feeling the muscles tighten under her fingers. “See, I knew you still had it in you.”
“I guess it’s like riding a bike.” His husky voice made her inner thighs quiver.
Not thinking of the consequences, she smoothed her hands down his ripped abs and stopped at the knot in the towel. Aching to drag the obstruction from his body, she held back, watching his whiskered jaw tighten. “What else is like riding a bike, Kace?”
“Tyler…” He brought his hand up to cup her cheek, his beautiful blue eyes turning darker.
“I think we just broke a dry spell. You’re right, I haven’t been touched by callused hands in a long time—strong, long-fingered, callused hands.” She turned her cheek and kissed his palm, darting her tongue out to lick his thumb, sucking the tip into her mouth. His hiss of breath made her smile. She enjoyed getting a response. The towel stretched. Her panties moistened.
“How was the tea?” she asked in a whisper-soft voice.
“Delicious, just like the conversation.” One corner of his mouth played with a smile.
The song ended and he pulled his hand away, letting it drift to his side.
She stared up at him, her chest full of emotion. “I’m finding that girl I want to be again.”
“It shouldn’t be something you have to search for, sweetheart. It should just find you.”
Her cell buzzed from the counter and she jumped, giggling at her hypersensitivity. She would have ignored the intrusion, but he took a wide step back. “You better get that.”
Reluctantly, she picked the phone up and pressed it to her ear. “Hello?...
Mildred?...Yes…it’s okay…he’s here.” She handed the cell to him and mouthed, “You need a phone.”
With a tight jaw and lit eyes, he took the phone. “Yeah…is that right? I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
She accepted the phone back. “Duty calling?”
He nodded sharply. “Always.”
“Now how does it work that a lawman doesn’t have his own cell phone?”
“I had one until a biker stomped on it when I was trying to break up a bar fight. I kind of like the peace and quiet.”
“Thanks for the dance, cowboy. It’s nice to know some things don’t change.” She smiled.
“I better go break up an issue over at the Callahan’s. Those two are at it again.” He started for the door.
“What about your clothes? You go like that and you might break up a few things.”
“I have an extra shirt and jeans in my truck. I’ll grab my other clothes later.” He slipped his feet into his boots, grabbed his hat and shoved it on his head, and slung his belt over one shoulder. He headed to the door and stopped, looking back at her with a toe-curling smile. “By the way, you never did beat me at darts. I let you win. There never was anything better than watching you jump up and down in excitement.”
Chapter 5
ZIPPING THE FLY on his worn jeans, Kace looked from the lit-up screen of his new phone to the frowning expression of Sadie Mae who was roughly tugging the hem of her hiked up mini skirt down her hips. By her pinched expression she was never going to let him live this one down.
The familiar phone number of the missed call made his gut tighten. He’d have to speak to Mildred about giving his number out to ex-girlfriends, even if they were Tyler Posey.
He’d tried his best to ignore the interruption, but when his body failed to respond, his only choice was to call it a day and hit the road. He’d never had this problem before…the pipes not working.
Shit! He was definitely going to pay for this later.
“Who does this? What is wrong with you?” She threw his shirt into the middle of his chest and he caught it.
“Sadie Mae, it’s not like I planned this.” He dragged the shirt onto his shoulders.
“It’s that girl, isn’t it? The one that has a guy’s name. After hearing that you’ve been spending time with her, I should have known she’d become a problem.” Her pert nose wrinkled and her crimson lips twisted.
Kace didn’t need to ask who she was referring to. The entire town knew that Tyler was back home and rumors were flying. “I’ve reopened her sister’s case. It’s natural we’d be spending time together.”
“Since when does a family member of a victim work with the Sheriff?”
“Since when do you give a shit?” He watched her slide her feet into her red stilettos and then she looked away as if she couldn’t bear to look at him any longer. He buttoned his shirt and took several steps toward the driver’s side of his truck. Since he and Sadie Mae had started the fling, he’d made it a habit to come out to the quiet, country location to take care of matters, but tonight he’d ended a good run. She was bound to never see him again.
Hell, maybe it was best they broke things off. In truth, after almost a year of having sex and he never invited her to his house and he rarely accepted the invitation to hers, obviously things weren’t going anywhere. Not that he ever thought they would. He’d miss her—or rather, his body would miss her. She was built like a brick house and could certainly make him sweat, but when it came to matters of the heart, that part of him was closed.
“What man in his right mind walks away from a ready and willing woman? Don’t think this opportunity will come up again.” She crossed her arms over her chest and heaved a sigh that brought her large breasts almost spilling out of the low-cut blouse. He’d never complained before about the way she dressed, but now he found her lack of modesty a bit off-turning. What the hell was wrong with him?
He had a clue, but he couldn’t even go there…
“Sadie Mae—”
“Do you realize who you’re turning down? Do you know how many men would love to take your place?” When he didn’t answer, she huffed, “Well, do you?”
“I’m guessing quite a few,” he mumbled, sliding into the driver’s seat and sticking the key in the engine.
She stomped around to the passenger side and flung open the door. He looked across the seat at her, watching as her chest rose and fell and her eyes filled with anger. Her nipples were hard and her bottom lip trembled. He realized she was hoping he’d climb back out of the truck and take up where they left off, but it was no use. His mood was spoiled, and truth be known, he didn’t much like her temper tantrum.
“Look, you know how it is for me. If someone calls and needs my help, it’s my job to go. Tyler and I go way back. She’s been through a lot since her sister passed and if she needs me, I’m going to go to her, and nothing,” he slid his gaze affectively down her curvy body, “is going to stop me.” He turned the key and started the engine as a deep moan escaped Sadie Mae’s throat. “Now let me take you home.”
For a second or two he thought she’d tell him to “fuck off”, but she climbed into the passenger seat, slammed the door and stared through the side window the entire trip back into town.
When he pulled up in front of her house, she slid out and turned, and after seductively running her tongue over her perfectly white teeth, she smiled in a way a woman would if she was about ready to crush his balls. “Dream about me, Sheriff, then remember these lips will be wrapped around another willing man before that Posey chick will give you the time of day.”
“Don’t be angry. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to leave because duty calls. Are you just jealous because it’s Tyler?”
“Consider this a choice you’ve made, Kace.” She pressed her hands to her wide hips. “No one puts me in second place. I hope Miss Innocent will go down on you in an elevator and bend over this damn rusty truck when it suits you.”
“This is bullshit, sweetheart. Let’s not end like this.”
Her mouth formed a perfect O. “Really? Answer one question. Why do you never invite me to your place?”
“I don’t invite any woman to my place.”
“So, I’m good enough to fuck in this heap of metal, but I’m not worthy of sleeping in your bed?” Her eyes flashed something dangerous.
“I thought you liked when we had sex outside? You said the stars added something primal.”
“I’ve just realized I deserve better.” As if to push home the finality of her words, she slammed the door, turned and waltzed her way up the sidewalk to her front door.
He made sure she made it inside okay, and he even found it in himself to smile when she flipped him off as he pulled away. He headed toward Lolli’s, the bar and grill was usually hopping on a Friday night, and tonight was no exception. It took him three circles through the jam-packed parking lot before another car vacated a spot and he took it, grateful there were two smaller vehicles on either side of the space so he could manage getting his Dodge in.
As he made his way across the parking lot he wondered why Tyler had asked him to come there. Although the place was crowded, he spotted her almost immediately. She was seated at a booth in the far corner.
Her head had been lowered and when she looked up, their gazes locked. He saw something in her eyes that was much like the feeling deep in his gut. Whether he wanted to admit it to himself or not, these feelings could only be chalked up to the confirmation that she still did something to him. He wished now he’d texted her and told her that he couldn’t make it, but he was here and he couldn’t turn around and walk away. He never could when it came to her. Once upon a time he would have crawled across a desert to be near her. Have times really changed?
As he mazed his way through round wooden tables, greeted by familiar faces, he replied back with a nod and a dip of his hat, but his gaze remained connected to the beauty sitting in the booth. God, she was beautiful. His heart responded l
ike a rock band’s drums.
He approached the table and her full, slightly pink lips turned up into a smile that triggered an ache inside him so deep that he’d never be able to scoop it out. Then she did something that shocked him. She stood and walked toward him, and he couldn’t control the yearning to skim his gaze down the dress she wore. The short tight material fit her curves showing off every soft dip and fullness of her ample breasts. A sight like this did wonderful things to his body, way beyond just an attraction or sexual need. Uncontrollable, amazing things happened to him. To lie to himself and say that she wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon would be useless, not when in all his life he’d never seen a prettier face and mouth. Everything from her pert, freckled nose, bright blue eyes, and wide flawless smile screamed “try to catch me if you dare”. Oh, he wanted to catch her alright, but the hell if he’d give in to the lust and risk a broken heart a second time. He’d been there, done that, and that horse already rode off into the sunset—or had it? His body certainly didn’t get the message. After what they’d shared in her kitchen last week, an innocent dance, he’d attempted to keep things professional between them, but his naughty dreams were anything but professional.
She stepped against him and brought her arms around his neck, like a perfectly fitting lock. He caught her scent that was nothing but pure intoxication of his senses, like falling into an abyss of black velvet. When he pulled back and her cute little nose scrunched, he winced. “Thank you for coming.”
“You said you needed to see me.” He noticed that his voice was unusually tight.
“Jasmine?” She brought up a thin brow and one corner of her mouth dipped.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She leaned in and sniffed his neck. He should be immune to her, but his body and mind were at odds. The hair stood on his nape as she pulled away, sighing. “Yeah, I’m right. She wears jasmine lotion or perfume.”
“It’s not what you think.” He tore off his hat and pressed it against his thigh. Why the hell didn’t he tell her the truth? That he’d had his pants around his ankles when she’d called and his boner had deflated like a popped balloon. Damn, he knew why. He didn’t want her to know that he’d tried to have sex with Sadie Mae, although Tyler must already have an idea. The town was only so big. Although, as of fifteen minutes ago, he and Sadie Mae were no longer an item. It hadn’t even bothered him when she threatened to pleasure another man. That was proof enough that he needed to move on and let her find someone who could care about her.
Claimed by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 4) Page 6
