Their tongues warred as he crushed her to him, breathing heavily, his lips never leaving hers.
Just as abruptly he let her go and stared down at the ground.
This was becoming a habit with him. “Dustin, what happened? What’s wrong?”
But he didn’t answer. He continued to stare at the ground. Then he swore under his breath.
She followed his gaze to the midway, where Tom stood, watching them.
She waved to her brother, but for some reason, Tom didn’t wave back.
When they got off the ride, Tom hugged Jenna close, glaring at Dustin behind her back.
Dustin held out his hand and they shook, but Tom’s grip was stronger than usual.
“Where’s Andy?” Tom asked.
“With a friend of his,” Jenna explained. “We’re meeting him in the Agriculture Building by the butter sculpture at six. That’ll allow a lot of time for you to take him behind the chutes so he can talk to the riders and look at the bulls.”
“Here’s three tickets, front row, center,” Tom handed Jenna the tickets, then turned to Dustin, “Would you mind bringing Andy behind the chutes? Jenna, you could hold the seats.”
Dustin wondered why she’d have to hold the seats since they had tickets. He could tell by Jenna’s furrowed brow that she was thinking the same thing. Then he realized that Tom didn’t want Jenna around when they talked.
“Uh…okay,” Jenna said.
Dustin was dreading the moment that they’d have a confrontation. Today might mark the demise of their friendship and the end of their partnership, because he planned to tell Tom what he felt for Jenna. If that wasn’t good enough for him, then so be it.
But they never had a chance to talk. Riders surrounded Dustin most of the time, making small talk and asking when he was going to return to competition.
“A couple more months, then beware,” Dustin said. “I’m going to shake up the standings.”
Andy was grinning from ear to ear, and he hadn’t left Tom’s side. Of course, he’d missed his father, and it was obvious that Tom had missed Andy.
From his position, Dustin could see Jenna sitting in the arena. She was studying the draw sheet, and suddenly she looked up and met his gaze. She waved, and he waved back.
A heartbeat later, Tom and Andy stood next to him.
“I’ll see you after the bull riding, slugger,” Tom said to Andy.
“Okay, Dad.”
“Then I’m off to Idaho. I’ll be back home in about a week and can stay for a while.”
“Ride ’em all, Dad, especially that Cowabunga.”
“You got it,” Tom said. With a curt nod, he turned to Dustin.
“Andy, would you mind getting my bull rope over there?” he pointed to a lineup of ropes tied to a fence. “I want to show your Uncle Dustin something.”
“Sure.” Andy scurried off.
“I’m going to make this short and clear: stay away from Jenna. She’s too good for you.”
“I know that,” Dustin whispered. “But I like her, Tom. I’ve always liked her. Always.”
“You like every woman you’ve ever met,” Tom said, meeting his gaze. “Look, Jenna isn’t like the others you’ve been with.”
“I know that.”
“Jenna isn’t…experienced. She hasn’t dated much, and, well, let’s face it, partner, you’ve been around. You have a reputation.”
“I might have played the field, but with other women…well, it’s just different. Jenna’s special and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. You have to believe me. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“Okay. I guess you’re right.” Tom pushed his hat back and thought for a moment. “I still see Jenna as my little sister.”
“She’s not little anymore, dude. And you don’t need to act as her father.”
“I know, but…hey…” Andy appeared with Tom’s bull rope, and that marked the end of their discussion. “Thanks, son,” he said taking the rope from Andy. Then Tom turned to Dustin and nodded. “We’ll talk more.”
“I’m counting on that.” Dustin tweaked his hat to his friend, and hoped that he would come around. Didn’t Dustin deserve a chance at happiness? And he’d like to think that he could make Jenna happy, too. “Good luck tonight, partner. Call me.”
Tom came in first in the long-go, and he rode Cowabunga for eight seconds without problems. He came in second in the overall standings.
After the event, there was a Team PBR autographing for the bull riders, and a line had already formed opposite Tom’s place at one of the tables. There was no chance to continue the conversation with his friend.
Andy sat on a chair next to his father for a while, then began to tire.
“Time to hit the road,” Jenna declared, motioning for Andy to join them.
After a traffic jam in the parking lot, they were back on I-10 heading to Tucson. It didn’t take long for Andy to fall asleep between them. Right now, he was slumped on Dustin’s left arm, and Dustin moved slowly to give the boy a more comfortable position.
“I had a wonderful time today,” Jenna said, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
“Me, too.”
He’d even ride the lime-green horse again if she asked.
He remembered their kiss on the Ferris wheel. Jenna tasted of candy and sugar, of carefree summer days and breezy summer nights.
They drove another five miles in silence until he spotted fireworks in the sky above one of the casinos off the interstate.
“I love fireworks,” she said.
“Well, if you want to see them, get off at this exit,” he said.
Clicking on her right turn signal to get off the highway, she came across a side street, where she pulled over to the side of the road where several other cars had stopped.
“Let’s watch them from the tailgate,” Jenna said getting out of the car. “But let’s not wake Andy up. He’s pooped.”
Dustin hopped to the tailgate and released the latch, pulling it down. They both sat on it.
But he barely noticed the colorful explosions in the sky; he only had eyes for Jenna. How her nose was perfect in silhouette. How her lips were made for kissing. How beautiful she looked in the moonlight.
Dustin took her hand, and he was rewarded with a smile. She squeezed his.
“This is so…awesome,” she said, using one of Andy’s favorite words.
“You’re awesome,” Dustin replied.
He put his arm around Jenna and pulled her closer to him. She was just too far away.
Jenna leaned back on her hands and looked up into the sky, brilliant with fireworks and smiled. He could watch her all day.
“This is just a magical night, Dustin. I haven’t been out like this in…” She lowered her voice. “Well, I’m embarrassed to say.”
“Don’t be embarrassed, Jenna, not with me.”
“I am.”
He rubbed his forehead. “What about?”
“Well, I know you read that magazine article. I left it open by the pool by mistake.”
“Yeah, you did.”
He’d like to lie to her, tell her that he hadn’t read it, but he couldn’t do that. He smiled slightly.
“Tell me, Jenna. Who’s the man? Who were you trying to seduce?”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know?”
“No.”
Jenna hesitated. “It was all for you, Dustin.”
“I thought so. I’d hoped, but—” He tweaked the brim of his hat. “Why thank you, ma’am,” he said, exaggerating a drawl.
She laughed. “I am so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. It’s the best thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
As the fireworks exploded overhead, Dustin kissed the woman of his dreams.
Then he made a decision.
Tom might never come around. He took his position as head of the family too seriously. Besides, it hurt him down to his bones that his friend really didn’t think he was good enough for Jenna.
But he wasn’t going to think of the past, not tonight.
Tonight would be the culmination of a perfect day.
Chapter Nine
Jenna helped a sleepy Andy find his bed. He collapsed into it, clothes and all. She unlaced his sneakers and covered him with a blanket, giving him a kiss on the forehead.
Closing the boy’s bedroom door, she went to the living room and noticed Dustin standing by the front door propped up by his crutches. He’d barely entered the house.
“Come with me, Jenna,” he said softly, holding out his hand.
She knew what he wanted, where this was leading. She found herself holding her breath as she took his hand.
Turning her hand, he kissed the back of it, and she melted.
“I want you,” he said. “I’ve wanted you for a very long time.”
His words washed over her like a velvet fog. She wanted to tell him that she’d wanted him since…forever. But the words wouldn’t come.
“I wish I could carry you to my bed,” he said, and her knees almost buckled.
Jenna laid her palm on the side of his face and smiled. “Follow me.”
The walk to his bedroom had never seemed so long. When she saw the queen bed in the guest room, she chuckled.
This wasn’t the place of her dreams. Whenever she thought of making love with Dustin, she thought of lush green meadows and misty water-falls—not Tom’s guest room.
But she wouldn’t change a thing.
“Undress for me, Jenna.”
With shaky fingers, she fumbled with the buttons of her blouse. Finally, the garment was free and she tossed it on a chair. This moment with Dustin was what she’d been saving herself for, for more years than she’d care to remember. She’d never wanted another man.
Dustin nodded for her to continue. She undid the clasp of her bra, and tossed it on top of her blouse. She stood in front of him, her breasts aching for his touch.
But he didn’t touch her yet. “You’re beautiful,” he said, as heat rushed to her face.
“Your turn,” she said, reaching for his shirt.
As she popped the snaps, her eyes never left his. When his shirt fell open, she ran her hands over the hard planes of his chest.
“You’re beautiful, too,” she said, then smiled.
He propped his crutches against the wall and shrugged out of his shirt, letting it fall to the ground. She helped him step out of his sweatpants and underwear.
Her eyes scanned his body. He was hard and strong, all of him.
“Kiss me, Dustin,” she said softly.
“My pleasure.”
As his lips slanted over hers, he crushed her to him, and she could see the evidence that he wanted her.
A tingling started low in her stomach, then gained intensity as it rippled out. This was Dustin Morgan, the man she’d fantasized about for years.
Dustin got comfortable on the bed, and she stretched out next to him. They lay together, kissing, smiling, touching and just happy to be in each other’s company.
“Condom. My wallet,” Dustin said, scanning the room. “Damn. It’s in my pants.”
“I’ll get them,” Jenna said, getting up. She picked up his pants from the floor and handed them to Dustin. Opening the wallet, he pulled out a foil packet.
In record time, he unrolled it over himself, and Jenna thought it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.
Her breathing came in short, deep pants, especially when Dustin pulled her on top of him.
She straddled him and, leaning over, kissed him as she guided him into her slowly. He filled her completely. She waited, not moving, just enjoying the sensations washing over her, wave after wave.
His hands were on her breasts, his fingers teasing her nipples, touching the green turquoise necklace that he’d said matched her eyes. It was the only thing that she hadn’t taken off.
Her nipples were already hard, and now they ached. She wanted more. She began to move, feeling herself pulse around his hardness.
“Dustin,” she moaned.
“I know,” he said, breathlessly.
More waves washed over her, a forceful rush of physical and emotional release.
Then Dustin followed her over the edge.
Jenna had never experienced anything like this before. Granted, her experience was limited, but being with Dustin was everything she’d dreamed it would be.
Was it fate?
Dustin drifted back to earth, back to reality.
After making love twice more, Jenna was curled up next to him, sleeping. But he was wide awake, thinking.
Making love with Jenna was special. It was everything he’d dreamed it would be and more. She was a loving, giving partner.
What the hell did I do?
He’d broken his word to Tom.
Guilt rained over him like an Arizona monsoon. He could have gone to his room alone, but he hadn’t wanted to. He’d wanted Jenna, and he’d wanted her tonight.
He’d been happy these few weeks at Tom’s ranch with Jenna and Andy. For the first time in years, he’d felt like part of a family. It was only play-acting, he told himself, but now he knew that what he’d wanted all along—a loving wife, a good spread and children—would be perfect for him.
But he didn’t want to come between Jenna and her brother, her family. And so he had to leave.
He slipped into his clothes, being careful not to wake Jenna. Grabbing his cell phone, he went out to the kitchen so he wouldn’t disturb anyone and called a taxi.
“Yeah, I know that Tubac is quite a distance, but I’ll make it worth his time,” he told the dispatcher. “And I’ll double the fee if you’re here in ten minutes.”
Going back to his room, he threw some clothes into his gear bag along with some of his paints, brushes and pens. He’d ask Tom to pack up the rest of his belongings and get it all to him.
He toyed with the idea of leaving a note for Jenna, but what would he say? I’m sorry?
It would be better if she hated him than for her to have to choose between him and Tom.
Then he waited on the front porch for the taxi to arrive to take him to his lonely apartment over an eclectic art gallery and gift shop.
Jenna reached over to Dustin, but all she found were crumpled sheets.
She didn’t hear the telltale squeak of his crutches or sense his presence nearby.
Getting up from the bed, she slipped into her T-shirt and jeans.
She heard the sound of a motor coming from the front of the house, and she looked out the living room window. It was a taxi, and Dustin was getting into the backseat.
She yanked open the front door and stepped onto the cold floor of the porch. “Dustin? Where are you going?”
But he couldn’t hear her because the taxi pulled away.
During the seven weeks since he’d left Jenna, Dustin hadn’t had his head or his heart in bull riding. The San Antonio Invitational was his first event after recovering from his injury, and he had to ride two bulls and hope that he’d qualify for the short-go round to ride another. If he wanted to be a top contender in Vegas, he needed the points.
He couldn’t wait to retire and have his own ranch. But he almost didn’t care anymore. If he couldn’t have Jenna, what was the sense?
Behind the chutes, he ran into Tom. They hadn’t exchanged more than a couple of words since the Wickenburg event. Tom must have sensed him because he looked up from his conversation and nodded toward Dustin, then meandered over to where he was leaning on the chute gate. “What’s up, partner?”
“Not much.”
“How’s the ankle?”
“It’s okay.”
Tom pushed his hat back with his index finger. “Keep your back straighter. You leaned over his head too much.”
“Is that right?” Dustin felt the heat rush to his face. He wanted to punch Tom’s grinning face.
“Yeah, that’s right. I know you didn’t ask for my advice, but that’s never stopped me,” Tom joked.
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Dustin’s hands ached from squeezing them into fists. “You stick your nose into a lot of things where it doesn’t belong.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Tom asked.
“It means that I love your sister. Now what are you going to do about it?”
“You what?”
“You heard me. And I swear, Tom, if you make some smart remark about me chasing buckle bunnies, I’ll deck you right here. You know that I’m not like that.”
Tom opened his mouth to speak, but Dustin held a hand up.
“I’ve loved Jenna since I started hanging around with you. And sure, I had some growing up to do, but no woman could ever take her place in my heart. That’s why it looked like I was a womanizer. I kept looking for someone to replace her, damn it.”
Tom whistled. “I knew you liked her, but—”
“I’ve always liked her. Now I love her,” Dustin said strongly, then realized what Tom had just said. “You knew? You knew and you wouldn’t let me date her?”
Tom put his hand on Dustin shoulder, but Dustin shrugged it off. “What would you have done in my position, Dustin? My parents had just died. I had to protect Jenna.”
“From me?”
“From you! Put yourself in my place. You’d been around, cowboy. Jenna was naive. She couldn’t have handled you. Not in high school, not in college. Probably not now.”
Dustin wanted to put his fist through something, anything, but nothing was nearby—only Tom’s jaw.
“Damn it, Tom. Jenna’s going to be thirty years old. When will you think she can handle me?”
“Now.”
“What?”
“You told me you love her. You won’t hurt her now.”
Dustin felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. “You’re so wrong, Tom. I’ve already hurt her.”
Jenna accepted another flower arrangement from the delivery person and set it on the table to the right side of the door. She’d drop it off at the nearby nursing home on her way to work, just like she’d dropped off all the others.
This was the sixth arrangement in just as many days.
She opened the card and read it. “Please forgive me. Let me explain. Dustin.” She tossed it on the pile with the others. Each card said just about the same thing.
How to Lasso a Cowboy Page 10
