Hot Summer Love - Cowboy Style

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Round backside met firm thighs.

“ Whoa, there.”

Steady hands grabbed Mandy’s waist when she backed out of the stall, raking the dirty hay and horse manure into a pile.

With a quick glance over her shoulder, she turned around and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

Stomach clenched, lips parted and legs wobbled when she caught her first glimpse of the man behind the voice.

Holy shit!

Hazel eyes, trimmed with the most gorgeous eyelashes she’d ever seen, stared back. Rock-hard chest, bulging biceps, flat stomach, lean hips—damn! The man had the whole package. Long-sleeved western shirt strained against the tempting muscles of his chest, faded jeans hugged his hips and worn cowboy boots encased his feet. White teeth flashed when he smiled the moment her gaze returned to his. Tall, dark and luscious came to mind. Dark hair curled slightly around his ears, topped off with a pitch-black Stetson pulled low on his forehead.

No stud earring for this guy. Now that’s a real cowboy.

“ I kinda guessed.” The low timbre of the voice had goose bumps skittering across her arms and reminded her of chocolate, smooth, silky and oh-so sweet. “Need some help?”

Licking her lips to wet the suddenly dry surfaces, she replied, “No. I got it. Thanks.”

“ All right then. Take care. And don’t work too hard.”

“ Uh, yeah. You, too.”

The man tipped his hat and moved on around her to continue up the dirt path while she watched in fascination how his tight ass filled out the Wranglers encasing it. When he reached the doorway, he glanced back and smiled again before he disappeared around the corner.

“ Holy Mother of God.” Air rushed from between her lips on a forced exhale when she leaned against the shovel handle for support. Toes curled, nipples puckered and fingertips tingled. “Whoever let him out of their sight, sure in hell didn’t know what she was setting the rest of us up for. The man could melt butter with his smile and light up half of Texas at the same time.”

Ignoring the need for a deep breath to calm the butterflies in her stomach, she picked up the shovel and hefted the horse manure into the wheelbarrow until the pile vanished.

Misty, her mare, whinnied from the stall and stomped her front hoof.

“ Yeah, whatever, girl. If you make any more shit, in the next fifteen minutes, I’m going to turn you into dog food.”

The horse bobbed her head, flung her tail, smacking Mandy with the wiry horsehair across her arm and Mandy laughed. “All right, maybe not. But you need to cut it out. I’m gettin’ tired of shoveling here. Give me a break, would ya?”

“ Hey, Mandy, you ready to eat? I’m starving,” Stephanie said, coming around the edge of the stall. Mandy rolled her eyes. Stephanie was her best friend and fellow competitor, but the way the girl could eat and still keep her trim figure amazed Mandy.

“ Sure. Let’s see what might be available out in the tents.” Mandy propped the shovel against the wall and latched the stall door.

“ Have you seen some of the guys ridin’? There are some pretty nice-looking cowboys here this weekend.”

“ Yeah. There’s a few I wouldn’t mind gettin’ to know a little better,” she replied as they headed toward the huge doors.

Bright sunshine almost blinded her when they stepped out of the stock barn, until she slid her sunglasses down over her eyes. “So what’s it going to be? We have Mexican food over there, barbeque over here and burgers next to that. Further down the aisle, there’s the beer tent, bratwurst, pizza slices and the assorted junk food.” Shading her vision while they surveyed the displays, she tried to decide what to eat, while her stomach protested loudly.

“ Well, I’m all for some barbeque myself. It’s been awhile since I’ve had some really good ribs.”

“ Sounds good to me.”

The two women started in the direction of the stand advertising BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken and anything else BBQ she could think of. The bright red letters over the top read Uncle Dave’s Temporary Quarters.

Mandy crossed the walkway, but didn’t see the cowboy until he’d barreled into her, almost knocking her down.

“ Hey there, gorgeous.”

Her startled gaze met the blue eyes of one Colby Thatcher, bull rider and calf roper extraordinaire. The saddle he’d been holding hit the dirt when he grabbed her around the waist so she didn’t hit the ground, too.

Colby followed the circuit, going from place to place racking up the purses. He had more buckle bunnies following him than ants on a sugar trail. Mandy knew him better than most since she’d already done the horizontal mambo with Colby once or twice and now they were only friends—or so she thought. The man had everything cowboy going on from the top of his expensive cowboy hat to the custom leather ostrich pointed-toe boots on his feet. Cute, built and knew his way around the ladies. That was Colby.

“ Damn, Colby. You’re like a bull in a china shop,” Mandy grumbled, holding onto his shoulders for a minute.

“ Maybe I did it on purpose, honey, just so I could hold your pretty little waist.”

“ Yeah, whatever. Where you headed in such a hurry?” she asked, stepping back and giving him the once-over from the top of his blond curls to the tips of his boots.

“ Gotta get my name in the pickle jar, babe. Registration starts in a few.”

A flash of something caught her eye and she glanced over his shoulder. There, standing propped against the fence with one boot hooked on the bottom rung stood the man she’d backed into earlier. With his face shadowed by the brim of his hat, she couldn’t see his expression, but for some reason she knew he watched her. The thought sent a thrill of excitement zinging down her back. Tipping her head to the side, she cocked one eyebrow and saw him tip his hat in acknowledgement.

Damn, if I don’t have the luck running into men today and drop-dead handsome to boot.

“ Hello?” Colby waved a hand in front of her face. “Mandy? I lost ya there for a minute, honey.”

“ Sorry, Colby. Where’s registration again?”

“ Left side of the chute.”

“ Thanks. I’ll be headed over there myself in a little bit. I’ve got to get me something to eat before my stomach decides to eat itself and save me the trouble.”

“ You do that and I’ll see you later,” Colby replied, tipping his hat back on his head and flashing his melt-your-heart-in-a-puddle smile. Retrieving his saddle from the ground, he hefted it over his shoulder, nodded and headed off in the direction of the arena.

Stephanie pulled her into line at the barbeque stand with a sharp tug on her arm, and asked, “Tell me again why you gave him up? You two saw each other for a few weeks, right?”

“ Who? Colby?”

“ Uh, yeah. The man’s gorgeous. And oh my, God! What I wouldn’t do to see what’s inside those jeans.”

“ Trust me, Steph, his package left something to be desired.”

“ You’ve done him?”

“ Yeah, a time or two.”

“ Hell, girl! Why didn’t you tell me?”

One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I’m not a ‘bed ’em and share’ kind of gal.”

Mandy stepped toward the counter and gave her order to the young girl behind the window, then stepped off to the side to wait.

Once their food was ready, they wandered to a picnic table sitting in the shade and she glanced to where the stranger had stood earlier, but he no longer lounged against the barn. Disappointment rippled through her and she frowned, wondering why.

It’s only because he’s so gorgeous. I wanted to catch another glimpse of his smile.

“ What’s the frown for?” Stephanie asked, before she bit into the rib in her hand. Grabbing the napkin sitting next to her elbow, she wiped barbeque sauce from her face.

“ Nothing.”

“ Okay.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “So, what are we going to do tonight? You know, after we get settled?”

“ The local honky-tonk comes to mind. Slick’s Place, I think it’s called. I saw the sign when we drove through town. Looks…quaint.”

“ Mmm…hot cowboys, tight jeans, good band and alcohol…sounds like my kind of place.”

“ Yeah, me too. I hear they have a mechanical bull.”

“ Sounds like fun. I haven’t tried one of those before.”

“ I know. Me either and I’ve been interested in seeing someone ride one. Besides, I need to kick off a little dust and do some boot-scootin’. Maybe find me a hot cowboy to hook up with.”

“ Sounds like a plan then. We can hit the hotel room, freshen up and be drunk by nine. And with a little luck, get laid by midnight.”

A bubble of laughter burst from Mandy’s lips and she shook her head. Stephanie was hopeless when it came to men. She hoped someday her friend would find a nice guy to settle down with, but she really doubted it would ever happen.

“ Well, we need to get on over to registration and get signed in, so hurry up,” Mandy said, grabbing her plate and dropping it into the blue trash barrel next to her.

“ All right. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.”

Stephanie threw her plate away as well before the two of them headed to where Colby had told her the sign-ups were happening.

On the walk over, she glanced around, hoping to spot the cowboy she’d run into inside the stock barn. No such luck. The guy seemed to have disappeared.

A quick scan of the crowd in the wooden stands yielded nothing. Several hundreds of spectators in the bleachers, and dozens of horse trailers parked nearby, spoke of the magnitude of the rodeo in Harper. It was obviously the place to be during this particular weekend and hopefully it meant some good money to be had when it finished. There wasn’t much going on this afternoon for events, mostly the poker run and kids’ events, but tons of people still came. Bodies milled about, talking and laughing and it made her kind of homesick. Times like this made her wish she could settle down somewhere, find a nice guy and have a passel of kids.

The line for sign-ups moved slowly and she felt the heat of the afternoon sun beating down on her head. Sweat formed under her hat, matting her brown hair to her head, and she cursed under her breath.

I’m going to need a shower before we go anywhere this evening.

When they finally reached the table, shock reverberated through her as she met the twinkling hazel eyes of her mystery man.

“ Well, hello again,” he said, as the smile she remembered lifted the corners of his mouth.

Her heart skipped a beat. “Hi.”

“ Registerin’?”

“ Yeah.”

“ What event?”

“ Barrels.”

“ Sign right there,” he said, pointing one long, tanned finger to the open line on the sheet to her left.

She grabbed the pen and scrawled her signature across the page.

“ Mandy Jenkins, huh?” he asked with his devastating-to-her-heart smile, showing off the small dimple in his left cheek.

Damn, I love dimples.

“ That’s me.”

“ You look like a ‘Mandy.’”

“ Thanks. I guess my mom thought so, too.”

A small chuckle left his lips. "Here’s your number. Rides start at seven in the mornin’. Are you keepin’ your horse in the stock barn?”

“ Yep.”

“ Make sure there’s food and water before you take off this afternoon. Security and volunteers will be around to monitor activity, but you’re responsible for the care and clean up.”

“ No problem.” Unwilling to leave just yet, she asked, “Are you competing?”

The grin came back and she sucked in an unsteady breath.

“ Yep. Bull ridin’.”

“ Adrenaline junkie?”

“ No, not really. It’s the best purse.”

“ True.”

Capturing her lip between her teeth, she glanced behind her and groaned under her breath. She wanted to keep him talking, just to hear the sound of his voice, but the line behind her stretched several dozen contestants back and they were all giving her dirty looks.

“ Thanks for registering me.”

“ Of course. Good luck tomorrow.”

“ Yeah, you, too.”

After another quick glance, she headed to where Stephanie stood off to the side.

“ What the hell was that all about?”

“ What do you mean?”

“ You stood there talking with the cowboy behind the table, for like fifteen minutes. Do you have any idea how many filthy looks you were getting from the crowd behind you?”

“ Like I care.” She glanced in his direction again and caught a small smile quirking on his lips when their eyes met. “Any idea who he is?” she asked with a slight tip of her head, although his attention had returned to the contestant in front of the table.

“ Not a clue. Never seen him before. Probably a local here to help out. Why?”

“ He’s mighty fine.”

Stephanie stepped to the side and looked. “Yeah, I guess so. A little older than I normally like, but he’s not bad.”

“ Not bad? The man’s gorgeous. Did you see those eyes? Green with little flecks of gold. I could melt in those.”

“ I wasn’t looking that close, but obviously you did. You’re drooling.”

“ I am not.”

Bubbling laughter came from Stephanie’s mouth. “He sure seemed to be checking you out.”

“ He did not and I wasn’t drooling.” She wiped her lips, just to make sure.

“ Yes he was and yes you were.”

“ It doesn’t matter anyway. You know as well as I do how rodeo guys are. And I certainly don’t need another man right now except to satisfy a hunger between the sheets.”

“ Isn’t getting laid part of the reason we’re here?”

One shoulder lifted in a shrug as they headed toward her truck and trailer. She’d heard about the rodeo here in Harper from a friend and decided to check it out. This past year, she spent most days going from one rodeo to another, with an occasional romp with a lean-hipped, hard-chested cowboy when the itch got to be too much.

Driving in from Denver, the minute she saw the little town of Harper she was fascinated. She loved the area at first sight. The small-town atmosphere, but with larger-town amenities, fit her personality perfectly.

The restlessness she felt lately had her wondering what her problem could be, but finding this town could be the answer to her prayers. The job at the bar in Denver paid the bills, but didn’t leave her much to save. Scrimping and saving the way she had over the last couple of years had amassed a nice nest egg, if she could keep Jake from finding out about it and finding her.

Her relationship with Jake crumbled some time ago and moving from town to town kept her one step ahead of him. The threat he posed to her and anyone near her was real. When they’d first met, she thought it cute, how he wanted to be with her all the time, do everything for her, including controlling the money and keeping a close eye on who she hung out with, but that got old and fast. The possessiveness had been just the start. The abuse came next. Oh, he’d been sorry, until it happened again and again, so she’d cut and run, leaving her old friends and old life behind.

“ We’ve registered, so let’s grab a shower, some dinner and hit the bar,” Steph suggested as they headed back for the stock barn to make sure their horses had food and water.

“ Let’s check the horses real quick and we’ll head to the hotel. I really need a shower after shoveling horse shit while you disappeared checking out the riders.”

Stephanie shrugged and Mandy laughed as she shook her head. Her friend chasing cowboys didn’t surprise her any more.

When the animals were safe and secure and they’d checked in with security, they headed for Mandy’s truck and the hotel.

* * * *

Slick’s Place looked like the typical cowboy honky-tonk. Peanut shells on the floor, loud music from the band on the stage, and neon signs flashing beer labels on every wall. Beer bottles hung from the hands of almost every patron, long-sleeved western shirts and Wranglers on the men and sparkles and rhinestones on the women. Everything from short skirts to jeans graced every shape and size of woman in the bar. Most everyone had on pointed-toe cowboy boots in varying colors of the rainbow. Silver belt buckles reflected the lights flipping from one side of the dance floor to the other in time to the band. Straw hats to expensive Stetsons sat on the heads of most everyone, but one could always tell the wannabes from the real cowboys. All they had to do was check the soles of their boots.

“ There’s a table over there.” Stephanie tipped her head to the right and Mandy could see an empty table pushed up against the wall.

“ Grab it quick, before someone else does.”

They made a dash for the table, but before they got too far, Mandy fell into one cowboy’s lap when they tried to scoot by. She wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Colby when she lifted her gaze and focused on the face close to hers.

“ What are you doing, Colby?” she yelled near his ear to be heard over the band.

“ Holdin’ my best girl,” he said, while his hands did a slow crawl up her arm and the stench of cheap beer met her nose.

“ I’m not your best girl. Now let go.” Both hands planted on his chest and she tried pushing out of his arms and getting to her feet.

Standing quickly, he grabbed her hands and pulled her toward the dance floor. “Ah, come on, Mandy. Dance with me, baby.”

He’s already halfway to drunk. Damn it! I don’t need this tonight.

Ripping her hands from his, she said, “No, Colby,” and headed across the room. When she reached the table, she plopped down in the chair with a weary sigh.

“ What the hell was that all about?”

“ Colby’s drunk and he’s trying to hit on me.”

“ Maybe I’ll take his mind off you for a while,” Stephanie replied, glancing over Mandy’s shoulder.

Her hand swept across in front of them. “Be my guest. Just keep him away from me.”

The waitress stopped at their table and they both ordered beer and chatted for several minutes while they waited. Once the waitress returned with their order, Stephanie said, “I’ll be back.”

Her friend slid up next to Colby and sat in his lap, looping her arms around his neck.

Mandy shook her head and let her gaze wander around the rest of the occupants of the bar. The crowd seemed lively tonight, talking, laughing and generally having a good time. The band sounded pretty good while they kept up several lively tunes and a few slower songs here and there. Lots of the songs she knew. Everything from George Strait to Rascal Flatts blared through the speakers while she tapped her foot to the beat.

Mmm…I wonder if there’s anyone here I could hook up with for a few hours. It’s been some time since I’ve been with a man who knows what the hell he’s doing in the sack. Too many of them don’t have a clue.

After several minutes of watching Stephanie get cozy with Colby, she decided to take a walk around the bar and see if there might be anyone interesting. Besides, she wanted to check out the mechanical bull.

Grabbing her bottle of beer, she stood and headed toward the dance floor. Several good-looking cowboys tipped their hats and smiled, but no one caught her attention for long. The typical rodeo rider or rhinestone cowboy wasn’t in her sights tonight. The need for something tickled her mind and put her on edge, but she wasn’t quite sure what exactly it entailed.

When she finished her beer, she handed the empty bottle to a passing waitress and worked her way toward the crowd gathered in the back. The mechanical bull sat in the middle of a big inflated ring. The guy running the controls grinned wickedly while he sat in the corner whipping the handle back and forth, doing his best to dump the rider. People laughed and pushed each other in good-natured ribbing. Others pointed and slapped the participant on the back when he unsuccessfully rode the bull and landed in the middle of the padding on his butt or back.

Like that’s anything close to the real thing.

The next man to step forward had her moving closer.

It’s the guy from the rodeo. Hazel eyes, dark hair and drop-dead gorgeous cowboy with the nice ass who personifies sex-on-a-stick.

With a quick nod, he mounted the steel contraption, slipped a gloved hand through the metal hold and indicated with a tip of his head, he was ready. The beast moved slowly at first, but when the man behind the controls started to jam it back and forth, the bull lashed and twirled like it had a life of its own. Still the guy hung on. Right arm whipped back and forth through the air and Mandy held her breath while she watched in rapt attention. Muscles bulged, thighs gripped and his ass clenched while he continued his ride—and she got hotter and hotter the longer he stayed on.

Desire buzzed her ears and saliva pooled her mouth. Bull riders usually didn’t do it for her, but watching this guy had her so hot, she could feel cream coat the inside of her silky panties.

The buzzer rang. Eight seconds. He did it!

When the bull came to a stop, the man jumped off, landing in the middle of the ring. Like in slow motion, he lifted his head and his gaze locked on her.

One eyebrow rose questioningly, while the corners of his tempting mouth lifted in a crooked grin. The smile grew bigger as he started in her direction.

Oh shit! He’s coming this way!

* * * *

Well, look what we have here. It’s the beauty from the rodeo. And damn does she look hot.

Chestnut curls hung to the middle of her back and framed her face. Big green eyes and red lips had him almost groaning out loud. When she’d literally backed into him in the stock barn, he’d gotten a good feel for her ass in those jeans, but what he really wanted to do was grab those cheeks with both hands and squeeze. Breasts big enough to fill a man’s hands pressed against her tank top and made his mouth water. He wondered what her nipples would look like. Pink or dusky red, he didn’t care.

Damn, ain’t she a sight for sore eyes. I knew there had to be a reason I came here tonight and she’s it.

Stopping in front of her, he bent near her ear and said, “Well hello. I’m not sure why, but I almost expected you not to be here. I’m sure glad you are.”

Pink tinged her cheeks when she looked up. “Yeah well, everyone’s here, are they not?”

“ Just about.”

“ Great ride. Can you do it again tomorrow?”

“ It’s the plan.” He stepped over the inflated ring and they moved away from the crowd together. “Can I buy you a drink?”

Her shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Sure, but there’s a bit of a problem.”

“ What’s that?”

“ You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

“ Caleb Morrison.” He held out his hand and when she gave him hers, he wasn’t the least bit surprised at the firmness of her grasp.

“ Nice to meet you, Caleb.”

“ You too, Mandy. Now, how about the drink?”

Her tinkling laughter sent chills down his back. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

“ Good. Why don’t we head toward the bar?”

“ Excellent idea.”

His hand settled on the small of her back while he escorted her through the crowd. The short tank top did little to hide the flash of skin he saw—or the butterfly tattoo he glimpsed when she moved.

Several people waved and called his name. He hadn’t been back in Harper very long—six months or so—but since he grew up here, he knew almost everyone.

When they finally reached the long slab of mahogany and found a couple of stools, he signaled for the bartender with a raise of his hand.

“ What can I get for you?” the man asked.

“ Mandy?”

“ Oh, beer’s fine. MGD please.”

“ Make it two.” Caleb turned toward her, spread his thighs to surround her chair and hooked one booted heel on the bottom rung of the stool. “Have you been ridin’ long?”

With a saucy tilt of her head and a quick smile, she said, “All my life, but I didn’t start doing the circuit regularly until the last year or two. You?”

“ Me too—ridin’ that is—but this is my first bit with competing since junior high.”

The bartender set the two bottles within reach and then disappeared.

He grabbed both and handed her one.

“ Thanks.”

“ You’re welcome.”

“ You must live around here then.”

“ I do now, but didn’t for a long time.” He tipped the bottle to his lips and took several swallows. “I grew up here, but left at sixteen.”

“ Sixteen? Really? I can’t even imagine being on my own so young.”

“ Yeah, well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.” The band struck up a slow waltz and he had the insane urge to hold her close. “Care to dance?” The bow-shaped lips curved up in a smile and about set him on fire.

“ I’d love to.”

Caleb tapped the man next to him on the shoulder. “Hey, Rick. Watch our beers and stools.”

“ Sure, Caleb.”

Grabbing her hand, he stood and gently pulled her toward the dance floor until he reached the edge.

When he turned toward her, he pulled her into his arms and splayed one hand on the small of her back, before he tucked her hand in his and laid it on his chest.

Damn, she smells good. Like honeysuckle. Reminds me of the ranch.

“ So where you from, Mandy?”

One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Here and there. Nowhere, these days.”

“ Why? You had to grow up somewhere.”

“ I did, but my parents died a few years ago. Right now, I go from town to town with the circuit.”

“ Must get mighty lonely.”

Frown lines appeared between her eyebrows and she focused her gaze on the center of his chest. “Sometimes.” When it returned to his, he could see sadness in the depths and something else…fear. “I’m not in one place long enough these days to get too tied up in others’ lives. There’s always the gossip and crap of the rodeo circuit, but I try to stay out of all of it.”

“ Good choice.”

“ What about you? Where’d you go when you took off at sixteen?”

“ Not too far, but far enough. My dad swore I’d never amount to anything, so I took it as a challenge. Moved in with a distant aunt on my mom’s side, finished high school and went to college to be an architect.”

“ Wow. So, what brought you back here?”

“ My dad was killed. Mom died several years ago from cancer. I didn’t have any siblings. Someone had to take over the ranch.”

“ Sounds pretty lonely, too.”

“ Yeah, kind of.”

The song came to an end and they stepped apart before they walked back toward the bar.

“ Care to get some air? It’s kind of hot and stuffy in here,” he asked.

She nodded and headed toward the doors. When they stepped out, she sighed and lifted her hair from her neck. “Oh Lordy, that feels good. I feel all sticky from the heat in there.”

More people pushed behind them and he grasped the upper part of her arm to steer her a little further away from the door. “Why don’t we step over here? My truck’s right there.” He pointed to a white dually pickup. “We can sit on the tailgate if you’d like.”

“ Okay.”

Once they reached the back, he pulled the gate down and she scooted her pretty little ass up on it and started to swing her feet back and forth.

With a provocative tilt of her head, she said, “I take it there’s no wife or girlfriend at home, if you’re here dancing with me.”

A warm chuckle burst from his lips and he ducked his head, a little embarrassed by her direct questioning. “No. Haven’t found anyone I wanted to get serious with in the last several years.”

“ Good thing. I don’t do married men.”

The chuckle turned into a burst of laughter. “You haven’t hooked up with any of the regular circuit riders?”

“ One or two. Most of them are arrogant, cocky and selfish. The size of the buckle doesn’t correlate to the size of the—” He put his hand over her mouth to stop her words.

“ I get the idea.”

The tip of her tongue brushed his palm and he hissed through his teeth at the contact. The wicked grin playing on her mouth had him wanting to grab her and kiss the daylights out of her.

“ And since you don’t have a buckle to compare it to…not an issue.”

He shook his head and dropped his gaze down only to have it stop on her gorgeous breasts. Nipples puckered beneath her shirt and poked out against the material, giving him a nice view.

Shit!

Heat crawled up his neck. When he quickly brought his focus back to her face, she laughed.

“ It’s okay, Caleb, really. You can look. Most men do. If they don’t, it makes me wonder whether they’re gay or not. Attention like that kind of comes with the territory of being a woman.”

“ I guess so, but it’s not very gentlemanly to gawk. Why don’t we go back inside and dance some more?”

“ Sure.” She slid off the tailgate, grabbed his hand and headed for the door.

They made it back to the dance floor and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close so they swayed chest to breast. It obviously didn’t matter to her whether the song had a fast beat or slow one. Her pert little nipples poked his chest and he had to fight the groan rumbling deep inside, before it escaped to his lips.

Damn it! I’m about to explode!

“ You okay?” she murmured, her lips brushing his neck.

“ Mmm…nope.”

“ No?”

“ I’m tryin’ to be the gentleman here and not take you out back, strip them tight jeans off your hips and…”

She leaned back and her sexy grin had him almost coming in his pants.

“ I get the picture, cowboy, but even though I think you’re sexy as hell, you’ll have to settle for dancin’ and maybe a kiss or two. I don’t usually fuck on the first date.” Her belly rubbed against his rock-hard erection. “Even if you do have one impressive package hidin’ behind your zipper.”

“ Ah, hell.”

A low-pitched laugh reached his ear and he groaned.

One finger traced his mouth and her eyes widened when he nipped the tip with his teeth.

“ If you’re real good…” she paused, and her tongue skipped over her lips as her pupils dilated, “by the end of the rodeo, you might get lucky.”