12-Alarm Cowboys (172 page)

Claire wrinkled her nose. “That dive? You should come stay at the ranch.”

Lisa’s stomach dropped. Stay at the Double S? See Cody every day?
No, thank you.
“That’s so sweet, but I think I’d like to be closer to town. If I decide to stay, I’ll have a lot of work to do setting up my business.”

“What kind of business?” Porsche asked.

“A bakery.” It was her passion. Guy had called it a waste of time.

Claire’s eyes brightened. “This town needs a bakery. I do hope you decide to stay.”

With this welcome, it was tempting.

Claire hooked her arm in Lisa’s and tugged her along the street. “We’re going for dinner at the B&G. Would you join us?” As though she was giving Lisa a choice. But then, knowing Claire, she rarely did.

“I’d love that.”

And the funny thing was, it was true.

The B&G was
just as she remembered it. Bar on one side, restaurant on the other. The fragrant, familiar odor of food frying in a basket. Amazing burgers that made her tongue weep.

Lisa had a wonderful chat with Claire and Porsche while they ate a decadent meal containing more calories than she would normally eat in a week. It was great fun reminiscing and catching up with the characters in town. She was surprised at how much she laughed.

The tales of what had become of the Double S were particularly hysterical. Claire’s brothers had turned it into a strip ranch and some of the stories she told had Lisa holding her sides.

Halfway through the meal, she excused herself to visit the ladies’ room, which was in the back on the bar side. Unlike the brightly lit restaurant, the bar was murky and dim and smelled of hops. It was full of men in cowboy hats and faded chambray. Country music wailed from the jukebox. It was so cliché, it put a smile on her lips.

But then she caught sight of a familiar face, and her smile froze.

She ducked her head and hurried into the room marked Cowgirls. Damn. Why did Cody have to be here?

Though any tender feelings she’d once had for him were dead and gone, the mortification of seeing the boy she thought she loved dry humping another girl behind the bleachers was still sharp. Of course, it was probably magnified by the fact that, not too long ago, she’d caught her husband doing the same. Though
that
humping had been far more graphic. Bare asses and elbows.

On
her
bed.

On sheets
she’d
bought.

It still galled her, but at least the divorce was finalized. She could let it go. Let it all go. Regardless, she didn’t want to face Cody. Not yet. She would eventually, if she decided to stay. It was a small town, after all. But please, God, not on her first day.

When she headed through the narrow hall back to the restaurant, she kept her head down—and her thoughts were preoccupied—so she didn’t see it coming. She slammed into something hard and warm and solid.

Her chin jerked up, her eyes widened and she found herself staring into the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. They were a deep blue with a dark ring around the irises, and fringed with sandy lashes.

They stunned her.

He
stunned her, and it wasn’t just the impact.

His face was striking, a hard, chiseled countenance. High cheekbones, arched brows and full, lush lips. The scar on his left cheek only underscored his raw beauty. His hair was a tumble of sandy curls beneath his cowboy hat. His neck was thick and muscled, and his shoulders were broad. And his chest…glory be, it was hard.

And oh.

She gulped.

That wasn’t the only thing that was hard.

A bulge, in the general vicinity of his groin, gouged her belly.

His hands on her waist tightened as he steadied her. His lips quirked up and he tipped his head to the side. Oh mercy. What a smile.

“Sorry, ma’am,” he said in a low drawl. It made a shiver walk through her.

“I…no. I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.” But she made no move to step away. Neither did he.

His aftershave drifted toward her, making her head spin. She stared up at him, reveling in the feel of him against her, the warmth soaking in, his steady hold on her. His thumb moved on her waist. A caress. She swallowed.

One thought rang in her mind. Now
this
was a man she wouldn’t mind playing with.

The moment thrummed between them.

His expression tightened. His Adam’s apple worked. He opened his lips to speak, but before he could, a familiar voice rang out behind him.

“Well, I’ll be. If it isn’t Lisa Binder!”

Lisa winced.

Crap.

Cody had found her.

‡

C
ade flinched as
his brother shattered the moment. He should have expected as much. Cody did that. Whenever he had the chance. Even when he wasn’t trying.

And hell. It had been amazing, holding Lisa, feeling her soft breasts pressed against his chest. That little thrust of her hips when she realized he was hard against her. But more than that. The look in her eye—the
interest
in her eye—had poleaxed him.

It was something he’d wanted, ached, yearned to see for ten years.

But now, here was Cody to fuck things up. As usual.

Reluctantly, he released her and stepped away; he tried to swallow his frustration.

Cody rushed in and swept Lisa into a hug. Cade’s left eye ticked at the sight.

“Lisa, when did you get into town?”

She extricated herself from Cody’s hold and glanced in Cade’s direction. “Um, today.”

“Well, ain’t that something. Hey, why don’t you join us for a drink?” Cody tugged at her arm but Lisa resisted.

“Oh, no. I’m having dinner with friends.” She waved toward the dining room.

Cody leaned into the room and scanned the tables. “Not Claire and Porsche?”

“Um, yes.”

“Well, perfect. You can all join us.”

As Cody always did, he took charge, storming into the dining room and corralling Claire and Porsche as though they were cattle, and herding them—with their plates and silverware and glasses—into the bar. He pulled up extra chairs at the table and ordered everyone to sit. Of course, he sat next to Lisa.

Cade took his chair—across from them—and Porsche sat at his side. He didn’t miss the frown she sent to Cody when he draped his arm over the back of Lisa’s chair. But then, Cade was frowning too.

Something nudged his foot and he moved it away. The nudge returned. He looked down at Porsche and she smiled at him. It was a seductive smile, but in it, Cade could see a hint of desolation. He’d always suspected that Porsche had a thing for his brother, which was a shame. Porsche was a beautiful girl with delicate features and a curvy body. She could probably get any guy she wanted. But Cody wasn’t the getting type. He hadn’t had a relationship that lasted longer than six months in his life and Porsche was the kind of girl a man married. Aside from that, Cody and Ford were best friends. His brother knew better than to fool around with someone like Porsche because if he broke her heart, Ford would break his kneecaps.

Cade forced himself to smile back, which was a mistake, because when he turned back to the table, he caught Ford’s scowl.

Yeah. He kind of liked his kneecaps as they were too.

“Do you know everyone?” Cody asked, leaning, in Cade’s estimation, far too close to Lisa.

Her gaze flicked to him and she shook her head. Cade’s chest constricted. Hell. She didn’t remember him.

Had she ever even noticed him?

Cody swept his arm across the table. “This is Ford McCoy.”

“Yes, I know Ford.”

“Wayne Culpepper. And you know my brother, Cade.”

Her eyes widened. She said his name, though silently. He saw it on her lips. Then she dabbed at them with her tongue and swallowed. “Cade. I didn’t recognize you.”

“Yup. Yup. He’s all grown up.” Cody pinned Lisa with the fervent attention a starving man might give a juicy peach. “Well, you look wonderful. How have you been?”

She responded with something vague. It might have been “Fine,” but Cade was too stupefied for it to register, because she was still looking at him. And her eyes were warm.

“So, Lisa,” Cody gusted, unwilling to allow her attention to linger on anyone but himself. Yup. That was pretty much Cody to a T. The bastard. “How long are you in town?”

“She’s staying,” Claire announced. Cade stared at his sister and then he glanced at Lisa. Excitement shafted through him at her nod.

“Might be staying,” she qualified with a grin.

“Really?” Cody’s expression brightened. He scooted his chair closer.

Cade suppressed the urge to growl.

“She’s redoing her grandmother’s house.” Yeah, if Snake Gully had a town crier, her name was Claire Silver.

“That sounds like you’re staying.” Cody’s glee was a little too avid for Cade’s liking.

Lisa fiddled with her napkin. “If I stay, I’ll live there. If I decide to go back to Dallas, I’ll sell it.”

“And your husband? Is he here with you?” A nasty worm crawled through Cade at his brother’s slick question, even though he’d been itching to ask it himself.

Her features tightened. She forced a smile and said, “As of last Friday, I no longer have one.” She might have added, in a whisper, “Thank God.”

And damn. That bit of news sent exhilaration and delight skittering up his spine.

No husband.

Not anymore.

Apparently, Cody found it fascinating as well. His eyes glinted. He scooted even closer. Cade’s gut rippled. Of its own accord, his foot shot out and whacked his brother in the leg.

Oops.

Cody winced, but his attention on Lisa didn’t waver.

“I told her she should stay at the house,” Claire said with a sniff, and a bolt of lightning sizzled through him. God. What would that be like? To have her near? Close at hand? To see her every day? Awesome.

Then he glanced at his brother and decided it wouldn’t be so very awesome. It was clear Cody was interested in Lisa. And what Cody wanted, Cody got. He always had. If she lived at their house, Cade would have to watch the inevitable seduction, the inevitable affair. And that would kill him.

“The motel is fine,” Lisa said.

Ford grimaced. “That motel is a flea trap.”

Wayne took a sip of his beer. “Should have been condemned years ago.”

“Besides which, you’d be much more comfortable at the ranch.” Claire was like a dog with a bone. “It’s homier.”

Porsche snorted.

Claire frowned at her. “What?”

“Nothing.” Porsche fluttered her lashes.

“Why did you snort?”

“The Double Stud? Homey? Seriously?”

“It’s perfectly homey.”

“Right. Especially when the strippers invade.”

Claire crossed her arms. “That’s only on the weekends. Besides, Lisa might enjoy that.” She shot a look at her friend. “You like hard, muscled, half-naked men, don’t you?”

The expression on Lisa’s face was priceless. “Um. I suppose.”

“See?” Claire crowed at Porsche.

“I’m just saying, homey isn’t the word I would use.”

“Ignore her,” Claire said, waving a dismissive hand at Porsche. “The point is, the ranch has plenty of room and you are welcome. I would love some female company.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Well, no matter where you hang your hat, I hope you decide to stay,” Porsche sighed. “This town could use a bakery.”

Claire nodded. “This is absolutely true.”

“You’re a baker?” The question emerged, before thought had time to form. Cade wasn’t usually quick with his words, but he was glad he was this time, because her attention snapped to him.

Her face transformed. “I love baking.”

He met her smile with one of his own. “Excellent. I love eating.”

To which she laughed. It was a musical sound that danced through him.

The conversation shifted then, to other things this town desperately needed. Cade tried to follow along, and be all civil and shit, but it was tough, because Cody leaned closer and whispered something in Lisa’s ear. Cade’s attention locked on the couple across the table. And God, how that rankled. Seeing them as a couple. Again. It dredged up all the old memories and ancient resentments. Reminded him how things always seemed to come easy for Cody, how he never really honored the blessings he got.

Even when they were kids, Cody took everything for granted. As though being the golden child was his due.

Cade had fought for everything.

His brother’s hand dropped onto Lisa’s shoulder and Cade fixated on it. Something in him roiled and swelled. It tasted like fury.

She glanced at him and their gazes tangled. He sent her a searing look and her lashes flickered. A flush rose on her cheeks and she glanced away, but only for a second. When their eyes met again, he was the one seared. And then her lips lifted.

For a long, luxurious minute they engaged in some sort of conversation, one without need of words.

And goddamn Cody. He stole her attention again.

Stole it. Put his hand to her chin and turned her face to his.

Right when things were getting interesting.