Bartender's Beauty (Culpepper Cowboys Book 11) (8 page)

“You just want me for my shoulders…”

“Oh, I’m not sure that’s completely true. There are other parts of you I’m very interested in exploring.”

“Is that right? Would you care to share which ones?”

She laughed. “Nope. I wouldn’t.” She threw his tie to the floor and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it out of his slacks. Her hands stroked over his bare chest, her teeth scraping against where his neck connected to his shoulder. “I do like touching you.”

He grinned. “I sure hope so, because I plan on there being a whole lot of touching going on between us in the three million years of marriage we have before us.”

“Three million, huh? You expect to be that old?”

He shrugged. “I just refuse to let you go, so we’ll both have to live that long to be together.”

“You’re just a little bit crazy, Austin James.”

“And you’re not, Dallas James?”

She smiled at the sound of her new name. “Dallas James. I like that.”

“Me too!” He pushed the strap of her full slip off her shoulder and pressed his lips to the skin he bared. His hands stroking the slip down until it pooled around her waist.

She reached behind her and unfastened her bra, wishing she’d taken the time to shop for some pretty little bras instead of wearing the boring white she had always had. She’d never understood the joy of bra and matching panty sets until that moment when she realized she didn’t want him seeing her underwear. She wanted to laugh at herself, but she was too busy kissing her husband to bother.

Austin pushed her bra off for her, pulling her against him and loving the feel of her bare breasts against his chest. “I could just sit like this for hours, enjoying how you feel against me.”

She leaned back and raised an eyebrow at him. “Really? Hours?”

He chuckled. “Okay, probably not hours, but definitely fifteen seconds or so…I’m ready to get to the good stuff.”

She shook her head at him. “From what I can tell, it’s
all
the good stuff.”

He got down on the floor at her feet, pulling her slip down over her hips and tugging her panties off, throwing them both on the floor.

Dallas couldn’t look at him as she sat there, naked in front of him for the first time. What if he was disgusted by what he saw? She would be heartbroken.

“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

Dallas stole a glance at him, and he was staring at her with awe. There was no doubt in her mind that he meant exactly what he said. He thought she was beautiful. All the years that her father had berated her for her body, all the years she’d spent hiding when she had to change in a locker room was down to this moment.

Austin was looking at her as if she was the most beautiful human being on the planet, and all at once, she believed him. She didn’t believe she was the most beautiful, because that would stretch the imagination too far, but she believed he believed it. And that’s all that mattered.

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek, but his thumb was there to catch it. “Thank you.” The words were barely a whisper, but he heard them, and as always he understood.

“You’re everything to me, Dallas. Thank you for coming back into my life and marrying me. Thank you for being you.”

She shook her head, catching his hand and pulling him off his knees. When he stood before her, she unfastened his pants and pushed them to the floor. “Make love with me, Austin.”

“Like you need to ask me that!” he said, lying down beside her on the bed, his hand stroking down her body. “Tell me if I do anything you don’t like.”

She laughed. “With you? I’ll like everything.” She stroked his shoulders, his chest, and as he stroked her, she felt her body react to him. She wanted this man in a way she’d never wanted another. She wanted him to join his body to hers and never part from her again.

His hand went between her thighs and stroked her for a moment, before he knelt between them. He felt like he was rushing things too quickly, but her eyes were glazed, and she was very obviously as carried away by their passion as he was.

Dallas stared up at him, feeling no nervousness or fear as she expected, just overwhelming passion. Her hands went to his chest, and she stroked it as he entered her body. His hands stroked her breasts, and he leaned over to kiss her, even as his body began to dance with hers.

A short time later, Austin collapsed beside her, pulling her close against him, her head on his shoulder. “Now you know what it’s like to live in sin,” he said when he finally caught his breath.

“Live in sin?” she asked, confused. “We’re married.”

“Yeah, but we made love before our wedding night. It’s still light out.”

She rested he back of her wrist against her forehead dramatically. “I feel like such a trollop! Oh, woe is me! What have I done?”

“Other than made your new husband the happiest man on earth? I have no idea!” His hand stroked her shoulder, smoothing her hair away from her face. He didn’t remember either of them taking it down, but it was now released from its captivity and spilling over both of them.

She pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “You know, for a little while there, I saw myself through your eyes and almost believed I really was beautiful.”

“Hopefully you’ll learn to do that for longer and longer periods until you realize that it’s your vision that’s skewed, not mine.” For now, he’d just be pleased that he’d gotten her father’s voice out of his head for long enough that she believed it a little bit.

She sighed, her hand exploring his ribs and abdomen. “Have I mentioned how much I love touching you? We get to sleep late tomorrow, right?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but I do have to work tomorrow evening.”

“It’s Tuesday,” she said softly. “Was it only a week ago that I promised you every Tuesday night?”

“I think it was. You go back to school on Wednesday, right?”

She nodded. “Students have a couple of weeks yet, but I go back tomorrow. I get to set up my classroom and get ready for the school year. It’s going to be strange.”

“Being back at Culpepper High?”

“Yeah. And teaching all levels of math. I’m used to a big school. I taught five periods of algebra one. Here I’ll be teaching pre-algebra through calculus. It’s going to be a much bigger challenge.”

He grinned. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you mention teaching at Culpepper High in anything that sounded remotely like you’re glad you’re doing it.”

She smiled, rubbing her cheek against the smooth skin of his shoulder. “Maybe I’m starting to see Culpepper through your eyes a little more too.”

“I hope so.”

Chapter Eight

The next day was Dallas’s last day before she had to start working. She was ready to see her classroom and suddenly excited about getting to work. There was something about Austin that made her see things in a more positive light.

A couple of hours before he had to leave for work, he took her hand. “We need to go for a walk.”

“A walk?” She shrugged. “Okay, let’s go for a walk.”  She put her socks and sneakers on, already wearing shorts and a T-shirt. It was one of those too-hot summer days in her mind. Even there in the mountains, she was scalding.

Once she was ready, he took her by the hand and walked in a seemingly aimless direction. “Where are we going?”

He shrugged. “Just walking.” He had something in mind, but he wanted her to be surprised.

Finally, he walked onto the schoolyard, and she laughed. “I’m not going to live under the monkey bars with you. I’m not crazy, and according to Kolby, you couldn’t catch a fish to save your life.”

“I don’t still want to do that. I’d rather have a bed to be in with you every night than sleeping in dirt that could get…places.” Austin led her toward the monkey bars anyway, kneeling down beside one of the posts. “Look here.”

Dallas knelt beside him, looking at the very bottom of the post to see what he was pointing at, before she burst out laughing. “Austin + Dallas. When did you do this?”

He shrugged. “Probably late nineties? I’ve looked for it a few times, and I always kind of expected the school would buff it out, but it’s still there.”

She laughed, turning to him. “I love it. Thank you for showing me this.”

He grinned. “I thought, because it was the first romantic thing I ever did for you, we should do each other right here. Just once.”

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head, laughing. “I’m not having sex under the monkey bars at our old elementary school! What if some kids walked by?”

He looked in every direction, obviously making sure no one was coming, before cupping her face in his hands and kissing her until her toes curled. “I guess that will have to do.”

She shook her head, looking at him with a dazed look. “Think we have time to get home and make some memories before you have to go to work?”

He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the time. “Probably not. Darn it. I’d call someone in for me, but they’ve all been working extra to cover my shifts for a week as I’ve followed you around like a lost puppy dog.”

“Like you’ve ever done that. It was more like being beside me so I always had an incredibly broad, sexy shoulder to cry on.”

“You should come dance with me tonight, though. No one will mind.” They hadn’t been apart since the wedding, and he kind of wanted to keep her with him for as long as possible.

She thought about it for a minute before nodding. “I’ll do that.” She got to her feet. “It’s been a long time since we sat in the dirt together.”

He grinned. “We’ll have to do it more often. Remember when we’d play with my Matchbox cars here?”

She nodded. She’d wanted to play Barbie, but she’d never dared to ask, because she was always sure he’d never want to play with her again if she confessed to liking girly pursuits. He was her only friend, so she couldn’t care make him angry. “If I’d asked to play dolls, would you have done it?”

He laughed. “Probably. But I would have insisted that I was the daddy and you were the mommy, and that meant I got to kiss you a
lot
.”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe you were thinking about kissing when we were that young.”

“I don’t think I would have been if you hadn’t come along.” He reached down a hand and helped her to her feet. “Let’s go home. I need to grab a sandwich before I head to the bar.”

She frowned. “You realize that starting tomorrow, we’re going to have exact opposite schedules. I’ll be up early, and you’ll be staying up late.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll make the day shift guy switch with me.”

“The bar’s open during the day?”

He nodded. “He doesn’t get a ton of business, which was why he’s been working days. He’s the least experienced bartender. He serves a few drinks and does some short-order cooking, making meals for anyone who wants one.”

“I didn’t know you were equipped for that.”

He shrugged. “Sure. For little stuff. He’ll make eggs or a burger or something. We’re not talking gourmet.” He glanced over at her. “I’m sure we’ll lose all of our early in the day customers to Bob’s Burger Barn as soon as it opens. Rumor has it that Bob can make a burger like nobody’s business.”

“Are you worried about that?”

“Nah. So much more profit in alcohol than food. It’s just a place where some of the older men in town like to hang out at lunchtime, so I keep it open for them. They don’t like how busy the diner gets.”

When they reached the house, he opened the door. “Do you make yourself something to eat at the bar at night?”

He shrugged. “Every once in a while, if I’m hungry. Mostly I just eat before I go.” He walked into the kitchen. “You sit, and I’ll make us some sandwiches.”

Dallas watched him move around the kitchen, liking what she saw a great deal. “You know what it does to a woman to see her man in the kitchen? Even if he is wearing a shirt.”

“Are you asking me to take my shirt off while I make sandwiches?” He looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

“Well, if it’s too much trouble…” She shrugged, trying to give him an innocent look.

He laughed, peeling his shirt off over his head. “I have a feeling I’m going to like being married to you.”

“I hope so. Apparently it’s a dream that’s over twenty years old. I’d better make it worth having.”

He shook his head as he finished the sandwiches. “I’m sure that life will never again be boring.”

*****

Dallas sneaked out of bed while Austin was still sleeping the next morning, slipping into the shower and getting dressed. She was glad jeans and shorts were fine until the students arrived, because she had a lot of planning to do, and she was going to work more easily if she was comfortable.

Once she was dressed, she leaned over and kissed Austin. “I’ll see you later.”

He yawned. “I’ll bring you lunch at school.”

“Sounds good.” With one last kiss she was on her way, nervous about her first day.

She pulled up in front of the school and went to the entrance she’d been told would be open, and stood outside the school for a moment, nervous about entering the building. She was a lot stronger than she’d been back when she graduated, but that didn’t make it any easier.

After a moment, she pulled open the door and walked down a short hall to the office, noting the musty smell of a school that had been locked up all summer. She passed the gym and shuddered. She had terrible memories of classes in there.

When she got to the office, she leaned on the counter. “I’m Miss Gustafson, the new math teacher.”

The secretary smiled at her, handing her a key. “You’re in room one-forty-three. Can you find it?”

“Yes, this is my alma mater.” Dallas turned to leave the office, but was stopped.

“Dallas! I’d like to talk to you for a moment before you go to your classroom if you don’t mind.” It was the voice of Mr. Shoemaker, who had been the principal even when she’d attended school there. He’d always been an affable sort, loved by kids and teachers alike. She was glad he was still there.

“Mr. Shoemaker, it’s good to see you.” Dallas walked over to him.

“It’s good to see you again. You were always one of our most promising students. I’m glad you’ll be teaching here.” She hadn’t gotten to see him during the interview process, because the hiring was done by the school board.

“I’m really glad to be here.”

“I’m sorry about your father.”

Dallas nodded, her eyes steady. Every time someone told her they were sorry about her father, she wanted to say she wasn’t, but how rude would that be? “Thank you.”

“So glad you married Austin James yesterday.” he asked. “That boy had it bad for you, even when you were in school here. ‘Bout time you put him out of his misery.”

Dallas shook her head, surprised that even the principal had heard the rumors when she had no idea. “How does everyone know that? We got married just yesterday.”

“I’m glad you finally put him out of his misery.” He clapped her on the shoulder. “I expect great things to come out of your classroom, Dallas. Welcome to the team.”

“No pressure, though, right?” she asked with a grin.

He chuckled. “No pressure. We both know exactly what you’re capable of. Now stop wasting my time, and get to work!”

She hurried off to her classroom, already feeling better about her day. The secretary had been very kind, and the principal was exactly as she remembered him. She opened her classroom door and stepped in, immediately going to the window to try to alleviate the mustiness.

She walked around the classroom, trying to get a feel for it. She’d been teaching in the same room for seven years, so it was strange to know this one would be hers. She straightened the chairs into rows, before going to sit at her desk, looking at the huge pile of books. Always before she’d been able to plan one lesson plan for all six classes. That wouldn’t be possible this year.

She counted the books, thinking of each class as she did. Pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, algebra two, trigonometry, and calculus. It was the same number of classes she was used to teaching, but it would be so much more work.

Dallas breathed deeply and picked up the hardest book first. She’d plan out calculus first and work her way to the easier classes. Right at that moment, she wasn’t certain two weeks would be enough time to plan as she would have liked. Normally, she planned out the whole school year in advance so she would have time to grade papers and tests, as well as be there for her students. Math seemed to be the hardest subject for a lot of kids, so she was determined to be there for them all.

She pulled out one of the planning sheets she’d brought with her and got to work.

All through the morning, teachers were sticking their heads into her classroom. She recognized most of them as teachers who had once taught her. Mrs. Lane for English stopped by first. “Dallas! I’d heard you’d be teaching math this year.” She came into the room and hugged Dallas, who rose to her feet. “I’m still disappointed you didn’t become a writer, you know. You had a gift with words that puts some of our greatest writers to shame.”

Dallas smiled. “Thank you, but I didn’t love writing the way I love math. I think I made the right choice.”

“Yes, but I wanted you to make the
write
choice.” Mrs. Lane’s word emphasis made Dallas laugh.

“Maybe I’ll start writing during the summer breaks,” Dallas said with a grin.

“If you decide to, let me know. I’d love to read it.” The older woman hurried off to her own work and Dallas stared at the door she’d left open behind her, smiling.

By the time Austin arrived with a take-out lunch from the diner, Dallas was ready for a break. She had papers spread out all over her desk and had just stood to stretch her legs.

He knocked on the open door. “Secretary gave me your room number. This is the old math room, isn’t it?” He shuddered. “It hurts just walking in here.”

She laughed, walking over to take the drinks he carried. Setting them down on the bookshelf behind her desk, she said, “Give me a second, and I’ll have this ready for you.”

She quickly put all the papers and books she’d been using in a pile and set them on one corner of her desk, before carrying a chair to the front. “There. Now we have a table to eat on.”

He frowned, setting the bag down. “This wasn’t how I had it pictured.”

Dallas walked to him, kissing him quickly. “What’s wrong with it?”

“I was hoping I could sit in one of the student desks, and we could play bad student.”

She shook her head, laughing softly. “No way. You’ve lost your mind.”

He sat down in the chair opposite her, grinning. “I had to try!”

“No, you really didn’t, but I won’t hold it against you.” She reached for one of the burgers he’d brought, unwrapping it and taking a bite. “I was hungrier than I realized.”

“Did you eat breakfast?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, I was running a little late.”

“How was your morning? Anything eventful happen?”

“Oh, several of the teachers have stopped in to say hi. So many that we had as teachers are still teaching here. Mrs. Lane came to tell me she looked forward to working with me, but she wished I’d chosen the
write
profession.”

Austin looked at her blankly for a moment, and then he groaned. “That’s awful!”

She grinned. “I thought so too. Mr. Shoemaker was really sweet. I feel different being back here as a teacher. Not nearly as suppressed.”

“Glad to hear it, because I’m not about to let you run back to Cheyenne. This is where you belong. With me.” He reached out and wiped a bit of mustard from the corner of her mouth with his finger. “I talked to Megan Barrows today.”