Lingerie and Lariats (Rough & Ready#7) (17 page)

Darryl came up to Creed’s side and he put his arm around Creed’s neck. “Do you know who you’re talkin’ to?” Darryl raised his beer bottle with his opposite hand. “You should be damned impressed. This is Creed McBride, two-time world bull riding champion.”

Creed looked uncomfortable and Danica’s lips twisted with amusement as she teased him. “I’m impressed by a lot of things, but riding an animal out to kill you isn’t one of them. I’m more impressed by the person.”

“Felt the heat on that one.” A slight grin curved the corner of Creed’s mouth, obviously knowing she was teasing, and he disengaged from Darryl. “Why don’t you go find that cute little blonde you’ve been with all night?” he said to Darryl.

Darryl turned his gaze on Danica and slowly looked her up and down. Disgust flowed through her at the blatant way he was undressing her with his gaze. “What about this sexy thing?” He grinned. “Danica, right?”

“Yes.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Best friend to Kelsey Richards. Where is she, by the way?”

Darryl jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “She’s waiting for me by the bar.”

Danica put her hands on her hips. “I think I might need to go have a talk with her.”

“Just havin’ a little fun.” Darryl straightened. “I best be getting back to Kelsey.”

Danica frowned, wondering if she
should
go have a talk with her friend. But then Danica wondered if maybe she was reading too much into the way he’d been looking at her.

Darryl touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am,” he said politely, his demeanor completely changed. Darryl slapped Creed on the shoulder then turned and headed toward the bar where Danica caught a glimpse of Kelsey.

“Come on.” Creed indicated that dance floor with a nod. “Give this cowboy a dance.”

The only indecision that warred within her was the thought of getting to know him better, maybe even liking him, when she’d already decided that she wouldn’t want to date a bull rider. Not that dancing with him meant that he even wanted a relationship with her.

Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding. “All right.”

He flashed a smile at her and took her by the hand. She set her beer bottle on a table as they passed by and then they were on the dance floor.

It was a lively two-step and they fell into the dance as if they’d been doing it together forever. She’d been country-western dancing since she was a little girl and it was obvious he was plenty experienced, too.

When the one dance was over, another tune started right away and he swung her into a country waltz. She found herself laughing as they danced and then she realized her headache had vanished. Every touch of his hands sent warmth throughout her body. Or was that just the heat of her skin from dancing?

She was ready to walk off the dance floor the moment the next song struck up, a slow tune, but Creed took her by the hand then brought her into his arms, catching her off guard. She braced her palms on his shoulders to keep him from holding her too close. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.

His warm breath caused a shiver to run through her as he murmured, “Thank you for the dances.”

She swallowed, trying to not let his closeness affect her…the solidness of his body, his masculine scent, and the heat of his large hands at her waist. She cleared her throat but couldn’t get anything out.

“I’d like to see you again,” he said close to her ear.

She drew back and gave him a skeptical look. “You’re a bull rider. You don’t stay in one place for too long.”

“Long enough,” he said. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from southern Arizona, in the San Rafael Valley,” she said. “But I now live in San Diego.”

“There you go.” He gave her a little grin. “We do have something in common. I’m from just north of Phoenix, in Kirkland, between Prescott and Wickenburg.” He touched a lock of her long, dark hair. “What’s an Arizona country girl doing in San Diego?”

“I work as a research associate at the University of California,” she said. “In our department we do breeding maintenance, genotyping, cloning, and other related projects.”

“I’m impressed.” He continued to lightly play with her hair. “Did you go to the University of Arizona?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“I graduated from the U of A twelve years ago,” he said with a grin. “I’d bet you were at least eight years behind me.”

“Something like that.” She smiled. “What was your major?”

“Animal Sciences.”

The song ended, surprising her. The time had passed faster than she’d expected.

“I’d better go,” she said as they drew apart.

“Why?” He walked beside her as she left the dance floor.

“It’s getting late.” And she was becoming far too interested in this bull rider.

He caught her by her hand and drew her to a stop. “Sure I can’t talk you into a drink?”

“You already talked me into dancing with you.” She smiled. “But no, not a drink.”

“Give me your phone number,” he said. “I want to see you again.”

She shook her head. “I don’t date bull riders.”

With a laugh he said, “Why not?”

“It’s too dangerous a sport,” she said. “I’d be worried all the time.”

“You’d worry about me?” He had that sexy grin again.

Somehow she felt off-balance by his reply. “I suppose I would, if we were dating. Which isn’t a possibility because, like I said, I don’t date bull riders.”

“Why don’t you give me a chance?” he said. “I’ll show you that you don’t have to worry about me.”

She put her hands on her hips. “How many bones have you broken over the years? How many concussions have you had? How many times have you had to be stitched up?”

He winced.

“Or,” she went on, “maybe you should just tell me what bones you
haven’t
broken. Yet.”

He shook his head. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“Oh?” She folded her arms across her chest. “How many times have you ridden even when you were injured rather than waiting for those bones and injuries to heal?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “More times than you can count, I’ll bet.”

He laughed and raised his hands. “Aw, come on, Danica. Just give me a chance.”

She liked the way he said her name. His voice had a raw, sensual quality about it. “I’m heading up to my room now,” she said. “It really was nice meeting you.”

“So you’re staying here,” he said as she turned away and he fell into step beside her.

She realized her mistake when she’d said “up to my room.” She paused mid-step and shook her head as she faced him. “Good night, Creed.”

“I know when I’m not wanted.” A smile was on his lips though when he said the words. “Good night, Danica.”

As she walked out of the bar and made her way to the elevators, she found it hard not to look over her shoulder. She could feel him watching her and if she looked, she might find herself turning around and going back.

# # #

Cheyenne McCray

Carly Abbot set aside her glass of champagne on a tray as her closest friend, now Sabrina Holliday Cameron, motioned for her to come closer.

“It’s time for me to toss the bouquet.” Sabrina’s smile was brilliant as she spoke to Carly. “Maybe you’ll catch it.”

“You know I’m not the marrying kind.” Carly shook her head but returned Sabrina’s smile.

“Just come on.” Sabrina waved Carly to join her outside in the resort hotel’s courtyard, where the wedding had been held.

Carly looked at her friend, exasperated. “I really don’t want to.”

“For me. Please?”

“All right, all right.” Carly smiled. “You don’t have to beg or call in the best friend card.”

Sabrina grinned. “I knew you’d do it for me.”

Carly pushed her dark hair over her shoulders. She brushed her palms over her curvy figure, along the royal blue satin dress she’d worn as the maid of honor. She smoothed out the material before she followed Sabrina.

“Time for all the single ladies to gather close.” Sabrina’s mother, Tessa, lightly hit the side of her crystal champagne glass with her cake fork. “The beautiful bride is going to toss the bouquet now.”

Sabrina’s three sisters, along with several other women, joined each other as Sabrina turned her back with her bouquet in her hands.

Reluctantly, Carly stood in the middle of the crowd of women and waited as Sabrina raised the bouquet and tossed it over her shoulder.

The bright flowers sailed through the air and came down toward one of Sabrina’s sisters. The pretty woman caught the edge of bouquet over her head, stopping it with her fingertips. But the bouquet’s momentum was a little faster than she’d expected. She hampered the flowers’ trajectory just enough that they dropped straight down on Carly.

Instinctively she caught the bouquet, without intending to. The next thing she knew everyone was laughing and congratulating her. She wanted to pass the flowers to someone else but it was too late. She groaned.

“Ha.” Sabrina grinned as she went up to Carly. “It was meant to be.”

“Pleeeeease.” Carly held up the bouquet. “This should go to one of your sisters.”

“Too late.” With a laugh, Sabrina set her hand on her friend’s forearm. “Don’t mess with fate.”

Carly rolled her eyes. “As if.”

“I know you’re dating Mike for fun.” Sabrina glanced toward the handsome best man. “Maybe it’s time you break it off with him and find someone who rocks your boat.”

“You’re forgetting that I already did rock the boat that day we went fishing on the lake, and that was with Mike.” Carly grinned at the memory of nearly capsizing the little fishing boat with her and Sabrina ending up in the water. “That was good enough for me.”

Sabrina laughed, a curl falling into her eyes, escaping the upswept hairdo. She brushed it out of her face. “That doesn’t count. You pitched us both into the lake.”

Carly shrugged. “Just goes to show that rocking my boat isn’t enough.”

“Hold onto those flowers.” Sabrina pointed to the bouquet. “They belong to you now.”

The moment Sabrina went off to join her new husband, Wyatt Cameron, Carly slipped away, into the resort hotel and to the room where they kept their purses. She set the bouquet with her purse. She was
not
going to carry that thing around, as if she was shopping for the marrying kind of man.

When she walked out of the room she nearly ran into Dillon Cameron and he caught her by her shoulders. Flutters exploded in her belly as she looked into his brilliant Cameron blue eyes and felt the heat of his palms through the satin bridesmaid’s dress.

His brown hair was a little tousled from the breeze outside where the wedding had been and where the reception was currently being held. She swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat as she looked at the exquisite picture the cowboy made in his black western tux that he’d worn as one of Wyatt’s ushers.

All night, even during the wedding, her gaze had been drawn to the man as if her eyes had a mind of their own. He’d caught her at it a couple of times. She hadn’t had a chance to meet him, but she’d wanted to.

Dillon gave a slow, sexy smile. “Carly, right?”

She simply nodded, unused to being at a loss for words. Heck, she was never at a loss for words. Why now? He released her and that seemed to release her tongue, too. “You’re Dillon, Wyatt’s brother.”

“Yep.” He smiled. “You’re seeing Wyatt’s best man, Mike Sharpe.”

She shrugged. “We like to have a little fun together.”

A sexy light appeared in his eyes as if she’d just given him an invitation. “Will you be at the party tonight?”

He was talking about the party that the bride and groom’s friends were having once the pair took off for their honeymoon.

“I’m going with Mike.” She took a step back, feeling suddenly nervous. “I’d better get back to the reception. See you around, Dillon.”

I’m sure we will.” His slow drawl sent a thrill through her body.

Heart pounding for no apparent reason, she turned and walked back toward the reception, feeling the heat of his gaze on her back.

Damn, she was hot. Dillon watched Carly head away, his gaze on the way her blue dress hugged her ass. The dress reached mid-thigh and she had long, sexy legs that stirred his imagination in a number of ways.

He headed toward the men’s room, his thoughts consumed with the way the dress had bared her shoulders and clung to her curvy figure. If he didn’t get his mind elsewhere, he was going to be sporting a hard-on throughout the rest of the party.

He’d caught her looking at him a couple of times during the wedding and reception with her beautiful lavender eyes, but he hadn’t had a chance to get away from toasts and wedding photos long enough to talk to her. He’d known she was dating Mike, but didn’t know the state of their relationship. Hell, he still didn’t. For all he knew, Mike was serious about her. If he were, Dillon would back right off. But if Mike wasn’t serious…

Just when he reached door to the men’s room, Mike walked out and into the hallway. “Hey, Dillon.”

“Hi, Mike.” Dillon gave a nod. Speak of the devil. “I hear you’re going to the party with that cute thing, Carly.”

“She’s that all right.” Mike grinned. “Cute and sexy as hell.”

Dillon hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. “What’s the story with you two?”

With a shrug, Mike said, “We’re good friends. Why, you interested in her?”

“Might be,” Dillon said. “If you’re just friends, mind if I ask her out?”

 “You like to play the field, Dillon.” Mike frowned and put his hands in his back pockets. “I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

“The last thing I want to do is hurt Carly.” Dillon’s expression was serious.

“If Carly wants to date you then I’m not standing in your way.” Mike studied Dillon. “But you mess around with her feelings and I’m going to have to kick your ass all over the state.”

“I have a feeling that woman can hold her own real well.” Dillon slapped Mike on his shoulder. “See you at the poker game.”

* * * * *

Carly braced her hands on the back of Mike’s chair as she watched the poker game with the Cameron men along a couple of their friends, including Mike. He was holding his own and it was down to him and Dillon who had the biggest pile of chips.

Throughout the game she’d had a hard time keeping her eyes off a Dillon and again he’d caught her at it. Like the other men, he’d taken off his western tux jacket leaving him in a shirt that was snug across his muscular chest and fit his broad shoulders just right. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and she liked watching the way the muscles in his arms flexed when he dealt. Every now and then their gazes would meet and she’d feel a warm flush throughout her body.

She looked over Mike’s shoulder. He had a straight flush. He set his cards down and shoved most of his chips into the middle of the table.

Dillon studied Mike for a moment, then his cards. “I’m all in,” he said and pushed everything he had in.

Mike looked at the remainder of his chips then looked at Dillon.

“Have anything else you’d like to wager?” Dillon asked.

Mike glanced up at Carly then back to Dillon. “Got anything in mind?”

Dillon met Carly’s gaze. “The rest of the weekend with Carly if I win. If you win you can buy Rocket.”

Carly’s jaw dropped and the other men around the table hooted and laughed.

“That is one deal too good to miss,” Ty Sharpe, Mike’s cousin, said. “Mike’s been trying to buy that stallion off Dillon for the past year.”

“I think
not
,” she said.

“Come on, Carly.” Wayne, Dillon’s brother, grinned. “You’ll sweeten the pot.”

Zane nodded. “I’d like to see this.”

Mike glanced up at Carly.

She put her hands on her hips. “Are you serious, Mike Sharpe? You’d trade me in a poker game?”

“Anything else you’d take?” Mike looked sheepish as he asked Dillon the question.

Dillon shook his head. “Carly or nothing.”

Wayne laughed. “It’s all in good fun, Carly.”

She held back a smile. It was kind of funny—she’d never had men fight over her before—so to speak.

“Let me see your cards again, Mike.” She sat on his knee and looked at his cards. A straight flush, ace to five. “All right.” She glanced up at Dillon. “Do I have to sit in the middle of the table?”

The men chuckled.

“You’re fine right where you are.” Dillon leaned forward. “But when I win you have to come sit on
my
knee.”

Carly felt her cheeks flush. She tilted her chin up. “Daytime only if you win. But when you lose, Mike gets to buy that horse.”

“It’s a deal.” Dillon winked at her.

Mike laid down his cards. “Straight flush.”

Dillon’s eyes were totally on Carly as he laid down his own cards. “Royal flush.”

Carly’s eyes widened and this time she burned with heat all over. She had just been won in a poker game.

The men around the table were grinning and laughing. She tore her gaze from Dillon to Mike.

Mike wore a smile. “You know Dillon was just kidding.”

Dillon shook his head. “I wasn’t kidding.

She swallowed and met Dillon’s blue eyes again. He patted his knee and beckoned to her.

“You can’t be serious,” Mike said. “That was a joke.”

“Like I said, I wasn’t kidding.” Dillon looked at Carly. “You know I wasn’t.”

“You’re right..” She stood. “When you made the bet I knew you were serious.” She looked at Mike. “I guess I’m Dillon’s for tomorrow.”

“The deal was for the rest of the weekend,” Dillon said.

Saturday and Sunday. She took a deep breath and walked over to him, hoping she wasn’t blushing all over, and perched on his knee. He eased his arm around her waist and her whole body started tingling. Like earlier when she’d first talked to Dillon, she was at a loss for words at the moment, which was entirely unlike her.

She hadn’t been this close to him before and she hadn’t realized just how good he smelled. Of man and leather, a combination she loved.

Dillon stood, easing Carly to the floor and taking by the hand. “Time to cash out and head home.” He looked at her. “How did you get here?”

“Mike.” She glanced at Mike who had a bemused expression then she looked at Dillon. “He picked me up at my house.”

Dillon slid his fingers over the back of her waist. “I’ll get you home tonight and then in the morning, you’re mine.”

# # #