Satin & Saddles (4 page)

“You go on ahead.” Dillon nodded toward the house. “I’ll finish up here.”

She sauntered toward the house, stopping to get her bag with her clothing and other items then headed inside.

As soon as she walked into the house, her hot skin started to cool. She headed for the guest room to use the guest bathroom. She certainly wasn’t at the point where she would feel comfortable using Dillon’s room.

She felt refreshed after her shower and slipped into clean clothing and her good boots. She blow-dried her hair then pulled it back in a French braid then put on a pair of small gold hoops and a gold chain with a small gold medallion.

When she finished putting on her makeup and brushing her teeth, she stuffed everything into her bag and carried it out of the bedroom with her, along with the tin of cookies. Dillon was in the living room, sitting on a chair and shining his black cowboy boots.

He looked up at her and a sexy smile tipped the corners of his mouth as he put down the brush and the boot and stood. She set the bag and the cookies on a chair as he came toward her and then he took her into his arms.

“You are so beautiful, Carly.” He tugged on the end of her braid. “I want to see your hair down. You have such gorgeous hair.”

“All right.” She smiled. “Go ahead.”

He pulled off the clip that she’d put at the end of her French braid and he handed it to her. She stuffed it in her pocket as he ran his fingers through her hair, fluffing it out so that it surrounded her face in soft waves.

“That’s better.” He slid one hand into her hair and cupped her head at her nape and brought her to him for a kiss.

How could this kiss be even more incredible than the one last night? He touched her and tasted her and every one of her senses seemed to be lit on fire.

Forget the barn dance and go straight for the bedroom.

No, Carly. She didn’t go to bed with men on the first date. Ever. But her body was sure inclined to make an exception for this man.

Down, girl.

When he drew away she stared up into his eyes, wanting to get lost in the amazing blue of them. He gave her a firm kiss and she smiled up at him.

“I can smell those cookies from here,” he said with a smile. “Sure you don’t want to leave them?”

She grinned and poked him in the chest with her finger. “You just want me for my cookies.”

“Oh, honey,” he murmured against her lips. “I want you for a hell of a lot more than your cookies.”

He gave her another long, incredible kiss that almost made her forget all about cookies when he finally drew away and took her by her hand. They were halfway out the door when she remembered them.

It was dark by the time they reached the event. Parking near the barn was packed and Dillon and Carly had to park a good distance away. He held her hand as they walked while he carried the tin of cookies with his opposite arm. His hand felt warm around hers and she smiled up at him.

The night was cool, the air filled with talking, laughter, and good ol’ country western music. A bright glow came from the barn and little white lights were wrapped around limbs of the trees to either side of the big structure.

Tables were covered with potluck dishes including casseroles, enchiladas, lasagna, pork ribs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, coleslaw, fruit salad, veggie trays, and more. And then the desserts—chocolate, white, and angel food cakes. Puddings, Jell-O salads, trifles, among other desserts. Carly’s big tin of chocolate chip cookies fit right in.

As soon as they arrived, people started greeting both of them. Some people it turned out they both knew while others were her acquaintances or his. By far, Dillon knew more folks than she did.

She and Dillon grabbed paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils and dug in with everyone else. There were benches, lawn chairs, and hay bales to sit on. Once they managed to work their way through greeting more people they knew, Carly and Dillon perched on a hay bale and ate their fill of dinner after he got two cups of punch.

“We’re going to need to do a whole lot of dancing to work this off,” she said as she turned toward the barn, listening to the live band. “Everything I had was wonderful. Doesn’t party food seem to taste better outside on a beautiful night like this?”

“Yep, I have to agree.” Dillon smiled then took their empty plates and plastic ware and tossed them, then filled their cups with more punch.

He took her by the hand again and led her into the barn. Lights hung from the rafters in the huge old barn and hay bales were scattered for people to rest on around the dance area. The center of the barn was filled with people two-stepping to a lively tune.

When she’d moved to Patagonia, Carly had picked up country dancing fairly quickly and had gone with friends to country western bars in Sierra Vista where she’d had a chance to use her new dancing skills.

Dillon swung her out onto the dance floor and she laughed as they started two-stepping around the place with other couples.

Carly laughed and had the most fun she’d had in ages and it was clear by his grin that Dillon was having a terrific time, too. He was a great dancer and the two of them made a good couple.

By the time a slow tune started, a light sheen of perspiration coated her skin. Dillon took her into his arms and she tilted her face to look into his eyes. He held her close as he met her gaze. She smiled at him as they slowly moved in the midst of all of the other dancers. She loved his masculine scent and the way he looked at her.

Even though she had no intention of developing a serious relationship with Dillon, she liked the way he made her feel. It was a secure, cared for feeling—which was silly considering he’d just won her in a poker game last night. She grinned.

“What’s so funny?” he asked with a smile.

“I was thinking about last night when you won me in the bet against Mike.”

“We’ll have something to tell our grandkids,” Dillon said with a grin of his own.

“Very funny.” She pushed away his words, feeling off kilter by the tone of his voice, the look in his eyes. “I’m yours ’til tomorrow, and that’s it, cowboy.”

He smiled. “Now we both know that’s not true, darlin’.”

A new slow song started. She gave a nonchalant shrug and started to tell him something when she saw a man tapping at Dillon’s shoulder to cut in.

When she looked up she met Geoff’s gaze. She wanted to groan. She’d known she’d run into him sooner or later, she’d just hoped it wouldn’t be when she was out with Dillon.

“Hi, Geoff.” She managed a smile. “Geoff, this is Dillon Cameron. Dillon, this is Geoff Burnside, an old friend from Tucson.”

“An old boyfriend,” Geoff said as he shook Dillon’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Dillon’s face showed no expression.

“I’d like to cut in and steal Carly away from you.” Geoff smiled.

Dillon gave a curt nod with one last glance at Carly he moved away into the crowd.

Damn. She’d really hoped that he would refuse Geoff’s request. She hoped Dillon didn’t think she had a thing for her old boyfriend.

Not that it mattered, she reminded herself. Dillon was just a weekend distraction.

She put a smile on her face as Geoff tried to take her in his embrace. She resisted and put her arms lightly on his shoulders while he rested his on her waist. His touch felt almost intimate and she wasn’t sure why it made her feel uncomfortable.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Saw the flyer for it at the convenience store after I stopped at your place, and thought I’d get out and join the locals now that I am one.” He nodded in the direction that Dillon had gone. “So that’s why you couldn’t do anything tonight,” he said. “You’re here with that cowboy.”

“That’s right.” She moved one hand away from his shoulder to push her hair back. “I am.”

“Are you serious about this Cameron guy?” Geoff had a neutral expression, but she had a feeling he was anything but.

She thought about telling him yes, but she didn’t want that getting back to Dillon. It wasn’t true and how awkward would that be? So she just shrugged instead.

“You mentioned that you can work remotely from home with your job,” she said. “So how did you pick Patagonia of all places?” she asked.

“Needed a change of pace.” He shrugged. “What about you?”

“My ex moved us here.” She really didn’t like talking about Tim. “When we divorced I decided to stay. I love this part of the state.”

“It’s isolated, but I have to admit, it’s beautiful, which was in the column that convinced me to move to this area.” Geoff guided them around the dance floor. “What do you do for fun around here?”

“I write a whole lot and go out with friends to the lake, go out dancing, any number of things.”

“That’s right.” Geoff tightened his grip on her waist. “You’re a published author now. I read that on your Facebook page.”

A prickling sensation traveled from her head to her toes. “How did you find me on Facebook?”

He shrugged. “Your profile isn’t listed as private.”

She’d have to remedy that. She didn’t want anyone to be able to track her down on her personal page so easily.

“I was going to send you a friend request,” he continued, “but I wanted to surprise you first by showing up at your house.”

“You surprised me all right,” she said.

“So what do you write about?” he asked.

“Romance.” She didn’t feel like elaborating like she had with Dillon.

“Not my cup of tea.” Geoff shook his head. “I don’t have time to read.”

How different Geoff was from Dillon. As far as she was concerned, there was always time to read, even if it was for fifteen minutes before bed.

The song ended and Carly tried to pull away but Geoff kept a grip on her waist as he opened his mouth as if to say something. Dillon tapped Geoff on the shoulder and cut in before Geoff had a chance to get out a word. A fast tune had started and Dillon swept her away into a country waltz.

Dillon spoke over the loud music. “Did you mind me cutting in?”

“Nope.” She shook her head. “I was actually disappointed that you let him cut in.”

He studied her features. “Thought you’d want to talk to your old boyfriend.”

“Not really.” She smiled at Dillon. “I’d rather dance with you.”

“If he tries again,” Dillon said with a grin, “I’ll take care of him.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And what does ‘take care of’ mean?”

“I can take him outside and kick his ass for bothering you.” Dillon gave a half-teasing, half-serious look.

She laughed, picturing Dillon flattening Geoff. “It’s probably not a good idea. I bet you could take him but I doubt he’d go down easy. Geoff has training in some kind of mixed martial arts.”

“If he bothers you, just let me know,” Dillon said.

“He’s harmless.” She smiled. She found herself liking the way Dillon wanted to protect her.

Sheesh. What an old-fashioned way of thinking.

As they danced around the room, she caught a flash of Geoff’s face as he watched her, but she couldn’t read his expression.

When the dance ended, she saw Geoff moving their way.

Not wanting to talk to Geoff, she took Dillon’s hand. “Let’s get something to drink. You’ve worn me out.”

He squeezed her hand and led her outside where the air cooled her skin that was hot from dancing so much. After they got a couple cups of punch and they’d each picked out desserts, they sat on a hay bale. The bale was on the edge of the gathering and the bright lights and it was shadowed.

The chocolate cake Carly had chosen was incredible. “Taste this.” She raised her fork with a piece of the cake on it.

He opened his mouth and she slid the fork between his lips. His gaze held hers as he took the cake.

“It’s good,” he murmured when she slipped the utensil away. “Damn good.” He raised his plate that held half of her one of her cookies that he hadn’t eaten yet. With a sexy grin he said, “I have to say your cookies are better.”

She smiled and thought about kissing him again, right here and now. They weren’t a couple of teenagers, but who cared what anyone thought?

What was she thinking, anyway? She was breaking all the rules by letting her guard down around Dillon. She was too comfortable with him, something she was going to have to remedy.

His blue eyes were a shade darker, passion in his gaze. Despite telling herself she shouldn’t let him get too close, she he couldn’t help herself as they started to lean toward each other. Their lips were close to touching—

“Mind if I sit here?”

Carly and Dillon both startled enough to jerk apart and she saw that it was Geoff who’d interrupted them.

Geoff sat on the hay bale beside her and gave an apologetic look, which didn’t fool Carly. “I don’t know anyone else here,” he said. “So I thought I’d see if you’d mind me joining you.”

She tried to think of a graceful way out—she really didn’t want to sit between two men who both appeared to be interested in her. She smiled at Geoff and stood, and Dillon got to his feet beside her.

“The band just finished their break, so we were planning to head back to the barn to dance.” She took Dillon’s hand and smiled at Geoff. “Sorry about that. Enjoy your dessert and punch.”

“Sure.” Geoff’s nodded. “Have fun.”

Dillon gave him a curt nod in return. He and Carly picked up their plates, cups, and plastic forks, and left Geoff behind. She felt a little bad for brushing him off so blatantly, but maybe he got the message that she wasn’t interested in striking up a relationship with him.

But was he that bad that she couldn’t just be friends with him? At one time they’d had fun and she’d felt comfortable confiding in him. He was the type of person who would take another’s secrets to the grave.

It did bother her a little that in the past he’d been relentless in trying to contact her and get her back after she told him that she wanted to date other men. Showing up here was a little like how she remembered him after the breakup. He always seemed to just happen to be where she was. She used to think it was just her imagination. But there was always something there that she’d wondered about. A bit of an obsessive-compulsive type.