The Discreet Cowboy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 6) (6 page)

“No, I really don’t.”

She’d almost forgotten what they were talking about. “Lucky me,” she muttered.

He sat his bottle down, and she noticed his hands. Long fingers. Callused palms and stained skin. Yet, his nails were short and clean. “Wow, is this like a date?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I have my rental car. I can see my way home, just give me back my keys,” she demanded.

“Not going to happen.”

“You don’t have the right.”

“I’m not going to let you kill yourself either. At this point, it’s not about me wanting revenge, it’s about keeping you safe. I know these roads, know the severity of the weather. If you go anywhere tonight, it’ll be with me. That might cramp your style, but those are the facts, darlin’.”

Holy shit!
She wasn’t into all of this damsel in distress stuff, but for a fleeting moment she could have easily slipped right into his protection. A tense throbbing started at her inner thighs and she had a strong urge to touch herself—a stronger urge for Dade to touch and lick her. She shifted on the stool and tugged her skirt lower, not before his gaze swept across her bare skin leaving a heated trail of longing.

“Can I make a suggestion? Sometimes it’s best to let go of everything and start again. Is that possible?”

What? She couldn’t concentrate, so she numbly nodded. “Sure.”

“Let me introduce myself again. I’m Dade.” He held out his hand.

She stared for the longest time then slipped her hand into his. His hand was large and she wasn’t prepared for the electrical pulse of current that shot up her veins…or the fact that she noticed how rough his palms were. Or his firm grip, yet still tender and not crushing.

“Felicia.” She was grateful her voice worked.

“Nice to meet you, Felicia.” He finally let her hand go and it disappointed her.

The way he said her name, like he’d sipped a fine, sweet wine, made her insides red hot. “You too.”

“Do you mean that?” he asked, his eyes dazzling.

She smiled too. Couldn’t help herself. “Of course. It’s not your fault that my brother still thinks of me as a child.” She sipped her drink, finally feeling her inner muscles relax some, but the tension in her core wasn’t letting up.

“He cares.”

“Do you have young sisters, Dade?” She lifted a brow.

“Three.”

“You’ll be a busy man.

He laughed and swiped his palm down his jaw. “I know how it is to be the older brother. No man is good enough for his sister.”

“Oh, so no wonder you agreed to his foolish scheme,” she snorted. “You’re on
his
side. Brothers sticking together.”

“I agreed to it because Chase is the boss, and a man I owe a lot to for what he’s done for me.”

“You mean with regard to the accident?” She pointed to the cane.

He picked at the corner of the label on his bottle. “If it wasn’t for him I’d probably be back home.”

“I heard about what happened. You’re a lucky man to be alive.”

He leaned in slightly and she caught a whiff of his spicy, citrusy scent aftershave mixed with the smell of cowboy—outdoors and leather. It was a lethal combination that always got her.

“So what kind of fufu blue drink you got there?”

She laughed. “It’s a spiked candy something or other. Mickey’s creation.”

One brow lifted teasingly. “I’ve never been one who liked drinking dessert.”

“Don’t knock it till you try it.”

“Cowboy’s don’t drink frilly drinks,” he said with a snort.

“Is that along the line of real men don’t wear pink? Or real men don’t wash dishes? I think I’ve heard every single quip.”

He laughed and it was a nice sound. “Hey, I’ve worn pink a few times. Never been good at washing my clothes. And washing dishes softens a working man’s hands.”

She liked his way of thinking.

Signaling for Mickey, he ordered another round each, then grabbed his wallet from his back pocket. He opened it and she leaned closer, knowing she shouldn’t be so nosy, but the pretty faced young woman staring back from the plastic pocket caught Felicia’s attention. “Is that your girlfriend?”

Dade grabbed a twenty from the pocket, laid it down then brought his attention to the picture, tapping it with the tip of his finger. “Nope. My sister, Tana. And this…” He flipped the plastic pocket. “Is Tina, she’s the youngest. Tiffany is in the middle.”

All of them looked alike—ebony hair, freckled faces and big, toothy smiles. “Oh yeah, you’re going to be a very busy man.”

“For now my dad is taking care of that.” He pushed the wallet back into his pocket. “When I was home though, I’d gotten into a few fist fights over their honor.”

“So, I didn’t see any other photos. Does that mean you don’t have a girlfriend?”

One shoulder lifted and dropped. “I did, all through high school, but things change. People change.” His low voice tickled her ear drums.

Mickey brought their new drinks and Dade accepted the bottle and glass, handing it to her. The tips of their fingers touched, sending a zing of awareness straight up her arm and into her chest. And if that wasn’t enough, he swiveled, his knee brushed hers and heat radiated through her body. She fought the urge to rub the spot where he’d touched. Even more, resisted the urge to touch him.

“To the fact that we don’t all have to drink one kind of drink.” He held up his beer.

She lifted her glass and clanked it with his. “To individuality.”

“How long are you planning to stay at Nirvana?” He sipped his beer.

“Not sure. A month maybe.”

He placed the beer on the bar with a loud
thwap
and brought his gaze to hers, his eyes crinkling. “A month?”

“Is there a problem?” Then it came to her. “Oh, you don’t want to be stuck with me for a month.”

“I’m hoping to be back on the land in the next two weeks, working.”

“I’m sure me being around won’t put a screw in your bed.” Realizing what she’d said, she wished the floor would have opened up and engulfed her. He didn’t seem to notice one bit.
Girl, get your thoughts together.

“You don’t seem like the type that’d hang out away from the big city very long.”

She flinched. “How do you get that?”

He shrugged. “I haven’t seen a dress that fancy in, well, ever.” He slipped his gaze over the black dress. Something akin to appreciation filled his gaze, but he blinked and all remnants were gone.

“I guess this place doesn’t see Dior often.”

“Dior who?”

“I’m saying, I think I overdressed.”

“Just a little, but you certainly are giving the fellows something to look at.” He smiled.

She’d never been one to be self-conscious about her clothes, so why start now? Or was it being this close to the cowboy and the way his knees kept brushing her bare skin?  Or how his eyes crinkled when he smiled and his eyes lit up like the stars. When had she ever noticed such minor details about a man?

He stood up and she watched him. “Where are you going?”

“To prove you wrong.”

“About what?”

“That I can dance. I assure you, I can do everything I did before, just a little slower—and sometimes, that’s appreciated.” He winked.

Holy mother of all that is good.
Was he flirting with her? “Dade, have you tried to dance with the cane?”

“No, but how hard can it be? If you don’t mind me stepping on your toes.”

She hesitated. “You’re going to hurt yourself trying to prove something to me. I’d never forgive myself.”

“Are you embarrassed to be seen dancing with a man with a limp?” He lifted a brow.

“No, that’s not it.”  She couldn’t admit to him that she was tossing about the idea of his hands on her and she was already sweating. “Sounds like a challenge.” She slipped off the stool. “I’ll be more than happy to test out the cane, but if you get hurt I wouldn’t make a very good nurse.”

“Listen, we’re in luck. Another slow song.”

The gentle, soft tune could lull any soul. Together, they stepped out onto the makeshift dance floor. She was fully aware that all eyes were on them—rather him. Possibly because they questioned how a man would dance with a cane, but she had a feeling it was much, much more. He was a tall man, built strong and lean, probably noticed by everyone everywhere he went. She could see the appreciation in the eyes of the women watching, even those sitting next to a date.

Knowing she’d be in his arms sent flitters of her own appreciation radiating through her trembling veins.

This could be dangerous.

Never one to run away from a challenge, she wouldn’t start now, not when the excitement lured her in.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glance of Tom. He was dancing with a big-breasted blonde and they had enough space between them to park a Buick. The wannabe cowboy scowled at Felicia and she saw something in his eyes, a warning or premonition that he wasn’t quite done trying to convince her to share a bed with him and his buddy. No chance that’d happen.

Stepping closer to Dade, she inhaled his scent and her stomach fluttered. His warmth oozed through her thin dress, through the lace bra, her nipples puckering in delicious anticipation—delicious torment. A woman who loved cowboys lived for moments like this, but being in the arms of a man who made her tremble awakening sensations deep inside, wasn’t such a good idea. Felicia had gotten the ‘Nirvana rules’ speech when she arrived, not just from her big brother, but from Kaycee too, who wanted to make sure her husband didn’t blow off any steam during Felicia’s visit. Chase liked his hands to keep the horse in the barn at all times when it came to guests on the ranch, and that especially included the sister of the boss. Although Felicia loved the idea of blowing off Chase’s stupid rules and over-handedness, she also knew the repercussions she and Dade would face if she sampled what was inside of those worn Wranglers. Sure, she wasn’t inexperienced and knew exactly how to pull the wool over her brother’s eyes, but she was a grown woman and didn’t have to sneak around any longer. However, Dade had already stated how much he ‘respected’ Chase. To keep things off the radar, she was capable of not landing between the sheets, but as she stepped into Dade’s arms, she suddenly realized this could go bad—in a very, very good way.

Since he only had one hand available to hold her, he slipped it around her waist while clutching the cane with the other. She had no choice but to wrap her arms around his hips as their bodies pressed together. It became clear that when he suggested they dance, he knew how close they would have to be to make it work, and the thought ignited her core.

Surprisingly, he moved smoothly and easily, showing how much strength he had in his arms and legs. They moved together, and the heat grew.

“You enjoy this, don’t you?” she asked.

“Dancing?”

“Surprising people.”

He shrugged. “Maybe it’s your people’s fault for presuming.”

“Point taken and I give my most genuine apology. I bet you can move just as skillfully in whatever task you’re committed to.” She knew exactly how flirtatious her words sounded—exactly her intention.

He settled his palm on her hip and she sucked in a breath. His fingers skimmed her bottom and he jerked and lost his step, but quickly caught himself. “I guess you spoke a little too soon. Balance is the hardest thing to get back. It’s as if my bum leg has a mind of its own.”

“You seem to have it down just fine. You dance better than Tom and he has the full use of both legs.”

Dade held her gaze. “I’d accuse you of teasing me, but looks like you’re not the only one who thinks Tom can’t dance.” He jutted his chin.

Felicia glanced across the floor where the blonde and Tom were arguing until she stomped off in a huff, leaving the poor bastard scowling deeper. “I’d guess she didn’t want to party with him and his buddy either.”

“Party?”

“As in buck naked fun. He even offered to grab his rope from his truck. What a gentleman.” Felicia sniffed.

Dade stiffened. “I have half a mind to show that son-of-a-bitch that it’s not polite to treat a woman so low and dirty. Say the words and I’ll kick his ass.”

She pulled her head back looking for any signs of him joking. He was serious. “No, there won’t be any need for any ass-kicking tonight. I’ve learned to handle men like Tom, and if my words don’t work, I have a size seven heel that fits nicely up an asshole’s rear.”

He laughed and his chest vibrated. “Yeah, you’re definitely Chase’s sister all right. I think you might be onto something when it comes to him needing to give you some space. You seem pretty level headed to me.”

“Thank you, Dade.” She slipped her thumb inside of his leather belt. “I am sorry that I locked you inside of the room without any clothes. I wasn’t thinking, well, you know…”

“You weren’t thinking that I’m crippled, and how hard it would be for me to walk back to my cabin.”

“No, that wasn’t my thought.” She snapped her chin up and saw his grin. She pinched him playfully on the arm. “The word crippled never crossed my mind. It shouldn’t yours either.”