Cowboy Love (3 page)

"So what
is
your type?" Amy asked before she could stop herself, nervously picking up her drink to drag her eyes away from him.
What do I care what kind of woman he dates anyway?

"I don't know. Someone not so pushy I guess."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Amy murmured, her eyes still fixed on the glass in her hand.

His question startled her as he asked out of the blue, "Would you dance with me?"

Shifting, she lifted her eyes, gazing over his shoulder to the stage behind him as she grinned. "The band is on a break."

"There's still music. Please?"

He stood and held out his palm. Giving him a small smile, she replied, "All right." She placed her hand in his as the warmth of his grasp curled up her arm.
Why do I think this is a mistake?
She let him lead her onto the dance floor as the song changed. The slow ballad drifted over them as he took the hand he held and place it on his shoulder. He slid his arm around her waist and grasped her other one as he brought their bodies almost close enough to touch. They moved together as if made to, while the melody drifted over them and the room disappeared.

She wasn't sure why she allowed him to pull her closer. She rested her cheek next to his, feeling the soft scrape of his whiskers on her sensitive skin. The scent of his cologne wafted to her nose, and she fought the urge to bury it against his neck. The stares that followed their path around the floor prickled her skin, but she didn't care as she closed her eyes to the sensations rippling through her with a simple dance.

When the song ended, she pulled back in his arms, but he refused to let her go for several seconds.

Lord, he's got pretty eyes.
Her lips parted on a sigh that escaped her as his iris' turned dark brown, and his gaze moved to her mouth. For a brief moment, she watched as his mouth drifted toward hers, anticipating the feel of his lips. When his lips whispered over hers softly, she sighed and leaned toward him.

He jerked when a slap landed on his back as his drummer said, "Dude, we need to get up there."

Heat crawled up her neck as embarrassment rushed through her and she pulled completely away from him. Turning on her heel, she headed back toward the table she shared with Chris.
I can't believe I let him kiss me right here in front of everyone! Lord, Amy, what the hell are you thinking?

"What was that all about?" Chris asked, as Amy slid into the chair across from her.

"I don't know, but I need some air. I'm going outside for a minute."

She stood again and headed toward the door, fully aware of the brown eyes that followed her. When the hot, sticky night air hit her face, beads of perspiration formed under her hair at her neck and she grumbled. She walked down the few stairs of the bar focusing on reaching her car, intending on clearing her head for a moment before going back inside.

She reached the car and turned to find Tanner a few short feet away. Feeling out of control, she tried to put on her standoffish persona, hoping he might get the hint and leave her alone. His nearness made her feel vulnerable and excited at the same time. Amy suspected if she allowed herself to delve into the feelings he aroused, he would hurt her more than Jack ever could.

"You're leavin'?"

"No. Maybe. I don't know." She propped herself against the car, folding her arms under her breasts.

"Is there somethin' wrong?"

Her insides quivered at the warmth in his eyes.

"No, I needed some air. It was getting hot in there." Her face flushed from the heat of the night or the look in his eyes, she wasn't sure.

"I know what you mean," he murmured, shifting from one foot to the other.

"I thought you had started playing again."

"We did, but when you rushed out, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine. I'll be inside in a minute," she said, almost cringing at the dismissal in her tone.

"All right." He turned and headed back toward the bar, meeting Chris on the steps.

"Everything okay?"

"I guess." Tanner shrugged with a puzzled look over his shoulder at Amy then went back inside the bar.

Chris walked the last few feet to the car.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, why?"

"There seemed to be some tension between you two."

"There is
nothing
between us, Chris. I just met him for crying out loud."

"I know, but it's not like you aren't attracted to him."

"He's just another guy. Good looking one, I'll admit, but he's still a guy, probably wanting nothing more than to get laid," Amy said, pushing away from the car. "I'm going inside. There are plenty of good-looking men in there, and I think that I'll find a few to dance with. Besides, I want to try that mechanical bull in the corner."

Chris' frowning stare rested on her back as she made her way toward the door. She was there to unwind and relax, not find another man to take Jack's place.

When she reached their table, the flood of men came close behind. One cute blond cowboy found his way to her side, asking her for the next dance. As she stepped into his arms, the glare from the stage was almost enough for her to rethink her decision about dancing with others in the room, almost.

She spent the rest of the set in the embrace of whoever asked, aware that Tanner refused to play anything slow. When he took his next break, she made sure to be caught up talking with one cowboy on the other side of the room. Tanner slid into the chair opposite Chris before Amy turned her back to him. His hot gaze rested on her and the hair on the back of her neck prickled in response, while she tried to focus on what the man in front of her said.

Adam? John? Damn! I can't even remember the guy's name.
Smiling, she said, "Thanks for the talk. I'm gonna try my hand or rear, on the bull."

"Mind if I watch? There is something totally hot about a woman on a bull."

She shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Her center of attention shifted to the black and white spotted rawhide covered metal bull in the corner. Several patrons already tried to ride the thing while the crowd around them laughed hysterically. Of course, most were already drunk by the time they got on the bucking, twirling contraption. She wasn’t drunk yet, but if she kept drinking at the rate she had been, she would be shortly.

She approached the inflated area as the last rider slid off the side, laughing uncontrollably. Amy waved to the operator, making sure the man knew she wanted to be next. He motioned for her to go ahead with an I'm-not-going-to-tell-you-not-to smile.

She stuck her foot in the makeshift stirrup and hoisted her body into the patent leather saddle fixed on the back. The crowd hooted and hollered as she let a saucy smile ripple across her mouth and lifted her arm high above her head. "Let'er rip."

The bull slowly rocked back and forth, gaining speed as the guy with the control moved the ball around in his hand. Her arm swung side to side while she kept her balance, gripping the tanned sides of the contraption with her thighs. She managed to stay on until her time was up and the crowd cheered as she got off. After making a sweeping bow to the delight of the onlookers, she straightened up only to catch the appreciative observation of Tanner. More than a little tipsy at this point, she sauntered to his side, wrapped her hand behind his neck and fastened her lips on his. His arms went around behind her as he tipped his head, fitting her mouth better against his own and her blood roared in her ears. His tongue slipped along the crease of her lips and when she opened her mouth to his seeking tongue, he pushed inside, taking everything she had to offer.

When she finally broke the kiss, they were both panting for breath. "Thanks. I figured I deserved some sort of prize for my ride." She stepped over the inflatable ring, around his side and lost herself in the crowd of people as she tried to still her racing heart.

Why the hell did I do that? Must be the rum
—
rum does bad things to my brain waves. No more alcohol for me tonight. I'll give the other men in the room my full attention. That should prove my attraction to Tanner to be nothing except a passing fancy, wouldn't it?
Unfortunately, it backfired as Tanner began avoiding her as well, spending his breaks with several women in the bar. He played the room like a guitar, stroking and strumming the women around him, leaving each one the impression he would spend a little more time with them, but always walking away in the end.

As the evening wound down, Tanner said from the stage, "That's it, folks. Enjoy the rest of your night, and please don't drive if you've been drinking. We'll see y'all next weekend. Good night." He flipped the switch on the microphone to shut it off and put his guitar away as the four women at his feet moved closer.

Chris walked to Amy's side as she said, "Are you about ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me get my purse," she replied, pulling her gaze from the man on the stage and shifting toward their table. She bent down to pick it up and as she turned around, Tanner stood behind her. She jumped in surprise, placing her hand on her chest to still her racing heart.

"You scared me."

"Sorry. I didn't want you to leave before I could talk to you." He stepped closer, almost blocking her retreat, enveloping her senses with his presence. "I had hoped to dance with you again."

"Yeah, well, it didn't work out that way." She fumbled with her purse, avoiding his searching gaze.

"I guess not," he whispered. Her head came back up when she heard, "Would you like to get a cup of coffee?"

"I appreciate the thought, Tanner, but maybe some other time."

"How about tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Will you have supper with me?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"Yeah, I guess I am. What do you say?"

The hopeful appearance on his face gave her pause.

"I don't know, Tanner, I mean, we just met." She wanted to be evasive and not encourage him, but on the other hand she wanted…what, she didn't know.

"I thought that's what dates were for."

His pleading eyes met hers and melted her resolve to avoid being alone with him. She had a bad feeling about this, but with a wary smile, she relented. "Okay."

Giving her that smile that turned her insides to mush earlier and made her think of his mouth on hers, he said, "How about I pick you up at Chris' at six? We can have supper, and go dancin' or whatever."

Or whatever.
Whatever could mean… Her stomach clenched and liquid seeped onto her panties as she thought of their shared kiss.
Damn, he can get me hot and wet with a kiss
. "I suppose that would be all right."

Snapping his fingers he said, "Wait. Would you like to go for a ride tomorrow? We could take a couple of horses, grab a picnic lunch and go down by the river. There is a really nice spot where I like to go fishin'."

"Yeah, fishin'. Do you like to fish?"

"Actually, yes. It's been a long time since I went fishing or riding for pleasure. I usually don't have time to kick back."

"Great! I'll grab a couple of poles and ride over about eleven, if that's okay with you."

"How about I walk over and meet you at your house? I'm kind of picky about my mount."

With an impish grin, he replied, "I bet you are."

Blushing when she realized the double meaning, she stuttered, "I mean, what I meant was—"

He interrupted her with a devilish smile as he said, "I'll see you at eleven or so."

"Eleven it is."

"Sweet dreams," he whispered with a wink.

"Night," Amy whispered as he turned back toward the stage, just as Chris reached them.

"Night, Chris," he said, tipping his hat to her as he passed.

"Night, Tanner."

Amy's gaze fastened on his nicely rounded ass displayed to her view as he walked away and she sighed
.

"Did I give him enough time?"
Chris is so setting me up.
Amy frowned at her friend before she turned and headed for the door. "Well, what did you expect me to do when he moved toward you? I got the impression he wanted to talk to you, and I didn't want to get in his way."

Once they reached the car, she opened her door and slid inside, without a word. Chris followed suit by opening the passenger side and climbing in.

She flipped it into drive and pulled out of the parking lot, spraying gravel behind her as silence prevailed inside the car.

"Come on, Am, talk to me."

"No." Her gaze focused on the road in front of her, while her hands gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white.

"Why? I thought I was helping you."

Amy grumbled, "You set me up, Chris. Trying to push me together with Tanner isn't a good idea. I don't want to get involved with someone, no matter how gorgeous they are."

"I only gave him a chance to talk to you. So what happened?"

"He asked me out."

"He asked you out?"

"Yes, he did."

"That's cool! Tanner is a super guy."

Amy looked at her friend, remembering something Chris had said about the guy she had been trying to hook her up with for a long time.
No, it couldn't be. Chris hadn't even tried to introduce them.
She returned her focus to the road without a comment.

"So what are you going to do? Did you say yes?"

"Yes, I did, but I think I'll tell him I can't. I don't think it's such a good idea." Her frown continued to pull her mouth down at the corners. She didn't like this one bit.

"You saw what happened on the dance floor."
Surely that's enough of an explanation. I don't have to spell it out for her, do I?

"Yeah, so?" Chris sounded confused. "What about when you kissed him after riding the bull? He didn't instigate that, you did."

"I know, and I shouldn't have. I don't want to give him any ideas. The last thing I need is a long distance relationship or to get involved with another cowboy."

"I'm not sure I understand what the problem is. Good grief! You aren't going to fuck him, are you?"

"No!" Amy's gaze swung to her friend in surprise. Not that she hadn't thought about something along those lines, or at least his lips on hers, but for Chris to say it out loud, put her on the defensive.