Cowboy Love (9 page)

"Did you bring your bathing suit? You are welcome to use the pool in the back, if you like to swim."

"I love to swim! And just my luck, I brought my bikini."

"Well, it should be warm enough now. Why don't you go for a swim?"

"I think I will. Thank you!" Amy leaned over and kissed the old woman on the cheek before she scooted off to change.

Several moments later found her standing at the edge of the most wonderful basin of water. Chris' parents had built the area around the pool to resemble a desert landscape with a cool waterfall and a lovely pond.

She pulled her suit cover over her head, kicked off her sandals near the lounge chair and dove headfirst into the shimmering water. Surfacing several feet away, she turned on her back and floated as the warm sun hit her face. She stayed in the water for over an hour, swimming back and forth, floating some and sitting under the cascading stream from the falls.

When she finished, she easily glided toward the steps near where her towel lay warming in the sun. As she started up the stairs, she heard, "What's this? I sure don't see fins."

She shaded her eyes enough to be able to spot Tanner standing next to the gate that enclosed the pool. He leaned against one of the poles with his arms crossed over his chest, watching her, a wicked smile curving his lips.

"Hi," she said as she moved toward the towel.

"Hi, yourself. How's the water?" He straightened from his position and stepped closer.

"Nice and cool."

"Too bad I didn't bring my trunks or I'd join you."

Raising one eyebrow questioningly, she gave him a half smile as her gaze skimmed down his nicely muscled legs, encased in his Wranglers.

"Don't look at me like that, ma'am," he murmured, his eyes getting darker as he came closer.

"What look would that be, sir?" Amy questioned breathlessly.

"The one tellin' me you might like to see what's under these jeans," he whispered against her mouth once he reached her side.

"Um…maybe. One can always hope. Your suggestion from last night sounded pretty appealing." She grinned in return, hoping he would take her mouth with his, but when the sliding door of the house opened, he stepped back.

"Tanner, how nice to see you." Catherine smiled, joining them.

* * * *

Tanner almost groaned as Chris' mom walked toward them. The splashing he had heard as he worked with a mare in the round pen piqued his curiosity and he couldn't help coming over. The sleek, tanned view of Amy as she swam in the cool water, heated his blood to a roaring temperature. Standing near the gate as she rose from the shimmering water, his heart felt like it had stopped in his chest.

"Nice to see you, too," he replied, his voice a little higher pitched than before.

"Did you bring your trunks? The water looks very appealing."

"No. I wasn't aware Amy was in until she got out. Maybe some other time."

"Would you two like some lemonade? I have some fresh made."

"Um, sure." He hoped that would get Catherine back in the house so he could at least kiss the beautiful girl his body craved. He shifted uncomfortably under Catherine's scrutiny.

"I'll be right back, then," she replied, moving back toward the house.

He knew there had to be a pained look on his face as he tried to get the raging desire racing through him under control. He saw Amy hold her side, trying not to giggle as he asked with a laugh of his own. "What?"

A huge smile spread across her face as she said, "You. You look like you could chew nails."

Giving her a wide grin, he replied, "She always had the most impeccable timin'."

"Well, I guess I'll wait until later for that kiss."

"Mmm…maybe not." He moved next to her and quickly took her lips with his. The searing kiss left them both breathless as he stepped back with a smile.

"I better get back to work. I'll see you later," he murmured, running his fingers along her cheek in a caress.

* * * *

He turned on his heels, disappearing from sight through the gate just as Catherine returned with the lemonade.

"Where did Tanner go?"

"He said he had to get back to work," Amy replied, her stare fixed on where he had vanished.

"Okay. Well, here." She handed the glass to Amy. "We'll enjoy the lemonade without him."

"Thank you," Amy said, taking a sip from the refreshing liquid. "This is perfect."

The two women sat in the sun, chatting about mundane things until the rumblings of a car pulled up in the drive.

"That might be Chris. I'll be right back."

Catherine disappeared through the sliding glass door into the house. Several minutes later, Chris joined her on the patio and Amy grinned.

"Where have you been?"

"Out," was the evasive reply.

"Obviously, since you didn't come home last night. Care to explain what's between you and Rob?"

"Come on. You've been driving me nuts over the guy you want me to meet here, yet you don't tell me about Rob. We've known each other how long, Chris?"

"There isn't anything to tell. Rob and I see each other when I'm home, nothing more." She changed the subject. "How did things go with Tanner?"

"Not good after your call."

"Sorry, Amy. Did I interrupt something?"

"Not really," Amy replied, blushing.

"Bull shit! I can tell by your face, something happened. The way your voice shook on the phone and Tanner sounded upset gave you both away. So fess up."

"He kissed me."

"Kissed you." Chris repeated. "That's all? Why don't I believe you? Either that, or it was one hell of a kiss."

Avoiding Chris' inquisitive eyes, Amy whispered, "A hell of a kiss."

Chris shouted, "Yes!"

Amy frowned, wondering exactly why Chris seemed so happy. "Why are you so happy he kissed me other than the two at the bar?"

"I knew you two would be perfect together." Chris laughed gleefully.

As realization hit her, she said, "Don't tell me! Tanner is the guy you've been trying to hook me up with for months?"

Chris didn't have to answer as a huge smile crossed her face and Amy groaned.

"I didn't even have to introduce you two. You found each other without much help from me at all. I just had to get you two in the same town."

She rolled her eyes, knowing Chris spoke the truth, but it still didn't sit well with her. She couldn't deny the attraction between her and Tanner as flashes of memories from the creek and his attention the night before crossed her mind and warmed her body. Still, it bothered her.

"I can't believe you set me up. I take that back, yes I can." She frowned as she realized she had walked right into this situation with her eyes wide open.

"Come on, Amy, you can't deny your attraction to Tanner. I saw the way you two looked at each other at the bar the other night. You sure didn't seem to notice anyone else in the room and you didn't even know him yet."

A small wistful smile crossed her mouth as she remembered dancing with him and his heart-stopping kisses. Attempting to hide the blush that rose on her cheeks, Amy turned her head away from Chris.

"All right. No, I can't deny I'm attracted to Tanner. He's one hell of a gorgeous guy, but its not like things could or would go anywhere, Chris. We live four hours apart. You know as well as I do, long distance relationships don't work."

"You never know."

"Well, I do and I'm not about to try. Besides, I told you before, I don't need another man in my life, especially a cowboy."

"We shall see."

* * * *

"Chris, will you stop, please? We are only going out to dinner," she complained.

"For a girl who said 'I don't need another man in my life,' you've sure been spending a lot of time this weekend with a particular cowboy we both know."

She sighed as she heard the doorbell ring in the background. "I need to finish getting ready," she hinted, trying to get Chris to leave her alone.

"All right," Chris replied, holding up her hands in defeat. "I'll go bug Tanner."

Amy finished getting ready as she continued to hear murmurs from the other room. A few moments later, she walked in only to have her breath catch in her throat and a blush rise on her cheeks.

Tanner stood in the center of the room wearing a magnificent smile and holding a dozen red roses.

Stunned, she stopped in her tracks as he walked to her side and said, "These are for you." He kissed her cheek and handed her the flowers.

"They're beautiful. Thank you."

"Let me get a vase and some water." Catherine stood and walked toward the kitchen.

Knowing roses weren't cheap, she felt guilty he had spent so much. Other men she dated had given her flowers, but it never touched her heart like Tanner taking his hard-earned money to buy her roses. After all, he was just a hard-working man helping his parents on their farm and playing at the bar on the weekends.

"Ready?" Tanner asked, taking her hand in his, lacing their fingers together intimately.

"Yes," she replied as the warmth of his touch, crept up her arm.

When they had settled onto the seats of his truck and he had started the engine, she said, "You shouldn't have done that."

"Bought the flowers. Don't get me wrong, they're gorgeous and roses are my favorite, but I know they had to be expensive."

"Amy, I may not be rich, but I can afford to buy you flowers if I want to," he grumbled.

"I didn't mean to make you angry."

Tanner pulled over, putting the truck into park and turned to look at her.

"You didn't make me angry, baby," he said, sliding his fingers along her jaw. "I don't want you to think I can't do nice things for you every now and then."

"It just makes me realize I don't know you very well," she whispered, still afraid she had angered him.

A small smile crossed his lips as he looked at her, his fingers caressing a piece of hair. "I tell you what. Instead of going out somewhere where tons of people are, how about we grab a pizza and go back to my house? We can watch a movie, play Monopoly, play cards, you name it, and you got it. That way we can get to know each other better."

Amy smiled, realizing he would change his plans to make her feel more comfortable. "Or talk?"

He flashed a heart-stopping smile as he said, "Or talk."

"Okay. Sounds like fun," she replied, watching him pull his hand back almost reluctantly.

"I know a good take-out pizza place. We'll grab somethin' and head back to my house. The pizza place is around the corner from here," he said, putting the truck into drive. "What do you like on your pizza?"

"I'll get just about anything but anchovies." She laughed.

"Good. I hate anchovies, too." He smiled as he slid a glance in her direction.

* * * *

They pulled into the pizza place a few moments later and he frowned when he noticed a silver Honda, two spots over from where he parked.

"Maybe we should go somewhere else," he said, his eyes fixed on the vehicle.

"Why? This looks fine. Let's get it here and we can leave. No big deal, right?"

"Right," he murmured, opening his door and walking around to open hers.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No. I hope that they aren't too busy."

As they walked into the building, several pairs of eyes fixed on the two of them. One particular pair met his before he turned away and headed for the counter.

Shit! I don't need her making trouble.
He tried to focus on the menu and the pretty girl next to him.

"How about a supreme pizza?" He shot a glance over his shoulder.

"Sounds good to me." When his gaze came back to hers, she asked, "Are you sure there isn't anything wrong?"

"Yeah," he said, giving her a smile before he turned to order their pizza. "How about if we sit over by the wall while we wait?"

He moved in the opposite corner of where the green eyes were attempting to get his attention. He sat next to Amy, threading her fingers through his and putting them both on the tabletop.

* * * *

The glares from across the room spent a shiver down her arms, as they took a seat.

All right, Amy, he's probably had several girlfriends around here and you two are bound to run into someone he's dated.
He fidgeted uncomfortably in the seat.

A few moments later, a beautiful blonde walked to the edge of the table where they sat. Dressed to the hilt in her tight leather outfit, with pants hugging her hips and tapering down her slim legs, and a satin chemise emphasizing her unbound breasts, Amy thought she looked like a hooker.

Tanner stood as she approached, attempting to intervene before she reached their table.

"Tanner," the woman purred.

"Diane," he replied through clenched teeth.

"Who's your friend?" The blonde raked Amy with her green eyes.

"What do you want?"

His impatient, almost rude response gave Amy pause.

"I thought I would stop by and say hello," she murmured, running her manicured fingernail down Tanner's chest. Amy wasn't sure, but she could have sworn he shivered. "It's been a long time."

"Not long enough."

She frowned, watching the exchange. She wasn't sure she liked how this was going down.

"Number 42." The intercom blared and Amy stood, moving to stand next to him and slipping her hand into his.