Moonlight Beach Bachelors: Her Forbidden Cowboy

“With you. Yes, you made that clear earlier.” Adam’s mouth hitched again. It was more animation than Zane had seen in the guy practically since he’d met him. “I’m going out on a limb here, but either you’re hooked on her, or you’ve got a bad case of Big Brother syndrome.”

Zane peered over Adam’s shoulder and caught a glimpse of Jessica speaking with a man who looked enough like Dylan to be his twin. “Who the hell is that?”

Adam swiveled his head and gave the guy a once-over. “Dylan introduced him to me before you arrived. That’s Roy. He’s Dylan’s stunt double.”

Roy and Jessica stood in the sand under the light of a tiki torch and away from the crowd of people beginning to swarm the barbecue pit, where a chef prepared food on the grill. Zane didn’t like it, but he couldn’t very well pull her away from every guy who approached her.

“So, which is it?” Adam asked.

“Which is what?” He watched Jessica laugh at something Roy said.

“Are you playing big brother? Cause if you’re not, I think you have to amp up your game, neighbor. Or you’re going to lose something special, before you know what hit you.”

Zane stared at Adam. The guy had no clue what he was talking about. Adam had no idea how hard he’d loved Janie. He had no idea how he couldn’t get past what happened. He’d tried over and over to put his emotions to lyrics, to gain some sort of closure in a song meant to honor his love for Janie, but the words wouldn’t come. “I’ve already lost—”

Adam began shaking his head. “I’m not talking about the past, Zane. I’m talking about the future.”

“Spoken by a man who rarely steps foot out of his house.”

Now Adam did laugh. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, that surprises me. Why are you?”

He shrugged. “I’ve got a temperamental artist painting a wall in my gallery. It’s going to be fantastic when he’s through, and he insists on complete privacy. I’m staying at Dylan’s for a few days.”

“Well, damn. You’re sorta here by default, then.”

“It’s not so bad. At least I got to meet Jessica and all her Southern charm.”

“Why, that’s very nice of you to say, Adam.”

A sweet strawberry scent wafted to his nostrils, announcing Jessica’s presence even before she’d uttered a word. He’d come to recognize her scent, and every time she approached, a little bitty buzz would rush through his belly. She took a place by his side, and he refrained from puffing out his chest.

“Just speaking the truth,” Adam said.

“Hey, Jess,” Zane said.

“Hey, yourself,” she said to him. He wasn’t sure if she’d been deliberately avoiding him since his dopey remark earlier, or if she was flitting around like a butterfly to make new friends. Either way, he was glad she’d come over to him.

“Having fun?”

“Sure am. I’m meeting some great people here. It was sweet of Dylan to invite me. Sorry if I abandoned you.”

He raised his beer bottle to his lips. “No problem. I spent my time keeping Adam amused.”

Jessica shot a questioning glance at Adam.

“He’s quite a party animal these days,” Adam explained, tucking his free hand into his trouser pockets.

Zane gulped the rest of his beer. He wouldn’t be here if Jessica hadn’t changed her mind about coming. “C’mon Jess. Looks like the meal’s being served. I’ve got me a hankering for some barbecue chicken.”

“Adam, will you join us?” she asked.

Adam shook his head. “I’ll see you over at the table later. I’m going to have another drink first.”

Zane began moving, and Jessica kept by his side as he headed for a table occupying the far corner of the massive patio. “Chances are we won’t see much of Adam tonight. He keeps to himself pretty much.”

“Does he?” she asked. “Why?”

“I don’t really know. We got friendly when I leased the house from him. And we had some business dealings, but I sensed he’s a loner. It’s probably why he was standing with me, over against the wall.”

“Well, he was cordial to me.”

“Yeah, I know.” Zane dipped his gaze to the swell of her breasts teasing the top of her frilly sundress. Her skin looked creamy soft and—Lord help him—inviting. With that blond hair flowing down her back and her eyes as green as a grassy meadow, she made his heart ache. “I saw the two of you walking out to the water.”

“All I did was ask him about his designs. Architecture has always fascinated me.”

“Yeah, that’s probably why he spent time with you. He loves talking shop.” Lucky for him, Jess didn’t notice the sarcasm in his voice. He managed to pull a chair out for her, crutches and all.

Man, he’d be glad to rid himself of them.

It couldn’t happen soon enough.

* * *

They’d stayed at the party a little too long. Zane was smashed, going over his liquor limit an hour ago, and now she struggled to get him out of the car. He obviously didn’t take his own advice. Hadn’t he warned her of not drinking too much, because in his handicapped state, he wouldn’t be able to help her? Well...now the shoe was on the other foot. “Hang on to me,” she said, reaching inside the car.

“Glad to, darlin’.”

He slung his arm around her shoulder, nearly pulling her onto his lap.

“Zane!”

An earthy laugh rumbled from his throat.

“Not cute.”

“Neither are y-you,” he said.

After a few seconds of maneuvering, she managed to get him upright.

“You’re b-beautiful.”

Oh, boy. She rolled her eyes and ignored his comment.

He swayed to the left. Sure-footed he was not. She leaned him up against the car. “Here.” She shoved a crutch under his arm, tucking it carefully but none too gently. “Please, please, try to concentrate.”

Maybe she should’ve taken Dylan up on his offer to drive Zane home. But Zane wouldn’t have any of it, insisting he could manage.