Do Me Right

He nodded. “I’ve been thinking about that. But I don’t see a lot of other options. It’s what I’m used to.”

“You can’t rodeo with your arm in a cast, can you?”

“There is that.” He frowned at his injured forearm, then took a long drink. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I’m going to do with myself for the next six weeks, until I can get back on the circuit.”

So he was grounded for six weeks? A lot could happen in that kind of time.

She pushed the thought away. She didn’t want anything to do with a randy cowboy. She looked away, pretending indifference. “I don’t see how I can help you there.”

He scooted closer. “Oh, but I think you can.” His voice was a notch above a whisper; velvet brushed across nerves set on hyperalert. “I think you and I could make the next six weeks damned interesting.”

Try as she might, she couldn’t keep back the hot flush that swept up her neck and across her cheeks. “Forget it,” she said, even as she listened for him to elaborate.

He traced his forefinger down her arm. “Hear me out, now. I believe we’d both benefit from what I have in mind.”

“What could you possibly do for me, cowboy?” Watching the light and shadows play across his handsome face, half a dozen erotic ideas flitted through her mind. But they were just ideas—she was better off not getting involved.

“For one thing, I could take you out and buy you a better dinner than stale bar pizza.” He thumped the plate containing the remains of her meal.

“I don’t need you to take me to dinner,” she said.

“But what about after dinner?” He stroked her cheek, a silken touch that immediately raised her temperature five degrees. “Maybe you need me then.”

“No, I don’t,” she said, even though her body had other ideas.

“I think you do.” He leaned closer still, so that his knee met hers and his arm brushed the side of her breast. “And I sure as hell need you. The minute I laid eyes on you this afternoon, I knew we’d be good together.”

“You’re dreaming.” When did it get to be so warm in here? Maybe she should ask Pete to turn down the air-conditioning. Or she could go home—now—and take a cold shower.

“If I’m dreaming, then it’s a wet dream, darlin’.” He smoothed her hair behind her ear. “Don’t tell me you don’t feel it, too.”

“Feel what?” Somehow she managed to get the words out around the knot in her throat.

“These sparks between us. Our bodies are saying things to each other. Don’t you want to finish the conversation?”

“You’ve been drinking too much.”

He pushed his half-empty glass away. “Not nearly enough to get you out of my mind.”

“I’m not interested in getting involved with you or anyone else,” she said.

“It depends on what you mean by involved.” He sat up straighter. “I’m talking about six weeks of enjoying each other. No strings attached. We both make the best of it.”

“I’m not interested.” She laid a five on the counter and stood to leave.

He touched her arm lightly. “Don’t be so hasty. I’ve done a little checking. Discreetly. I know you’re not involved with anyone else.”

“I like it that way.”

“Really?” His gaze pierced her, challenging her to admit the truth. “You don’t look like a woman who’s made to be celibate.”

“Oh, so you’re going to save me from that fate? How noble of you!”

“Nothing noble about it. Like I said before, we’d both benefit from a few weeks of fun.”

She shook her head. “Find somebody else.”

“I don’t want somebody else. I want you.”

The man didn’t mince words, she had to give him that. Would he be as direct in bed? “Why me?”

He stood, pressing in close, scant inches between them. “You intrigue me. You’ve got brains to go with that sexy body.” He smoothed his hand down her arm. “We wouldn’t bore each other.”

Men had called her a lot of things, but smart wasn’t usually one of them. The idea that he saw past her vamp wardrobe and tough-girl attitude moved her more than she cared to admit.

And the fact that he could snare her this easily frightened her. She pulled away. “I have to go now.”

“All right. I’ll walk you to your car.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist.” He fell into step beside her. He said nothing as they exited the bar and walked down the deserted street, but every part of her was aware of him. As tall as she was, he was taller. He walked next to the street, touching her elbow to guide her around obstacles, pausing at the corner to look both ways before escorting her across the street. She couldn’t remember when she’d felt so protected. She told herself she ought to bristle at such condescending behavior, but the truth was, it felt good to be looked after this way, as if he thought she deserved a little extra care.

She took out her keys as they reached her car, suddenly feeling awkward. What do you say to a man whose proposition you’ve just turned down? Thanks didn’t seem quite appropriate. “Well, good night and goodbye.”

“Good night. But I won’t say goodbye.” He reached out and pulled her close. “I’ll definitely be seeing you again.” She only had time to gasp before his lips met hers.

Her first thought was that this was a man who knew his way around a kiss. His mouth was firm against hers but not forceful, his hands sliding down her arms gently even as his tongue coaxed her to respond. He tasted of smoky whiskey and sweet cola, and smelled like starched cotton, oiled leather and male musk. The taste and scent and feel of him—his hot, exploring mouth and firm, unyielding muscle and gentle hands—battered at her last shreds of resistance. She melted against him, her surrendering moan muffled by his seeking mouth.

The heat that had smoldered between them all evening crackled into flames. She pressed against him, standing on tiptoe, both hands cradling the back of his head, her fingers sliding through his thick hair, pulling him closer still. She reveled in the scrape of his beard against her chin, the pressure of his belt buckle against her stomach. Suddenly every passing second reminded her how long she’d been alone and how much she didn’t want to be by herself anymore.

And then the spell was over. He raised his head and moved out of her arms. They stood inches apart, staring at each other, gasping for breath. His stunned expression mirrored her feelings.

She blinked, fighting to keep her composure. What had just happened? Had she really lost control like that with a man she hardly knew?

She hugged her arms over her chest and rubbed her shoulders, fighting a sudden chill and the longing to have his arms around her again. “I have to go,” she said.

This time he didn’t try to stop her. But as she started the car and reached to pull the door shut, he leaned in. “I’ll see you soon, darlin’,” he said in that warm, molasses voice that was guaranteed to keep her hot and bothered for the rest of the night.

KYLE MANAGED TO HOLD IT together until Theresa’s car was out of sight. Then he slumped against an adjacent car and removed his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow.

What exactly had happened just now? He’d meant to kiss her, but he hadn’t expected spontaneous combustion. He’d come dangerously close to laying her back across the hood of her car and taking her right there.

He smiled, remembering her feeble denials that there wasn’t anything between them. One kiss had shown her for a liar. Next time she’d have to find another excuse to refuse him.

Judging by the way she’d melted in his arms just now, she wouldn’t say no much longer. He stared down the empty street in the direction she’d driven, wondering what his next move would be. On the one hand, he could show up at her shop tomorrow and continue to play the game—flirting and touching, daring her to give in to her feelings and give herself up to six weeks of very physical therapy that would benefit them both.

On the other hand, a little voice in his head was telling him to turn around and run the other way. A woman like Theresa Jacobs didn’t ever really surrender. Women like her took prisoners. With one kiss, he was already halfway snared in her web. Not exactly a good beginning for a casual alliance. He wanted fun without forfeit, a way to give his body without worrying about his heart. One look at Theresa, with her tattoos and leather, her overt sex appeal and go-to-hell attitude, and he thought he’d found the perfect partner to help occupy his time while he was forced to remain close to home.