1001 Dark Nights (19 page)

Authors: Lorelei James

Tags: #1001 Dark Nights, #cowboy, #rodeo, #erotic romance, #Blacktop Cowboys, #Lorelei James

BOOK: 1001 Dark Nights

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The subtle pine scent of Colby’s aftershave and the underlying hint of aroused male soaked into her skin more thoroughly than the beer. A purely sexual shiver worked loose from her head to the pointed toes of her cowgirl boots.

“Come on and dance with me. Let’s see if we can’t spread that wetness around a little.” Without waiting for her compliance, Colby tugged her toward the dance floor.

“The Cowboy Rides Away” by George Strait blasted from the speakers.

The second they were engulfed by the mass of dancers, Colby hauled her flush against his firm body. A big, strapping man, he was hard everywhere—from his brawny chest to his powerfully built thighs. No two-stepping for them. He clasped her right hand in his left, nestling his right palm in the small of her back. That single touch seared her flesh like a red-hot brand.

Lord. And the long hard thing poking her belly sure as shooting wasn’t his championship belt buckle.

“You okay?”

Channing nodded, even when her head spun with the idea the hottest cowboy on the circuit had a massive hard-on for her—right here in front of rodeo queens, stock contractors, old-timers and everyone else.

“See? This ain’t so bad, is it?”

“No. Actually, it’s really nice, Colby.” She rested her cheek on his chest and sighed softly.

“Nice? I’ll take that, though, I’d prefer naughty.” His hold on her tightened. “Be nicer yet if we were naked,” he whispered against her temple.

Naked line dancing. That might be interesting. Gave a new definition to the term
swingers
.

Booted feet shuffled and stomped in the sawdust. Men and women whirled in flashes of bright fringe and glittering rhinestones. Finally Colby spoke again. “Can I ask you something, sweetheart?”

“I guess.”

“How’d you end up with Jared?”

Because I didn’t see you first.

Channing didn’t look up; rather she studied the pearl studs on his plaid Western shirt. “We met after he did a bull-riding exhibition. We got to talking and I told him I wanted an adventure. We hooked up and here I am. Why?”

“So you ain’t goofy in love with him? Hopin’ he’ll put a ring on your finger at summer’s end?”

“No.” Truth be told, she suspected she’d made a mistake in choosing Jared. Beneath his enchanting Australian accent lurked a moody, possessive man with secrets. She had no idea what to do about it. “Why?”

“This don’t seem like your thing.”

“What? Traveling on the rodeo circuit?”

“Well, that too. But mostly I was talkin’ ’bout a classy broad like you shackin’ up with that lyin’ slimeball.”

Channing glanced up. Instead of acting snappy and defensive, she batted her eyelashes and sweetened her tone. “Why, Colby McKay, I didn’t realize you cared about my virtue.”

“It ain’t your virtue I’m concerned about.”

“Then what?”

His hungry gaze captured every nuance of her face, ultimately homing in on her mouth. Heat from his eyes raced down her spine, gathering in her core. She felt more exposed than if he’d stripped her buck naked.

“Jesus. Every time I look at you I lose my damn train of thought.”

“Why?”

“’Cause you got the sweet face of an innocent and the body of a high-priced whore.”

Her mouth dropped open.

Studying her eyes, Colby gave her a devilish smile and lowered his head. Taking advantage of her parted lips, his tongue darted inside her mouth. No hard, fast kiss. Just a fleeting brush of his soft lips. A lingering stroke of his velvety tongue. His heated breath mingled with hers and her pulse quickened. Everywhere.

Oh. As his talented tongue slid along hers, any pretense of her resistance fled. She savored his taste; a spicy tang of beer, Copenhagen and toothpaste. Another shudder ran through her and she moaned softly.

“Does that shock you, darlin’?” he murmured against the corner of her trembling mouth.

Channing forced her traitorous lips away from his lazy assault. “Does it shock me that you classify me as a whore, same as those buckle bunnies following you around? No.”

His eyes flashed blue fire, as if she’d somehow insulted him. “I didn’t call you a whore. I didn’t call you an innocent, either, but I noticed you didn’t focus on that portion of my remark.”

“Then explain yourself, Mr. McKay.”

“I spend way more time thinkin’ ’bout you than I should, Miz Channing.” Colby didn’t miss a dance beat as he smoothly shoved a firm thigh between hers and waltzed her forward.

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