Cowboy Love (7 page)

He smiled, fully aware of how evasive her answer sounded. She wasn't going to give him an inch, he realized. "Ready?"

"Yeah. I'm so full I don't think I could eat another thing for the next week."

He held out his hand to help her to her feet and she slipped her palm into his, as he laced their fingers together. He relished the feel of her by his side as they walked out to his truck and he inhaled her intoxicating scent, letting it wrap around his senses.

Once they were seated and he turned over the engine, he said, "Pete's is not far."

He pulled the truck out in traffic, drove the few blocks to the bar and stopped in an empty spot.

"You weren't kidding when you said the bar was just up the road." Amy looked out the window at the multitude of cars in the lot.

"Told you," he responded, opening his door.

Once he had opened her door and she stepped out, he closed it, placing his warm hand on the small of her back to guide her as she shivered under his touch and he smiled.

* * * *

They reached the doors, as the twang of the latest country song met their ears. The night breeze blew slightly, rustling the trees overhead. Standing next to him, made her completely aware of the handsome man by her side. His body heat penetrated her entire being and she sighed, shifting as her panties rubbed against her clit.
Amy, you are getting in way too deep, way too soon with this.

He opened the door, ushering her inside while she scanned the crowd for an empty table.

"To the left," he murmured in her ear, directing her attention to the open spot several feet away.

"What do you want to drink?" he asked.

"Beer is fine."

"Be right back." Her gaze followed him as he weaved through the crowd, headed for the bar.
Yummy.
It took several minutes for him to return to the table. "Sorry, I got waylaid."

Her lips curled up in a smile as he sat next to her. "I noticed."

Tanner moved his arm behind her, placed his hand on her shoulder and pulled her close to his side. The warmth of his skin caused a shiver to race down her back, settling in her between her thighs. She pressed them together to calm her racing desire and he whispered in her ear, "Cold?"

Shaking her head no, she took an unsteady breath, trying to calm her overheated body. His finger traced little circles on her shoulder, making her very aware of the man next to her and the wetness of her panties.

After several minutes, he turned and nuzzled the hair near her ear with his nose, sending another shiver down her arms. The warm breath on her neck made her want to tip her head and let him lick, nibble, bite, whatever he wanted to do, until she creamed right in front of everyone.

"You were right about the smell of horses. I like this smell much better."

She closed her eyes, her breath catching in her throat as his whisper flittered in her ear and she tried desperately to put the thoughts of him between the sheets out of her mind. No one had ever had this effect on her before and it drove her crazy. Oh, she had been with a few men in the past, even men who knew exactly what to do and what to say to turn her on, but never like this and
damn it
, he wasn't even trying.

"Are you all right?"

She knew the bright rose color on her cheeks gave away the heat radiating from her core at his very touch.
I wonder if he can smell how hot I am? What I wouldn't give to have him fuck me right on the seat of his truck?

"I'm fine, but I need to make a trip to the ladies room. I'll be right back." She stepped away from his hand and hurried off toward the door marked 'women.'

Once inside the safety of the bathroom, she placed her purse on the ledge over the sink. She bent her head and took a few deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart. She heard a couple of girls moving toward the door so she raised her head, grabbed her purse and disappeared into the bathroom stall. The two women chitchatted for several minutes before disappearing. Her desire better under control, when they were gone, Amy stepped out of the stall, fluffed her hair a little and opened the door. As she headed back toward their table, the same group of women from last night stood by Tanner's side and a spark of jealousy zipped down her back. When she stopped at his side, she slipped her arm around his waist and he draped his over her shoulder. He softly kissed her on the temple, much to her delight and to the horror of the women around them.

"Amy, this is Laurie, Marie, Janice and Alice." Amy tipped her head and smiled in greeting. "Ladies, this is Amy."

Alice said hello in return, but the other three grabbed her arm and without a word, disappeared back to their table.

"Okay then," Amy grumbled.

"Don't worry. Bitch comes to mind when you think of those three."

"Let's dance," he took her hand, leading her to the middle of the floor. "I'd much rather this be a slow song, but two-steppin' will have to do for now."

Scooting around the dance floor, her hand resting on his shoulder and his caressing her waist, did nothing to cool her ardor. She followed his steps as he led, their bodies moving together in a sensual rhythm reverberating in her head. The song changed to Rascal Flatts crooning Cool Thing and Tanner shifted, drawing her closer to his chest. She fought a moan when her breasts brushed against him and her nipples puckered under her clothing.

"Much better," he whispered, nuzzling her ear. "Watchin' you on that bull last night, all I can say is
totally hot.
"

Moving back so she could see his eyes, she said, "I'm glad you liked it."

"The kiss afterwards got my attention, too."

"Most definitely." His nose brushed hers as he said, "Even more than the first one. Of course, I'd much rather kiss you without interruptions."

"We'll have to work on that."

The song ended and he dropped his arm, but grabbed her hand and moved toward the table.

For the next several hours, he managed to be the most attentive man she had ever dated. He stayed by her side almost constantly as they danced, drank, and laughed with his friends. He rode the bull, but chuckled when she refused, pointing to the fact that she wore a dress even though he suggested pulling it up.

"But I can enjoy your legs if you do."

"So would everyone else in the bar," she giggled, leaning closer to his side.

"True, scratch that."

His dimple peeked out of his cheek and she wanted so badly to run her tongue over that tempting indentation.

"What are you thinkin'?"

The corner of her mouth lifted in a half smile as she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "How much I want to lick your dimple." His breath came out in a short burst, ruffling the hair by her neck. "I think it's sexy as hell."

"God, woman. Do you have any idea what you're doin' to me?"

Her fingers brushed down his chest until she reached the waistband of his jeans. "Shall I find out?" she murmured and he groaned as she let her finger nails graze against the obvious bulge in his jeans.

"Let's go somewhere a little more private," he said as she gave him her saucy smile.

She stood saying, "I need to make a trip to the ladies room before we go anywhere. I'll be right back." She picked up her purse from the chair, kissed him quickly on the lips and moved through the crowd.

The bathroom crowd stood from wall to wall, leaving very little room to maneuver inside, but she managed to find an open stall. She shut the door and slipped the lock as the words from outside her stall reached her ears.

"Did you see Tanner? Damn, that's one fine looking man."

"I know. Laurie sure is one lucky girl."

Laurie? Who the hell is Laurie?

"She knows it, too. They have been seeing each other for such a long time."

"Well, I'm sure one of these days she'll get him to the altar. It's just a matter of time."

Their footsteps retreated and the conversation changed as it faded.

Shock reverberated through her as their words sank into her mind. Surely they weren't talking about her Tanner, the Tanner she had just spent the last several hours with. She must have heard them wrong. Her mind, being the logical one chimed in.
How many guys do you know with the name Tanner?

Anger and betrayal seethed through her as she ripped open the stall door and hurried to the sink to wash her hands.
I'm going to
find out about this right now
.
If he's just playing with me, it will be the last time.

She pulled open the bathroom door and walked briskly in the direction of where her date stood leaning against a pole.

When she arrived at his side, Tanner went to slide his arm around her again, but she shrugged him off, taking several steps in front of him.

"Amy?" He caught up with her as the question reached her ears.

Giving him the most dangerous glare that she could muster, she moved away from him again. She wasn't going to discuss things in front of the crowd. She would save it for when they got in the truck.

Tears burned behind her eyes and a lump formed in her throat, choking off any words she might have said, even if the only thing she could think of happened to be
bastard.
Tanner caught up with her, but didn't say anything as she fought to hold her emotions together. He opened the door for her, and without a word, she slid into the passenger seat, grabbed the handle and pulled it shut.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" he asked when he got in. The question hung in the air between them as she waited for him to start the truck. She continued looking out the windshield but shook her head, afraid if she said something now, she would burst into tears. He grumbled under his breath as the engine turned over. After several minutes, she realized they weren't heading back to Chris'.

He took a side road to the right, bouncing along over the dirt and gravel leading back into the trees, but she wasn't going to ask where they were going. She trusted him, Lord only knew why, but she did, knowing he wouldn't hurt her, not physically, anyway.

When he finally stopped, the most beautiful view of the town below, greeted her. The lights twinkled in the distance like stars, but in a varying color scheme that took her breath away.

She watched as he angrily pushed open his door, slammed it shut behind him and stomped away. He pulled his hat off and ran his hands through his hair. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and followed him out. Her anger now deflated, she knew she had to give him a chance to explain. If she thought he lied, she would just have him take her back to Chris' and be done with it and him.

* * * *

Damn, she can tie me up in knots.
He stared out over the bluff wishing he knew what had pissed her off now, but she wasn't talking, at least not yet.

As she walked up beside him, he stiffened. Shooting a glance in her direction, he saw her watching the lights below. She didn't appear to be angry anymore, or at least not as mad as before. Wanting to let her start the conversation, he kept quiet. When she finally started to speak, he turned so he could see her face.

She sighed heavily and said, "I'm sorry."

"Yeah. I shouldn't be mad at you for something you have no idea about. At least, you should have the chance to explain."

"Okay. What have I done that I have no clue what you're talkin' about."
Damn, she is making this hard.

"Who is Laurie?" The question whipped on the wind as her frustrated stare dared him to lie.

Chapter 5

"Laurie? I don't know what you are talkin' about. Why?" Confusion rippled across his face.

"I guess I should put it this way. Are you seeing somebody that lives here in Brenham?"

"No. I'm not seein' anyone, no one but you."

"You haven't been in a long term relationship with someone named Laurie?"

"I told you, I haven't been seeing anyone, much less anyone named Laurie, but I do know, what a minute. Did somebody give you the impression I'm seein' someone else?" She dropped her gaze, avoiding his searching stare. He stepped close, putting his fingers under her chin and raising it so he could look her in the eyes. "Amy?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"I had hoped you trusted me, but I guess not." His disappointed in her lack of trust, shone bright in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Tanner. I've been burned so many times in the past with guys who tell me one thing and do something else that it's difficult for me to trust."

"Do you believe me?"

For some reason, she knew he didn't lie to her. "Yes, but who is Laurie?"

"The only Laurie I know is the black-haired girl from the bar. That's Laurie and you don't have to worry, I wouldn't date her."

I should have known. I should have trusted him or at least given him the chance to explain before I blew things out of proportion.
She stepped back and turned to peer over the bluff at the lights. "I guess I should have given you the benefit of the doubt."

"You could have at least asked me before you jumped to conclusions."

"I know." Totally embarrassed by her behavior, she blushed. She knew she had trust issues with everything that happened with Jack, but it wasn't fair to hold Tanner to the same standard. He was one of the good guys, wasn't he? Changing the direction of the conversation, she asked, "Did you plan to bring me up here anyway? It really is beautiful."

"Actually, yes. This is one of my favorite spots. I come up here a lot to think. I've written several songs up here, actually."

"Yeah." He kicked the dirt under the toe of his boot nervously. "Maybe I'll play one for you sometime."

"Cool. I like to listen to you sing."

"I'm going to turn the truck around so we can sit on the tailgate. I'll be right back."

He backed up so the rear of the truck sat near the edge of the bluff.

When she saw what he carried, she raised a questioning eyebrow. "A blanket?"

"This thing will hurt your butt if you sit on it too long. At least the blanket will pad things a little." He spread it out on the bare metal and she sat down.