Pressure Point (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 3) (21 page)

He turned his cheek and his lips brushed her forehead. “Stop, right there. If you’re a liar then we both are because I didn’t make a peep to make things right.” His thumb caressed the small of her back, circling on her skin. The material of her shirt did nothing to keep her skin from scorching in his heat.

“I’m at fault. You’ve been along for the ride.”

“It’s not a bad ride. There’ve been a few bumps, but what a ride it’s been.” His breath warmed her cheek.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?” His hand inched further along her spine, drawing a figure eight.

“Make me see the positive in the negative.” She was falling and she didn’t think there was a safety net large enough to protect her from hitting bottom. A mixture of sadness and joy tugged at her heart. Regardless of how sweet and cajoling Nash could be, she wasn’t ready to give all of herself to him—to anyone. The amazing sex had hypnotized her, created a monster of need within her.

Why couldn’t she just throw him the key to her heart and let him unlock the treasure? He seemed more than willing to walk the path.

Trust. The ugly head came rearing through her.

To allow someone inside one must trust that person. She hadn’t trusted anyone since Sam Saxour, her first love.

No, what she’d felt for Sam wasn’t love. She knew that now, but a teenage heart doesn’t have the skill of protection. It feels what it wants to feel. And she wanted to love.

Sam was a college senior she’d met her first year on campus. He’d had the ability to make all of the girls giggle and pray for an opportunity that he’d look their way. Em had been different. She hadn’t fallen for Sam’s charm, and she guessed that was what made her a challenge for him. He’d gone out of his way to gain her attention, even once serenading her from the sidewalk of her dorm.

Then she’d caved. After all, Sam wanted to become a doctor. He was smart with all of the right words. Things had heated up between them, fast and frenzied. He’d wanted more, to take their relationship to the next level, but Em wanted to take things slow. After all, if this had been Mr. Right, then it wouldn’t hurt to take things day by day.

During spring break, she invited Sam home to Rhinestone. She’d wanted her father and sisters to meet him. Em was so proud when it seemed everyone, including her particular father, liked Sam.

One evening all of her dreams were shattered.

She’d been out with Jewels and Pearl, for a sister outing before she went back to school, and had decided to come home early because she missed Sam. Once inside the house, she’d immediately heard deep voices coming from her father’s office. Sam was in there with Em’s father. The door was open only a few inches, enough that she could peek in and hear what was being said. Curious, Em stayed and listened.

She had only managed to hear the last bit of the conversation.

Her father didn’t think he was right for Em…

Sam denying that he had an ulterior motive…

And then the loud ripping of a check being torn from the book…

Em had stood on a precipice. Part of her wanting to rush in and call her father out. Another part denying that Sam would ever accept money to leave her alone.

Rushing up the stairs to her bedroom, she’d waited for Sam. An hour turned into three. When she’d finally gone to the guest room, Sam was gone and so was his suitcase.

Em had returned to school. When Sam would see her, he’d walk the opposite direction. 

Nash’s fingers in her hair pulled her from the past and to the present. “What are you thinking about? I have a feeling it’s more than wedding dresses.” His soft voice warmed her.

Could she trust him with her heart? Probably not.

Sam had been sweet, kind, gentlemanly. Had seemed like the perfect man, until he was handed a check. Her dreams of ever being happy, or trusting another man had diminished.

They would hurt each other in some way.

“I once trusted someone deeply and he showed me the error of my ways. I can’t allow another man into my heart again. I’m sorry.” There, she’d said the words. Why didn’t she feel any better?

He pulled his head back some. “Em, I’m sorry that you were hurt, but everyone has suffered agony from another person’s behavior. Allowing them to turn us cold would be rewarding them.”

She swallowed. “Have you been hurt, Nash?”

“Many times. Not necessarily by a woman, but you and I have something in common. We both lost our mom when we were little. That was the worst possible thing for anyone.”

She toyed with a piece of string on his shirt. “I didn’t know my mother. She died when I was a baby.”

His fingers massaged her neck. “Who has hurt you, Em?” His warm voice broke down her walls. She hadn’t shared the story with anyone, not even her sisters.

“A boy in college. To think back, he really wasn’t that big of a deal, but at the time, a young woman pursuing her heart, it’d seemed like the whole wide world.” She shrugged. “But he didn’t have the same dreams as I did. Good thing I found that out before it was too late.” There was a catch to her voice.

“You can’t judge every man by a boy. Not all men are the same.”

“In all honesty, would you admit it if you were?”

“No, I guess we wouldn’t, but don’t you know enough about me that you see I’m different?” She sighed. “Problem is, I think you’re way different, and that’s what scares me.”

He nuzzled his lips at her temple. “That shouldn’t scare you,” he whispered.

Her veins filled with need. “I knew what I wanted and then you came along. This truly isn’t fair.”

“Not fair?” His lips were now on her jaw.

What did she say? Oh yeah…“That I want you this much,” she admitted. Wow…that wasn’t so hard.

His tongue swept out and licked her neck. She shivered. “The feeling’s mutual.” His solid length pressed her hip.

“If you don’t stop we will be very rude guests and ignore our company until late tomorrow,” she chuckled.

“Poor company. Hooray for me.” He left a moist trail along her collarbone as his fingers swept up her bare thigh. He reached the fringe of her shorts and she spread her legs—

Pound. Pound.

Em jerked. She dragged her mind on the issue at hand. Someone was at the door.

“Who the hell is that?” Nash mumbled against her neck. “If we ignore them they’ll go away.”

“I doubt that. Apparently you haven’t been around my family that long,” she whispered. “Yes?”

“Come on you two. We’re going out to grab some grubb,” DJ yelled through the door.

“Yeah, my family’s the same. They don’t know what a closed door means,” Nash growled. “Do you want to go?” He nuzzled his nose in her hair.

“As much as I’d love to finish this,” she swept a hand between them, “We’re here to spend time with family, and family wants to spend time with us. I’m hungry and you need your energy.”

“Is that so?”

“Sex drains energy and that’s pretty much all we’ve done since we’ve arrived.” She stood and he groaned. She crossed to the door and tugged it open. DJ was starting to walk away. He turned back and smiled.

“I was about ready to give up on you two.” He smiled.

Em’s cheeks warmed. “Where are we going?”

“Pearl told me about a local country bar that serves the best pizza this side of Texas. I told her she’d have to prove it.”

“Sudz N Budz. Yeah, I have to agree. They have the best pizza.” Em pushed open the door further with her foot. Nash was now standing, all signs of his inner turmoil gone, or at least hidden. “Sound like a plan, Nash?”

He met her gaze, a mere second, but her heart picked up speed. “Sounds like a plan.” There was a sliver of doubt in his tone.

****

A Hank Williams Jr. song played from the jukebox, boots scuffling and laughter sounded from the large dance floor. Nash watched the dancers, remembering how he’d danced with Em, as he followed her to a table big enough to fit their group. The familiar smell of booze and spicy flavors of food filled the air. Nash’s stomach growled and he was actually hungry for something besides sex.

The place wasn’t overly crowded yet, but Em had told him this was a hotspot on weekends. This place was known for its delicious grub and being a line dancer’s hub. He’d never gotten into line dancing, but he didn’t mind watching.

The balls of the pool table dinged and he turned his gaze in the back room where games were set up. It certainly wasn’t quiet tonight. Nash was a bit disappointed. He’d rather be back at the cabin with Em, but he guess he shouldn’t be selfish. They were there with family.

Once everyone gathered around the table, Nash offered, “I’ll get the drinks. What does everyone want?” He mentally listed each request, which wasn’t so hard. The guys wanted beer, Em wanted something called a Fuzzy Navel and her sisters wanted diet Coke.  “Coming right up.” He mazed his way through the tables.

At the bar, Nash placed his order and waited while the bartender filled it. “There you go, cowboy.” The blonde handed him the tray laden with the drinks. “Do you need any help with that?” Her eyes twinkled.

“Thank you, ma’am, but I can handle this.” Nash carefully lifted the tray.

“No problem, sweetie.” The woman bent just enough to give him an eyeful of her breasts overflowing from the tight T-shirt. Up until a month ago, he would have been all interested, but now, she didn’t even get a rise in his blood pressure or his groin.

Now if that didn’t tell him a thing or two, he wasn’t sure what would. He was a taken man, but sadly, didn’t belong to anyone. That was the pits.

He didn’t even care to look at other women now. He’d been ruined for anyone, expect Em. He cursed under his breath as he went back to the table and placed the drinks in the center. Agitation burrowed under his skin. How could one woman take up so much room inside of his brain?

Once his tall glass of beer was poured, Nash drank half in one gulp. Unfortunately, it did nothing to ease the tension in his gut. He grabbed a quick peek at Em and rubbed his jaw. Her head leaned in close to Pearl, they were discussing something in quiet voices. Em had a smile on her face and she literally glowed. His heart hitched. The woman got more beautiful every second.

Spark sidled up next to him and patted him on the shoulder. “I recognize that look.”

“What look?” Nash asked.

“Oh, the one that says you’ve realized a Stone sister has you by the balls.” Spark laughed.

Nash wanted to argue, deny Spark’s words, but how could he? Once upon a time he had life by the balls and now a woman, one who only wanted him for a good time, had him in her tight clutch. And why didn’t that make him run as fast as his legs would carry him?

“So, are you ready for the wedding?” Spark poured himself another.

Nash faced the other man. “Can a man ever truly be ready? I’d like to think it’s something we can’t prepare for, but grow while we’re in it.”

“What you’re saying is, hell no, you’re not ready?”

“Basically.” Nash nodded.

“Cheers.” Spark held up his glass and Nash clanked his with Spark’s. “But it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m sure it will be for you too. The chemistry between you two is off the charts, my friend.”

Nash liked Spark. He’d lived a rough and adventurous life and he succumbed to the charms of a Stone sister. The Stone girls had a way of getting into a man’s skin like a predator to its prey. No man was safe once they got into a Stone sister’s web.

Em’s laughter brought his attention back to her. He didn’t mind being in the web, not at all.

The food came and they ate, and Em leaned closer to him. “Do you have a quarter?”

Nash wiped his hands on a napkin then reached into his front pocket, withdrawing a couple of coins. “You’re in luck, sweetheart.”

“Any requests?” Her eyes lit up.

“Anything you like.” He smiled. She slid out of the seat and he watched her sashay to the jukebox. He slowly lowered his gaze over the pretty little yellow dress that molded to her curves, her long legs to the brown boots. Mm, she made his heart skip a beat. He kept his gaze steady on her as she leaned in slightly to skim through the song choices. The hem of the skirt lifted an inch, showing off the backs of her thighs, right where he wanted to wrap his fingers around. He shook his head, as if he could release some of the tension.

Back at the cabin she’d divulged enough to him that he now understood why she wasn’t big on trust and relationships. Some dickhead had trampled on her heart. Nash hated that she’d been hurt, but she needed to grow and learn from it, not bathe in it as protection against loving again.

Another song played and she moved her shoulders to the beat, slow and steady. One of the spaghetti straps fell to her shoulder and he ached to tug it back up. Instead, he squeezed the handle of his beer.

A cowboy saddled up to the jukebox, next to Em. Nash’s breath caught in his lungs. He couldn’t read lips, but he’d guess the man asked her to dance. Nash waited, watching, his fingers pressing harder into the glass. Would she say yes?

Hell, he hadn’t missed how all eyes turned to her when she walked in. He couldn’t expect that he was the only one who found her beautiful. He’d never been a jealous man, but he couldn’t deny the tightening in his gut.