Unable to Resist (41 page)

“Mind if I drive? I’m always able to think more clearly when I drive.”

I smile and toss him the keys. They clink in his hand and he guides me to the passenger side door. He opens it and offers his hand. Sliding my hand into his, I watch as his smooth, supple lips lower to the top of my hand. His long brown eyelashes leave a crescent shadow in the street lamplight and I close my eyes at the sweet contact.

“My lady,” he whispers, making my heart thud in my chest. I step onto the side rail and sit in my seat. He kisses my arm before he turns to walk to his side when I stop him.

“Cowboy?”

His eyes have softened when he turns and licks his lips. “Red?”

“I don’t want to end tonight like this.” Lauren will not ruin this night for us. “Stay with me tonight?”

With a sense of urgency, he hastily walks back to my door and turns me toward him.

My legs instantly open for him to step between. We are in the back of the parking lot, and Duane’s broad body covers my goodies. I don’t need any of my customers seeing me out in the open like that. Yikes. No, thank you.

He brings his hands around my waist. “And what exactly do you have in mind?” He murmurs against my neck, hot kisses trailing up and down, driving me crazy.

My body hums with anticipation but I don’t want to give anything away. “Take me home, love.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “My little minx.” When he closes my door, I watch his lion-like body move in front of the truck. He moves with stealth and grace I couldn’t duplicate if I tried.

Pulling his solid body into my truck, he turns on the ignition and we head home.

I’m wracking my brain, trying to figure out how to lessen his burden. I want to find a way to make it better. I know he’s going to stress about it until he confronts her.

“Baby?” I speak up just before we turn onto my street.

My voice seems to have snapped him out of his thoughtful trance, and he turns to me quickly. “Yeah, Red?”

I place my hand on his thigh, giving it a rub. “I was thinking why don’t we just let Lauren be? I know I don’t know her well, and I could be completely off base, but wouldn’t it make sense to just let her stew? I’m sure if I did something like that—.”

Duane turns his head to me with an entertained smirk.

I lightly slap his thigh and shake my head with a grin on my face. “I wouldn’t, you ass. I’m just saying, if you let her think that she doesn’t matter enough to even say something to her, it might have more of an effect. She is looking for attention, Cowboy, and you giving her the satisfaction of a fight will only make her that much more powerful. We shouldn’t give her that.”

He’s nodding his head in agreement. “Silence does speak louder than words sometimes. I think you might be a genius, Red.”

I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly and say, “It was bound to happen one way or another.”

Duane’s head falls back and he points a finger in the air. “That, my love, is true. I have no doubt.”

Duane moves his hand to his thigh and squeezes my hand in assurance.

“But Cowboy,” I look at him, “you know you can talk to me about anything if you need to. Just because you don’t confront her doesn’t mean this is over. You’ve got to be fuming, hell—I’d be furious. I just want you to know I’m here for you.” I let out a shaky breath and add, “Forever.”

Duane’s eyes ignite and he cocks his head with adoration. “Always,” he promises, and brings my hand to his lips. “And I know. Thank you.”

Feeling breathless, I unbuckle my seatbelt and step out into the cool air of the night. October in Nashville brings amazing weather. It’s just past midnight and the sky is bright with glistening stars. Duane meets me and grasps my hand. Walking up the back stairs to the loft, I instantly calm. Having Duane in my home makes me feel even more at peace. The feeling is prominent. He fills my home and my heart.

I don’t want the night to end, so I decide we are going to have our first date after all. Turning to Duane, I say, “Let’s do something fun. What do you say?”

Duane’s eyes crinkle in wonder. “Are we leaving again?”

I shake my head, and start for my room. “No, but I do need to get out of this dress, and you need to change. Shoot—” I stop, “you don’t have any clothes.”

Duane brings his hand behind his neck and rubs, blushing. “Actually, I have a bag in my truck.”

I could dance with elation. He had been hoping to stay with me.

“Oh, great! Okay, go get your bag and change.”

Swiftly grabbing my hips, Duane pulls me in for a kiss, then heads out the door to his truck.

I lightly clap and turn on my heel to head to the closet. Finding a pair of skinny jeans and a light sweater, I pull off my dress and strip off those killer heels. When I say killer, I mean they killed my feet. They might fall off.

Slipping on my Converse, I run to the bathroom and shut the door. While I do my business, I hear Duane come back in the room and close the door behind him. Probably doesn’t want to get caught with no clothes on by Aiden and Liv. Although, Liv would love that. I hear him unzip a bag, and shuffle around the room. Looking at myself in the mirror, I fluff my hair and run my hands under my eyes.

Duane’s sitting on the edge of my bed, slipping on his boots, when I walk into the room. In a tight pair of worn jeans, and a dark gray t-shirt he looks so handsome. He slips a hoodie over his head, and I go to him. Wrapping my arms around his middle, I let my head fall on his strong chest, and I breathe him in.

Soap, hay and man. God, I love the way he smells.

“So, what are we doing?” Duane asks as he tightens his arms around my body.

I lift my head and look up. “It’s beautiful outside. I have an idea.”

Duane’s eyebrows shoot up.

“What are we going to do outside?” He pushes.

“It’s a surprise.” I shrug, feeling a bit haughty.

With an anxious look, Duane nods. “The weather is beautiful outside, but it looks like a storm is brewing to the east.”

“Okay, Trust me?” I ask.

Pushing out a lungful of air, Duane nods again while rubbing the back of his neck. I smile at the gesture. He does that when he’s anxious.

“Good, now help me get into the attic,” I say as I reluctantly pull out of his embrace to go to the hallway.

“The attic? Woman, are you crazy? Let me go,” Duane says, baffled, as he races after me. “I don’t want you to get hurt. Show me the way. What do you need?”

Not wanting to argue with him, I lead him to the opening above the hall. Little does Mr. Protective know, I go in there often with no supervision. But, he’s chivalrous.

“I need the tent. It’s over on the right side next to the Christmas tree,” I point, “and the two sleeping bags.” I lace my hands together to give him a boost up. Heaving him up as gracefully as I can, I grunt in effort.

Phew, I’m out of shape
.

After a struggled attempt, I finally hoist Duane into the attic and he pokes his head out of the hole. “So, we’re going camping? Awesome, but where?”

Shaking my head, I reply, “Hush, it’s a surprise.” I wink at him.

Duane mutters in annoyance and retrieves his cell phone for light. It’s killing him not knowing, and I love it.

“Ann, you said it’s over here?” He yells.

I can hear him somewhere over my head, so I assume he is in the right area. “Yeah, the tent is in a red bag, and the sleeping bags are right next to it. I think they’re black. You find them yet? And, oh! Grab the lantern, too, will you?” I ask as I hear Duane sneeze. “Bless you.”

He pokes his head out again, smiling. “Why thank you ma’am, and yes, I found them. Ready?”

Nodding, I lift my hands above my head to grab the tent.

Geeze, it’s heavy. I lose my grip, and it falls to the ground. I shyly look up at Duane between my lashes and say, “Oops.”

A rumble of laughter emanates from deep within Duane’s chest. “Smooth, Red, real smooth. You alright?”

Blushing, I look up at him, and smack his dangling leg. “Yes, ass. Toss the sleeping bags and the lantern and I’ll help you down.” One after another, the sleeping bags topple onto the floor next to the tent and Duane safely hands me the lantern to set on the ground.

“Ready for me?” He asks, excited for the jump.

“Yep, come on Big Foot.”

Duane snorts. “Shut up, crazy girl. You know what they say about big feet.”

He would say something like that. Smartass.

“Yeah, small hands,” I joke. “Now get your ass down here.”

Stepping into my hand, he grabs both of my shoulders and lowers himself easily onto the ground.

High-fiving each other, I pick up the sleeping bags, while Duane hefts the tent and lantern into his arms. “Where to, oh fearless leader?” He inquires.

I hold up a finger, and strut into the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, I find the plate of cheese and fruit Liv picked up at the store earlier today and grab it. Then, I spin around to my wine fridge and grab a bottle and two glasses.

Lifting up my finds, Duane sees them and says, “Nice. I am a little hungry.” He pats his solid stomach.

“Of course you are, baby,” I humor him.

“What?” He asks. “Dancing makes a growing boy hungry.”

I nod multiple times in agreement, still messing with him. “Uh huh. Now come on so I can feed you.”

Holy shit, I’m excited—for such a trivial reason. I haven’t camped in years. I love the way Ann’s mind works. I don’t even think she knew this would mean so much to me, but somehow she just did something wonderful without even trying. When we headed to the roof and she opened the door to unveil our “campground,” she turned to look at me, waiting for my reaction. I couldn’t help but feel the moment made me love her that much more—I wonder if she saw it on my face.

Heaving the tent and the lantern to the wooden table set on the far side of the roof, I look at Ann. “Alright, Red, what do you want me to do?”

Ann points to an empty spot on the other side of the roof. “Let’s set up the tent over there.” I look around to where she pointed. That side of the roof is covered in flowers and plants, along with a stone faced fireplace. It’s quite a sight. Pure beauty.

“I’m going to start a fire, it’s a bit chilly,” Ann says as she shivers.

I take off my hoodie and offer it to her. She smiles and slips it over her head. Damn, she looks good in my clothes.

“Thank you. I should have grabbed mine,” she says.

I laugh. “No way, then you wouldn’t be wearing mine, and you look good in it.”

Her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink. Powerless to help myself, I bring my hand to her face and gently touch her cheek with my thumb. If it’s possible, her beautiful skin turns yet another shade of crimson and she leans into my touch. I could get used to seeing her like that. Rubbing her cheek one more time, I kiss her nose, and turn to pick up the lantern and tent.

Setting them down, I peek up at Ann by the fireplace. She’s stunning in her element. She knows exactly what to do when it comes to making a fire. She artfully stacks the logs, and sets paper on the bottom.

Being a living, breathing man, I sneak a peek at her heart-shaped ass covered in a pair of tight jeans that hug her in the best way possible. She looks phenomenal. I take in her perfect body with curves in all the right places. She is so real, and I know that sounds strange, but she is perfect compared to all the other plastic women that I’ve dated. Lauren, being the most recent.

Those amazing “qualities” aren’t the only reasons I find myself incredibly attracted to her. No, it’s much more than just her beauty. She’s generous and sweet. She won’t take your shit, but she’ll be the first one to offer a hand if you need it. She also treats me like a person. We are equals; we work things out together, as a team. No matter what the world throws at us, we are a solid unit.

She flicks the lighter and my mind comes back to reality as the fire comes to life. After stroking it for a few minutes, she turns on her heels, satisfied, and smiles at me.

Rubbing her hands together, she says, “Alright, Cowboy, let’s put this tent together.”

Without a word of debate or concern, we effortlessly put the tent together.