Accidental Cowgirl (16 page)

“Have you ever given your little sister mouth-to-mouth as she turned blue in your arms?
Have you
, Marcy?”

Marcy’s eyes brimmed over and tears ran down her perfectly made-up cheeks. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Decker. I’m so sorry.”

“You have
no
idea. No idea what you’re talking about here. Don’t tell me to leave it behind. Don’t you dare presume you have a clue how I feel.” He stopped for a second, breathing hard. In a quieter voice, he continued, slower now. “Did you know that my little sister, aged ten forever, is buried up in the apple orchard behind the house? And she’s buried there because her
big brother, who was supposed to be responsible for her, couldn’t save her?”

He pointed his index finger at Marcy, just inches from her nose. “Did you know all that, Marcy?”

“God, Decker, I’m sorry! I never should have said anything. I’m so sorry.” Her voice was cracking now.

“You’re damn right you shouldn’t have said anything. You. Know. Nothing.”

“Maybe you’re right,” she whispered. “Maybe I really am a monster.”

Decker shook his head, trying to regain his composure. It wasn’t Marcy’s fault any more than it was anyone else’s. Emily had died because of him, no one else. He sighed, raking his hand through his hair. “You’re not a monster. But you’re also not in love with me. The sooner you admit it, the easier it will be. I’m not the man of your dreams, Marcy.”
I’m not the man of
anyone’s
dreams
. He tried to gentle his voice, wanting to choose just the right words to put her off his scent forever. “You’re going to find your true love. You are. But it’s not me.”

Marcy smiled sadly, then seemed to get a second wind as she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “I think you’re just too hurt to see clearly still. Being back here has been hard, I’m sure. But I can help you.”

“I don’t need any help. I don’t
want
any help.”
Especially from you
.

“But you do. That’s what you can’t see. You need someone to love you and help you see that what happened wasn’t your fault. You didn’t have to leave. Everything you need is right here.”

“Marcy, stop it.” Shit. This conversation had gone completely wrong in so many ways.

“You haven’t forgotten
this
, have you?” Marcy stepped closer and tilted her head, reaching up a hand to pull him closer.

* * *

“Kyla, honey, pretend you have no bones.”

“What?” Kyla looked at Jess, confused. She’d just seen Decker steer Barbie out of the bar, and despite her best intentions not to give a hoot, her stomach had just taken another dive. Where were they going? Was he leaving for the night? Were they just heading out for a quickie? Damn, damn, double damn. Why couldn’t she convince herself not to care?

Jess pointed at Kyla’s legs. “You’re dancing like you have two-by-fours attached to your knees, sweetie. Loosen up a bit. You look like you’re in pain.”

“Maybe I
am
in pain.”

Hayley leaned in. “Well, if she just saw what I just saw, she probably
is
.”

“What’d I miss?” Jess turned around. “Oh, no. Where’s Decker?”

“Just left with Malibu Barbie.”

“He couldn’t have.”

Kyla nodded, more miserably than she intended to. “He did.” She looked at the empty barstool next to Cole and sighed. “How about another drink, ladies? That might help me get rid of the two-by-fours, as Jess so delicately put it.”

One margarita later, Hayley rolled her eyes to the left, indicating the bar. “Don’t look now, but he’s back.”

Kyla fiddled with her straw. “Alone?”

“I don’t see her.”

“Well, maybe she got what she came for and now she’s off to party somewhere more sophisticated?”

Jess laid her hand on Kyla’s arm. “Now, we don’t know anything about it. Let’s not leap to conclusions.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hayley grumbled. “Just because she
looks
like Alexis Nightingale doesn’t mean she
is
the same breed.”

With an exaggerated motion, Kyla put her fingers to her lips. “That name shall not be spoken in my presence forevermore.”

Jess and Hayley looked at each other and shared a giggle. “Forevermore?” Hayley asked.

“Right. Like never-ever-ever. She is
dead
to me.” Kyla made a sweeping motion and inadvertently knocked over an empty glass. Oh boy. Time to switch to water.

“Uh-oh. Methinks Cinderella has had enough to drink. Jess, let’s get her out on the dance floor. Looks like her two-by-fours have melted.”

“I’m not dancing anymore.”

Jess pulled Kyla up by the arm. “Oh, yes, you are. C’mon. Just channel your Zumba moves while you’re out there. That’ll loosen you up.”

“Zumba moves are hardly appropriate for a cowboy bar.”

Hayley laughed. “I love how she pronounces her words so perfectly after two drinks.”

They reached the dance floor and sidled through the bodies to a clear spot toward the middle. Jess put her hands on Kyla’s hips. “Okay, move with me now. That’s it. A little swivel, a little shake. You got it. Now, put your arms up. That’s right. You’re a sex goddess. Feel it.”

Kyla laughed as Jess swiveled her hips. “Are you talking dirty to me?”

“You’re hardly my type, sweetie. But I’ll dance with you. Now, come on. Shake it like you mean it!”

* * *

“Um, Deck?” Decker saw Cole’s jaw drop open as he eyed Kyla and Jess. His own mouth went dry as he watched Jess’s hands swiveling Kyla’s hips left and right in a sexy sway. “Wow.”

Decker swallowed hard. “I think
wow
might be an understatement.” He took a long swallow of his drink, willing away the conversation he’d just had with Marcy. He couldn’t believe she’d gone so far as to try to kiss him. The woman was completely unbalanced.

What he
wanted
to do right now was head back to the ranch and saddle up Chance for a midnight ride to nowhere, but he was on duty. Ninety percent of the cowboys in town tonight were perfectly harmless, but the other ten percent could spell trouble as the evening wore on and testosterone mixed with beer and whiskey. He couldn’t leave the guests here at the mercy of drunken idiots.

Cole lifted his beer, but seemed to forget to put it to his mouth. “I’m not really a big fan of girl-on-girl, but I’m thinking I could be convinced.”

“They’re just dancing, Cole.” Decker tried to lower his own pulse, but the sight of Kyla dancing in that glittery top and tight jeans was working against him.

Right. He was just staying because it was part of the job description. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was dying to get his hands on her slim hips and mirror Jess’s actions. Of course, he’d only be able to do that for about three seconds before he’d be pulling Kyla out of the bar so he could have her all to himself.

“I know, but think of the possibilities.”

“I’d rather not.” Decker’s jeans were already tight. Thinking of other possibilities was definitely not going to help the situation. Especially since Kyla didn’t seem the type to let herself
get yanked outside for a hot kiss, and maybe more. She seemed way too controlled, way too careful, way too wary. Or had until tonight. The way she was moving her body right now told a completely different story.

But no. Kyla was a picket-fence-and-puppy sort of girl. She’d be looking for a forever sort of guy. He picked up his beer for another long swallow as he shook his head. He wasn’t a forever sort of guy. Never had been, never would be.

She’d be looking for Mister Dependable, and goddammit, he’d well-proven that
that
wasn’t him. Proved it ten years ago, in spades. Had the gravestone to show for it.

Cole smiled as he leaned back against the bar. “This is definitely the toughest babysitting we’ve had to do in a while.”

Decker nodded. “Agreed. We should probably get a bonus for tonight.” Suddenly Decker’s eyes moved to the edge of the dance floor and narrowed. Cole tried to follow them, but couldn’t see what Decker was looking at. “What’re you glaring at, Deck?”

“Cowboys, two o’clock.”

“Uh-oh. They enjoying the show, too?” Cole glanced their way, then back at Jess and Kyla. “Looks like we’re going to have to go be gallant.”

Decker raised his eyebrows. “I’m sure it will be a huge challenge for you.”

Cole slid off his barstool. “So what’s our plan?”

“We dance.”

“Come again?”

“You heard me. We’d better grab the girls before the cowboys do. They look just drunk enough to be obnoxious.”

What was wrong with him? He’d just convinced himself that he’d better
not
touch Kyla because he knew he wouldn’t be able to
stop
touching her, and now he was telling Cole they needed to go dance? Did he really think holding her silky, glittery body close was going to cool him down?

“Well, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” Cole set down his beer and adjusted his hat. “Let’s go save the women.”

* * *

“Kyla, honey, don’t look now, but I’m afraid we’re attracting attention.”

“From?”

“Sketchy cowboys.”

“Uh-oh. Stranger danger?” Kyla grinned, hands still in the air. “Think we should stop this crazy dancing? Damn. I was just getting into it!”

“Nah.” Hayley put her fists up. “I can protect you both.” Her eyes shifted to her right. “Ooh! But maybe I won’t have to. I think some knights in shining … denim are headed this way.”

Kyla looked behind her as she felt a strong hand on her arm. “Dance, m’lady?” Decker looked down, eyebrows raised playfully.

“Um, sure?” Kyla glanced at Hayley and Jess, who winked as they backed away toward Cole.

“Well
that
was a resounding yes,” Decker chuckled as he took her left hand in his right and put his other hand on her waist.

“Sorry,” Kyla giggled. “It’s been a while since I’ve been asked to dance. I forgot proper protocol.”

“Well, let me remind you, then. Proper protocol, when asked to dance by a man as staggeringly handsome and charming as I, is to swoon delicately and say
yes
.”

Kyla looked up at his twinkling eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time, thank you.”

“Let’s try again. Would you like to dance?”

Kyla pretended to pause for a thinking moment, then fluttered her hand in a fake swoon. “Why, yes, I would simply
love
to dance with you!”

Decker smiled. “That’s better.” He pulled her a smidge closer and started shuffling his feet in a slow circle to match the tempo of the current song. She was certain she could feel every millimeter of the hand at her waist, and the hand holding hers was warm and strong, but so gentle.

“Are you on official chaperone duty tonight? Is this part of the package—a dance with a handsome cowboy?”
And how does this part fit in with the other part where you just disappeared outside for a quickie with your girlfriend?

“I prefer staggeringly handsome, please. And yes, Cole and I are officially here to watch over the guests. But we’re not required to dance with them. I’m doing that by choice. Saving you
from idiot cowboys with one too many drinks under their belts.”

“That’s very gallant of you.” Great. It was a duty-dance. The little zings that were flying around her body refused to simmer down, even knowing that Decker was only holding her because he wanted to make sure she didn’t get accosted by a drunk cowboy.

As they swayed, she peered around the bar, trying to spot Barbie, but she was nowhere in sight. Kyla was dying to ask what the story was between them, but really, it was none of her business. This was a dance. Nothing more. She needed to enjoy the moment for what it was—two-point-five minutes in the arms of a tall, dark stranger.

In way too short a time, the song changed and Kyla started to extract herself, figuring she’d gotten her quota of Decker’s attention for the evening. However, his arms tightened gently around her. “Nope. Cowboy Moe over there is still waiting for a turn. I’m not giving him one.” He pulled back and looked at her face. “Unless you want to, I mean. I don’t mean to keep you to myself.”

Kyla looked back at him for a long moment, then smiled and moved her hands up to rest clasped behind his neck. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be kept by.” Oh, goodness. Had she just said that?

He smiled and put both of his hands around her waist, pulling her closer than was probably appropriate for a chaperone-guest relationship. “I’m here to serve.”

“The brochure does say you’ll meet our every need.”
Oh, Lordy
. She seriously needed to be muzzled.

“That it does, doesn’t it?” He chuckled. “Well, right now I think you need a nice, slow dance. Am I right?”

Kyla nodded, tucking her cheek against his chest. Oh, what the hell. He was here, she was here, they were dancing. No more, no less. No expectations, no heartbreaks, right? “I really, really do.” As they swayed, she could hear his heartbeat, so solid and reassuring. She had a fleeting thought that if she could just listen to
this
all night, she wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore.

* * *

Decker leaned down just enough to take another long whiff of Kyla’s hair. She smelled like
vanilla and cinnamon. And she felt good. So
damn
good. Just as he found himself hoping the deejay would play another slow song, Kyla made a soft sound and burrowed a little closer to his chest.

Shit. This was not in the cards. He was not going to play with this woman. She wasn’t the fling type, and all he had in him was a fling mentality. Or had until the ridiculousness with Marcy. He could hardly remember what it even felt like to hold someone close. To feel the heat radiating off silky skin. To dive deep, deep, deep into the abyss.

Tendrils of her hair brushed his hand, and before he could stop himself, he stroked his hand up her back, landing at the nape of her neck. He was dying to feel the softness, aching to run the silky strands through his calloused fingers.

Again she made that soft sound, and he knew the smart thing to do right now would be to let go. As hard as he tried, though, he couldn’t. All he wanted to do was pull her closer, keep her safe from idiot cowboys and the rest of the universe. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and feel her snuggle in with that giggle he could tell she hated.