Someone to Watch Over Me (2 page)

“Lord, help me.” She shook her head in surprise at the sight of the young cowboy leaning against a pickup. If Lance was anything, he was persistent.

“Interest you in a cup of coffee?” he asked, pushing off the hood and crowded into her space.

“Not even if you threw in pancakes.” Her blood pressure spiked at the look of irritation that crossed the young cowboy’s face. She pulled herself up to her full five-foot-eight. “I’ve been on my feet all night. I’m not going anywhere but home.”

“What I had in mind didn’t involve standing up,” Lance said, turning and sauntering away with a wink.

“I don’t like him,” Jonathan muttered.

“He’s a kid.” Excusing his behavior, she got in her car and started it. “Jonathan?” she called after him. “Thanks for staying with me.”

He raised his arm and wiggled his fingers without looking back. “No prob.”

****

Saturday night she pulled out all the stops. She wore a black-cropped tuxedo-cut western jacket over a white cami and black jeans. Her hair was down and, thanks to her curling iron, wavy.

The buzz at her station was instant, and she was much busier than she’d expected. Halfway into the night she’d emptied her tip jar, and much to her delight it was well on its way to being full again. Her feet were killing her, and her lower back ached, proving she’d been wrong to assume this job would be easy.

“Coors Lite, please, ma’am,” the young man drawled heavily on the “ma’am.”

There he was…the beautiful baby cowboy. Laughing at the bait, she opened a bottle and slid it across the bar to him. “You didn’t age much over night,” she wisecracked, and it felt good. For too long now, she’d looked over her shoulder, jumping at the sound of every male voice.

“Ahh, but you’ve lost a few years. Did you do all that for me?” His gaze hungrily took her in.

His flirting began to wear thin, but she laughed him off. “Please. I did it for tips. Check out the other bartenders I gotta compete with.”

“I did, but I picked you. You’re better looking without all the fixings.” He leaned across the bar. “Have breakfast with me.”

“Listen, Lance, you’re barely past jailbait age, but you’ve got nerve. If I were ambitious enough to take on a younger man, you’d be my first choice. Thanks for the invitation, but I’ve sworn off men for a while.”

“I’m not that much younger, you can’t be over—”

“I’m saving your life again, but this is absolutely the last time. Don’t go around guessing a woman’s age. If you go over, you can forget getting her into bed.”

He smiled, showing his dimple. “I’ll be around if you change your mind.”

He walked away, leaving her in a great mood. His persistence gave her self-esteem a much needed boost.

“Cute kid.” Stacey couldn’t help but smile.

“He’s a bit stalkerish,” Jonathan huffed. “If that’s a word.”

“If it isn’t, it should be.”

Jonathan’s response brought Ray Simmons and his threats slamming into her thoughts. His memory flipped her stomach upside down.

“It fits him,” Jonathan muttered.

“Here they come.” She indicated the customers leaving the dance floor.

“Always happens when the band takes a break.”

The crowd kept them hopping, and the night flew past. She dipped a bar towel in a basin of water, and her bladder issued a warning not to be ignored.

“I’ll be right back.” Focused, she headed across the building on a mission. She skirted the two pool tables, moving faster the closer she got to ladies’ room door handle. A chilled raced down her arms. She sensed someone moving in step directly behind her.

A scent stirred something in her memory. Awareness churned through her, warming her skin. Heat rushed to her lower belly. How did her body know to react? She turned to find Cash Butler smiling down at her from under the brim of his black hat.

“Would you look at who I found?” His whiskey-toned voice flowed over her skin like caramel over ice cream.

An old familiar zing of desire ricocheted through her nervous system. Twenty-eight was a good year for him. His black hair and stormy gray eyes still framed a chiseled jaw, sharp nose, and a mouth made to kiss. Ten years had added a maturity, a road warrior expression to his face.

First loves should never look this good. Never smell this good. And never stand this close.

He leaned down and buzzed his lips across her cheek, liquefying her knees. Blood coursed through her veins, revving her heart rate to race track speeds.

“Hey.” Her attempt at casual caught in the back of her throat. “Why aren’t you off saving the world or fighting in the war or something?”

“Turns out I’m not bulletproof.” His gaze raked over her, settling on her face. “You’re looking well.”

“So are you.” She hated how her body reacted to his nearness. “I need to get back to work. So if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait.” He stepped between her and the door. “You’re the reason I’m here tonight.”

She pretended his strong hands sliding up and down her arms had no effect. Truth be told, seismic waves scorched their way to the ends of her fingertips.

“Unless you want your boots wet, you’ll leave me alone.”

“Then meet me at the Cactus Club tomorrow at two.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “You remember how to get there?”

“Sunday is my day for scullery maid duties.” Her brain issued a stern warning. His tone of voice said he was glad to see her, but his eyes gave nothing away. Meeting him wasn’t a good idea. Unfortunately, her heart wasn’t in the mood to listen.

“Since when do you do housework?”

“A lot’s changed since...” She bit off the sentence. Confiding in Cash served no purpose.

Letting him touch her had been a mistake. Did she pull away? Nooo. She stood there while his hands travelled down until his fingers twined through hers.

“I’ll be there tomorrow at two. I hope you’ll come.”

Her bladder, which was soon to erupt like Mount Vesuvius, issued a final warning. Stacey nodded her agreement and rushed into the restroom. When she came out, Cash was nowhere to be seen. And she had no way to retract the date.

Her bar was stacked three deep when she returned, and Jonathan’s expression of disapproval wiped Cash Butler from her thoughts.

“Sorry.”

“The crowd’s killing me,” he muttered, moving to the tubs of beer and turning his back to the bar.

Again after closing, the baby cowboy waited next to her car. She sent him on his way wondering how many times she’d said no to him tonight. At least he took her refusals like a gentleman. She thanked Jonathan for waiting and drove away.

Tired beyond imagination, she stared at the ceiling. She tried to fall asleep, but Cash’s appearance pulled on her emotions. Could they ever be just friends? She couldn’t allow more.

Even by the light of the pool tables, his smoky gray eyes hinted at a hard edge to his personality. Had his time in the military left him harsh and bitter?

He’d grown up poor with no father and an absentee mother. Back then, Stacey hadn’t agreed with his belief that love didn’t last forever. Obviously, he’d meant it or he wouldn’t have professed his undying love and then deserted her.

****

Stacey pulled into the Cactus Club parking lot and killed the engine. Even during the daytime, neon lights blinked a frantic rhythm around the outline of a monster orange Cactus. The building sat at the back of a huge parking lot, making the location the perfect place for a secret rendezvous. Which, she reminded herself, was not why she’d come.

She was still adjusting to the cave-like atmosphere when a pair of hands slid around her waist and snuggled her body against his. Instinctively, she breathed in his woodsy scent and leaned back against him. “I’d recognize that touch anywhere.”

He laughed, and his chest rumbled against her. The sound was real and sincere. Controlling her emotions around him was going to be like treading water in a tidal wave.

“Sug,” he breathed her old nickname into her hair. “It’s good to hold you in my arms.”

He buried his face in her neck. His warm breath sent a flush up to her hairline. Turning to face him, her skin heated. She might have been standing in the middle of a forest fire.
Back away.

“It’s been a long time.” Stacey dragged her hormones under control. “Your self-confidence has improved in the past ten years.”

“Age and the military taught me to reach out if I want something.” He tilted his head, leaned in and brushed her lips lightly with his. “I’m glad you’re here.”

In an effort to regain control over her hormones, Stacey backed away. She slipped her arm in his. “Lead the way.”

He escorted her to a booth back in the corner where the lights were dim but at least you could see the person across from you.

The desire to hear how life had treated him churned in her stomach. Had he been in love? Married? Missed her? His unreadable eyes gave nothing away.

“Last night you said you’re not bullet proof. How badly were you hurt?”

“Took a bullet in the leg. Screwed up the bone.” He shrugged. “No big deal.”

He avoided her gaze, contradicting his statement. Having to leave the military was a really “big deal” to him. “I think maybe it was.”

“The Army needs men who are a hundred-ten percent ready.” He lifted one shoulder. “I’m a hundred.”

“After all your world travels, what does Oak Hill have to offer?”

“A lot, now that you’re here. Want to tell me why you’re back?” Typical Cash, he went straight to the heart of the matter.

Stacey’s heart skipped a beat. He’d been her protector when they were kids, long before young love complicated their lives. He’d watched over her, even protected her from a couple of schoolyard bullies who thought they could take her swing. Thinking back, she’d probably fallen for him then.

The need to touch him won. Reaching across the table, she took his hand. “I’m fine.”

“You’re lying, but I’ll respect your privacy.” Cash stroked her knuckles with his thumb, scorching her flesh. “For the time being.”

Stacey smiled at his insinuation. “What? Are you going Billy-Bad-Ass on me again?” She leaned back and looked him over.

Cash coughed out a laugh, “Are you saying I was overprotective of you back when?”

“Not at all. After Mom died, Dad was always too busy. You were there for me.”

His smile turned angelic. It gave him the look of elegance. His lips, full and tilted upward at the edges, gave him a sensuous hungry mouth and made him look as if he knew something no one else did. His movements were fluid and deliberate.

They’d never talked about her father’s money or Cash’s poverty. She’d blamed his financial situation for him surprising everyone by joining the Army. He’d broken her heart when he left without saying goodbye.

Funny, after all these years, part of her still ached.

Cash was all Texan—boots, black Wranglers, tailored white shirt and always, no matter the season, a black western hat. He was an optical feast for the eyes, ramping up his sex appeal by looking down behind long black eyelashes.

“Do I pass inspection?” Leaning across the table, he whispered, “I can be had, you know. You keep looking at me like I’m the lunch special, I’ll pay the tab, and we’ll locate the closest mattress.”

“Hmm, generous offer. It sounds incredibly romantic.” They shared a laugh, and Stacey marveled how easily she’d relaxed. “You didn’t answer my question. This part of the country can’t have much of an appeal to someone who’s been all over the world. What’s next?”

He stared at her hand in his, and a cold vise gripped her heart. Was he leaving again?

“I bought a place outside of town. Nice spread for a horse ranch. Take a drive with me?”

She hesitated, trying to decide if accepting his invitation was a good idea.

“Come on. Leave your car here. I’ll bring you back.” He extended his hand.

“I’d like to see your home.”

Probably not a smart move, but she’d committed. He’d been wild and restless in his youth. Had age settled him down?
Not that it mattered.
A temporary relationship with him was like waving a red flag at an angry bull—a sure way to get trampled or gored.

He stood and helped her to her feet. They walked outside together. His hand rested on her lower back, making her knees weak.

Cash opened the pickup door for her and then leaned across, fastening her seat belt. She wasn’t helpless, but who was she to deny him the pleasure? She closed her eyes, allowing his scent to wrap around her. The fresh aroma of the woods, clean air, and sunshine turned her bones to jelly. Soft lips pressed against hers. She opened her eyes to find his face inches from hers. Storm clouds gathered behind his eyes.

“Uh-uh,” she said despite wanting to lean in for another taste. “Not happening. I’ve sworn off men.”

“All men?”

“Yes. You in particular.”

“A challenge? We’ll see if I can change your mind.” He dragged a finger across her jaw line, sending a shiver up her spine. “Besides, I couldn’t help myself. Your eyes were closed.”

Chapter Two

He’d lost his mind. Must have. Cash had no other excuse for pretending their prior relationship hadn’t been a disaster. His Stacey, the fresh-faced girl with the innocent bloom of youth, had haunted his dreams many hot nights during his stint in the Army. This Stacey had grown into a stunningly beautiful woman.