Texas Two Step (3 page)

“Don’t be silly. What man would let a woman carry a heavy thing like that herself? Let me just ditch this sign.” He glanced around them. “I just need a garbage—”

“No, wait. Can I have it? As a memento of my trip.” This, just like everything this woman said, came out sounding soft and sweet, and made Wes want to kiss her silly.

“Sure thing. Here you go.” Shooter handed it over with a grin.

“Thanks.” She took the ragged piece of cardboard and clutched it close to her chest.

Wes watched the interaction between the two with a scowl. In what he figured was going to be a battle between him and Shooter for this chick’s attention, Wes feared he was losing ground fast. Two points to Shooter for getting to hold the sign she seemed to love, and for thinking to grab her carry-on first while Wes was still trying to come up with some clever line. He needed to catch up. At least she’d be staying at his place with Ellen. That was something.

“So, I guess we should go find the rest of your luggage.” Her next bag was going to be his, even if he had to wrestle Shooter for it. Since he figured it would be the bigger of the two, it should count for more.

Her gaze met his. “That would be lovely. Thank you so much.”

He swallowed hard. “My pleasure.”
Believe me.

She smiled like an angel and gave Wes thoughts more inspired by the devil. He imagined grabbing all that hair, yanking her head back and devouring her mouth like a starving man would a nice juicy steak. His brain had apparently caught on to what Wes Junior down below had known immediately—Wes wanted this girl. Badly.

*****

“I’m so, so sorry I wasn’t there to collect you at the airport, Maryann.”

“Don’t be silly, Ellen. It’s fine. I had two lovely escorts to greet me when I got off the plane.”

“Two?”

“Yes, Wes and Shooter.”

“I should have known Wes would rope Shooter into going with him. Watch out for that boy, Maryann. He collects bunnies like most men collect buckles.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” Ellen frowned.

“I’ll explain it when I get home. Anyway I swear, this is the last shift I have while you’re here so tomorrow we can go do whatever you want and tomorrow night is the rodeo so that’ll be tons of fun.”

Maryann smiled. “I know it will be. Thank you again for your hospitality.”

Ellen let out a laugh. “You’ve seen our apartment. Not sure my hospitality is all that great, but that’s what happens when all your cash goes to keeping your horse I guess.”

“I’d love to meet yours, if we can fit it in.”

“Of course, we will. You can meet mine, and Wes’s and even Shooter’s. They’re all at the same place where we practice.”

“Great. I look forward to it.”

“Me too. Listen, I hate to run out on ya but my break’s over. I probably won’t be home until you’re asleep but wake me up when you get up in the morning and we’ll have coffee—or tea—together. Whatever you want.”

“Ellen, I’m on London time. I’ll be up hours before you, particularly if you work all night. I’ll entertain myself and when you wake up we’ll make plans for the day.”

“Well I won’t argue with you now but seriously, I can’t wait to meet you in person.”

“Me too.”

“Okay, gotta run. Bye.”

“Cheers.” Maryann pushed the button to hang up the call.

“I’ll take that.”

“Thanks.” Maryann handed the receiver back to Wes. She noticed he was watching her with a broad, amused-looking smile. She felt her cheeks warm. “Why are looking at me like that?”

He shrugged and ran one hand over his mouth and chin, effectively wiping away the grin. She missed it once it was gone. “I, uh, I just like the way you talk. You know, all British.”

“Really?” Maryann shouldn’t have been too surprised. She liked the way he talked too, all Texas-like, but she wasn’t going to admit that. “I sound like everyone else in London, I suppose.”

The cowboy’s blue-eyed gaze practically smoldered as it bore into her. “Then maybe I’ll have to go there someday.”

“You should. Then I can show you around.” Her heart picked up speed like it hadn’t when looking at a man in what seemed like forever.

“That would be real nice.” He took one step toward her and leaned down. For a second, she thought he might kiss her, but instead he reached past her and placed the phone in the charger on the table next to her. But not before she breathed in the scent of him. All man. A combination of smells she couldn’t quite identify, but it was like nothing she’d experienced before and she liked it.

“So, we ready?” Shooter breezed into the room and stopped as his attention caught on how closely she and Wes were standing.

Wes cleared his throat and moved back. “Uh, yeah.” He turned to her. “You ready? Did you want to change or jeez—I didn’t even consider this—maybe you’re tired and just want to go to bed.”

Oh she wanted to go to bed all right, but it wasn’t because she was tired.

Where the hell were these feelings coming from? Her sex drive had been long dormant. It seemed as if deciding to break off her engagement to Robert had unlocked all sorts of things inside her. Maryann’s gaze traveled from one cowboy to the next. Maybe it wasn’t her decision regarding Robert at all. Maybe it was these American cowboys. They sure were yummy.

She needed to control herself. Just because her ring was off her finger and she was planning on breaking it off with Robert when she returned, picturing both of these men naked didn’t sit well with her. That thought nearly made her laugh. God only knew what—or whom—Robert was doing at that very moment. Maybe she should call him and find out. Then again, there were better things for her to do tonight than worry about Robert.

Glancing at Shooter, so tall and fit, his dark brown hair falling over his hazel eyes, then to Wes, just as tall and gorgeous but a bit broader across the shoulders, his light hair a nice contrast to Shooter’s dark good looks, Maryann realized her timing couldn’t be worse. What a holiday she could have if she was indeed officially single. Maybe after she broke up with Robert she’d start saving her pennies for a trip back. The sooner the better.

“No, I’m not tired. Am I dressed appropriately? Do I need to change?”

“You look fine to me.” Shooter’s eyes showed his appreciation as they swept her from head to toe. “I like the boots, by the way.”

“Thanks.” Maryann hoped she wasn’t blushing as brightly as it felt like she was. “So where are we going?”

“First, we’re taking you out for some real Texas barbecue. There ain’t nothing like it in the world and you have to try it while you’re here.” Wes’s enthusiasm was contagious.

She smiled. “Brilliant. I’d love to try it.”

Shooter stepped forward. “Then we’re bringing you to a party. With everyone in town for the competition tomorrow night, it should be one hell of a good time. You ready?”

Maryann nodded. “I’m ready.”

A party, filled with even more cowboys like the ones in front of her now? The ones that were making her lower parts feel all warm and liquid? She was in trouble, but maybe trouble was exactly what she needed right now. Though she’d better get her libido in check...or call Robert and break up with him over the phone.

Wes stepped forward to open the apartment door so she could walk through first, then Shooter ran forward to open the door of the truck for her and Maryann realized resisting these two sweet, not to mention hot guys was not going to be easy.

Chapter Four

Maryann took another swallow of something that tasted far too good and went directly to her head. “What is this again?”

“Energy drink with alcohol in it.” Shooter grinned. “I figured it would help you with the jetlag and all.”

It sure was helping her, helping her think maybe she should grab Shooter’s enormous buckle and see what was behind it. That reminded her… “Ellen said something before I didn’t understand. About cowboys collecting bunnies and buckles?”

Shooter choked on the mouthful he’d just taken. “Jeez, girl. Warn a guy before you say something like that.” He coughed and then wiped his face with his hand and grinned. “So you want to know about buckle bunnies, do ya?”

Maryann nodded. “Yes.”

He looked even more devilish than she’d gotten used to him looking in the short time she’d known him. At least she thought he did as his face swam a bit before her. She needed to stop drinking this stuff.

“Well, let’s just say the bigger the buckle, the better the cowgirl.” Shooter smirked.

“I still don’t get the corr…correlation.” Maryann frowned as it took her two tries to get out the last word.

“Women like cowboys who win. When we win an event, we get a big buckle.”

“Like yours.”

“Like mine.” He grinned and took another swallow from his cup.

“So you’re saying girls are attracted to you for your big buckle.”

Shooter coughed again, then shook his head and put his cup down next to him. “I’m not drinking any more. A man’s liable to choke to death around you. And yeah, girls may come on to me for the big buckle, but they stick around because of what’s behind it.”

Maryann swallowed hard at his insinuation. “Oh.”

Wes came around the truck, cell phone in his hand. In her inebriated state, she’d forgotten for a minute that his cell phone had rung and he had to walk off to try and find better signal. “Ellen just got out of work and has a flat tire. She needs me to come help her change it.”

“Go. I’ll get Maryann home safely.” Shooter waved a hand at him.

Wes’s sandy-colored brows rose high beneath the brim of his hat. “Oh, really? And how exactly would you do that? Being that we all came in my truck.”

Shooter shrugged. “I’ll call a cab for us.”

“No, I think I’ll feel much better if I drop you off at your place, Maryann at my apartment, and then go and get Ellen.” Wes turned to her. “That sound good to you? You ready to go home?”

Maryann nodded. The party had been like something she’d never experienced before. Trucks, cowboys, music, alcohol, but she was more than ready to go before she did something stupid, like start dancing in the back of the truck like the scantily clad girl currently gyrating nearby.

“Good. Let’s go.” Wes nodded with a glance at Shooter.

Wes placed his hand beneath her elbow and guided her around the truck. He opened the passenger side door, but the height of the truck seemed beyond her in her state. She handed him the cup she still held so she’d have both hands to climb up with.

“You sure do know how to ruin my good time.” Shooter shot Wes a less than friendly look.

Wes snorted. “That’s the plan.”

Meanwhile, getting into the truck was still proving challenging for Maryann.

“Here ya go, darlin’.” Before she knew it, Shooter’s hands were around her waist as he’d hoisted her into the seat.

“Thanks.” The sudden change in position had her spinning. She touched her forehead. “That drink sure goes to your head.”

“And Shooter should have known that before he gave it to you.” Wes stalked around to the driver’s side of the truck and yanked the door open.

“It’s a party. Lighten up.” Shooter leaned toward her. “He’s just cranky because he had to stay sober to drive.”

“Yeah,
that’s
why.” Wes shot his friend a scowl as the truck’s engine roared to life. He glanced at Maryann, in the middle of the bench seat between him and Shooter. “You all buckled in?”

Since she couldn’t seem to remember if she was or not, she had to glance down and make sure. “Yes.”

“Okay then. Off we go.” Wes shifted the truck into drive, and his thigh pressed against hers.

“Okay then.” Maryann nodded. As Wes warmed the left side of her body by his mere proximity, Shooter was doing the same to her right. The combination worked to make her feel heated straight through to her core. Sexual tension swirled with intoxication until she felt as if she’d bubble over from it all. “I’m drunk.”

A burst of laughter came from Shooter. “Yeah, I’d say you are. And if Wes weren’t here, I’d be taking full advantage of you, darlin’.”

She turned toward Shooter. “Aw, you would?”

“Aw?” She could hear the shock in Wes’s voice and glanced at him to see his frown. “Maryann, I don’t know what it’s like in England, but a guy taking advantage of a girl when she’s had too much to drink in not a good thing here in Texas.”

“But you don’t understand. My own fiancé doesn’t even want to have sex with me anymore.” This was way too much information to share with two men she barely knew, but she couldn’t seem to stop it from spilling out now that she started.

“You’re engaged?” Wes glanced at her face, then down at her hand. “You don’t wear a ring.”

“He’s right, darlin’.” Shooter’s hand touched her knee. “A hot girl like you should wear a ring when she’s engaged so guys like me know the score. It’s only right.”

“You think I’m hot?” She turned her head toward Shooter.

“I think you missed the point there,” Wes said.

She pivoted her head back to him. “Do you think I’m hot too?”

He laughed and stared out the side window before glancing at her. “Not that it matters now, but yeah, I do.”

“You don’t think I’m fat?” Maryann glanced from the cowboy to the left of her, back to the one on the right of her and waited for an answer. Robert had told her she should go on a diet because she was getting big. “Be honest.”

“Heck no I don’t think you’re fat. I think you’re perfect. Like I said, if Wes wasn’t such a fuddy duddy
and
if you weren’t engaged, I’d be all over you.” Shooter grinned.

Maryann spun back to Wes. “You?”

Wes shook his head. “I truly hope you don’t remember any of this conversation in the morning but no, I don’t think you’re fat and if you weren’t engaged, Shooter here would have quite the fight on his hands because I’d likely be all over you too.”

“Well, there’d be no need to fight over me because I like you both.”

Shooter laughed, loud and hearty, next to her. “Oh, man. And you thought British chicks were all cold and nanny-like. Were you wrong.”

“Well it doesn’t matter, does it? Because she’s engaged. Even though she doesn’t wear a damn ring.” Wes mumbled the last part but Maryann heard it.