Kitabı oku: «One Unforgettable Night: Wild at Heart / From This Moment On / Her Last Best Fling», sayfa 3
It had paid off for them. They’d hired extra help because Naomi wasn’t there to waitress anymore, and both women were capable and had a set routine. If Naomi hung around the diner tonight, she’d only get in everybody’s way.
So she ate the meat loaf her mother insisted on feeding her, went home for a quick shower and a change of clothes, and walked over to the Spirits and Spurs. On the way, she thought of Luke, who quite likely wouldn’t be there on a weeknight. Ranch hands generally came into town on the weekend.
As she walked toward the intersection where the bar was located, she remembered the foolishly grand entrance she’d envisioned making in her tight jeans and revealing blouse. Instead she’d pulled on her comfort outfit—faded jeans and a soft knit top in her favorite shade of red. Nothing about her appearance tonight was calculated to turn heads.
Ah, well. She’d scrapped her plan to knock Luke back on his heels and make him her slave. Luke didn’t intend to be any woman’s slave. He was a love-’em-and-leave-’em kind of cowboy.
She’d never met a man who’d laid it out so clearly. At first she’d been appalled by the concept of a relationship based mostly on sex, with some interesting conversations thrown in, a relationship with an expiration date stamped plainly on the package.
She laughed to herself. And what a package it was, too. That was part of her dilemma. She wanted that package, even if she could enjoy it for only a limited time.
Music from the Spirits and Spurs beckoned her as she approached. During tourist season the bar had a live band every night, and Naomi loved to dance. She wouldn’t mind kicking up her heels a little if anyone inside the bar felt like getting out on the floor. She could do with a little fun.
Maybe that was how she should view Luke’s suggestion, too. She’d never seen herself as the kind of woman who would have a casual fling, but maybe she was needlessly limiting herself. She might be back in her hometown, but she wasn’t a kid anymore. She had the right to make adult decisions. Very adult. A sensual zing heated her blood.
If the thought of parading her behavior in front of her parents bothered her at all, and she admitted that it did, they wouldn’t have to know. She was living out in the woods, away from prying eyes. Luke might have to explain his behavior if he made regular visits to her campsite, but she’d let him worry about that.
As she pushed open the door to the Spirits and Spurs, the familiar scent of beer and smoke greeted her. This bar might end up being the last place in the entire world to ban smoking. Even if they did, the place was supposed to be haunted by the ghosts of cowboys and prospectors who’d tipped a few in this building a century ago. No doubt they’d bring the aroma of tobacco with them.
The band started playing a recent Alan Jackson hit she happened to like. Couples filled the small dance floor. The place was jumping, with most of the round wooden tables occupied and very few vacant seats at the bar.
Coming here had been a good idea. She watched the dancers and tapped her foot in time to the music. She’d have a beer and dance if she found a willing partner. Then tomorrow, or whenever Luke came back for his answer, she’d tell him not only yes but hell, yes. Look out, world. Naomi Perkins was ready to cut loose.
“Naomi?”
The rich baritone made her whirl in its direction. She’d last heard that voice after being kissed senseless twenty feet above the ground. She found herself staring into Luke Griffin’s brown-eyed gaze. Her heart launched into overdrive.
They spoke in unison. “What are you doing here?”
“You first.” Luke tilted back his hat and stared at her. “You’re the big surprise. I thought you’d be curled up in your blue dome tent fast asleep.”
She fought the urge to grab his shirtfront in both hands and pull him into another kiss, one even more potent than what they’d shared earlier today. “I’m staying with my folks in town. And how do you know I have a blue dome tent?”
“I checked it out before I left.”
“For future reference?”
“No. In fact, that’s why I hotfooted it over here. I—” He gestured toward the band. “Love that song, but I don’t want to have to yell over it. Can we move outside for a minute?”
“Okay.” She gulped in air and did her best to calm down. When she agreed to this affair, she wanted to appear in command of herself, even if she wasn’t. He was used to sophistication, and she would exude that.
He held the door open and she walked out into the soft night air. He followed. As the door closed behind him, the music faded into background noise.
She turned to him. “Luke, I’m glad you’re here tonight, because—”
“No, wait. Let me say something first. I was off base today, and I apologize with all my heart. You’re not that kind of woman. I made a mistake and no doubt insulted you in the process.”
Yikes, now what? Right when she’d decided to accept his outrageous proposal, he’d withdrawn it on the grounds that she wasn’t that kind of woman.
She swallowed. “What kind of woman do you think I am?”
“The kind who needs stability. You deserve someone who wants to become a permanent part of your life, and I’m not that guy.”
“Luke, I don’t know what my life is going to be yet. You made me do some serious thinking today. I was shocked by your assumption that I’d want a fling, but—”
“I know you were, and I feel pretty rotten about that.”
“Yes, but you see, when it comes right down to it…” She placed both hands on his chest so she could feel his heart beating and know for sure that it was racing as fast as hers. This wasn’t a cold, calculated decision, after all. It was being made in the heat of the moment, and she was ready to dive headfirst into the flames.
She looked into his beautiful eyes. “I do want a fling with you, Luke.” Heat sizzled through her as she plunged into the fire. “In fact, I can’t think of anything I want more.”
4
LUKE WAS SUDDENLY so short of breath that he was a little scared he might black out. That wouldn’t be cool in front of this woman who’d said she wanted to have sex with him. But he couldn’t kiss her until he stopped struggling to fill his lungs with air.
The corners of her beautiful mouth tipped up. “Apparently you didn’t expect me to say that.”
“No.” He dragged in a breath. “That’s a fact. I definitely did not.”
“I’ve never had this kind of effect on a man before.” She gazed up at him as amusement turned to concern. “Are you going to be all right?”
“I’m going to be terrific.” There. That statement sounded normal. Finally trusting himself to wrap her in his arms, he nudged his hat back with his thumb and pulled her close. Damn, that felt good. “We’re going to be terrific.”
“I’ll have to leave that up to you.” Her eyes caught the sparkle from the bar’s neon bucking bronco. “If you’ve spent your adult life playing the field, then I guarantee you have more experience than I do.”
“Maybe.” He aligned his body with hers. They fit so perfectly it was a little scary for a guy who didn’t believe in perfect fits. But he’d figured that she’d be soft and pliable, warm and willing. His cock responded quickly. He’d have to remember they were standing on the corner of the town’s only intersection. “But I can recognize natural talent when I see it.”
Her smile widened. “You think I have a natural talent for sex?”
“I know you do, at least for kissing, which usually tells me a lot about a woman.” Keeping one arm firmly around her narrow waist, he slid his free hand up through her silky blond hair. No ponytail tonight.
“We only kissed once.”
“True.” He cradled the back of her head. “I should gather more information before I come to any firm conclusions.”
She rocked against him. “Feels like you’ve already come to a very firm conclusion.”
“See, that’s what I’m talking about.” Cupping her bottom, he snuggled her in tight. “A natural talent. And, lady, sassy comments and sexy moves like that will get you anything you want from me.”
“Anything?”
“Sky’s the limit.” He lowered his head and brushed his mouth over hers. So delicious. But he dared not get involved in the kind of kiss he wanted, the kind that would make him forget where he was.
She clutched his shoulders and joined in his little game of butterfly kisses. “I’ve already told you what I want.”
“In general terms, yes.” The feathery touch of her lips could drive him crazy if it went on too long without some way to release the tension. “But we have to work out the details.”
“We can’t do anything here.”
He chuckled. “No, obviously not.” Although with the blood pumping hot in his veins, he’d already fantasized about coaxing her into the shadows behind the building. “We’re standing in front of the most popular spot in town.”
“I mean not here, as in not in Shoshone.”
He nibbled her full lower lip. “You want to drive to Jackson?” He hoped not. He wouldn’t be able to swing very many trips to Jackson and still handle his assigned work on the ranch. But with a hot woman in his arms, he was ready to do whatever it took to have her.
“No, nothing that drastic.” She placed tiny kisses at the corners of his mouth. “I was referring to my campsite as being the most discreet choice.”
“It’s perfect, except you’re not there.” And he wanted her now, tonight. Moments ago he’d given up all hope of a relationship, but her unexpected decision and these flirty kisses had flipped the switch on his libido and destroyed his patience. He outlined her mouth with the tip of his tongue.
Her breathing had changed, signaling that she was getting as worked up as he was. “I will be there.”
“When?” His fingers flexed against her bottom.
“Tomorrow.”
He groaned. “That’s forever.”
“I can’t hike out there in the dark.”
“I know. But I—whoops, somebody’s coming.” He released her and stepped back. With luck, whoever it was would simply call a greeting and pass on by. Then he glanced over and realized that wasn’t going to happen. Thank God for the shadows that should keep his aroused condition from being too obvious.
Emmett walked toward them. “Hi there, Naomi.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Nice to see you.”
“Hi, Emmett. It’s good to see you, too. You don’t usually come into town midweek.”
“I wanted to treat Luke. He showed up in the nick of time and put on a roping demonstration that saved what was fast becoming a disaster.”
“Ah, you would have worked it out.” Luke pulled the brim of his hat back down and hoped Emmett hadn’t noticed how he’d shoved it back, which was typical for a cowboy who’d been kissing a woman.
“I’m not so sure.” Emmett glanced at Naomi. “Take my word for it. We had a snarled-up mess, but five minutes after Luke showed up and started twirling a rope, the kids were mesmerized. They hadn’t seen the possibilities of roping until then. Pete and I aren’t that fancy. This boy has hidden talents.”
“Talent, singular,” Luke said. “Trick roping. That’s my only hidden talent.”
Naomi glanced at him. “Oh, I doubt that.”
“Anyway,” Emmett said. “I didn’t mean to break up your conversation, Luke, but your food’s getting cold. Naomi, why don’t you join us? We have an extra chair. Have you had dinner?”
“Yes, thanks. I ate at the diner before I came over. But I don’t want to keep you two from your meal. Let’s go in.”
“Excellent. You can fill me in on how the eagle project’s going.”
“I’d love to. That platform you and Jack built is working out beautifully.”
Luke followed them in. As Emmett asked more questions about the eagles, Luke quietly ground a centimeter off his back molars. He hadn’t been sure when Emmett first showed up, but he was now. The foreman was deliberately interfering in what he saw as a problem situation between Luke and Naomi.
No doubt Emmett saw Luke as the aggressor and Naomi as the sweet local girl about to be seduced by a guy who would leave her in the lurch. It wasn’t like that, of course. Luke had been ready to back off and Naomi had turned the tables on him. But he couldn’t very well explain that to Emmett. A gentleman wouldn’t put the blame on a lady.
The foreman had every reason to misunderstand what was happening. When Luke had been hired on at the Last Chance, he’d warned both Emmett and Jack that he tended to move along after a year or so. They’d both predicted he’d change his mind, that the Last Chance had a way of getting in a person’s blood.
But last month he’d turned down Nash’s offer of employment and had made no secret as to why. He believed in being up front with people, so he could see why Emmett thought Naomi needed someone to step in and keep her heart from being broken.
Luke didn’t want to get crossways with the foreman. He liked and admired the guy, and until now they’d had no real issues between them. But Luke would be damned if he’d allow Emmett to louse up a perfectly acceptable arrangement between two consenting adults.
He thought about his options as he ate the excellent dinner Emmett had bought him and listened to the foreman and Naomi talk about the eagles. Luke even participated in the conversation because he was interested in those birds, too. He was more interested in the woman watching the birds, but he found the eagle study fascinating. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d told Naomi that an eagle’s freedom of movement appealed to him.
“That nest’s not as big as some.” Naomi took a sip of the draft she’d ordered. “It’s only about seven feet across. I’ve seen reports on nests that are ten feet and weigh close to two tons.”
Emmett shook his head in disbelief. “That’s like putting my pickup in the top branches of one of those pines. I had no idea they could be that heavy. I’d—” He stopped talking and glanced at the door. “What do you know? There’s Pam. Excuse me a minute, folks. I need to go over and say hello. Maybe she can join us.” He stood and walked toward the door.
Luke grabbed his chance. He kept his voice low as he looked over at Naomi. “You do realize Emmett’s trying to save you from me, right?”
“I thought he might be.”
“He told me earlier tonight that he thought you wanted a steady guy in your life. That’s why I backed off.”
Naomi sighed. “I’m not surprised he’d say something like that. He’s friends with my parents, and he’s a dad. He probably sees me as being like his daughter, Emily.”
“Ah. Okay, I get that.” Luke thought about the blonde woman who was in training to eventually take over Emmett’s job when he retired. Emily and Naomi had several things in common besides their coloring. They were both only children who had been raised to be independent and fend for themselves without leaning on a man. They both enjoyed testing themselves with physical challenges.
But Emily was now married to Clay Whitaker, who ran the stud operation for the Last Chance. Emmett might figure that Naomi, having similarities to his daughter, also should find herself someone like Clay.
He glanced at her. “Maybe Emmett knows what he’s talking about. Maybe I should just—”
“Don’t you dare back off because Emmett thinks I’m just like his daughter. I’m not.”
The defiant sparks flashing in her blue eyes gladdened his heart. She thought for herself, and that was a quality he admired. “I’m sure you’re not just like anyone.”
“Nobody is. We’re all unique, which means we get to choose our own path. What you and I decide to do is none of Emmett’s business.”
The tension that had been tightening a spot between Luke’s shoulder blades eased. “And you won’t be upset if I tell him that?”
“No, but I think I’m the one who needs to tell him.”
“I’ll tell him.” He started to add that it should be a man-to-man talk but decided that might not sit well with Naomi. She liked being in charge of her destiny.
“No, you work for him and I don’t.”
“But he built you a research platform.”
“Well, one of us needs to say something. Uh-oh. Here he comes. And he doesn’t look happy.”
“Bet it has something to do with Pam.” Luke noticed that Pam Mulholland, the woman Emmett cared for but couldn’t bring himself to marry, was being helped into her chair by a guy Luke didn’t recognize. The barrel-chested man dressed in flashy Western clothes and what looked like an expensive hat. “Or that guy.”
Emmett returned to his seat, his expression grim. “It’s my own damned fault,” he muttered to no one in particular.
“What is?” Luke asked. “And who is that guy with Pam? I’ve never seen him before, and if that’s the way he normally dresses, I doubt I’ve missed him.”
“You haven’t missed him.” Emmett picked up his beer and drained the contents. “Name’s Clifford Mason. Just flew in today from Denver. Booked a room at the Bunk and Grub.”
Naomi looked over at the table where Pam and the newcomer sat. “Does Pam normally go out to dinner with her B and B guests?”
“No, she does not.” Emmett smoothed his mustache. “Far as I know, it’s never happened before.”
Luke could see Emmett was seething with jealousy and was doing his best to keep a lid on his feelings. “Is he on vacation?”
“No, he’s been in contact with both Pam and Tyler Keller, Josie’s sister-in-law.” Emmett looked over at Naomi. “I don’t know if your folks told you that the town hired Tyler a while back as a special-events planner to bring in more business. She’s been doing a great job.”
“I think Mom and Dad said something about it. And I certainly see the results in the increased tourist trade. So this guy is connected to an event?”
Emmett nodded. “Something to do with special preparations for the Fourth of July celebration. All very hush-hush. They want to surprise the good people of Shoshone.”
“Well, then.” Luke sat back in his chair. “It’s only a business dinner. He’ll be around until everything’s set up, and then he’ll leave. No big deal, right?”
Emmett scowled at him. “It wouldn’t be if I hadn’t seen the way he looked at Pam, like she was a helping of his favorite dessert.”
“That’s understandable.” Naomi seemed to be trying to soothe the troubled waters, too. “She’s a beautiful woman. But there’s no way she’d prefer a citified dandy like him to you, Emmett. She probably went to dinner with him to be polite.”
“I’d be willing to believe that if she hadn’t flirted with him right under my damned nose.”
Naomi smiled. “Emmett, that’s the oldest trick in the book. She’s trying to make you jealous. Everybody knows how you feel about her. And she’s made no secret about how she feels about you, too. Why not end the suspense and propose to her?”
“Can’t bring myself to do it. Doesn’t seem right when she has so much and I have so little.”
“Love?” Naomi asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Emmett snorted. “’Course not. Money’s the problem, not love.”
Luke checked on Pam and Clifford’s table. “Then you’re leaving the door open for the likes of him. I agree with Naomi. I’m sure Pam would rather have you than that character. But she might be tired of waiting for you to get over this hang-up.”
Emmett muttered something that could have been a curse.
“I have an idea.” Luke tucked his napkin beside his plate. “Go over and ask Pam to dance. Stake your claim.”
The light of battle lit Emmett’s blue eyes as he pushed back his chair. “All right, I will. That sonofabitch probably can’t dance a lick.”
Luke grinned. “If he could, he wouldn’t dress like a peacock.”
“That was brilliant,” Naomi murmured as they watched Emmett amble over to the table.
“Let’s hope it works.” Luke thought it might. He hadn’t spent his adult life romancing women without learning a thing or two. Pam looked surprised, but she left her chair and walked to the dance floor with Emmett.
Luke pushed back his chair. “That’s our cue. Dance with me, Naomi Perkins.”
Laughing, she took the hand he offered and soon he had her right where he wanted her, in his arms. He’d had a hunch that she’d be a good dancer. He thanked the series of coincidences that had given him the opportunity to dance with Naomi. What a joy.
Her breath was warm in his ear as she twirled with him on the polished floor. “Did you talk Emmett into dancing for his sake or yours?”
“I figured it would help us both out.” He spun her around. “I couldn’t leave here tonight without at least one dance.”
She brushed a quick kiss on his cheek. “I knew you had more hidden talents.”
“Anything I have is yours for the taking.” He moved her smoothly across the floor in a spirited two-step.
“I’m taking it.”
“When?”
“I’ll be up on my platform by ten in the morning. After that, it’s up to you.”
He twirled her under his arm. “Are you sure we can’t manage something tonight?”
“Positive. You’re going home with Emmett and I’m sleeping in my parents’ house.”
He brought her in close for one precious second. His heart hammered so loudly he could barely hear the music. “I want you so much.”
“I want you, too.” Her cheeks were flushed. “And I will have you. And you’ll have me. Tomorrow.”
The music ended, and he held her close. “Promise you’ll think about me when you’re lying alone tonight.”
She gazed up at him, her lips parted as she breathed quickly, recovering from the exertion of the dance. “Only if you’ll promise to think about me.”
“That’s an easy promise.”
“I think I should leave now.” She eased out of his arms. “See you tomorrow.”
He watched her go and fought the urge to follow her outside for one last kiss.
“That was a good idea you had.” Emmett came over and clapped him on the shoulder. “We dance great together, and I don’t think she’ll be flirting with that Clifford guy so much now. Thanks, son.”
“You’re welcome. Ready to go home?”
“Yeah. I made my statement.” He reached for his wallet and tossed some bills on the table. “Let’s leave.”
Back in Emmett’s truck, they rode in silence for a couple of miles. But finally Luke decided he needed to clear the air. “I know you’re worried about me getting involved with Naomi.”
Emmett blew out a breath. “I wouldn’t be, except you keep talking about leaving. I wish you’d rethink that, Luke. Frankly, I’ve never quite understood it.”
“I have more things to see and do. Too long in one place and I get restless, wondering what’s on the other side of the hill. When you start getting attached is when you’re reluctant to leave, and then you slowly settle into your rut.”
“I suppose you think I’m in a rut, then.”
“From my vantage point, yes, but if you’re happy, that’s all that matters. I was born a wanderer, just like my dad.”
Emmett slowed down so that a family of raccoons could cross the road. “So he travels all over the place, too?”
“Nope. He got mired in a mortgage, car payments, a lawn that has to be mowed, a fence that has to be painted, a garage that has to be cleaned. My mother wanted all that, and he became trapped by those things in order to please her, or at least keep the peace. He never went anywhere. He warned me that he was a cautionary tale.”
“Hmm. So your father is miserable?”
Luke nodded. “Not completely miserable, but he has regrets. He sighs when he glances through the travel section of the newspaper and he watches every travel documentary he can find. He even clips out coupons for discount travel adventures that he can’t follow up on.”
“Excuse me for saying so, Luke, but unless he’s an invalid, he could still travel. What’s stopping him from going?”
“Like I said, the responsibilities at home, and my mother, who has no interest in traveling.” But as Luke laid it out for Emmett, he had to admit that his father was an adult with free will. If this was his passion, he could find a way to make it happen. Maybe it was easier to stay home and complain.
“You know, son, could be he’s using your mother as an excuse not to go.”
“Maybe. He might be scared to actually go now. I see your point, but that only emphasizes mine. I don’t want to tie myself to the same things that weigh him down, whether he’s allowing that or not. I’d rather avoid being in that mess in the first place. I wouldn’t be good at settling down, and I know it.”
“I suppose, with an example like that, you don’t think so.”
Luke had the feeling that Emmett had more he could say, but he was refraining from saying it. That was okay with Luke, because they’d strayed from the topic, which was his intentions toward Naomi and hers toward him.
So he tackled the subject again. “Naomi knows all about my wanderlust. She and I are attracted to each other, and I’ve told her I’m not a forever kind of guy.”
“Yes, but she might think she can change you.”
“I don’t think she wants to.”
“All women want to get a man to settle down. It’s the way of the world.” Emmett spoke with certainty.
“It used to be, Emmett, but not so much anymore. Naomi’s like a lot of women—not sure where she’s going, what her next job will be. She wants to stay flexible. She’s no more ready for a husband than I’m ready for a wife.”
“She told you that?”
“She did. And she’s not the only woman who’s said the same kind of thing. I don’t want to go behind your back, Emmett, but I intend to spend time with Naomi, and she’s heading into it with her eyes wide open. In fact, she likes the idea that I won’t be begging for her hand in marriage.”
Emmett was quiet for at least a full minute. “Her folks wouldn’t appreciate knowing about this.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t.”
“So I won’t tell them.”
“Thank you.”
“I won’t pry into your activities during your free time, but I expect the same amount of work out of you that I’ve always had.”
“You’ll get it. But I have an afternoon off coming, and I’d like to take it tomorrow.”
“Guess I don’t have to ask where you’ll be going.”
“No. And…I’d like to borrow a horse. If you can’t lend me one, I understand, but I—”
“You can borrow the damned horse.” Emmett sounded gruff. “Smudge can always use the exercise.”
“Thanks, Emmett.”
“You’re welcome. And if you have any more bright ideas regarding Pam, don’t keep them to yourself.”
Luke smiled. “I won’t.”
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