Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com

Copyright ©2007 by Rita Thedford

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon by Rita Thedford

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon Wayback Texas Series COPYRIGHT © 2007 by Rita Thedford All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Contact Information: [email protected] Cover Art by Tamra Westberry The Wild Rose Press PO Box 706 Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706 Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com Publishing History First Yellow Rose Edition, 2007 Published in the United States of America

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Dedication To Avery. My favorite sassy Texas lady. You keep things REAL better than anyone I know. I dreamed of having a daughter like YOU, honey. It's good to know dreams come true.

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Chapter One It was ladies' night at The Blue Bug Saloon and pheromones were slithering through the smoke-heavy air like the flashing neon sign from an old film noir. Gina Ballew didn't feel the effects one little bit since she wasn't here for the cowboy eye-candy but for the dancing. Even now, the toes of her red ostrich cowboy boots tapped in time to Toby Keith's latest. She stared out at the crowded dance floor, dying to dance. Edgy tonight and anxious to burn off the excess energy, she lowered her head and gazed slowly around the crowded room. She held a long-neck loosely in one hand as she studied the huge group of available men. Temporary men. Just about every real cowboy in the place was in Wayback, Texas for one thing alone—the weekly rodeo. Every weekend from March through November amateur and semi-pro cowboys turned up in droves to try their luck. Great for the local businesses, sure, but those rodeo men were hard on a woman's heart. Best not to get involved with guys like that. Yeah, they might be looking for a one night stand while stuck out here in this little burg, but they were way out of luck when it came to her. She didn't do temporary. Never again would she let herself believe that a man wanted anything more than a short fling. Nope. She didn't do temporary, but she did love to dance.

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

"Well? Have you picked one out, Gina?" Patti-Pie Murphy licked a clump of salt from the rim of her margarita glass and grinned. "Good crop tonight." A response wasn't needed because Lyssa Callahan spoke up as she signaled the waitress for another round. "Leave the woman alone. She's sworn off men, and hell, I don't blame her." Patti-Pie shook her blonde head. "You can't swear off men forever, sugar. You have to forget about what happened last year. There are more fish in the sea than Cole Thomas." Patti was an optimistic, blue-eyed blonde, always sunshine bright. Gina loved her dearly, but right now Patti was just plain irritating. "Don't mention Cole to me. It's over and done with." Gina ran the side of her thumb down a gouge in the worn oak table and tried not to scowl. "You sound like Mama. He made his choice and it wasn't me. I'm just happy I found out he was a horn-dog before the wedding. Bastard! I'm only here for the dancing and to keep you two out of trouble." Her best friends since high school laughed and she knew the reason why. Of the three of them, she was the one most likely to have trouble tattooed on her butt. It followed her like a bad habit and her brief engagement had proven to be just another notch on her bad-decisions-belt. She wasn't doing that again. Nope. She was a changed woman. "Ooh, look at that one, girls." Patti nodded toward a long, rangy cowboy in a pristine white Stetson. "He's yummy." "Wannabe, Patti. You always pick the wannabe cowboys," Lyssa said, shaking her head. Lyssa was a curvy brunette who 7

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

had a no-nonsense outlook that Gina admired, but Lyssa gave the ever-optimistic Patti fits. "Ah, what's wrong with him? He's cute. Kinda." The wannabe cowboy all starched up in his brand new jeans had tourist stamped all over him. He looked their way and Patti gasped in delight. But he wasn't looking at Patti. He was looking straight at Gina. Uh-uh. No way. "That's not fair," Patti moaned. "They always pick you, Gina." "Hey! That's not true. They do not." Lyssa shook her head and leaned back as the waitress set down fresh drinks. "Yeah, honey, they do. That's why I hang out with you. Don't really like you all that much but the attention is nice. You're a man-magnet. Face it. Get over it." "Ha. Ha." Gina snorted, took a sip over her beer, and leaned forward in her chair to prop her elbows on the littered table. "I've sworn 'em off. Every last one of them. I wouldn't be here tonight if you guys hadn't forced me." Her friends laughed knowing it hadn't really taken all that much convincing. She loved Thursday nights at The Blue Bug and it wasn't a huge secret. They had the best dance floor in town and live music for the last few hours of the evening. Wannabe Cowboy strutted toward their table, slipping and sliding through the crowds at the perimeter of the dance floor. In the dim lighting, his pale complexion fairly announced that his profession kept him indoors most days. He wasn't a real cowboy. Just pretending. 8

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

"Oh my God," Patti gasped. "Here he comes. I'm gonna pee my pants!" Anticipation lit her face. Gina rolled her eyes and shared a grin with Lyssa. "Settle down, Mary Sunshine," Lyssa said. "Howdy, ladies." The man was okay-looking but not Gina's type. He gave her a look and held out a hand to her. Patti looked crushed. "Care to dance?" Gina shook her head. "Uh-uh. Sorry, I'm sitting this one out." Disappointment flashed in his eyes but it didn't last long. He glanced down at Patti-Pie, who shivered like a puppy. "How about you? Wanna dance?" "Yeah. That'd be good." The breathless response had him smiling so he took Patti's hand and led her to the dance floor. Lyssa took a sip of her rum and Diet Coke and gave her a considering look. "See what I mean? Man magnet. That's why we keep you around." "Bitch." "I mean it, hon. You've got all those gobs of black hair, long legs, and big boobs. Man magnet." Gina moaned. "I feel so used." Lyssa laughed then went serious. "Really, Gina, you've gotta shake off this funk you've been in. Ever since you caught Cole plowing another woman's field you've avoided men. You're twenty-five years old and it's just not normal to completely ignore your healthy libido." "My libido can go to hell. If I'm so hot, why am I sitting here and not dancing?" 9

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Her friend gave a telling glance toward the dance floor and arched her brow as a smiling, animated Patti-Pie boot-scooted by with her "pretend" cowboy. "It's your choice." When Lyssa leaned back and gave Gina her best school teacher expression, Gina knew a lecture was coming. "I see it like this. You're like a big old mean bull named Intimidator." Gina groaned. "Now every hot cowboy worth his salt wants to ride Intimidator into the bed sheets ... um ... dirt. But they all know this bull is a scary creature. They want to give old Intimidator a ride but they're afraid of getting bucked to their asses in the dust. See? That's you. Intimidator." Gina wanted to argue with Lyssa's assessment but she couldn't. Men had always been just a little terrified of her. It took a truly confident man to approach her and she knew it. Suddenly, she'd had enough. Damn it, she wanted to dance and out of all these hot guys, only one had approached her. It was time to pull out all the stops and take what she wanted. Narrowing her eyes, she lounged back in her chair and sent her gaze skimming across the room. Man, there were some downright gorgeous guys here tonight. Suddenly she stilled. Every nerve in her body started to twitch as lust dug through her belly like a pair of steel spurs. Leaning against the bar at the far side of the room was the sex god of every ride 'em cowboy fantasy she'd ever had. He was looking straight at her! Tall and lean, the man was roughly handsome with those broad shoulders and slim hips. Yum-my! A battered black 10

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

cowboy hat was worn low over his forehead but she caught a glimpse of chestnut hair spilling across his brow. His jeans looked worn and touchable and his black western cut shirt settled against his muscular chest like a dream. Gina wanted to grip the front of that shirt. One good yank would have those tiny pearl snaps giving way like a slow sexy song. Lifting a long neck bottle of beer to full sculpted lips, he took a quick sip, while keeping eye contact and then lowered the bottle to dangle loosely from a big, bronzed hand. Gina swallowed. Oh, yeah. A real rough and ready cowboy. "Go get him, sex goddess!" Lyssa whispered. "He's primed, ready and willing to tackle the Intimidator. Ask him. Hell, you're a modern woman. Take what you want." "You are the devil whispering in my ear. Damn you to hell. Go home, Satan, get thee gone." Lyssa laughed as Gina knew she would. Her friend settled a hand on hers and leaned close. Her smiled turned wicked. "Dare you." Bolstering her courage, Gina stood and scowled down at Lyssa. "Done. You buy the next round." When she turned into the crowd, it was like a parting of the Red Sea. Was Lyssa right? Was she really the Intimidator? Every eye seemed to take her in from top to toe and she suddenly wondered if the little blue t-shirt she wore flashed too much skin between its hem and the low slung waist of her jeans. Women's eyes narrowed. Male glances took her in with a look of awestruck wonder. "Holy shit!" "Hey there, honey. Wanna dance?" 11

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

"Lookee there." Gina wanted to cringe as she waded through the throng but she held her head high, zig-zagging through the clusters of partiers. The cowboy still watched her and she focused, zeroed in on him, as she moved forward. Men were thick at the bar and she could see their hazy reflections in the mirror hanging just behind the busy bartenders manning the place. No more than six paces away someone grabbed her butt. Spinning around, she felt her long hair fly out then settle around her shoulders. "Hey!" The drunken toad who actually looked like a toad grinned as his sidekicks hooted. "Do it again, buddy, and you'll lose that arm." A low, deep voice from behind her caused heat to shoot through her blood. She stiffened. The butt-grabber's eyes went wide as he looked over Gina's shoulder. "Hey, now. I'm just funnin'." "Take it off to someone who's interested," he said. "You're not in this lady's league." "S'pose you're in her league?" Toad backed away a little as he got mouthy. "Maybe. Maybe not. That's up to her. Now get your ass on outta here, fella. Scoot." Toad scooted and disappeared into the crowd. Gina spun around to greet her rescuer. Holy cow! He looked even better up close. He had Jack Daniels eyes. Whiskey colored, hot, and aged to perfection. A man, not a boy. Dark lashes framed those penetrating eyes and Gina felt her breath catch in her throat. 12

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

He had a tiny bump on the bridge of his great looking nose. Probably broke it when he was thrown from the back of a mean bull that might've been named Intimidator. She wanted to reach out and run her finger over that attractive bump. In an attempt to hide the quick flash of desire, she faked an air of bravado. "Good to see chivalry isn't dead, cowboy." "Not where I come from." He lifted a hand and one of the bartenders sidled up. "A drink for the lady." Gina placed her order and moved closer to the bar. "Thanks. So where you from?" He shrugged as he paid the bartender for her drink. "South of here but I move around a lot." "Guess you're in town for the rodeo. Are you entered?" "Yep." "Man of few words, too." A smile twitched at those scrumptious lips. "Usually." She noted the brackets around the sides of his mouth, the faint laugh lines at the corners of his eyes. He lived in the sun and he either scowled fiercely or smiled frequently. Hard to tell which. Fierce, she decided. He was a fierce man but capable of laughter. The most appealing man she'd ever met. Gina went silent as his scent stole her tongue. Man, he smelled good. Subtle with just a hint of something clean and citrusy. Tart enough to make her mouth water. She took a sip of her beer to hide her reaction. One dance, she vowed. Only one. This temporary man was dangerous to her state of mind. Why had she listened to 13

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Lyssa and given in to temptation this way? She swallowed and forced herself to meet his penetrating gaze. "This your first time here? Wayback's pretty small. I'd remember you." "Yeah. Nash Logan." "Gina Ballew. Welcome to Wayback." Mustering her courage, she tilted her chin and held out a hand to two hundred pounds of trouble. She was one hundred and fifteen pounds of trouble. Nash gripped her slender hand, noting its warmth, and met her big-eyed gaze as steadily as possible considering the heavy weight growing behind the fly of his jeans. With the start of the competition tomorrow, he hadn't planned to stay long in the local hot spot. He'd been restless, edgy, and damn it—lonely for the warmth of others. One beer, maybe two, and he'd head on back to his hotel. The Blue Bug was a honky tonk just like a million other watering holes. The dancing, hat and boot wearing, neon insect over the front door and the packed parking lot advertised this as the place he might be looking for. What he was really looking for was standing right in front of him, studying him warily with those big green cat eyes. She practically oozed sex appeal. Her hair was inky black and silky, running to just beyond her shoulder blades, her face was a perfect ivory oval frame for those heavily-lashed, slanted eyes and lush lips. Damn. What was a beauty like her doing in a one-horse town like Wayback? 14

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Pretty Miss Ballew looked like she belonged on the cover of a men's magazine with those breasts and hips and the hugme-close long legs. But it was her walk that fairly screamed sex appeal. Slow and sultry, with a loose jointed stride, she moved like a woman confident in her power over the opposite sex. He'd never seen anyone like her, at least, not in person. "Nice to meet you, Gina Ballew." Her gaze chased away as she took up her drink from the bar giving him a good look at her profile and he shifted to lean both forearms on the bar. "So why isn't a beautiful woman like you out there dancing? I saw you sitting with your friends, tapping that boot like crazy." Turning her head, she gave him a secretive smile. "Maybe I was just waiting for you to ask." Sassy. Nash decided he liked that. A lot. "Consider yourself asked." He set his empty on the bar and drew her close to his side and they weaved their way to the over-sized dance floor where couples were two-stepping to Tim McGraw. As the music blasted around them, Nash took her hand and reached down to settle his fingers over the slender dip of her waist. Then she looked him dead in the eye and slipped a thumb into his belt loop. Gina flashed a white smile that stopped his breath. Helpless to do otherwise, he returned the gesture as they moved over the sawdust covered floor. Could the woman ever dance, he thought as they toed and glided to the raucous beat. If the animated expression on her face was an indicator, she loved every minute of it. 15

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

A cute, sweet-looking blonde danced by and Gina called out. "Hey, Patti-Pie!" "Got you one!" the friend replied with a wink. "What's that mean?" Gina zeroed in on him again. "Nothing much. My friends think I need to hunt down a man to make me forget my troubles." "Is that what you're doing tonight? Hunting for a man?" She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Are you kiddin' me? A man is the last thing I need. I just want to dance." Nash spun her around quickly and her eyes squinted with laughter. "I aim to please, ma'am." "Oh, you do, do you? Then keep it up, cowboy. Let's have some fun." Her husky voice, filled with humor, sent desire whipping through him. He squeezed his hand along the firm flesh of her waist and wanted to kiss that smiling mouth so badly he ached. Nash suspected her idea of fun was a mite different from his. Oh yeah. He wanted her naked and lush beneath him on the nearest bed. He wanted to hear that sweet, husky voice call his name when she came apart in his arms. But Nash had a personal rule that he wasn't about to break. Not even for Gina Ballew. He didn't do one night stands with the locals. Nash knew sure as spit that if he did, he'd land himself in hot water again. Once burned was enough for this cowboy. He'd move on to another rodeo locale and she'd stay right here where she belonged. 16

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

They danced to three more songs until the music stopped. From the stage behind them, a band was setting up to start their first set. Gina was gasping and laughing, out of breath. When she leaned her forehead against his chest, Nash closed his eyes and just breathed her in. Lord, she was sweet and tempting. "Come on," he said. "Let's get a beer." She took his hand and he led her to her table. They flopped down and smiled at each other as the waitress set down their drinks. "Thank was fun," she said, tipping the bottle back. Nash took off his hat and settled it in an empty chair. Raking quick fingers through his hair, he glanced at Gina and saw her go still. Her gaze flipped to his hair then down to his mouth. Nervously, she licked her lips before looking away. He leaned back in his chair. "So are you a regular here?" She shook her head. "Only on ladies' night. Band and all. Most of the time, I'm a homebody." "You work?" "Yeah. I'm a loan officer at First National but I'm on vacation this week." "Lucky me." Shit. Why had he said that? He had no intention of seeing her again after tonight. Apparently choosing to ignore his remark, she waved at her friends who stumbled over. Each held the hand of a cowboy and it was obvious from their expressions they'd been having a good time on the dance floor. The thudding of drums and the sounds of guitars tuning up mingled with the chatter. 17

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

In the distance someone whooped loudly and raucous laughter followed. Nash stood when he was introduced to Gina's friends, Patti-Pie and Lyssa, and both women joined them. The men shook hands with him and they talked briefly before they headed off to shoot some pool in the back room. "So? Ya here for the rodeo? I'm going tomorrow." The little blonde was flushed, grinning up at him with an open expression. Nash smiled and reached into his front pocket. "Can't get in without a ticket," he said, handing over three. "Here you go." "Oh my God! Aren't you just the sweetest? You must be in the rodeo and not just here for the show." "That's right." Lyssa smirked. "A real cowboy. This man is no wannabe." Nash let the confusing comment pass. Gina glanced at her ticket before tucking it into her purse. "You never said what you do exactly? Are you one of the amateur cowboys or are you semi-pro?" "Been riding the rodeo circuit for the past five years or so." Patti-Pie grinned. "Oh, Nash, do you do the steer decorating thingie? I love that one." Gina frowned and pursed those kissable lips. "That sounds weird. What is it?" Nash shook his head and settled back in his seat enjoying the women and their chatter. "It's kind of different compared to most events. The cowboy rides out after a steer and ties a 18

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

ribbon on it. That's about all there is to it. After everyone's had a turn, the bull's decorated." "Weird." Lyssa agreed, tugging her giant purse to her lap to put away her rodeo ticket. "So, I guess you do everything else." "Pretty much. I ride broncs with and without a saddle. Then there's steer roping and bull riding." He shrugged and brought his long neck to his mouth. "You name it." "So what do you like best, Nash? I mean, do you have a specialty?" Gina gave him a direct look. There was an honesty about her that touched something deep inside him. He admired that trait in anyone but particularly in a woman. Nash hadn't known many honest women in his life. Leaning back, he focused on her smiling lips. "Bulls. I like a hard ride and they're challenging. I like a challenge." Sexual innuendo was ripe in the air as Gina held his gaze. Suddenly, Lyssa stood up and cleared her throat. "Hey, Gina, I need to run to the ladies room. Come with me." "Well, okay." Gina stood and gave Patti-Pie a look. "You coming?" "Nope, I'm going to stay right here to protect Nash from all these droolin' women who've been eyeing him. I'm saving him for you." Gina smiled at him and he thought his heart would stop. "You do that, honey. He's the best dancer here tonight. I wouldn't want him to get away."

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

He watched her walk off and briefly considered leaving before he got himself in a heap of trouble but Patti's voice stopped him. "Hey, Bobby Lee, whatcha doin?" A short fella with a big old beer belly bent and gave her a smacking kiss on the mouth before settling into an abandoned chair. "Hey, darlin'. Checking out the ladies, as usual. Having a beer or ten." Patti laughed and introduced them. Nash leaned back in his chair. "You a local?" "Yeah, me and Patti graduated together. I work over at Jackson Brothers Feed and Seed." He gave Patti a serious look. "Gina here?" "Uh-huh. She and Lyssa are in the little cowgirl's room." Bobby Lee frowned. "Somebody better tell her Cole is here." Alertly, Patti stiffened in her chair. "Oh, no." Nash watched her face scrunch up as she cast a look toward where her friends had gone. Cole? Who was that? A pissed off boyfriend who'd be looking for a fight? Thinking he'd better pay closer attention to the conversation, he sipped his beer, listening to the old friends chat. "Yep. Saw him come through the door about thirty minutes ago. He's with that redhead from Mossy Creek." Patti greeted that news with a gasp. "What the hell is going on?" Two pairs of eyes turned to him as if just remembering his presence. Patti leaned over and patted his hand. 20

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

"Gina was engaged to him last year and about a week before the wedding she showed up at his place and caught him with that tramp from Mossy Creek. That's a little town about ten miles from here." Bobby Lee shook his head sadly. "We was all sorry about what happened to her. Whole town knew about it o'course. Everybody talked about it for months and she tried to act like everything was okay but her friends knew it wasn't." "I'd like to just skin that man!" Patti huffed. Nash wanted to skin him, too. There was nothing noble in cheating and lying. He was a man who believed in being up front with people. "She's lucky she found out the guy was a creep before the wedding." "That's what I keep tellin' her." Patti said. "Thing is, in a small town like this, people don't forget. Half the folks here tonight are from Wayback and they'll all see Cole with that Tiffany Boggs and start talking all over again." Nash thought of the confident, sassy woman with whom he'd spent the best part of his evening, being embarrassed in front of the town folk and wanted nothing more than to get her the hell out of here. But this wasn't his business. He couldn't let himself get involved with these people. He especially couldn't get involved in the personal life of Gina Ballew. She was way out of his league. He was a guy who had nothing to offer a woman but a hot time between the sheets and she deserved way better. If he had any sense, he'd haul his ass out of here before he was drawn in. 21

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Lost in thought, he barely noticed when Bobby Lee stood and walked off to join his friends at another table. The band had just struck up a rowdy song and couples once again took their places on the dance floor. The female lead singer started belting out the Martina McBride song For the Girls in honor of Ladies Night when Gina walked up, bold and brass, and held out a hand to him. Her heavily-lashed eyes glittered a challenge he couldn't resist. Lord, she was pretty. His belly clenched in reaction and he went hard enough to pound stone. The woman made him ache. Hell and damnation! Yeah, he should haul ass outta here right now but no, he stood, grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor. Nope, he'd didn't have a lick of sense.

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Chapter Two She didn't have a lick of sense. She saw his face go hard as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. When he drew her close, she briefly closed her eyes wondering why she was so drawn to him. Other men had seemed sexy to her. Lord knows, Cole had been but he'd never stirred her to such primitive longings. Heck, she didn't really even know this guy. It was insane. Nash spun her across the packed dance floor with quiet purpose and she felt a bubble of laughter ring up through her throat. Dancing with this man was like riding the rollercoaster at the fair. He had some moves and it made her wonder about other moves he might have. Bedroom moves. How long had it been anyway? Oh yeah, she knew the answer to that one. She hadn't had sex since right before she learned the man she'd thought she loved had been caught with his jeans around his ankles and his male parts buried deep inside another woman. Anger bloomed inside her. Her friends were right and so was Mom. It was time to start living again but she didn't like the idea of breaking her hard and fast rule about one night stands. "Hey. Where'd you go?" Nash whispered in her ear as the song came to an end. "One minute you were laughing and the next, you go all quiet. You feeling okay?" "Yeah. I'm just thinking too hard." "That can be dangerous. You're supposed to kick up the heels of those pretty red boots and have some fun." He 23

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

flashed a lopsided, very seductive grin. "Anyone ever told you you're a hell of a dancer?" "I do a lot of things pretty well." Gina wanted to bite her tongue. Where had that comment come from? He laughed low and sexy. "Yeah, I'll just bet you do, darlin'." The band started up a slow, hold-me-close waltz and Nash pulled her in, when there was a slight clamor from the stage. "Whoa there, folks. Sorry for the interruption," one of the band members said into the microphone. "Looks like we've got us a big announcement coming up. Hold on for just a minute and we'll let y'all get back to your dancin'." Everyone paused, most smiling, and a low murmur broke through the crowd as a tall, lean, very familiar man walked up to the microphone and took it in one hand. She went cold to her bones as a chill of alarm ripped through her. "Cole." Gina whispered the name and it seemed the world dissolved into shadows, leaving her in the middle of a black void, alone. She felt Nash's arm tighten around her waist and she leaned into that sturdy weight as if it were the only thing holding her upright. A feeling of dread settled low in her belly. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer. "Most of ya'll know me." Several hoots rose up from the crowd. Cole's buddies, she figured. Even rats had friends. "Anyway, I ... um ... I've got something to say." Handsome, blonde Cole Thomas, her one-time fiancé, held his hand out toward the side of the stage. "Hey Tiff, come on up here, honey." 24

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Stunned, Gina watched the red haired woman who figured prominently in most of her nightmares walk up, smiling, onto the stage and to Gina's amazement, Cole went down on one knee. "Hell," she whispered. Nash's hold on her grew tighter and she vaguely felt someone take her hand. Lyssa squeezed it tight. Patti-Pie stood next to Lyssa, scowling at the stage. Gina couldn't watch. She just couldn't. If there was one thing she hated most, it was being humiliated. After their past had been aired publicly over the past year, how could he do something like this? Simple. He'd never cared for her at all. "Tiff, honey. I've loved you for over a year now. No woman has ever meant more to me than you, and I wanna ask you straight out, in front of all these people. Will you marry me?" The newly engaged Tiffany from Mossy Creek jumped into Cole's arms with a squeal. People applauded, some shouted, but Gina just wanted to curl up into a ball and die. She felt every pitying glance that slid her way and she knew by tomorrow the whole town would be feeling sorry for her all over again. Poor little Gina Ballew, they'd say with a head shake. Sexiest looking woman in Wayback but can't hold onto a man. Hardly gets asked out at all. Wonder what's wrong with her? At this moment, she hated Cole. She'd never meant anything to him. To make everything worse, he'd just announced that fact to practically the whole damn town. Gina heard a strangled sound and realized it came from her own mouth. Lyssa and Patti-Pie stood in front of her 25

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

saying something but she couldn't hear over the buzzing in her ears. Nash's hold grew bolder, stronger. His eyes were hot and fierce as he gestured with his head and she watched Lyssa and Patti stalk away looking as mad as she felt. The band started to play again but she barely noticed. Nash turned her toward him. She felt his stillness, his intensity, clear to the toes of her cowboy boots. "Look at me." Her gaze went up at the command in his voice. "Do you still love him?" Oh God, she could feel her bottom lip tremble and tears burned hot behind her eyes but she faced Nash squarely. "Nno. I thought I did, but no." "That's good. Then you won't mind if I do this." Just like that, he gripped her face with two rough hands and kissed her. The feel of his mouth, firm and warm, rolled through her senses like an avalanche. Ah, man could he ever kiss! She gasped softly but he drank it in, swallowing it whole, as he sank his fingers through her hair, changing the angle of his devastating embrace. Hard and hungry he took her mouth as if he were starved for the feel of something warm. He tasted her deeply, thrusting his tongue deep inside and eating her up like she was a hot fudge sundae. The roar of voices, the slow, steady thrum of the music, seemed to come at her from a distance as she was lost in the taste of this stranger. Endlessly, the kiss went on and every nerve in her body went on red hot alert. 26

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Drawing away, he leaned his forehead against her own briefly, before tipping up her chin and staring her straight in the eye. Those whiskey eyes burned with emotion, hot and intoxicating. "I've wanted to do this all night." "Yeah," she whispered, sealing her fate. "Me, too." "Shit." He dove for her lips again but this time he pulled her flush against his body. Gina moaned out loud. Nash broke the wild kiss and looked around, scowling. Other couples on the dance floor glanced toward them but she just didn't give a damn anymore. Let 'em look. Let 'em all see she wasn't some pathetic castoff that no man wanted. This one did. God. What a man he was, too. Better than Cole. Better than any man who'd ever had the balls to ask her out. Yeah, she was the intimidator all right. But this man who held her tight against his body wasn't a bit scared of her, was he? "Come on," he said and Gina watched the flex of his jaw as he gripped her elbow and steered her off the dance floor. The crowds parted for him. Maybe it was because there was a strange, quivering kind of rage that seemed to emanate from his big, rangy body. A man on a mission. Gina could do nothing but follow in his wake and he stopped briefly to say something to her friends and then plow on through the room, past the bar and the crowds. Curious glances shot their way, but she didn't care. Right now she'd follow him to the moon as long as he got her the heck out of here.

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The foyer was empty except for Barney who'd worked the front of The Blue Bug for the past thirty years. "Hey, little gal, you leavin'?" he called. "Uh-huh," she mumbled as Nash steered her through the glass double doors and out into the parking lot. The flashing neon sign overhead cast soft blue shadows over Nash's sexy face and she caught her breath at the sight. "Over here." Gina heard the crunch of their boots as they waded through a sea of trucks. The place was truly packed tonight. No one was around to speak of. It was dark. Off in the distance, she heard the sounds of male laughter as a small group of cowboys made their way toward the entrance. Nash stopped short when they reached a huge, black beauty of a truck. Polished to perfection it caught the glow of the full moon and bounced it back. Gina sucked in a sharp breath when Nash spun her around and flattened her against the side of the truck. "Mine," he said in a low, rough voice. She didn't think he was talking about the truck. "You forget it all, Gina. Forget about that bastard in there. He's a damn fool." It was okay and she should tell him so. She knew exactly what kind of ass she'd once considered marrying. But when she opened her mouth to speak, his lips silenced her. Suddenly all thoughts of the humiliating scene in the club vanished as he took the kiss deep. His hands settled at the small of her back then one dipped low to grip her butt. A stark sound came from Nash as his 28

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fingers squeezed gently. His leg went between her parted thighs. He pressed. A whimpering sound met the heat of his lips and she opened fully to him, lost in the sensation of his tongue stroking within her mouth. The strong, muscular horseman's thigh pressed high and hard against her core. Slowly he rubbed, leaving her gasping in his arms. Arousal curled through her belly, winding like a spring as she clutched him tighter. Her body just didn't feel like her own anymore. Nope. It was his. His to take. His to pleasure. Nash buried his lips against the side of her neck making her shiver with awareness. "One night stands aren't for me," he whispered against her flesh. He was breathing hard and heavy. "No. Me either." "Damn," he muttered, nipping her throat. Gina felt the mounded muscles of his chest abrade her nipples and it was so good she wanted to just curl up in his arms and weep. Reacting to the feel, she rubbed against him like a cat. Something that sounded like a purr rolled up her throat and moved past her lips. "God," she gasped. "Yeah." Nash filled his hands with her breasts, thumbed the sensitive nipples until she ached. Gina dropped her head back against the truck and closed her eyes as his touch assaulted her from every direction. His thigh pressed low and his hands teased high, plying her to suit his whim. 29

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Suddenly it was all too much. Opening her eyes, she looked up at him. He was staring at her breasts as if he'd never seen anything lovelier. A muscle worked in his jaw as his thigh pressed her center again. Helplessly, she arched. "I knew you'd move this way," he rasped low. "Oh yeah?" "Honey, anyone who can move like you do on the dance floor has gotta have some other moves, too. You're burning me alive. I want you so bad, I ache." "As long as you're not just feeling sorry for me, Nash. I couldn't stand your pity right now." Scowling he stepped away from her and Gina felt the loss immediately. He made a rough sound and took her hand. Placing it over the hard, thick bulge pulsing behind the fly of his jeans, he stared into her eyes. "This isn't about pity, darlin'. This is about me wanting you. Plain and simple." Her hand stroked down the front of his jeans. He sucked in a harsh breath, closed his eyes and placed his hand over hers. Never before had she acted like such a slut. What the hell was wrong with her? There was something about this man that made her forget all the carefully taught moral lessons she'd learned at her mama's knee. No man had ever stirred her like this tall, rugged cowboy. Finally, she did what she'd wanted to do from the first moment she saw him. Gina stepped close and stared him straight in those whiskey hotter-than-sin eyes and sent her fingers up the sides of his face and through his hair. The 30

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battered black cowboy hat fell from his head to land on the gravel near the tire of his truck. She didn't care. Moaning her pleasure, she clutched at the thick, dark stuff and drew him close. Taking his mouth again was suddenly the easiest thing she'd ever done. The heady taste of him made her wish she had magical powers and could just blink them off somewhere to be alone. Preferably to her bed. "This is a dangerous game," he said against her lips. "Maybe I like danger." "Oh yeah." He'd just drawn her closer when she heard the sound of an engine. Nash stiffened and looked up. He scowled. "Hell." Gina felt his withdrawal with equal measures of relief and disappointment. "Who is it?" "Shorty. A friend." All six feet ten inches of Shorty, unwound from the cab of a white pickup. "Hey, Nash I was just comin' to look for you. Princess is feelin' a mite poor." "Did you call the vet?" She saw his brows lower over worry-filled eyes. He walked up to the other man and they spoke quietly. Not wanting to intrude, she glanced across the parking lot and saw Patti-Pie and Lyssa picking their way over the gravel. Lyssa was carrying the purse she'd abandoned during her mad race to make out with a complete stranger. Gina felt her face burn.

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Patti seemed near tears with worry about her. Lyssa's face was compassionate, too. "Hey, hon, you bout ready to head home?" she asked, holding out her purse. "Um. Yeah, I suppose." There was no suppose about it. The way they'd been going at it, Nash would've had her jeans off in about three minutes flat if others hadn't arrived when they did. What on earth had she been thinking? She didn't fool around with temporary men. Cowboys in Wayback for the rodeo were off limits. She walked up to Nash and settled a hand on his muscular, delicious back. "Nash?" He turned and pierced her with his gaze. His mouth tightened. "Yeah?" "I, um, I'd better go on home. The dancing was fun. I really had a good time." Ah, man, how lame was that? A good time? The man had almost melted her bones and she tells him she had a good time? Heeding the warning bell that blasted through her brain, she stepped back, clutching her purse to her belly like a coward. "My ride's leaving so I'd better go. Maybe I'll see you again before you leave town." That sexy little muscle worked in his jaw again as his eyes narrowed. "Yeah. Maybe. Good night, Gina." And just like that he turned away dismissing her as so many other men in her life had done. Rage snapped through her veins, along with a hefty measure of hurt. "Come on, ladies. Let's move it on out," she said, hating the snap in her voice. "See ya later, Nash." Like never. 32

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Nash watched her leave with her friends and a feeling of loss settled low in his belly. Reaching up with one hand, he rubbed the center of his chest, right over his heart and struggled for control. It was better this way. Things were getting out of hand in a hurry. Gina was a woman who needed a local man to make her forget about the shithead who'd dumped her, hurt her. Gritting his teeth, he wondered what kind of idiot would throw away a magnificent woman like pretty, sassy Miss Ballew. It wasn't hard to figure out how things were around here. If she lived in a big city somewhere, like maybe Dallas or Houston, she'd be better off. In a place like Wayback though, she'd stick out like a sore thumb and she had to intimidate the gutless wonders around here. But he wasn't a man to take advantage of anyone's grief. Oh, yeah, he wanted her and had a monster-sized erection to prove it but she was a whole lot of trouble for a man who was just passing through. He wasn't about to add to her pain. "Pretty little thing," Shorty commented with a nod of his head. Like Nash, he watched the tail-lights of a small compact car pull out of the parking lot and onto the street. Nash looked at his old friend. Shorty had been traveling through American and sometimes Canadian cities with him since he'd begun his career. "Tell me about Princess." Shorty spit on the gravel and leaned back against the door of his truck. "Aw, doc says she'll be okay in a day or so. He changed up her feed, added some vitamins. She always did have a touchy stomach." "Come on, then. Let's go check on her." 33

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They arrived at the fairgrounds in record time, parked their trucks and wound their way through the myriad horse trailers to the stables. Despite the late hour, the place was hopping. The scent of hay and manure permeated the air along with the occasional colorful curse from cowboys who were giving their stock one last check before turning in. Princess' stall was in the third row about midway down and Nash stopped to rub the mare's breathtakingly beautiful face. Her big eyes seemed dull tonight. "Ah, baby," he crooned. "Bad tummy, huh." She snuffled an answer as he continued to stroke her red coat then brushed a hand over her black mane. Oh yeah, she was a beauty and one of his favorite cutting horses but she would sit this rodeo out. He wouldn't take chances with her health. "Guess you'll be riding Big 'un tomorrow." "Looks like it," Nash said as he moved one stall over and clicked his tongue at the inky black gelding. Big 'un snorted and tossed his mane before nosing Nash in the chest. Nash responded with a quick stroke of his hand. Shorty spit tobacco and reached into his front pocket for a piece of carrot and held it out to the horse. "He'll do you fine for the steer roping." "That's one fine lookin' animal," came a familiar female voice. He looked up and saw Amy Sue Shoemaker, a barrel racer who hailed from Tulsa. She flashed a flirty grin and strutted his way. The pretty brunette looked like she'd been melted and poured into those tight jeans and she filled out the front 34

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of her t-shirt nicely. She'd been chasing his butt off for the past three months but Nash wasn't biting. Not only did he not get involved with the locals, he avoided sexual romps with the rodeo cowgirls, too. He preferred his sex during the off-season. Yeah, sometimes he fell off the denial-wagon but it wasn't a habit with him. "Ya'll bout to call it a night?" Shorty cleared his throat and looked down at the toes of his worn boots. His face was red. "Um, yes ma'am." Surprise caught Nash at Shorty's actions. He was sweet on Amy Sue! Leave it to Shorty to fall for a woman whose initials spelled ASS and not for the first time, he wondered what her parents had been smoking when they named her. Considering Shorty's infatuation and the woman's obvious interest in him, Nash thought it might be smart to get the hell out of Dodge. "Yeah," he said. "Better head on back to the hotel, get some sleep before the events tomorrow. Hope you have a good ride." Amy dimpled sweetly. "Thanks. You, too. 'Night, Shorty." Shorty tipped his hat and the two of them left the stables and headed for their trucks. Both were staying at The Corral Hotel out on the interstate and within ten minutes were nursing cups of coffee at the Waffle House located across the parking lot from where they were bedding down. The place was packed tonight. Bustling waitresses carried plates of breakfast and jotted down orders at record speed. The scent of frying bacon and coffee permeated the air. Chatter was loud, interspersed with the sounds of cutlery clinking as everyone got a bite to eat before turning in. Tim 35

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

McGraw blasted from the juke box, advising everyone to Live Like You Were Dying. "You talked with Mama Rose, yet?" Shorty asked as he sipped his black coffee. "No, not tonight." Nash doctored his own coffee with a hefty dose of cream and gave it a stir. "You?" Shorty looked out the plate glass window toward the interstate. In profile, his overlarge nose was slightly hooked, his mouth was thin and, at the moment turned down. Not a handsome man by any stretch, but kind and very soft hearted when it came to Mama Rose. "Yeah, called her before I came out to fetch you. I drove by the bakery on Main Street, you know, just passing some time and I smelled homemade chocolate chip cookies. It made me think of her so I called." Nash shifted in the booth and smiled politely at the harried waitress who set down two heaping plates of food. They'd both ordered the Rancher's Special of two eggs over easy, hash browns and sausage. Shorty had pancakes to go along with it and Nash wondered how any human could put away so much food. They settled in to eat. Nash bit into a flaky homemade biscuit slathered in butter. "So what'd she have to say?" "Hell, she's missin' Big Daddy Buck something awful." Emotion welled in Nash's throat and he took a quick sip of his scalding coffee. Big Daddy Buck Walters and his wife Rose had made a wonderful home for both of them when they'd been kids no one wanted. With three grown sons and an empty ranch house, they'd opened their hearts to troubled boys and given them a life. "Hard to believe we lost him 36

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about this time last year." Nash shook his head as memories of the big, gruff rancher sifted through his mind. "It was so sudden." Shorty shook his head. "Mama was always tellin' him he needed to eat right, take better care of himself but he was stubborn." "So what'd she have to say?" "She took in three more foster boys last week. One of 'em has been in and out of juvie for the past few years." "Sounds like me. Trouble on the hoof." His old friend grinned. "You cleaned up pretty good, Nash. Man, you should've seen the look on that woman's face out there in the parking lot! Lordy, I don't think I've ever seen a hotter woman and she was sure as hell smokin' for you." Just the mention of Gina, had Nash shifting his gaze out the window. Damn. He couldn't remember ever meeting a woman who turned him inside out the way she'd done. A dangerous woman to a man's peace of mind. It would take a truly confident man to take up with a woman like her. Smoking hot, independent, and smart. He wanted her. No doubt about it. After they'd eaten, Nash and Shorty parted ways and he went into the lonely hotel room he'd call home for the next few days. It was like all the others. Big king-sized bed, a closet cubby full of shirt and jeans. Two extra pairs of boots set beneath everything in the small space. Television, microwave and fridge, a tiny coffee pot that wouldn't satisfy the caffeine cravings of a mouse. 37

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Nash flopped on the side of the bed and yanked off his boots tossing them with deadly accuracy toward the other boots in the closet area. His shirt and jeans were thrown into an empty corner. No underwear. Nash was a "commando" kind of guy who seldom bothered with it. Mama Rose would have his ass on a platter if she knew. Naked he stretched out on the bed and flipped on the television. He wasn't much of one for watching but the noise made the room seem less lonely. The Dirty Dozen was playing on one of the channels and he settled in to watch Lee and the boys blow up Nazis. It was one of his favorites. A real man's movie. By the time Big Jim Brown bought a bullet, he was bored and muted the sound of gunfire. He reached for his phone on the bedside table and dialed a familiar number. "Hey, Mama." "Nash? That you, honey?" "Yeah, calling from Wayback. Just got in." She laughed. "You and me always were night owls, weren't we, boy?" Mama Rose Walters was the only person on Earth who still called him "boy" and that was fine with him. Made him smile. Made him remember. "Been thinking about you. You doin' okay?" Over the phone, he heard her sigh. "Good. Really. I'm fine, sweetie. You boys all worry too much. Steve and Robert have both moved back to the ranch with their families and are running things just like Buck would've wanted." 38

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Steve and Robert were Buck and Rose's two oldest boys and had taken over the ranch after their father's heart attack. The youngest, Donnie, was a lawyer practicing in Reno and had no interest in ranching. "How do they feel about your boys?" She laughed. "They know dang well I don't give a rat's behind what they think about it. I've been taking you boys in for too many years to count and I'm not about to stop now." At one time, Nash and Shorty had counted up to twenty foster boys the Walters family had taken into their home but then they lost track. As far as he knew, every single one of them remained close to Buck and Rose long after he'd left the ranch and become a man. Nash was no different. "You feeling lonely, son?" "Yeah, a little." Rose went quiet and he could almost hear the wheels turning in that sharp brain of hers. "Then why don't you give up this rodeo stuff, honey? Come on back here and help my boys train cutting horses. You're plumb gifted, Nash. Buck always said so." "I want my own place, Mama, you know that. I almost have the money and I'm planning to buy my own ranch soon. Just have to find the right spot. The Rocking R belongs to you and your sons. They're good men and I'm not about to move in on their territory. I want something that belongs to me. Do you understand?" He heard water running in the sink and knew she was probably in the kitchen filling up the coffee pot for the morning. The thought made him smile. "'Course I do, Nash. 39

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Everybody wants something to call their own. With you it was always a burning desire. You want a home, boy. You always have." Truer words had never been spoken. After the call, Nash closed his eyes and thought of the dreams he'd built for himself when he'd become a man. They were big dreams. More than anything, he wanted to have a place somewhere, a ranch, where he could raise and train the cutting horses so essential to the working cowboy. He had a magic tough with the animals Big Daddy Buck had told him. But he wanted more than that, too. He wanted a woman who loved him, kids. He wanted it all. Rubbing his eyes, Nash stood and pulled down the bedspread and crawled between the crisp white sheets. She'd have to be strong, he thought, this woman who'd love him. Tough and resilient. Beautiful wouldn't hurt, either. Nor would sexy-as-hell. Closing his eyes, he sighed into the darkness as the vision of his dream woman appeared in his mind. Funny. She looked a lot like Gina Ballew.

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Chapter Three Gina groaned when the morning sun filtered faintly through a crease in her white plantation shutters. Opening her eyes to the familiar sight of her neat little bedroom in her neat little house, she thought back to last night's humiliation and groaned once more for good measure. A nightmare. Well, almost a nightmare. Cole's actions had been reprehensible. The only thing that had saved her evening had been meeting the hottest, best dancin', best kissing, cowboy this side of heaven. But then he'd gone and ruined everything by blowing her off. Tossing off the covers, she padded toward the bathroom and turned on the water. She should count herself lucky she'd escaped when she had, because sure as shooting that man would've been in her britches before she could blink and this morning she'd be busy kicking her own butt instead of just wishing things could be different. Gina took care of her teeth and ran a brush quickly through her hair before heading into the kitchen for that first cup of coffee. The scent of caffeine teased her and she'd just sat down at the kitchen table with a cup when there was a knock on the door. Squinting at the clock on the microwave, noting the time, she realized she'd really slept late this morning. It was already after ten.

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She opened the front door to see her mom, Della, standing there bold as brass, carrying a Tupperware cake container which she thrust into her arms. "Morning, Mom." Della kissed her cheek and blasted through the front door like a Texas tornado. She headed straight for the kitchen. "Hey, honey. Don't tell me you just got up. God. Is that coffee I smell? I'm gonna fix me a cup." Gina had learned long ago that her mom had a unique talent for answering her own questions quite nicely. "I'm on vacation. It's well within my rights to be a slug while on vacation. In fact, I think it's a law. What do you have here?" She set the covered cake dish on the kitchen table while Della, a tall, dark haired beauty in her mid-fifties, poured herself a cup of coffee and doctored it up with cream. Della held up a pitcher shaped like a little white cow. The handle was formed from its curving ceramic tail and there was a hole in its nose where the cream came out. "Silliest darned thing I've ever seen." "You bought it." "Yeah, yeah. What was I smokin'?" Gina laughed. Her mother was the straightest arrow she'd ever known. About as wild as she ever got was when she had a glass of wine or two on Christmas Eve. "I love it. It's whimsical." Her mom smiled and sat across from her at the table. Gina pried open the Tupperware lid and gasped, completely delighted. The scent of chocolate rose through the air mixing 42

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wonderfully with the homey coffee-smell of the kitchen. "Ah, Mom. A triple layer chocolate cake! Yum-my." "Made it this morning. Thought we'd have it with our coffee while you fill me in." Gina dipped a finger in the thick, creamy frosting and promptly stuck the digit in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she hummed a little, then went for two plates, two forks and a knife. "Fill you in on what? Oh, and what's the occasion? Chocolate cake this early in the morning?" Della tapped a fingernail on the oak table and gave her a look. Gina paused in the act of slicing through homemade decadence. "Don't tell me. You talked to somebody. You know already." Gina put the knife down and sank into her chair. Banging her forehead on the table, she stretched out her arms and moaned. Her mother immediately took her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. "Betty Murphy called first thing this morning." "I'm gonna kill Patti. What a blabber!" Della tsked. "It doesn't matter what Patti told her mama. It's all over town, honey. That Cole makes me mad enough to spit! I'd like to head on over to his place and kick his butt good." Gina looked up at her mom and felt a vivid bolt of love pierce her heart. She stuck out her bottom lip. "So this is a pity cake?" "Uh-huh. Made special for your pity party." "Hmm. Then I guess we ought to start this party." Gina cut two humongous slices of fresh cake and served them up. She 43

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took a bite of thick, rich chocolate and felt her eyes roll back in her head. "Mmm. So good, Mom. You always know when I need a chocolate fix. Nobody makes this stuff like you do." Della laughed and took a bite. "Don't kid yourself, honey. I know you think your mama's perfect, and for the most part, I am, but you can cook me under the table." "That's quite a compliment coming from you." Taking another sip of her coffee, her mother nodded her head. "Okay, now tell me all about it. I think I've got a pretty good idea what went down but I'd like to hear your version. Everybody's talking." "I knew this would happen. Nothing stays secret in this podunk town," she said with a snort. "What'd Daddy say?" Gina's dad, Frank, was a big, tough, oil man who owned a prosperous drilling company. He didn't take crap from anyone and he'd certainly take Cole down a peg or two for messing with his baby girl. Della shook her head. "Oh, honey, you don't wanna know what that man said. Burn your ears plumb off! He wanted to head over to Cole Thomas' house and kick the crap outta that man." Unable to resist, Gina sighed. "I love my family." "Your little sister's fit to be tied, too. Bless her heart, someone called her last night and she's so mad she wants to come down from Lubbock just to make sure you're okay." Annagrace, her baby sister, was a twenty-two year old junior at Texas Tech University and Gina loved her more than anything. "Tell her not to come, Mom. She has mid-terms coming up." 44

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"Oh, I did. Don't you worry. You're a big girl and this will blow over. Just like the other time. I don't want you to forget that everyone loves you, punkin." "Yeah, I know. I figured the mess with Cole and the broken engagement was finally over, Mom, and then he has to make a big spectacle out of everything. I'm not in love with him anymore but I hate being embarrassed in front of the whole town this way." Gina stood, fetched the coffee pot and poured them both a refill. "I'm tellin' you, I'm sick of the whole man thing. I give up. It's just not meant to be." Della laughed and tapped her fingernails on the table, a weird little habit that Gina was used to after all these years. "Listen up, cookie. It's gonna take a really special man for you. You're just so intimidating to most men." She rolled her eyes. "You, Patti-Pie, and Lyssa have been talking. Just last night, Lyssa said I was like a mean old bull named Intimidator." Her mother laughed. "That Lyssa's a card. She's right though." "I am not intimidating." "Oh, honey, you're bigger than life. Tall and all sexylooking with those long legs and everything else that goes with 'em. Look at it like this ... What if Pamela Anderson came to town?" "Huh?" "I'm serious. If that woman came to town, what would the local men do?" Gina laughed. "They'd pee their pants." 45

Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

Della pointed at her. "That's right. They'd pee their pants and do you think any one of those yay-hoos would say one word to her?" "Probably not. But Mom, I'm not Pamela Anderson. These men have known me all my life." "You're still an out there kind of woman. It'll take a man who has great big ba—" "Mom!" "Well, great big ones anyway, to measure up to the kind of woman you are. You're not for the faint of heart." "You make me sound like a horror movie." "You are pretty scary, baby." Gina rolled up her paper napkin and tossed it at her mother who caught it and used it to dab a crumb off the table. "Hey, Mom." Della looked up. "I love you." "Yeah, baby, I know. Love you, too." Later she lounged on the overstuffed sofa in her living room and had her feet propped in her mother's lap. Cotton balls were stuffed between each toe as Della applied Drumbeat Red with the precision of a military general. Gina still wore the oversized Texas Tech Red Raider jersey she'd slept in. "I really love what you've done with this house, hon." Gina looked around at her pride and joy still recalling the day she'd signed off on the old Victorian. Hardwood floors glistened in the morning light that streamed through the big, 46

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lace-draped front windows. Outside was a huge wrap-around front porch and huge pots of blood red geraniums. "It's really too big for one person but I love it." "That's apparent in the way you take care of it and hey, who knows, maybe someday some nice guy will move in here with you and you'll give me a grandbaby or two. No pressure." Gina laughed. No one made her smile like Mom and she, for sure, needed a laugh today. "Okay, other foot," Della said as she reached for a wad of cotton on the coffee table. She went to work again, bent over her foot, absorbed in her task. Gina leaned her head back and closed her eyes, loving the attention from her favorite person in the world. "Now, are you gonna tell me about the man you met last night?" Her eyes popped open. "What do you mean?" Della shook her head. "Ah, honey, don't play those games with me. We don't live in a small town for nothing. Betty told me all about some cowboy you were hot and heavy with on the dance floor last night." Gina groaned. "His name is Nash Logan." "Oooh, sexy name." "Sexy man." "Do tell." She reached for her coffee cup and took a bracing sip. "We danced, Mom, and that's about it." "Not what I heard." "Ah yes, well, he was just feeling sorry for me. Patti-Pie and Bobby Lee shot off their big mouths and he heard the 47

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whole story about Cole and the fact that he's a horn-dog. We were dancing when Cole popped up on the stage to make his big announcement. It was crazy." "So, hm, how did it feel kissing him? A complete stranger." Gina looked at her mother calmly painting her toes and didn't notice any recrimination. Not a bit. That was weird. She sighed and leaned her head back against the cushions. "Electrifying." "That good, huh?" "Oh, yeah. And then when he realized we were making a spectacle of ourselves, he dragged me out to the parking lot and started the whole kissing thing again." Della moved her foot away and sat up to screw the lid on the polish. Leaning forward, she propped her forearm on her knee and looked at her. "You gonna see him again?" She shrugged. "I doubt it. His friend showed up and he got all distracted and just kind of blew me off. Anyway, it's for the best. He's here for the rodeo. In a couple of days, he'll be off for another town and I'll be here. It doesn't make any sense to get something started." "Maybe. Maybe not. We never know about these things, Gina," she said. "But what's wrong with enjoying the man while he's here? There's no law that says you can't have some fun for a change." Aghast, she stared at her mother. "Are you suggesting I have a mindless affair with him?" "I don't know if I'd go that far but a little fun sure wouldn't hurt you. If you approach the whole thing as an adventure, knowing in your mind it's all temporary, you might find 48

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something very freeing in that." Della stood and reached for her purse. She adjusted the strap on her shoulder and gave her a look. "Listen, hon, you're young and pretty, full of life. Believe me, one of these days you'll have so many responsibilities there won't be time for fun. Now is the time to spread your wings. Sorry if I sound like a cliché but that's the way I feel about it. If this man wants to spend time with you, I say you should let him." **** Gina thought about what her mother said and figured, why the heck not? Sure, it was dangerous getting involved even temporarily with a man like Nash Logan, but how often did a woman living in a place like Wayback get a chance to have a romance with a man like him? As she pulled into the fairground parking lot noting the crowds heading toward the arena, she double checked her purse. Yep. There was the ticket Nash had given her last night. She pulled out a tube of gloss and applied a dab of it to her lips. What was she thinking? With all these people around what were the chances of running into him? Still, better to see him here than stalk The Blue Bug hoping he'd show up. That just seemed sleezy. Slutty, too. Nope, not going there. Earlier she'd called Patti and Lyssa hoping one of them, or both, might be able to come with her today. Patti had a date with the wannabe cowboy she'd met last night. As it turned out, Scott was a pretty nice guy and had asked her to the rodeo today. Lyssa had to work. So here she was, alone. 49

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Bolstering her courage, she tugged the shoulder strap of her oversized purse in place and took off toward the ticket gate. Her red cowboy boots tapped out a sharp staccato against the pavement. Today she wore a pair of low slung jeans that had survived a hundred washings, a western-style belt with a turquoise buckle, and a scarlet red t-shirt. Too hot today for the long sleeved western shirts some of the other ladies were wearing. She didn't know how they could stand it. Several locals hollered out and she smiled and waved in turn. Wayback was a friendly town as a rule. Everyone loved it when the rodeo season came around since most of the time there wasn't much in the way of entertainment around here. When she handed over her ticket, she wandered around for awhile just soaking in the atmosphere. Over the arena, flags representing the home states of the participating cowboys and cowgirls fluttered in the breeze giving the place a festive atmosphere. Crowds were already filing into the spectator stands to watch the show. The sounds of horses and male voices filtered through the air. Gina walked farther out, knowing she had plenty of time, and saw the rows of concessions stands offering beer on tap, roasted corn on the cob, turkey legs, hot dogs and sausage on a stick. Two little boys ran toward her, each carrying a glob of cotton candy. In tandem they laughed and darted to either side of her. Breathing deeply, she smiled and watched them tear off through the crowds. The fair atmosphere sent a sizzle through her blood and the mingled scents in the air made her tummy rumble. Or was that anticipation over 50

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seeing Nash perform in the steer roping event that headlined the day's activities? A sea of horse trailers and trucks stretched out as far as the eye could see. Everywhere she looked were cowboys of every shape and size getting ready for the show. Ropes swung out in perfect circles and other cowboys stretched and bent, warming up for what was to come. They were athletes, she realized, in perfect shape to take the battering that occurred every week for months on end. An ambulance sat parked, at the ready, near a big white first aid tent. Curious, she walked toward it. The tent was a sideless affair with the white canvas top supported by poles. Small Texas flags fluttered at each end, waving in the wind. Gina stopped short and drew in a quick breath. Nash! Lord have mercy! Bare from the waist up, he stood with his back to her as the tall man from last night wrapped white tape around his ribs. Gina swallowed hard. The dim shadowy lights from last night hadn't done the man justice. Tall and lean, he stood there with his heavily muscled arms outstretched. Upper-back muscles flexed and rolled with every shift of his body. He was bronze and sexier than any man had a right to be. Without the hat, she could see his hair, dark brown and streaked with reddish highlights. She remembered plowing her fingers through that thick, straight stuff last night and she wanted to do it again. What was up with the tape? She frowned. Was he hurt? 51

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The other man straightened and reached for a pair of scissors on the table. "There. That ought to do it," he said. Nash lowered his arms and reached for his shirt. When she cleared her throat, he stiffened. "Nash?" He turned, giving her a glance over his very broad shoulder, and she saw his eyes widen a bit. "Hey." Gina walked underneath the tent, and reached out tentatively to touch the tape that bound his ribs. "Are you hurt?" Nash smiled faintly and shook his head. "Just a precaution. I cracked a couple of ribs a few months ago riding a bastardmean bull in Calgary." "Canada?" He nodded. "Can't say I'm not well-traveled." He pulled on his shirt and began snapping it closed. The pearl snaps were a stark contrast to the bronze color of his hands and Gina resented each snap that hid his flesh from her sight. Looking down at the toes of her boots, she felt suddenly overwhelmed by his big, powerful body. Yeah, she could be really brazen but she felt dumb chasing him down like this. If nothing else, she was honest. Her being here wasn't an accident. "Gina this is my friend, Shorty Dobbs. Shorty, this is Gina Ballew. She's a dancin' fool." Nash flashed a wicked, white grin, lightening the moment. "Nice to meet you, ma'am." Smiling, Shorty tipped his battered straw hat and headed out. "Look, Nash, um ... I'm sorry to intrude." 52

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"No intrusion. Really." He ran his fingers through his hair and gave her a look. "Listen, I'm glad you're here." He gestured toward a long bench sitting near the table. "Have a seat." Gina sat on the bench. Nash propped his foot there and leaned his forearm on his knee. "I need to apologize about something," he said. She held up a hand. "No, you don't have to." He blew out a breath. "Yeah, I do." He stared off into the distance and her heart started to hammer wildly in her chest. "I thought about you last night. After you left." "You did?" she whispered. For a long time she waited for him to say something, anything, but his face seemed carved of granite, unmoving. Patience had never been a virtue she possessed so she spoke again. "What did you think?" Unsmiling, he looked at her. "I thought about how perfect your mouth is and about how much I loved kissing you. When I lay in my bed in that lonely hotel room, I remembered how it felt to hold you in my arms and feel your breasts brush against my chest." "Oh." Her response came out in a sigh. "I thought about how close I'd been to burying myself deep inside you, Gina. Damn. That's what I thought about." His intense gaze flicked to her lips and lingered before he met her eyes. "Um. Last night got out of hand in a hurry." Nash reached out and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. Then he cupped her chin. "I've wanted women before. Had plenty of them. But you threw me last night. It was fast, what I felt. Hot. Wild. Kind of knocked me on my ass." 53

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Nervously, she licked her lips and focused her gaze on his oh-so-sturdy chest. His thumb lazily stroked along her cheek as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her belly fluttered in response. She shifted on the hard bench. "Me too." "Yeah?" She mustered her courage and met his eyes. He was smiling slightly. "How about we start all over, Nash?" He let her go and straightened. His looming over her this way should've been intimidating but it wasn't. For a second, he looked like a gunslinger from an old western. Hard, strong, and confident in his power. A warrior. "You know I won't be here long." "Yeah. I figured. I'm not a child." Nash's gaze flicked over her body, lingering on her breasts for a nanosecond and her body reacted quickly, almost violently. His eyes were hot, flashing wicked fire. Oh yeah. He wanted her. "No, you're no child, darlin'. You're a heap more woman than the fellas around here know how to handle, if I don't miss my guess." Gina stood and looked him straight in the eye, her mama's words ringing in her ears. "Am I too much woman for you?" There. She'd said it and the words had been pretty dang brave, even for her, but she felt her face burn. Nash moved closer. His scent wrapped around her. "Just so happens I like a lot of woman." Like a lightning flash, his arm snaked out and pulled her in. Big rough hands settled at her hips, flexing. His lips brushed hers when he spoke. "We 54

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both know we shouldn't be getting involved like this but I haven't been able to get you off my mind. I've tried but it just makes me want you more. It's a hell of a bad idea for us to get involved." Moving his mouth a tiny increment, he took her lips in the hottest kiss this side of heaven. He ate at her mouth with a voracious hunger, then plunged his tongue deep inside. Teasing, tasting, he changed the angle of the kiss and dragged her body flush against his chest. Gina fluttered her fingers against his side, felt the tape that bound his warrior's body and whimpered. Once again, they were in a very public place but Nash seemed to have no qualms about taking what he wanted and damn the consequences. How aggressive would he be if they were all alone? Heaven help her! Gina brushed her breasts against that firmly muscled chest wanting to weep at the feel of him. Everything spiraled out of control in a big hurry. A frantic feeling soared through her veins. She wanted to devour him. He drew back, gasping for breath. "Dinner tonight?" "Yeah," she burst out against his lips. "My place. Give you the address." "Good. Steaks? I'll bring 'em. Ah honey." He kissed her again, his wicked mouth playing a devastating game with her self control. Finally he leaned his head against hers, breathing hard. Holding her tight, he pressed his mouth to her forehead. "I just know this is a bad idea." Gina shifted against him, more turned on than she'd ever been in her life. Lifting her face, she instigated a kiss of her 55

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own. She looked into those whiskey eyes and smiled, sealing her fate. "Didn't you know, Nash? Sometimes it's good to be bad." **** Later she sat at the highest row in the audience section and watched the activities in the arena. The barrel racers had just finished their competition and the finalists would vie for prize money and a new saddle sometime tomorrow. Near her ear a flag flapped wildly as a wicked wind picked up from the south. As was typical for west Texas, a howling would set up and an over-layer of dust would shroud a horizon that stretched all the way to God's hand. Didn't happen every day but, still, it wasn't unusual either. This was a dry, dusty place and it wasn't out of the ordinary to drive by the First Baptist Church and see the sign out front asking folks to "Pray for Rain". The forecast for today was hot and windy. Though it wasn't windy in this big arena, things were certainly hot. The hottest cowboys this side of heaven were hovering near the chutes soothing their mounts for the upcoming steer roping event. Tense with anticipation, she caught a glimpse of Nash sitting on the wooden railing near the head of a beautiful black horse. A rodeo clown wearing a fluffy orange wig, face paint and enormous overalls looked up and said something. Nash grinned in response. Lordy, what that man could do with a smile! 56

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He wore a chambray denim western shirt with tiny pearl snaps and worn leather chaps hugged his strong thighs. Amazing! Oh yeah, she thought, as her heart thumped at the sight of him, he was a hell of a man. Big time cowboy eyecandy. She wanted to trail her tongue over every inch of that muscular body to see if he was as delicious as he looked. Just thinking about tonight made her twitch. "Howdy ya'll" said the announcer. "It's time for the steer roping event and we have some of the fastest steers and smoothest, roping cowboys around in this arena today. How 'bout we start this out by giving these fellas a round of applause." The crowd went wild and Gina was among them. Nerves skittered down her spine. Oh, man, she'd never had anyone special to cheer on before and she was nervous for Nash. Several cowboys, numbers pinned to their backs, took their turn at roping the giant steers. They were amazing. Graceful, but strong, and very athletic. Finally it was Nash's turn and Gina went still. Gazing toward Nash's chute, she saw his face go hard. He leaned over and said something to Shorty and then focused again on his horse. The announcer spoke into the microphone. "All right then, cowboys and cowgirls, let's give a friendly Wayback welcome to a fine cowboy from down south of here. Nash Logan hails from New Braunfels, Texas and the Rocking R Ranch. Threetime all around cowboy in steer roping and bull riding. The man has won more prize buckles and saddles than you can 57

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shake a stick at. Eight seconds on a mean old bull is nothing for this cowboy. Let's give it up, folks." Applause broke out again as the enormous steer shot like greased lightning from the gate. Gina watched Nash jump down into the saddle as his chute sprang open. There was something almost majestic about the way he moved. Leaning over the pommel of the saddle, he narrowed his eyes in concentration as he twirled is rope high in ever widening circles. Standing in the stirrups, focusing on the steer, he never paused as his cowboy hat flew from his head to bounce on the dirt floor of the arena. When he let the rope fly, it settled smooth as silk around the wicked looking horns and his horse went still as a statue. The rope tightened and Nash jumped down to race toward the steer. Gina gasped and leaned forward. The snorting steer jerked his head, his eyes wild in his head. Nash grabbed the huge animal by the horns and forced him to the ground. Reaching to the rope at his belt, he tied the animal's hooves with an economy of motion that was amazing. Back hooves, front hooves, then they were tied together as Nash tossed his arms in the air. "Seven point six seconds!" The announcer bellowed. "Would you look at that? Nash Logan, ladies and gentlemen! Give this cowboy a hand! This is a new record, people. This Texas boy can rope a steer quicker than lightning. Good job, Nash." Nash loped across the arena and snatched his hat from the ground pausing once to acknowledge the crowd with a wave. Several rodeo clowns ran up for back slapping as several 58

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more clowns untied the bested steer and shooed him out of the arena. Pride shot through Gina's blood, warming her to her toes. He was very, very good, she thought. Tomorrow night he'd participate in the bull riding event. The crown jewel of the rodeo. She'd be here, she knew, but tonight? Well, tonight this cowboy was all hers.

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Chapter Four Wayback was a small town and it had only taken a quick inquiry at the Dixie Pig, the local grocery store, to find Peachtree Lane. Nash sat parked in the driveway in front of Gina's house and fell in love. Man, Mama Rose would love this place, he thought, as he studied the old but well-maintained Victorian. Painted a slate gray, it had black shutters and a lace-covered etched glass door. All the trim was painted black to match. From where he sat, he saw huge iron urns filled with crimson geraniums on either side of the entry. Their brothers were placed strategically at other points on the enormous wrap-around front porch. An oak swing hung from two giant chains and several bentwood chairs and a nice table completed the seating arrangement. Huge windows ran across the front of the house. Around one side were double French doors that he figured also led into the living room. Two trees, one pecan and one live oak, shaded the large front yard. Out in the street, young boys were tossing a football, yelling and laughing, while a little girl drove a tiny, battery powered jeep down the sidewalk. It was hot pink and had Barbie painted on its side. He couldn't help smiling. When he'd been a very young boy, he'd imagined himself living in a place like this instead of the rundown trailer park he and his poor sweet mother had called home.

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Breathing in, feeling evening settle down around him like a song, Nash reached up and rubbed the heel of his hand over his heart. He would've loved calling a place like this home. Brutally reminding himself that he was only a visitor here in this quaint little town, he grabbed a paper sack that contained the steaks and other things he'd picked up at the store. When he climbed out of the truck holding the sack in one arm, he shut the door and turned to find Gina standing at the open front door watching him. She was a funny kind of woman. Women he'd dated in the past would've waited for him to walk up to the door and ring the doorbell. They might even have made him ring it twice so he wouldn't think they were waiting. Games. He preferred things straight up and honest. Nope. Gina Ballew wasn't much of a game-player and he sure liked that about her. Since she was dressed casually, in shorts and some kind of tiny tank top thing, he was glad he'd gone for comfort himself. Tonight after he'd showered up, he'd just tugged on a black t-shirt to tuck into his oldest pair of jeans. Black shit-kickers completed the whole of his wardrobe. He wasn't much for getting fancy for a woman. For Gina, it might be worth it. Her inky hair trailed, thick and shiny, past her shoulders, her skin was flawless, soft-looking. He wanted to nip the tender flesh of that ultra long neck with his teeth. Lick the spot. Kiss it. Soothe her. Take her. 61

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"Hey," she called, smiling, as she headed down the front steps. He noticed she was barefoot and her toes were painted drop-dead-sexy red. Ah, man. Those legs seemed to climb all the way to heaven, and the tan shorts? They stretched across the sweetest little ass he'd ever seen. "Hey, yourself." "Here let me take that." She reached for the big paper sack and he held it aside. "Nope. That's my job." Nash reached into the sack and pulled out a cellophane wrapped bundle of assorted flowers. "You can carry these, darlin'. They're for you." "Oh my God. You are the sweetest." Up she came on her tip-toes as she pressed a kiss to the side of his mouth. The spot tingled and her delicious scent filled his head. She made him hungry. Funny how women lit up over flowers. He'd never understood the reaction but he smiled as her green eyes sparkled over the gift. Nash followed her toward the house, up the steps and went through the front door. Something clean but spicy hit his senses and he saw several huge, squat candles lit and shimmering from the center of an oversized coffee table. He smelled cinnamon and something coming from the kitchen and his mouth watered as he took in Gina's space. "This is nice," he said, feeling lame because nice didn't begin to describe it. Everything was big, wide open and airy. Still there was a cozy feel to the place that had his blood 62

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pumping warm in his veins. For a man who'd never had a home of his own, a real home, that was saying something. That spot over his heart ached again as he took off his straw cowboy hat. "Thanks. Here let me take that." Gina took his hat and settled it on an old fashioned hat stand that sat in the foyer near the front door. Expansively, she held out her arms still holding the flowers in one hand. "Well? You like it?" Clutching the sack, he smiled. "Yeah, I'll be wanting a tour later." Gina blushed crimson. "God. I'm a moron. Sorry. Come on. Let's get these things put away." Nash followed her through the living room and directly into the dining room. It was a very old fashioned house and big doors were opened wide between the two rooms. Gina preferred leaving it all open, he realized. Finally, they made it to the large, homey kitchen. "Ah, what's that smell?" Gina motioned to the oak kitchen table and he set down the sack. He watched her glide toward the oven, and yeah, stared at her gorgeous backside, until she flashed him a grin over her shoulder. "That would be homemade cherry cobbler." She grabbed two potholders from the countertop and opened the oven door. Heat blasted into the room but then he forgot all about that as he stared at the flaky, golden crust with cherry stuff bubbling all around the edges. Unable to resist, he peeked over her shoulder and inhaled deeply. "Mmm. You made this?" 63

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Gina laughed and set the cobbler aside before smacking him with a flimsy little potholder. "Don't sound so shocked." He held up both hands. "Whoa. I've just never known a woman as pretty as you who could actually cook." "Hey, our mamas raise us right here in Wayback." "I can see that." While she set the cobbler aside, he went to the sack and started to unload it. Two t-bones were set aside and he pulled out two bottles of wine. Gina's dark brows lifted. "Two? What are you plannin' here tonight, cowboy?" He laughed. "Nothing sinister. I know you're supposed to have red with steak but some people don't like it so I bought white, too." Gina snatched the white from one hand and grinned. "Let's have a glass of the white now. Unless you'd prefer something else." "That's fine. We'll have a glass of red with dinner, how's that?" "Perfect." When she reached into a drawer for a corkscrew, he took it from her. "Let me. It's the least I can do after you invited me to dinner so sweetly." He watched her blush as she was no doubt remembering exactly what they were doing at the time. "Okay. I'll um ... put some rub on the meat. I have a little bar set up against one wall in the dining room. You'll find some wine glasses there." 64

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Nash watched her reach into a cupboard for some stuff, so he fetched the glasses and came back in to pour them two glasses of wine. He'd bought it already chilled so it was ready to drink. Clutching the glasses, he turned and studied her as she worked sprinkling stuff on the steaks. She was as pretty from the back as from the front, he thought, noting the dip of her waist, the flare of her hips beneath her shorts. There was something really sexy about a woman, barefoot and comfortable, puttering around in her own kitchen. When she reached for something on the counter, he saw that her fingers were long and elegant and unlike those cute toes, they were bare of polish. Walking up, he set the wine down near her and lifted his own glass for a sip. "Here you go." "Thanks." She smiled up at him. "While I'm doing this, would you find us some music?" "No problem." He carried his glass into the living room, found the equipment hidden neatly in a console beneath the television. Thumbing through her cd collection, he saw she had eclectic tastes. Along with popular country fare was Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, and John Mayer. She liked to rock out, too. The Stones and The Red Hot Chili Peppers were shelved nicely in their jewel cases. Nope. No rock. Not tonight. In the end he played some smoky jazz. Old Billie Holiday crooned from the sound system as he went back into the kitchen. Gina was turned toward him but staring off in the distance wearing a tiny smile. Her green eyes looked soft and 65

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dreamy. When she saw him, she laughed a little selfconsciously. "I love her," she said, shaking her head. "You're a surprising man. I figured you for a country-all-the-way kind of guy." He smiled as Billie sang a sexy song about her Lover Man and tipped his glass toward her. "A surprise a minute." When she lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip, he saw her gaze chase off. Nerves. He could feel them practically sizzling off her body and he didn't want that. He'd just met her the night before but there was something so familiar about her. It was as if he knew her. Had known her for years. He walked up and took the glass from her hand feeling the alertness that zipped through her body. Setting the glass on the counter next to his own, he shifted his stance to cage her in. He propped a hand on either side of her and leaned low enough that if he moved the tiniest bit, he'd be kissing her. "Been wanting to do this since I saw you standing there with that sexy smile on your face." Reaching up, he cupped her cheek and took the kiss slow. Teasing her with his lips, he pressed fully against her soft curves, heard the sexy little sound she made as she opened to him. His tongue slipped deep into the heat of her mouth and he tasted her acceptance, hot and sweet. He kissed her endlessly, drinking her breath, feeling her body quiver against him like a racehorse at the starting gate. Lust whipped through him. Every muscle in his body tightened in anticipation. Her lush curves were more temptation than most men could 66

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handle. Desire reached up and grabbed him as he sank against her. The need to possess lashed through him, primitive and savage. Spearing his fingers through her hair, he grabbed a fistful of the silky stuff and drew her head back. He buried his lips against her throat, staking his territory there. Nibbling, tasting her warm flesh, he felt himself go hard. Behind the fly of his jeans, he throbbed. He wanted to take her now. Quick and hot. Answering the demand, he stroked that hard length against her core. He made a hungry sound against the sweetsmelling flesh of her throat. "You burn me up," he muttered. He took her mouth again, changing the angle as her arms clutched his waist. "Have to feel you, Gina. All of you." Reaching down he clasped her knee and lifted her, opened her. He slid his erection over her core, feeling her soften, feeling her move. Whoa. She had some moves. Nash held her leg in place around his hips as he filled the other hand with her breast. She gasped into his mouth and he drank the sound, tasted her response. The feel of her breast against the palm of his hand sent desire careening through him. She was lush, firm, and the thrust of her nipple against his fingers threatened to send him over the edge. "Sweet." His voice went rough. His thumb gently flicked the tender spot and he felt it go stiff beneath the pads of his fingers. Looking down, he watched as he plied her nipple. Gina gasped and her head dropped back. "Nash." "God. I want my mouth there." 67

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"Yes." "Too soon." He thrust his length between her thighs, felt her heat burning through layers of cloth. Too many damn clothes. Nash knew he'd die if he didn't touch her skin. Releasing her breast, he dipped his hand down and then cruised it up again beneath that little, stretchy top. Her belly was warm, her flesh resilient. God. No bra. The hot, quivering, flesh of her breast sank into his hand like a prayer. Muttering a curse against her lips, he plucked the tiny hard nipple with his fingers, heard her breath suck in, and he plucked again, offering to ease the delicious torment. He wanted his mouth there. He wanted to taste that flesh with his tongue and suckle hard until she went wild against him. Like a flash fire burning strong, whipping out of control, he thrust against her heat. She was wet. He knew she had to be. Every curve she possessed, and she possessed plenty, quivered as she tried to get closer. "Damn," he murmured, backing out of the kiss. He looked down at his hand burrowed beneath her top. He flexed his fingers. "Nash. Yes." She gasped the words. He'd had enough and not nearly enough. Yanking his hand from her breast, he flipped open the button on her shorts, heard the zipper rasp, before he plunged his hand into her panties. 68

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"Ah, yeah. Wet." "Please." "Damn. You feel so good." His fingers found her slick center. She was swollen. Yeah. He found the little knot and plucked it gently. Gina cried out and buried her face against his chest. "Give it up, honey," he whispered against her hair. Sweat beaded his brow as he fought for restraint. He was drowning in an ocean of temptation. "A little more. That's it. Almost there." She moved like lightning against his questing fingers and then he plunged two of them deep into her hot, little body. Gina splintered apart with a wild cry, jerking against him. Her head went back and he saw tears on her face. This was a woman a man could love. Hell. Searching for some calm in the center of the storm, he leaned down and sipped the tears from her cheeks as he pulled his hand from her slick warmth. Her leg slid down his side and Nash kissed her parted lips as he tenderly fastened the zippers and buttons. "Nash." "It's okay. I've wanted to test your sweetness for myself. Since last night, it's all I've thought of." Her gaze flashed down. He was thick and hard behind his jeans. They both knew it. "But you—" Kissing her quick, he looked at her. "Later. Come on. Let's fix some supper." **** 69

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Anticipation curled warmly through her belly, as they carried their empty plates to the kitchen. The way he'd touched her before dinner played over and over in her mind like a sexy movie in which she was the central character. This was crazy. It was completely nuts to go head over heels over a man who would one day be a glimmer of memory, a part of her past. Common sense told her this was a huge mistake but the man was irresistible. Tonight they'd dined on thick steaks, baked potatoes and salad. The fruity wonderful Pinot Noir he'd picked up was a perfect addition to the meal. She ran some water in the sink and felt his presence behind her as he dove into the clean up process as if he'd done it a million times before. Hoping for a continuation of their light mood, she looked back over her shoulder as Nash put the leftover salad into the fridge. "Hey, you're a pretty good hand in the kitchen." Nash grinned. "Had to be. There were twelve of us boys at the ranch and everybody had to pitch in after meals." Stunned, she turned to him. Bubbles dripped from soapy fingers. "Twelve? You can't be serious." He leaned against the fridge. "I grew up, for the most part, on the Rocking R Ranch. Buck and Rose Walters have taken in dozens of foster kids over the years. I was one of them." "I didn't realize." He shrugged those very broad shoulders. "No reason you should. I was lucky they took me in." Nash continued to help her tidy up the kitchen. "I hit the rodeo circuit when I was 70

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twenty and I've done pretty good at it for the past ten years. Won my share of buckles and saddles. Got some pretty big checks, too. One of these days though, I want my own ranch. I have a little nest egg now. I just need to find it." "I hope you get it, Nash." He smiled and poured a measure of wine into their glasses and took one in each hand. "Come on, honey. That's enough. Let's sit out on that nice patio of yours and enjoy the night." Nodding, she loaded soap into the dishwasher and started it up. Leading the way, they went through the back door and into a night that was cool and brisk. Huge trees dominated most of the yard cloaking it in heavy shadows but the leafy canopy occasionally allowed a glimpse of the star-spattered sky. In the distance, a dog barked. A child laughed. It wasn't unusual on a Friday night to hear kids playing in their backyards long after dark. The tiled patio was the newest addition to her home. Her dad had built it for her last summer and she loved to come out here, usually in the company of her gal pals to chat the night away. It was peaceful out here, Gina thought, with a touch of pride. And pretty. Nash led her to a comfy sofa she'd upholstered in a red and gold pattern. Nearby a bumblebee droned near the crape myrtle bush outside her kitchen window. They sank down, thigh to thigh, and he wrapped one arm around her. His fingers stroked slowly over her bare shoulder. "This is nice," she said, relaxing into the caress, leaning her head against him. She propped her bare feet onto the glass topped coffee table. 71

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"You have cute toes." She wrinkled her nose at him. "Thanks, I think." He laughed. "No, really, they are. I love to see a woman running around her own house looking all comfortable." "If you're not planning to run off anywhere soon, why don't you take of those boots? Then we'll match." "Ah, now you're talkin'." Gina watched him reach down and tug off each boot. Beautiful, she thought. Black ostrich skin with the tops sewn with fancy gray stitching. Nash didn't stop there and rolled his white socks off his very big feet and stuffed them in the boots. He set them aside and settled back again, smiling at her. "Tell me more about this huge family of yours," she said when he looped his arm around her and drew her close. "Not much to tell, I reckon. Mom died young and I never knew my dad. She tried really hard to make a good life for us and I know she loved me." "How old was she when she died?" "Mm. About thirty, I guess. I was ten. Breast cancer." "I'm so sorry." "Yeah, me too." He let out a long breath then took a sip of his wine. "I went into the system and turned into a really bad kid. In and out of juvie. Made running away an art form. Big trouble. That was me." Trying to lighten the mood, Gina grinned. "I've always had a thing for bad boys."

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Nash chuckled and brushed a kiss over her forehead. "That's good to know since I'm not sure if I'm completely reformed." "What happened?" "Ended up with Buck and Rose Walters. Their own sons were grown and gone and I guess they figured why not take in some foster kids." Nash leaned forward and set his empty glass on a long table she kept in front of the sofa. He turned to her. A quick breeze fluttered his hair. "They'd been taking in rough and rowdy boys for several years when I got there. Buck took me in hand, taught me about life and hard work. I straightened up." "Is that how you got involved with the rodeo?" He nodded and settled back again tugging her closer. "Yeah, I guess. I took to the horses mainly. Buck trained some of the finest cutting horses in the state and I showed an aptitude for it. He showed me the ropes." "Cutting horses?" "Ranchers depend on cutting horses to move cattle," he explained. "Exceptionally smart animals. Highly trained, and one of the most valuable assets for the working cowboy." "And Buck taught you all about them." "He was a fine man." Gina envisioned Nash, a young, lonely boy, desperately missing his mother and her heart went soft in her chest. Emotion grabbed her, swift, powerful. "You were happy there." His teeth flashed white and strong when he grinned. "Yeah. Mama Rose spoiled us to death with love and good 73

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food. We boys had a bunkhouse, close to the main house, and hell, it was rowdy. Remember meeting Shorty today?" "Sure." "We bunked there together for six years. Now he travels with me. He was a foster kid, too." "Seems like a nice guy." Nash blew out a breath. "Yeah. Anyway, Buck died recently and his grown sons, at least two of them, moved back to take over the ranch." "So, do you work there when you're not rodeoing?" "I drop in sometimes to see if they need any help. But, hell, Gina, a man's gotta make it on his own. Buck taught me that much and that's what I plan to do. One day I'll find my own place. Build a home." Gina turned in his arms. He touched her on so many levels and she didn't know why. Sure, he was ultra hot and sexy but she sensed an innate honesty that she found vastly appealing. Needing to touch him, she reached up and lightly stroked his cheek. "Home is important. I hope you find it." "Enough about me. I'm boring as hell, honey. Already know you aren't." Laughing, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "Small town girls are really dull, I promise." His grin was quick and wicked. "You'd have to go a long way to convince me of that." "Bet you think I'm a huge slut." "Huh? What the hell?"

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"Ah, I'm just kidding," she said with a roll of her eyes. "It's just that earlier, um, I mean—" Embarrassment swamped her. What a big mouth! Silencing her words with a finger over her lips, he bent close. His eyes were solemn, serious. "Don't say things like that. I was the one who started what happened in the kitchen. Not apologizing for it though. Hell, I loved it." His thumb stroked smooth and slow over her jaw making her shiver. "But why?" Nash closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. It was almost as if he were breathing her in, then he looked at her with those whiskey hot eyes. "I wasn't going to make it through supper without touching you at least once. Don't you know what you do to a man? From the moment I saw you strolling across that crowded room straight toward me, I've wanted you, wanted to test your responsiveness to me." "So this was some kind of test?" "Not at all. Don't tell me you haven't felt the heat that burns between us. Hell, I can't keep my hands off you. You're a beautiful woman and I'm a healthy man." "Don't you mean a horny man?" He laughed. "That, too." His gaze turned solemn. "Did I move too fast for you, darlin'? Cause I can do things slow, if you want. Real slow." Nash trailed his hand over her bare shoulder then cruised one finger over her breast. She sucked in a hard breath and shivered. 75

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He cupped her gently, his thumb rubbing over her nipple. That quick, hard breath she'd drawn released in a languid sigh. She closed her eyes and leaned against his sturdy shoulder knowing she was lost. "You do slow real good, Nash. I like slow. I like it a lot."

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Chapter Five If she wanted slow and hot, he was just the man to give it to her. Taking her hand, he led her through the house knowing he might be making the biggest mistake of his life. A smart man wouldn't mess around with a woman like Gina. She was the real thing and better than he deserved. She needed a stable man, one who'd be here. Hell! He was pulling out of town Sunday and who knew when he'd return? Maybe never. But fighting the attraction was a lost cause. He had to have her. That was the bottom line. Holding her hand tightly, he stopped by a doorway in the living room and gave her a look. "In here," she whispered, taking the lead and drawing him down a short hallway into her bedroom. God, her room smelled sweet and fresh, just like her. Impatient, he pressed her against the wall and took her mouth with a voracious hunger. "You sure about this?" He panted the question against her mouth. Gina turned back into the kiss, then looked at him, those wide eyes sparkling in the shadowy room. "Yeah. I'm sure. I've never wanted anyone more." "You know I'm leaving." "I do." Did her voice sound just a little bit sad about that? His heart thumped hard in his chest. If she drew out this kind of response from him now, what would it be like for him if he let 77

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himself stay? No. Staying in Wayback was out of the question. He was looking for his home. His ranch. Nash knew a place was out there somewhere just waiting for him. He cupped her beautiful face and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Come on then. I don't want to wait anymore." Leading her to the side of the bed, he reached for the hem of her top. He pulled it from her body and tossed it aside surprised at the violence of his emotions. He'd never felt so desperate to get inside a woman. Ah, man. Those lush breasts were a temptation no man could resist. Instantly he filled his hands with them. He flexed his fingers and Gina whimpered. "Gotta taste," he muttered, bending to take a sweet, pink tip into his mouth to suckle. The bud hardened in a flash, pushing against his tongue. Flicking tenderly, he heard the sound of Gina's breathing as it changed, grew more labored, and then, he switched to the other breast. Her hands swept his back and clutched him to her. Restless fingers began a slow study of his body then dashed up through his hair. She held him closer as if she couldn't get enough. Heat shot liquid fire through his veins and he released her breast with a little pop of sound. He went for the button and zipper on her shorts and pushed them away. The only thing that covered her now was a tiny pink thong. Nash stood back and looked his fill. "God, I love these things." He reached out to slip his thumb into the elastic then 78

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dragged the flirty garment from those rounded hips and sent it sailing down her ultra long legs. When the tiny bit of fluff settled around her ankles, she kicked it away. For all her sass, she wasn't used to being naked around a man and that little tidbit of information satisfied some deep primitive urge inside him. Gently moving her hands from her breasts, he groaned low. "Ah, honey, let me look. Lord, you're pretty. Everything about you." Unable to stop himself, he reached out and ran his hand over the curls between her thighs. The small, excited sound she made told him she was as ready as he for what was happening between them. His fingers dipped and stroked over the petals of her sex, parting her. She was wet and his hand came away damp with the proof of her desire. "This isn't fair," she whispered. "Too many clothes." "Yeah. Let me fix that." Nash whipped his t-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Gina gasped. His hands were at the zipper of his jeans when he heard the sound. He looked up and knew he'd never forget the expression on her face. All traces of inhibition were gone as if they'd never existed in the first place. She stepped forward and ran her hands over the planes and angles of his body. "Ah, Nash, what am I gonna do with you, honey? I've never taken a man quite this gorgeous to bed before." He felt a low moan build up in his chest at her delicate stroking. Impatient fingers brushed his nipples and lust 79

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whipped through his body like a lash leaving him gasping. "Bet you figure it out, darlin'." Gina pushed the jeans from his body. When she reached for his erection, Nash caught his breath and slammed his eyes shut as she stroked from base to tip, flexing her hands over him. Tenderly, the stroked his balls. Pleasure slashed through his body as they seized up, high and hard. "Better slow down," he rasped low, stilling her movements. He was ready to explode like a horny teenager and he didn't want that. Oh, no. He'd promised some slow loving and that's what the lady was going to get. He leaned past Gina and flipped the thick, plush bedspread down and out of the way. Better. "Let me love you, darlin'. How's all night sound?" "Yeah." She whispered the word breathlessly and his heart started to pound. Gently he pushed her back until her hair spread like an inky fan over her cotton sheets. Then he loomed over her and went to work. She lay beneath him, all lush curves and perfection. The scent of her teased his nostrils. It was an aphrodisiac, that scent, warm woman and desire. Sucking in a breath, praying he'd last, he parted her thighs and moved between them. He crouched over her. At Gina's gasp, he stroked his hands up her thighs and over her softly curved belly. He filled his hands with her breasts. Leaning over her, he suckled her again. Slowly savoring, he nipped with his teeth and soothed with his tongue. Beneath him, she started to writhe, her breath 80

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soughed from her lips. His cock brushed her curls dampening him. Damn! Nash nipped gently at a distended nipple. "I'm going to go slow but I swear to heaven, it'll be the hardest thing I've ever done, Gina." Bending over her breasts, he tasted, teased, sampled to his heart's delight, then cruised his mouth over her ribs and belly. She was soft there and he nipped the tender flesh as his fingers raked through the curls between her thighs. Her hips rose to meet his touch. He looked up at her. Her gorgeous eyes were slumberous, her lush lips parted as she panted for breath. "I'm going to eat you up, darlin'". A low whimpering sound greeted his statement. The petals of her sex were wet, open, taunting him to come for a taste. Lifting her knees over his shoulders, he gripped her sweet ass and buried his mouth between her thighs. Gina made a little shrieking sound as he lapped her up like melting chocolate. He crooned against her pink flesh, drank her in, sipped the wetness from her body. Sweeping with his tongue, flicking gently, he found the tiny knot he was searching for and latched onto it greedily. Suckling softly, teasing that tender place, he felt the response of her body like a song that wrapped around his heart and squeezed tight. This woman was made for loving. Nash plunged two fingers deep inside feeling her muscles clench as she cried out, arching against his mouth. 81

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"God! Nash. Please," she gasped. Taking his time, he sipped from her weeping body, felt her shudder and quake beneath him. "Oh, yeah. That's it," he whispered, flicking with his tongue once before suckling deeply, strongly. That was all it took. Gina cried out as she came apart. He thrust his fingers against the waves that shook her body. He drew from the tiny pearl of her sex amazed that a woman's wail of completion should thrill him so much. Hell! Unable to wait, he reared up clasping her knees in his hands, opening her completely to his gaze. Beautiful! The head of his erection settled at her opening and Gina opened her eyes fully to gaze at him. "Nash." "Hell, yeah," he groaned as he thrust inside her welcoming body. Silken walls clasped him tight. "Ah, honey. This is so good. So tight. Hotter than fire." Spearing through her flesh, slow and steady, he regulated each stroke wanting the joining to last forever. Her body responded as if made especially for him. Milking his thickness in a silken wave, she clenched and drew on him. The fit was tight. Nash knew he was a big man. He filled her up but her sweet giving body softened to accommodate his size more beautifully than any woman he'd had before. Beneath him, she arched, urging him to move faster. It was electrifying. Gasping her name, he gripped her hips and whipped his body deep and hard. Over and over he took her. 82

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Sweat dripped into his eyes, fell on her chest and he leaned over to lap the wetness from her breast. A hard little nipple was so tempting and he was through denying himself. He latched on and drew deep, sucking hard. His hands settled on the mattress near her shoulders as those long, pretty legs wound round his waist. "Yeah, honey. Like that. Almost there. Good?" Gina's head thrashed wildly against the pillow and he knew she couldn't speak. That was okay. He was struggling for breath himself. He took her breast and plunged hard and deep and she met him stroke for stroke. Beneath him, she stilled, then writhed, seeking, searching, nearing release. Tension ran through him as he slammed into her repeatedly, giving her body what it craved. Gina shuddered. "Nash! Yes." "Ah, honey." Like a flash fire burning, he brought her over pleasure's sharp edge, drinking in her cry, letting her ride the wave. When she neared the end, he sped up, searching for his own little bit of heaven. Sinking deep, he plunged himself to release. Only near the end did he realize she was coming again, with him, racing to the top then diving deep into the abyss of desire. **** Gina trailed her fingers through the hair on his chest. Beneath her cheek, his arm flexed with ropey muscle as he lazily stroked her shoulder. "Hey, Nash." "Hmm." 83

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"You did good at the rodeo today." He flashed a sexy grin. "Rodeo? What rodeo?" Why couldn't she wipe the smile from her face? She was so sated and happy, she'd been grinning like an idiot for the past twenty minutes or so. Laughing, she playfully tugged a chest hair. "You know darn well what rodeo." Chuckling he stilled her hands. "Oh, yeah. I remember now but just barely. You did me in, woman." "I aim to please." Temporary. Temporary. The words twirled around in her mind making her heart clench tight. Nash would be leaving in a few days and it was very important that he didn't take her heart with him. This was a man a woman could love. To take her mind away from the scary direction it had taken, she pressed a kiss to his chest and raised on an elbow to look at him. Unable to resist, she sifted her fingers through his hair and brushed it off his forehead. "Seriously, Nash. I was really impressed with you today. Since we've gotten to know each other so well, I think I'll head on out and watch you tomorrow night, too. Is that okay?" His smile was slow and gentle. "I'd like nothing better, sugar. It helps knowing you're out their cheering for me." "Think you'll be doing this much longer? It's got to be hard, all that traveling around. No roots." Nash rolled over to his side bringing her with him and settled her more firmly against him. Gina indulged herself, let her hand sweep the broad expanse of his muscular back, over the corrugated strength of his abdomen. 84

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"Truth is, I am getting a little tired of it. I was damn lucky I didn't puncture a lung a few months ago." Reaching up, she ran a finger over the small bump on his nose. "Did you break this during an event?" Nash drew in a slow breath. "Nothing that noble, I promise." "What happened?" "Stupidity happened," he said gruffly. "I was a young, green dumbass. I was signed up for a rodeo in Kansas and I met this woman. After the show, I took her for drinks and we ended up at her place. What I didn't know was she was married." Gina gasped. "Married?" "I didn't know. She told me she wasn't involved with anybody and I believed her. Anyway, he husband came home from a business trip and found us." Nash reached up and rubbed his nose. Gina didn't need to hear the rest. She knew what happened. "Anyway, that's why I stay away from the locals when I come in for a rodeo." "Until now." Nash leaned over her and settled his lips in for a slow, long kiss. "Yeah. Until now." Gina wound her arms around his shoulders as feeling swamped her. She wanted him so badly. No man had ever made her feel this way but he'd made it clear he was only in this for the short term. She knew she was going to be hurt badly but at the moment she couldn't think. Passion had 85

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clouded her judgment, she knew, but she just couldn't help herself. "Nash?" "Yeah, sweetheart?" "Stay?" "Yeah. All right. I'll stay for as long as you want." Sighing, she sank against him, wanting him, craving him and knew deep in her heart that he'd never stay as long as she wanted. **** "Heavens to Betsy, hon, that's the sexiest damn man I've ever seen in my life," Lyssa said with a sigh as they sat together at the rodeo the following afternoon. Crowds were milling around, taking their seats in anticipation of the big event of the day. The bull riding. Nash had left her place at dawn despite her protests that it wasn't necessary. He was worried about how it might look to her neighbors. Wayback was a small town and small towns had a gossip on every street. Had he gotten some rest? Gina couldn't help but worry. She watched him, once again, seated on the top of Big 'un's stall. Shorty was wrapping tape around the leather glove Nash wore on his right hand. He'd told her last night, the glove and tape served to protect his hand and keep his grip on the bull from slipping. He must've felt her eyes on him, because he glanced up. Nash was too far away for her to catch his expression, but he reached up with his left hand and tipped his hat. 86

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"Oh. My. God." Lyssa whispered. "Did he just tip his hat? Girl, you know I'm not a gushy kind of woman, but I would happily gush all over that Nash Logan. He's got it bad for you." "Stop it, Lyssa. This is just a temporary thing. Just a brief affair." Her friend went still and looked at her. Hard. "You're falling for him, aren't you?" "I don't want to talk about it." Lyssa's arm went around her waist and she leaned close for a hug. "Oh, honey, be careful. I love you and I don't want you to be hurt." Gina didn't want that either but she knew pain was waiting for her right around the corner. Nash was leaving tomorrow and she'd probably never see him again. Tears burned behind her eyes. How could she be so weepy, so smitten, over a man who wouldn't hang around? Stupid. It was stupid and futile. Determined to be adult about the whole thing, she drew a deep breath and looked at Lyssa. "I'm going to be hurt. There's no way around it. The man completely does it for me but you know what? I'm not going to cry about it now. Nope. I'll cry about it when he leaves tomorrow. Today might be all I have but I'm damn sure going to enjoy it." Together they clapped and cheered as one bull rider after another tried his luck. It was a good crop of cowboys today and Gina was impressed with the strength and athleticism displayed by every one. Nash was up next. One more rider to go. 87

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Gina watched in appalled fascination as a cowboy from Arizona leaned and swayed atop a buttermilk colored bull named Rambo. After about six seconds, the bull tossed him off but his hand was caught in the strap. The cowboy was battered around and dragged like a broken doll. Wicked hooves slashed at the man's torso. The crowd gasped as one, standing. Many women had hands over their mouths, staring in shocked horror. Men yelled out. Rodeo clowns, some of the genuinely toughest cowboys in the world, raced out to free the fallen rider. The bull, distracted, focused in on a clown who wore huge, padded jeans and a polka dot shirt. Gina knew that behind that painted smile, the clown wasn't finding this situation funny. He taunted the bull and it charged, chasing him across the area. Just in the nick of time, the clown bounded up over the railing and into several pairs of waiting arms. While the bull was being herded off, a silent ambulance drove onto the arena floor. Several attendants lifted the injured cowboy onto a stretcher as the crowd watched in utter silence. One of the clowns leaned over the fallen man. When the ambulance drove away, the clown yelled out to the crowd. "He's gonna be okay, folks. That bull did a little dance on his bum knee, that's all. He's going to be all right." The stadium erupted in cheers and whistles but Gina's heart was in her throat. She'd never realized how dangerous things could get. And Nash was next. 88

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Without thinking, she reached for Lyssa's hand and held on. "I'm nervous," she whispered. "I know, Gina. The man has done this a million times. This is his thing and he's good at it." Gina found she couldn't speak. Her mouth had gone dry. In the distance, she heard the scream of one pissed off bull. "Our final competitor is Nash Logan from New Braunfels, Texas. He won the steer roping event yesterday and now he's ready for a real challenge with Terminator. Let's give this tough cowboy a big round of applause. Be careful out there, Nash, you've got a nasty, mean bull on your hands." The crowd erupted with cheers but Gina barely noticed. Focused on the chute at the far end of the arena, she watched Nash perch on the highest rail as he prepared to mount the beast. Kicks to the sides of the pen and more maniacal shrieking mingled with the sounds of the cheering crowd. She'd never been so scared in her life. Was Nash insane? The vision of that last cowboy being battered to the point he needed an ambulance screamed through her brain. A loud horn sounded and Nash leaped onto the back of the thrusting, lunging beast as it bounded out of the chute. Its eyes, black and mean-looking, rolled back in its head as it raced across the arena floor desperately trying to dislodge the rider from his back. Gina gasped and put a hand over her mouth. Her heart threatened to pound out of her chest. She struggled to breathe. 89

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Nash's battered, black cowboy hat flew from his head and he moved with the wild rhythms of the beast. Terminator was huge, a massive beast with a black glossy coat. Ivory horns rose out from his broad skull. She couldn't see the expression on Nash's face because he was a man in constant motion. As gracefully as a ballet dancer, his left arm swooped through the air as his right hand clenched tightly to the leather bracing. Fluidly, his torso weaved back and then forward as he rode the giant beast. Nope. Nash wasn't budging from Terminator's back. The crowd went wild and so did Gina. Leaping to her feet, she pumped her fists in the air, cheering Nash on. She was so caught up in the moment, Gina barely registered the sound of the horn blasting. Eight seconds. Nash leaped from the back of the bull, rolling a couple of times before rising up on one knee. He looked toward the crazed bull who had turned and was heading straight for him until a trio of clowns rushed into the mix and steered the snorting, stamping bull away. "Eight seconds. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Nash Logan," the announcer yelled into the microphone. Pride filled her, threatening to steal her breath. Relief was there, too. Heart pounding in her throat, Gina stood and grabbed her purse. "Hey! Where are you going?" Lyssa looked up. Her face was flushed, she was smiling broadly. "As if I don't know." "Don't wait for me. I have to see Nash." 90

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Heading down the stadium seats with her mission in mind, she spoke brief hellos to several locals then made her way around the arena toward the cowboys' entrance. Zig-zagging through the participants as they killed some time, she searched for Nash. Finally, she spotted him and stopped dead in her tracks. Ah, man. He was so hot. He was laughing at something Shorty said. The tall man playfully punched him in the arm and Nash shook his head as he slapped his dusty black hat against his thigh. Sunlight caught the hint of red in his hair and emphasized his dark coloring. Without warning he looked up and caught her gaze. His grin was sexy and wicked as sin. Gina didn't hesitate, she ran toward him, whooping at the top of her lungs. He held his arms open wide and she rushed into them leaping high as he caught her and spun her around in slow circles. Laughing, she wound her legs around his waist. Everybody in Wayback would be talking about her come Monday morning but she didn't care. Nothing was more important than holding Nash in her arms. Celebrating with him. He could've been hurt out there but it hadn't happened. Nash was alive and warm and more man than she'd ever held in her arms before. Still laughing, she grabbed Nash's face and took his mouth in a wild kiss. She felt his hands grip her butt, holding her close as her arms wound round his neck. 91

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"Um, this beats an eight second ride any day," he murmured huskily. His hot whiskey eyes burned into her. "I'm glad you're here." Slowly he lowered her and she felt every brush of his hard body against her. She wanted him with every breath in her body, wanted to strip the shirt from his body and bury her mouth against his sturdy chest. Just inhale him. Devour him. She'd never been more turned on in her life. "Me, too. Let's get out of here," she gasped running her hands over the front of his shirt. So forward. Yeah, she'd always been kind of out there but never to this extent. The man was definitely revving her engine. "Come on, Nash." Nash groaned and took her mouth again. Eating at her lips, stroking deep with his tongue, he whipped her into a frenzy. "Gotta wait just a minute, darlin'," he groaned against her lips. "Let me collect my check and whatever else these good people want to give me and then we'll do some celebrating." She peered at him and flashed her flirtiest grin. "Where are we going to celebrate, cowboy? Your place or mine? Maybe someplace in between? I don't care, Nash as long as we get there quick." "Give me thirty minutes." Gina felt him shiver in her arms. "Hot damn, sweetheart, you're killing me. Hot damn."

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Chapter Six Nash drove through the town of Wayback feeling a sense of home he hadn't felt in a long time. Everything about the place appealed to him. The warm smiles of the townspeople. Their friendliness. He didn't feel like a stranger here. Maybe it was just his growing relationship with one sexy brunette. Lordy, the woman made him burn. After he'd collected his saddle, an enormous silver belt buckle and a big, fat check, he'd dropped Gina off at her house with the promise of a hot night at the Blue Bug Saloon. Oh yeah! It was going to be a hot night, for sure, if he had anything to say about it. Adrenaline from his wild ride at the rodeo still raged through his blood and he wanted more than anything to bury himself in Gina's sweet, giving body. He needed more than that though. Lots more. Gripping the steering wheel as he turned down her street, he knew he was in big trouble. Nash glanced into his rear view mirror and noted his hair was still slightly damp from his shower. It would have to do. Breaking all known speed limits, he'd returned to his room for a quick clean up and change. Donning his nicest boots, jeans, and a dark patterned western shirt, he'd hopped back into his truck to head over to Gina's place for a little celebration. A little celebration? Who the hell was he kidding? He wanted more than that. He wanted to take her down on the nearest bed and master 93

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her just like he'd mastered Terminator. Oh yeah. Hot and wild. That's what he wanted. The thing was, not just any woman would do for him. He wanted Gina. Nash's heart started to pound as he pulled up in Gina's drive and stepped out. Every nerve in his body twitched as lust whipped through his body like chain lightning. She called out to him just seconds after he rang the doorbell. "Nash? That you?" "Yeah," he replied through the door. He heard the lock turn and found himself looking into Gina's wide green eyes. "Oh, thank God, it's you, honey. I'm not even close to being ready." She stepped back and he walked inside. A smile twitched at his lips. Her long black hair was still dripping from her shower and she had an oversized apricot colored towel wrapped around those luscious curves. She was out of breath as if she'd been running a marathon. "You're early." Unable to resist, he stepped close and wrapped his arms around her. "Looks to me like I'm right on time." There was nothing in the world as nice as holding Gina in his arms. He buried his nose against her damp shoulder and inhaled the scent of peaches and an underlying hint of pure woman. This woman. "Nash," she breathed as her arms swept around his shoulders, holding him close. 94

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Opening his mouth over her flesh, he sipped at her, drank her in, wallowed in the feel of her lush breasts pressed against his chest. Heat lashed through his blood, his cock thickened and a slow, steady ache began to build behind the fly of his jeans. His hands cruised down and filled themselves with her sweet ass as he walked her back, back, back. "If I don't get inside you soon, I'm going to die." Gina made a purring sound the second he moved her up against the nearest wall. "Bad boy." "I can be." "I love bad boys." "Oh yeah." Nash whipped the towel from her body and drank in the sight of her, naked and fresh from her shower. He filled his hands with her breasts and felt hunger roar to life in his belly. "Damn." Gina's gasp exploded from her lungs the second he latched on to a sultry little nipple. He brushed it with the tip of his tongue, then suckled deep giving the morsel tiny, quick pulls that had her moaning and moving against the wall. His fingers speared through the curls between her thighs and the feel of her was so sweet and lush, he moaned against her breast. Unable to stop the fire that swept him, he flipped her to face the wall, holding both of her hands high in one of his. "I'm going to take you like this." "Yes." "Right now." "Uh-huh. Now. Oh, Nash." 95

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Hungrily he studied the smooth expanse of her naked back, the curvy backside, the dimples peeking at the top of her hips. He wanted all of her. Brushing her hair over her shoulders, he sank his teeth gently into her shoulder, felt her arch, heard her quick intake of breath. His hands were hard against the soft flesh of her back. "God, I love your backside, darlin'." He punctuated the comment with a firm squeeze. His fingers dipped lower to spear through the petals of her sex. She was wet. Very wet. It was enough to send him over the edge of a very sharp cliff. With a muttered curse, he unzipped and plucked a tiny packet from his pocket. Good to go. Oh, yeah. He brushed her ass with the head of his erection and let go of her hands. When she started to move them, he stopped her. "Don't. Don't move." Gina stilled until he reached around to take her breasts in his hands. His fingers flexed and she made a tiny whimpering sound. "These are so pretty, honey," he whispered against the back of her neck. "But so is the rest of you. Everything about you is beautiful. Hold still for me now." Releasing her breasts, he trailed his fingers over every womanly curve she possessed. Past her ribs and over her belly. Dipping into the wet cavern of heat between her thighs, he heard her soft groan of pleasure. Her hips moved like a slow song against his touch. He wanted more. Cursing, he grabbed her hips and buried himself deep inside her giving warmth. Damn! Soft and hot, pulsing like an 96

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electrical current, her body clenched and released, milking and squeezing. "Christ!" Nash's head snapped back. His teeth clenched as he plunged, slow and steady, filling every space inside her. He rested a broad palm low on her belly, flicked the tiny pearl of her sex, pressed it. "Yeah, honey, like that," he gritted out as she moved against him, with him, drawing him in. She was close. Oh, yeah, he knew she was. Gina stiffened. Knowing what she needed, he squeezed the firm little bud between his thumb and index finger. Wildy she cried out as he sent her over the edge. Her silken flesh pulsed around him. "Hell, yeah. Gina!" Plunging deep, thrusting hard, he buried himself repeatedly into her body. His balls drew up, high and hard, as a sizzle ran wicked fingers over his spine and across his scalp. Suddenly it was too much and he just lost it. He came so hard he thought the top of his head might just blow off but he didn't care. Hell, no! He wanted to do it again and again. For the rest of his life. Breathing hard, Nash withdrew from Gina's body and turned her around. Without hesitation, he took her mouth in a long, deep kiss. "You're sweet. So sweet," he whispered against her lips. He nipped the lush bottom one and looked into her eyes. Tears filled them making her eyes seem even greener. They sifted down her cheeks and his heart clenched at the sight. "Ah, honey." He caught a tear on his thumb. "Don't cry." 97

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Nash's arms went around her and she made a little sniffing sound against his chest before drawing back to look at him. "I don't want—" He stopped her with a finger on her lips. "I know. Don't say it, Gina. We're going to have some fun tonight. That's the bottom line. We can't predict the future, sweetheart, and I'm not about to try." He picked up the towel that lay crumpled at his feet and pressed it into her hands. Her eyes flashed green fire but he didn't want to fight with her. Their time together was coming to an end. It was killing him. He brushed his thumb high over her cheekbone and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "We'll talk about this later, Gina. Right now, I just need you to get your pretty self dressed and ready to go. I promised you a hot night and that's what you're going to get." Clumsily, she wrapped the towel around her body, refusing to look him in the eye. He could see the fine trembling that shook her and right then he felt like crying too. She left and a few minutes later, he heard the sound of her hair dryer blasting. Rubbing his eyes, Nash wandered over to the couch. He sprawled there and leaned his head back. How could love hit him so quick and hard? This kind of shit was impossible, wasn't it? Looking around Gina's beautiful house, he felt a bolt of longing crash through his body. Deep inside, he knew there was a part of him that would always be that sad little boy who'd lost his mother and his home in the blink of an eye. 98

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Want and need rumbled through him making him want to shake with frustration. This house, this town was what Gina needed. She didn't need a man with no roots to take on for the long haul. In a year or so, he might have the money he needed to build his ranch and start a family but the day wasn't here yet and he damn sure wasn't going to insist Gina wait for him. Nope. This was it. Just tonight. But damn, he wasn't ready to say goodbye. **** Later, they walked together through the front door of The Blue Bug Saloon. From the parking lot they could hear the sound of laughter and music. "It'll be wild tonight," Gina said, looking back at him with a smile. "It always is after the rodeo finale. I love it though. The more the merrier." Was it his imagination or did her smile seem a little forced? He knew exactly how Gina felt. Part of him wanted to bawl like a baby. This was their last night together and the reality of it hovered over their heads like a dark cloud. Nash tipped his hat to a big burly man who sat in a booth at one side of the entrance and pulled out his wallet to pay the cover charge. "Hey, there, Barney," Gina said reaching through the window to pat the man's hand. "How's Cathy?" "Doing good these days, little missy," Barney said in a low growling voice. "She's home babysitting the grandbabies tonight while the young folks scoot a boot." 99

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"Oh, are Owen and Alisha here tonight?" "Yeah, they just got here but I reckon they're on the floor about now. You know how they like to dance. Kind of like you." Nash tucked his wallet back in his hip pocket and settled a hand on Gina's lower back as they stepped into the dimly lit, crowded bar. "You know everybody, don't you?" "Yep. Love them all, too. Known Barney and his wife, Cathy, my whole life. Same with most of the locals here tonight." Suddenly, he stopped right there in the doorway and turned to her. She probably thought he was nuts but he had to know. He looked at her sharply. "You could never leave here, could you?" Gina frowned. "Leave Wayback?" "Yeah." Nash forced himself to stop gritting his back teeth. A strange look crossed her face. "I don't know," she said slowly. "It would depend on why or who I was leaving for, I guess." He expelled a breath. God, he was a dumbass. Why would a smart, beautiful woman like her even think of leaving her home town and everyone she knew for a rambling cowboy like him? It was beyond selfish of him to even think about something like that. He turned back toward the crowd and settled his hand at Gina's back again but she put her hand out to stop him. "Nash? What...?" "Never mind. Just never mind. Come on, darlin'. Let's find us a table." 100

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Back in a far corner, they were lucky enough to find an unoccupied spot and sat to watch the dancers. A Rascal Flats song pumped from the sound system as couples two-stepped across the floor. Overhead lights threw down shimmering colors of blue, green, red and white. Nash waved or tipped his hat to other rodeo cowboys who were out celebrating the outcome of the day's events. "Hey, there's Shorty." "Really? Where?" He pointed to his very tall friend, pleasantly surprised to see him boot scooting with the little barrel rider from Tulsa. "That's Amy Sue Shoemaker, a barrel racer. Shorty's been sweet on her for a long time." Gina smiled then glanced up as a harried looking waitress walked up to take their order. "Beer? Or something else?" he asked. "Crown and Diet Coke tonight, Karen." Nash ordered a long neck and settled back. "Are your girlfriends here tonight?" "I don't know. I've been scanning the crowd but I don't see them yet. Bet they're here somewhere." Nash saw her blink then glanced over and saw Gina's former fiancé, the shithead, strutting toward the dance floor with the redhead from Mossy Creek. "Do you want to leave?" She shook her head. "No. Seeing him with her doesn't bother me. Actually, it only bothered me once and that was when I popped in unannounced and saw his bare butt glowing in the dark while he cheated on me with that redhead." 101

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Nash smiled. "Want me to kick his glow-in-the-dark ass for you?" Gina batted her lashes and crooned. "Oh, Naaaash. Would you?" She patted her pale pink shirt right over the vicinity of her heart. "I think I loooove you." Although she spoke the words teasingly, Nash sucked in his breath at the sweet sound of them but he was saved from responding when the waitress delivered their drinks. He took a long pull of his beer and leaned back to look at the jackass. "I hate pricks like that. Seriously. What kind of man could be so deceitful?" "A deceitful man." He set his beer on the table and stood to hold out his hand. "Come on. Forget about him and dance with me." Nash couldn't keep his hands off her and knowing he'd probably never see her again after tonight had a desperate kind of longing squeezing at his throat. It went against everything in his nature to feel this way but, hell, she felt so good against him. Falling asleep in her bed last night, holding her until dawn had been the best sensation in the world. A slow ballad had just started when he drew her to the dance floor and straight into his arms. Her breasts settled against his chest as if they were an extension of himself. She belonged here against him, snuggled in close. Her scent was fresh, her body warm as she swayed with him to a Carrie Underwood song. Bending his head, he rested his cheek at the side of her softer-than-sin hair. Gina moved closer, cuddling in and Nash watched the play of light on her face when she finally looked up at him. 102

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That look threatened to knock him to his knees. No, she wasn't hiding a thing from him right now and he recognized the longing expression on her face. Unable to stop himself, he kissed her. A little hum of pleasure met his lips and he took the kiss deeper. Everyone could be watching them and hell, they probably were, but he didn't care. Keeping one arm around her body and the other cupping her cheek, he swept his tongue into the sweet warmth of her mouth and felt her shift against him as the song continued. A fast beat separated them as a new song started to play. Gina laughed as he swept her up in the heady beat. They twirled and spun, toed and dipped. It didn't take a genius to figure out this was a woman who loved to dance and she put everything into it. Just like in bed. Yeah, the lady had some moves and he planned to enjoy every one of them tonight. Just thinking about everything he wanted to do, every way he wanted to touch her, elevated the rhythm of his heartbeat. Lust, and something sweeter, made his pulse race, his blood run hot. Another slow song had him pulling her close again, right where he wanted her. She sighed against his chest. "Nash," she breathed. "Look at me, darlin'." Gina lifted her head, her eyes shining, tears swimming close to the surface. "Don't think about it." "I can't help it. There's no time." He brushed her cheek with the tips of his fingers and felt her shiver. "There's now. Let's make the most of it." With a 103

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low groan he took her lips as the crowd on the dance floor swayed around them. A male voice made him break the kiss, look up. "Hey, buddy, what are you trying to prove, huh?" It was the shithead. Yeah, the creep looked him up and down with a nasty smirk and Nash stiffened. "What's it to you, Mister?" "Nash, please." He looked into Gina's panic-stricken eyes and forced himself to settle down. It wasn't in him to embarrass the lady in front of the entire town. The woman from Mossy Creek looked none too pleased with her brand new fiancé's actions and her mouth turned down into a pout. "Hey, Cole, come on, honey. She ain't nothing to you." Nash watched Cole's eyes flick over Gina as if to dismiss her and Nash saw red. "Son of a bitch!" "No. Nash, no. It's okay." Looking down at Gina, Nash felt his anger mount at the tears that floated in her eyes. Even in the dim light, he could see she'd gone white. What was it that really bothered her? Was it the thought of his leaving tomorrow or was it something else. Maybe she still had feelings for her former fiancé and seeing him flaunt another woman in her face was tearing her up. She'd planned to marry the man. She'd loved him or at least, thought she had. Damn. He needed to get her out of here before he indulged his temper and knocked the shithead into the dirt. 104

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The idea of this creep hurting Gina's feelings threatened to send him over the edge. "Forget him." Gina buried her nose against his chest. "I forgot him a long time ago." "You're upset." She gave him a watery smile. "Too much has been going on lately. It's not him. Maybe it's just a mood." A couple of tears dashed down her face. "I-I need to go to the ladies room. I don't want anyone to see me like this." He drew her in close and they headed off toward the back of the cavernous old honky tonk. A group of rowdy men were shooting pool near the bathroom doors. Behind them, a neon beer sign flashed red against the wall. He stopped near the door marked "cowgirls" and pressed a kiss to her mouth. "Take your time. I'll be right here." Nash leaned against the wall for a minute or two, listening to the clank of balls smacking against each other and finally decided he'd take care of some business in the men's room while he waited for Gina to pull herself together. Right now, he thought it might be best to take her home. Time to face the cold hard truth. He didn't want to share her with anyone else. Every minute had become important. In front of each bathroom was a small partition, and Nash went around the wall and stepped into the men's room. Minutes later, he stepped out the door but stopped when he heard a familiar voice. "What's she doing, hanging out with some rodeo cowboy, Patti? I thought Gina had better sense than that?" 105

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"After what you put her through, I think it's about damn time she had some fun." "With this guy?" "In case you haven't noticed, this guy is smokin' hot!" Nash heard shithead snort. "She can't be serious." "I'll tell you what she's serious about, Cole. She's serious about having some fun for a change. I know her. Gina's not looking for long term with anyone after what you put her through but if she wants to make a memory or two, then more power to her. She needs to go for it." "She's just trying to get my goat by making out on the dance floor in front of God and everybody. What's she doing? Trying to prove to everybody in Wayback that she's not a total loser?" Nash saw red. He burst around the corner and went straight for Cole Thomas. He only had time to see the Cole's eyes go wide, before he slammed his fist into the man's nose. God! It felt good. He punched him again. Blood gushed from Cole's nose and splattered over the front of his starched white shirt. As if from a distance, Nash heard the rumble of voices but he was lost to his rage. Patti yelled something and Cole lurched forward. "Nash! No!" Gina's husky voice stopped him as several men grabbed Cole to hold him back. The man was breathing hard, enraged. Nash knew he was no better. Every muscle in his body was vibrating with it but then he felt Gina's soft weight against his chest. Her arms went around his neck and 106

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he concentrated on unclenching his fists. "Stop, honey. He's not worth it." Cole cussed and yelled. "Stay away from him, Gina. He's no account. He'll never be anything more than he is right now. You think he'll hang around? No way." Gina glanced back over her shoulder at the man. "You don't know anything." Cole jerked against the hands that held him. "Ask him. He's leaving and never coming back and you're crazy if you think anything else." Gina unwound her arms from around his neck and spun to face the bastard. "What I do and who I spend time with is none of your business. You made your choice a long time ago. Go back to that tramp from Mossy Creek. I'm sure she's looking for you." Then she turned and looked straight into his eyes. "Let's get out of here, Nash. Take me home."

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Chapter Seven Nash was standing quiet and still behind her as she slipped the key into the front door and stepped inside. Yeah, she knew he'd lost his temper but this quiet was unnerving. He'd hardly said a word the entire drive to her house. Tension vibrated off his big body and caused her own nerves to shiver to life. Realizing that he was just standing there on her front porch, she turned and she looked back. "Aren't you coming?" "Yeah." He came inside and settled his hat on the stand but didn't look at her. He was withdrawing from her already. It didn't take a genius to figure he was pulling away because he knew he was leaving. He was probably already thinking about the trip ahead and the next rodeo. He was a temporary man. Ah, she should've known better than to fall so hard and fast for a man who wouldn't hang around. Dumb! Hurt was waiting right around the corner and she knew it. She should have played it cool, keeping a level of distance from him, and just enjoyed their time together. A fine trembling set up deep inside her and she had no one to blame but her stupid, gullible self. Gina clenched her hands into tight little fists hoping to calm the shakes that threatened to send her over the edge. What a way to end their relationship. She replayed the night's events in her mind as she turned on a floor lamp sending soft light through the living room. 108

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Gina thought about the fight at The Blue Bug and mentally shook her head. Cole had some nerve commenting about anything she did. He had no right. Confrontations frazzled her and she was downright touched that Nash would rush to her defense that way. It wasn't all that surprising. She'd learned quite a bit about him over the past few days. He was a gentleman to his bones. Yeah, she'd never been a pushover and tended to stick up for herself but it was unique in her experience to see a big, strong, handsome man jump in and take charge. The only problem now was this awful silent treatment she was getting from Nash. Gathering her courage, she turned to face him. "I'm sorry about what happened tonight," she said reaching out for his hand. She saw him flinch and looked down. Gasping at the sight of his scraped knuckles, she drew him further into the room. "Oh, honey, your poor hand." "It's nothing." Dang! Would he stop with the stoic deal already? Gina couldn't take much more of it. His tension was riding a sharp peak. It felt real and strong, blasting her from every direction. "Here, have a seat." She led him to the couch in her living room. "Let me fix you up." "Not necessary." "Hush! You obviously don't know what's good for you. I'll be right back." She dashed into her bathroom from some antibacterial spray and cotton balls and returned to find him leaning forward on her couch. He'd removed his boots and 109

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they were sitting side by side on the floor. His big hands dangled over his knees. A muscle jerked in his jaw. Anxious to soothe, she dropped to her knees in front of him and took his poor battered hands in hers. "Here now," said whispered. "Big old dumb man getting in a fight. Let's get you all fixed up." She sprayed the medicine and dabbed at the excess with the cotton. Finally, she finished and glanced up at him. His face could've been carved from stone. "Where you heading tomorrow?" He gave her a long look. So serious. Gina felt her heart start to pound and prayed she didn't look as devastated as she felt. "Houston." "I see," she whispered. Houston was at least a seven hour drive from Wayback. "Big purse. Lots of good competition." Being clingy wasn't her style, but, ah man, it was hard. She wanted to leap into his lap, wrap her arms around his neck and start begging. Nope. Not her style. Instead, she reached out to place the medicine on the coffee table before glancing up at him. "I was proud of you today." A muscle worked in his jaw. "Good to know." Suddenly, Nash stood and looked down at her. His eyes had gone all dark and sexy and his features could've been carved from granite. He held out a hand. "Come here, Gina." Her mouth went dry. She took his hand and let him draw her to her feet. Nerves shook her but when she opened her 110

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mouth, he put a finger over her lips. "No talking. Not now. It's not going to change a damn thing." Unexpectedly, her eyes filled. Nash groaned and took her face between his big, strong hands. "I'm leaving tomorrow. Got nothing to offer a woman like you and I'm not about to ask you to wait until I do. I can offer you tonight, though." With another deep groan, he took her mouth, sweeping across the surface of her lips, tugging her bottom lip between his teeth to nibble and play. He drank her trembling sigh, and took the devastating kiss deeper, sweeping this tongue into the depth of her mouth, stroking her tongue. Nash's fingers dipped up through her hair as he changed the angle and Gina felt her body move in, desperate to feel his chest against her breasts. Her nipples ached, throbbed, as they brushed against him. A tiny whimpering sound rose up and Nash drew back with a gasp. "I want you. Now." The loss of his touch sent a whip of despair through her trembling body but then he swooped her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing at all. Winding her arms around his neck, she buried her face against his fine-smelling throat. Could he feel her tremble? Did he have any clue what he did to her? No man before and she was sure, no man in her future, would ever turn her on the way this man did. Through it all, all the feelings and emotion that swept her, was the gnawing, aching knowledge that she might never see him after tonight. Despair raked with steely claws. 111

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When they were finally standing together beside her bed, Gina watched him reach for the small lamp that sat upon the bedside table. "Nash. No." Still bent over the lamp, he gave her a hot look over his shoulder. "Yes. I want to see you." Swallowing, she gave in. It's not that she wasn't proud of her body but she was more accustomed to sex cloaked in shadows and darkness. But if Nash wanted to take her in broad daylight in the middle of the town square, she wouldn't stop him. She wanted him, needed his touch like the very air she breathed. Desperate for him, she stared him square in the eye and drew her tiny pink t-shirt over her head and tossed it aside. He straightened, his eyes turning dark, as he looked at her. She saw his gaze whip down and pause at the sight of her breasts in the sexy, white demi-bra. Gina's breath picked up. "You're beautiful." Gina bit her bottom lip then released it as he moved in. Reaching out with one finger, he traced the flesh that peeked from the low cut edge of the bra. She sucked in a breath. The barely-there brush sent shivers racing. Her nipples hardened, thrusting against the satiny cloth. Nash seemed mesmerized. He stared at her breasts, his eyes hungry and dark. It was as if the world held its breath in anticipation when he reached up to flip open the clasp between her breasts. Sweeping his hands up her chest, he 112

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pushed the garment from her shoulders and it fell to the floor as he filled his hands with her flesh. He made a soft gasping sound before drawing a nipple deep into the heat of his mouth. Pleasure spiked through her body at the suckling motion, his breath against her skin, the stroke of his tongue as it rasped that hard bud. Her center felt liquid and pulsed in time to the easy pull of his mouth upon her. Death by slow loving. God! Gina raked her fingers through his thick, silky hair and held on for dear life. Love punched through her at the sight of him taking her breast. Feeding at her. He released her nipple and breathed hotly against it. "Too many clothes," he said, low and rough. "Too damn many." Quick fingers reached for the snap on her jeans. She heard the rasp of the zipper and suddenly, she was flat on her back across the bed and Nash was tugging her boots off. They hit, one after the other, upon the floor and then he was yanking her jeans down and off. The panties followed suit and joined her bra on the floor. Naked she lay there gaping with her arms flung over her head. His lips were dark, his eyelids at half mast, as he looked his fill. The decadence of the moment caught her up and Gina shifted her legs, opening them more. Her back arched as he gazed at her. Hot color splashed high over Nash's cheeks. Behind the fly of his jeans, Gina saw, he was hard, thick and full with his need of her. An ache pounded, 113

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deep and hard, in the very core of her body. She'd never wanted a man more. With a violent curse, Nash jerked the shirt and jeans from his body and threw the clothing aside. "You're killin' me, woman." Gina caught her breath at the sight of him. The man was cut, ripped with muscle from his check to his abs. His neck and arms were corded from the tension in his body. His hands were fisted at his sides. That hardness extended everywhere and Gina licked her lips. His erection rose proud and thick and she longed to take that firm length in her fist, draw him into her mouth. She wanted to master him. With a low growl, he reached down and drew her further across the bed. The satin of her colorful comforter smoothed across her back and air from the overhead ceiling fan drifted over her warm skin like a song. She felt the mattress dip as he settled on a knee. His grip on the backs of her thighs was firm as he drew them up and out leaving her totally exposed. Breath heaved from her lungs. Nash's expression tightened as he looked at her. She felt her face burn but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered but his apparent appreciation of her body. She wanted him to remember her. More than anything, Gina wanted him to drive out of town with the taste of her ripe on his tongue. She wanted her memory to taunt him until he could do nothing but race back into her arms where he belonged. His gaze flicked up once then focused on the very center of her again. With a low growl, he bent over her and buried his 114

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face there. She felt his tongue stroke the length of her, dive through the petals of her sex, tease the tender, sensitive knot that pulsed with need. Gasping, she speared her fingers through his hair, and held on. "Nash! Um ... yes. Oh, yes." She held on for dear life as he ate at her body. Arching and twisting, frantic at the feel of his tongue nibbling, stroking, suckling, she let go of his hair and stretched out her arms grabbing the bedspread with frantic fingers. She arched against the dark pleasure. Panting, moaning, her whimpers of need tore up her throat and out like a prayer. He whispered something against her, suckled that pulsing little knot then plunged two fingers deep inside. Gina cried out. Tears burned damp trails over her temples and into her hair. Arching against his mouth, she went up in flames. Pleasure pulsed strong and heady, tightening her breasts, whipping through her core and into her belly. One hand settled low on her belly and Gina felt her inner muscles spasm hard against his fingers. Nash cursed, withdrew his fingers and stared her straight in the eye. He plunged. The length of him plowed through sensitive, throbbing tissue until he was buried deep. Still riding the harsh peak of pleasure, she felt him fill her to bursting. Long ago she'd lost complete control over her body. It clutched at his thickness, squeezing tight, holding on. Her eyes snapped open. Nash's head was thrown back, the muscles in his neck were corded with tension. He was the sexiest thing she'd ever seen. Helplessly, her eyes filled again. The pleasure was simply too much to bear. 115

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Nash grabbed the backs of her knees and moved her legs high and back as he plunged, deep, hard, with devastating accuracy. "Yeah," he muttered. "That's the spot. That's it." "Nash!" Orgasm crashed through her again and she cried out, alarmed at the strength of it but at the same time embracing every sensation and holding it deep within her heart. His curse was ripe, strong as he pounded into her, rotating against where she needed him most. Colors swirled behind her lids as her body simply let go, plummeting off into oblivion. Above her, Nash made a rough sound and she felt him stiffen. His low groan ripped through her heart and she felt his body jerk, deep inside her. Sinking down over her, Nash settled his face against her neck. She heard him gasp for breath and as naturally as sunlight after a storm, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. Gina knew then that as long as she lived, she would never forget this man. When he drove out of Wayback tomorrow, he would be taking her heart with him. **** In the pre-dawn hours, Nash lay looking at Gina curled up at his side. He'd loved her until an hour ago, when she'd finally slipped into an exhausted, restless sleep. Even now she clutched at him as if she could keep him chained to her side. Nash wanted to bawl like a baby. Absently rubbing the heel of his hand over his chest, he studied everything about her sweet face. Memorizing every detail. To him, she was perfection and represented everything 116

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he'd ever wanted in a woman. Smart and sassy. Fun and warm-hearted. She was a small town girl who faced life headon and he admired the hell out of her. He loved her, too. Settling back, his heart aching, he wrapped her up in his arms. Yeah, it was crazy. It didn't seem possible to care so much after such a short time. He'd always been a practical man. It had been bred into his bones from the time he'd been a little kid. Nash had never believed in magic but it was time to admit he'd been wrong about that. Magic happened every time he touched this woman. Heart breaking a little, he pulled away from her. She made a little sound in her sleep and a tender feeling he'd never known sank deep into his heart. Letting out a slow breath for courage, he got out of the bed and pulled on his jeans and shirt. He looked down at her. This was a shitty way to leave her but it had to be done. He'd said goodbye to too many people in his life to want to go through it again. Yeah, it was better this way. Why prolong the agony a minute longer? Nash quietly walked to the doorway and stopped to look back, one last time. An ache curled through him. He was a man, damn it, but he wanted to cry like a little baby. Before he could give in to the urge, he left the room, retrieved his boots and walked out of the house. **** Gina heard the roar of his truck in the drive and knew he was leaving. Sorrow grabbed her by the throat. At this 117

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moment, it felt like someone had died. She had died, or at least a part of her had. He was a bigger than life man who'd broken her heart into tiny pieces. And she'd let him do it, damn it. She'd thrown herself into this affair with both eyes open knowing full well she'd been treading dangerous ground. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, she looked around the shadowy room. It was almost dawn and pretty soon this little room would look completely different. It would seem raw and harsh when compared to the way it looked and felt now. Nash's scent and hers were ripe in the air. The bedclothes were mussed and tangled. It all seemed beautiful and soft, a gentle blue haze over everything. Would she ever be able to walk into her own bedroom again without thinking of what had happened between them? A sob rose up to choke her and she gasped for air. Pain, fierce and raw, tore through her chest as the tears started to fall. Gina lay down in the spot where Nash had held her, feeling the sheets still warm from his body. Clasping his pillow to her face, she cried and died a thousand deaths. **** By Monday morning, the sobbing had finally stopped but now all she felt was numb. It had taken every bit of energy she possessed to dress for work and drive the short distance to the bank. First National was on Main Street and no more than five minutes from her house. It was an old building, bigger than most in Wayback, and occupied a convenient corner where parking was plentiful. 118

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Next to the bank was a small café and further down the quaint little block was Patti-Pie Murphy's business. Normally they had lunch together during the week but Gina wasn't sure could endure an hour of chit chat with her friend. She sure as shootin' didn't want to talk about Nash or what had happened with Cole at The Blue Bug Saloon. Nash was a part of her past now. It had to be that way. He'd said nothing about staying here in Wayback and he sure as hell hadn't said he loved her. Maybe all she'd been was a good time, a party girl with whom he could kill some time. Please, please, don't let that be true! Gina pulled into a slot in front of the bank and blindly reached for her purse. Pulling out a tissue, she peeked into the rear view mirror and tried to catch the tears before they fell and completely ruined her makeup. God, she was a basket case. If she could just make it through today, she might be all right. Gathering her briefcase and purse, she stepped from the car and went into the familiar building. High heels clicking across the tiled floor, she waved a greeting to the three tellers and continued to her office. She'd just poured a cup of coffee and sat behind her desk when Scott Templeton, the bank president walked in and took a chair across from her. A handsome man in his mid-thirties, he gave her a thorough once over and frowned. "Must've been a hell of a vacation, Gina. You look beat." Gina groaned. "I'm sure I do. Let's just put it this way, I haven't gotten much sleep lately." She knew very well just why she hadn't gotten much sleep, and it made her feel 119

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worse. Scott didn't need to know every detail of her life, though, so she forced a smile. "Guess I'm ready to get back into things." "Um. Heard there was some trouble over at the Blue Bug the other night." "Please tell me you weren't there." Scott laughed. "I wouldn't have to step foot in the place to know what went on. Hell, Gina, you know how small towns operate. Cole showed up at work with a busted nose this morning. News like that gets around fast." "Bet everybody in town's feeling sorry for him, too. Bastard." Her boss leaned forward and propped his forearms over his knees. He shook his head. "Actually everybody's pretty much on your side. Several people heard him say some things that weren't very nice and there was no excuse for it. The whole town knows what he pulled last year. You're not the bad guy in this deal and neither is the man you were with. What was his name?" "Nash," she whispered. "Nash Logan." He gave her a steady look and sighed. "So that's how it is." "How what is? What are you talking about?" "You fell hard for him, didn't you? Everybody around here has been talking about him for days. The folks at the Dixie Pig said they'd never met a more polite cowboy and then the waitresses over at the Waffle House said the same thing. You know how Wayback is, honey. Whole town knew he was 120

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spending time with you. Let's face it, Gina, you're way too picky for the guys around here. We all know it." "Is that what people really think of me? They think I'm some kind of prima donna who doesn't want to get involved? That I think I'm too good or something? That's just crazy." "For what it's worth, I think you intimidate the guys around here." Gina snorted. "That's not the first time I've heard that lately." "So what's up with this Nash fella? Did you get something started there?" She shook her head. "No, Scott, just had some fun with a nice guy. That's all there is to it." Scott's voice softened. "Are you sure about that?" Gina avoided his steady gaze and took a sip of her coffee. Her hands were trembling. When she looked up, he was smiling kindly at her. "Well, I'm glad you're back. We missed you last week. While you were gone, we got the Cactus Creek Ranch back. All official." Cactus White, an older rancher, had taken out a home equity loan on his small ranch several years ago. He'd passed away recently and the ranch had reverted to the bank in payment for the loan. "So it's going on the market soon?" "Yeah." Scott went to her office door and stopped. "Why don't you run out there tomorrow? We have an inventory of everything but someone needs to do a physical check. You up for it? You look kind of pale. Maybe the fresh air will do you good." 121

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Gina sighed. Yep, back to the real world. "You may be right. Okay I'll run out there tomorrow." A trip out into the boonies might just do her some good. She wasn't the kind of woman to wallow in grief but it was there, alive and strong inside her. Being around people and pretending that everything was all right just wasn't in her right now. Yeah, she'd head out to the old ranch tomorrow and if she wanted to cry some more, at least she wouldn't have an audience. Gina stopped into the diner and picked up a couple of sandwiches, chips, and Styrofoam cups of iced tea and headed over to Cow Patti's Custom Boots and Hats. Glancing across the street to the town square, she saw a number of others having lunch in the big gazebo that sat smack in the middle of the picturesque spot. Several pigeons sat atop the monument to Wayback's war dead and a giant Texas flag flapped in the afternoon breeze. Yep, typical weekday in Wayback. The rodeo was over and the tourists had gone home, leaving the residents in peace for a day or so and then the whole thing would start all over. When she approached Patti-Pie's shop, she smiled at the whimsical black and white cow pattern displayed on the sign over her door. The lettering featured a rope design in hot pink. Not very masculine for a boot maker shop, but then there wasn't a masculine-like bone in her friend's body. For a woman who was blonde, sweet and bubbly, she had a very 122

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male career and Gina was proud of her success. She was a true artist who'd been trained by a loving father, now blissfully retired. Cowboys came from all over the state for a custom boot-fitting and she'd recently expanded, sending out beautiful cowboy boots all over the world. No, she wasn't rich yet but she kept hoping. Gina stopped in front of the door, struggling with the knob and her armload of food when a familiar voice called out. "Hey, let me help you." Bobby Lee came running up, redfaced and out of breath to open the door for her. "Thanks, Bobby Lee. You headed for lunch? Want to join Patti and me?" He shuffled his feet and tucked his hands in his pockets. "Ah, no, that's nice but I'm meeting some guys over at the café." She smiled. "Well, okay, thanks." Gina started to go in when his voice stopped her. "I'm sorry about what happened the other night." Groaning, she rolled her eyes. "Was the whole damn town there?" "Darn near. Anyway for what it's worth, Cole's a jackass and he got what was coming to him. Everybody thinks so. I only wish I'd done it." It was the second time today she'd heard that and it touched her more than she could say. God, she loved these sweet people. ****

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"Cole's moving to Mossy Creek with that bimbo after they're married," Patti-Pie said later as she bit into her BLT. "Good riddance, I said. Dang big mouth man. Mean. He's mean and heartless and a ... um ... a cheater!" Gina laughed at Patti's attempt at saying something bad about anyone and poured the contents of a blue packet into her tea. She gave it a stir. "Yeah, and I love you, too." There was a heavy oak table near the plate glass windows of Cow Patti's and the two women were seated there for lunch. It was a place where customers could sit and pore over boot designs and leather samples from exotic ostrich to sturdy cowhide. Sunlight streamed through the windows filling the room with color and light, spilling over the old hardwood floors. The place smelled of leather and Gina knew there were huge rolls of the stuff in every color and type in the back room where Patti plied her craft. "I think he cares about you, Gina." Gina stilled and gave her a look. "You mean Nash?" "Of course, I mean Nash. You should see the way he looks at you, sugar. The man's got it bad." "If he's got it so bad, then why'd he leave?" Patti's eyes filled with sympathy and she dug through the white café sack and passed Gina a napkin. When she just stared at it, Patti sighed gustily and reached across the table to dab at her cheeks. Crap! Tears! Gina sniffled and took the napkin from her friend. "I'm sorry. Didn't mean to do this. I've been emotional lately." "Ah, sweetie, did you tell him how you feel about him?" 124

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"Are you kidding? I'm not about to set myself up for rejection again. Not after what happened with Cole." "Now see? There you go," Patti said, fiercely. "I'm so sick of this pessimistic bullshit from you and Lyssa." Anger rose, quick and sharp. "Well, we can't all be pushovers like you!" Patti jerked as if she'd been slapped. Her big, blue eyes narrowed. "You take that back! I mean it. Thank God there are optimistic people in this world. I believe. I have hope. What do you have, Gina? An empty bed. That's what!" Stunned by Patti's words, Gina forced herself to close her mouth. Where had all that anger and emotion come from? From both of them. She reached across the table and took Patti's hand. "I'm sorry I'm being a bitch, hon. I'm hurt and angry and you were an easy target. You're just so sweet. Forgive me?" Patti sniffed and took a sip of her tea. "Okay. I forgive you. You know I love you. You're my best friend and all I want is for you to have everything you've ever wanted." "I have everything I need right here in Wayback." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah, I do." It was the biggest lie she'd ever told.

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Chapter Eight Off in the distance Nash saw the town of Wayback as he drove over a hill and rounded the bend. He saw the big welcome sign right at the city limit and firmed his grip on the steering wheel. Howdy Parder! Welcome to Wayback, Texas. Home of the World Famous Wayback Rodeo. Nash didn't know about the "world famous" part but it was a hell of a place as far as he was concerned. He'd arrived at the Rocking R Ranch early Sunday afternoon needing to talk to Mama Rose. She was a no-nonsense woman and it was easy for a man to unburden himself with a woman like that. The visit had proved to be a turning point in his life. Tension rode him hard as he drove through the familiar little town. In the distance, he saw the silver water tower that featured a bucking bronco painted in blue. Above and below the horse were the words Home of the Wayback Broncos. Up ahead was Main Street. Small town Texas spread out before him like a feast for a starving man. His heart started to pound hard in his chest. What if Gina wouldn't talk to him after the way he'd sneaked out on her? Hell, he wouldn't blame her. He'd been a coward. Even Mama Rose had scolded him about the way he'd just left her hanging. Yeah, he'd spilled his guts and complained about needing to find his ranch, his home. She'd had a word or ten to say about his whining ass. Looking around, he saw familiar people. People he'd met over the past few days. From a street corner, he recognized 126

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the butcher from the Dixie Pig. The man had trimmed his tbone steaks to perfection the night of his dinner with Gina. The butcher smiled and waved. Nash returned the gesture, feeling his throat begin to close up. Though he'd only been here for a short while, the place had grown on him. No, it didn't have a lot to offer in the way of material things, but then, he'd never been a man who'd gotten into that stuff. It had taken a day or two of thinking to make him realize that all he'd ever wanted was a place to call home, a simple thing really, and it had been staring him in the face all along. Idiot! Not many people about today, he realized as he pulled up in front of the bank. He looked for Gina's little car and frowned. Maybe she'd parked around back. Nash grabbed his hat and stared at the building. Nerves danced along his spine but he was through with this shit. He was damn well going to take what he wanted and he wanted Gina Ballew. He stepped from the cab of his truck and headed toward the bank when he heard laughter coming from door of the café. He saw Patti-Pie Murphy's eyes widen, then narrow. Her tiny little fists were clenched at her side. Hearty male laughter from her companion stopped instantly and Nash saw Bobby Lee, the fellow he'd met who worked at the feed and seed. Nice guy. Bobby Lee stepped forward and extended his hand. "Howdy, Nash. Surprised to see you back here."

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Nash shook hands but stilled when Patti moved forward. Hell, marched was more like it. She looked like a five feet nothing package of T-N-T ready to combust. "You'd better be coming back to town for the right reason, Nash Logan," she said as she stared up at him. A blast of wind caught her hair and whipped it around her face. "Coming for Gina." She blew out a gust of breath and unclenched her fists. "She's a good woman and you've got her all torn up inside. She doesn't need that in her life, you got me?" "I got you, ma'am." Patti pointed her finger at him and he fought to keep from grinning. She was on a roll. "If you break her heart, Nash Logan, I'll hunt you down. Do you hear me? I'll hunt you down like an animal and I'll ... um ... well ... I'll skin you, that's what!" Bobby Lee burst out laughing. "Whooee, honey. Them's fightin' words. I'm plumb impressed." Nash looked at Gina's friend for a second or two then walked up to her. Taking her slender shoulders in his hands, he stared into her face then pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Gina's lucky to have a friend like you." Patti's flushed red. "That's what I keep telling her." He nodded toward the bank. "She working today?" "Uh-huh, but she's not there. After lunch, she headed out to the Cactus Creek Ranch for an inventory." "Where is it? I need to find her." Bobby Lee gave him directions and soon Nash found himself driving out of town. He wound through old farm to 128

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market roads, crossed cattle guards and looked out over country dotted with farms, ranches and oil fields. It was a rough land but pretty in its way. He was roughly five miles from town when he spotted the sign he'd been looking for. A sandstone archway featuring the name of the ranch stretched across a paved road and Nash turned. Drawing in a deep breath, he raked his fingers through his hair and hoped like hell Gina wouldn't turn tail and run the minute she saw him. He wouldn't blame her. Nash topped a rise in the road and caught his breath at the land that spread out before him like a faraway dream he'd tucked away in his heart. The place was perfect. Cattle grazed contentedly as far as the eye could see. Four or five horses, pretty good looking stock, lolled around in the corral and the stables were nice. Smaller than what a horseman needed but that could change. Improvements were expected by any rancher. Gina was taking inventory? He recalled Patti's words but they'd finally sunk it. Curiosity bloomed inside him as he found her car parked near the sprawling ranch house. Nice house, he thought, big. Big enough for a family. She was in there somewhere or out on the grounds. Nash stepped out of the truck and pulled on his battered old cowboy hat. Clenching his teeth, fighting nerves, he headed toward the front door. Surprisingly it was ajar so he stepped inside. He didn't care what the big old house looked like. He headed through it, a man on a mission, looking into rooms, listening for sounds. Disappointment flashed quick and hot 129

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when he finally made it to the enormous kitchen to find it empty. Nash stopped at the backdoor and looked into the yard. Gina was sitting in an old tire swing staring out over the countryside. He thought his heart would break at the sight of her. Today her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. It made her look like a very young girl, he thought as his pulse sped up. She was wearing jeans and a tiny white top that bared her pretty neck and arms. A giant oak covered her in shade but every now and then a bit of sun would peek through dappling her hair with brightness. Nash swallowed hard. He opened his mouth to speak. Didn't want to scare the hell out of her but she stood and picked up a clipboard lying on the ground. She clutched it against her and started to walk away when he stepped outside. "Gina." He heard her gasp, saw her go still before she spun around to face him. Shock showed in the widening of her big green eyes. Her face went white. "Nash!" "Hope I didn't scare you," he said, coming down the back porch steps, walking to her. Finally, he stopped beneath the shade of that giant tree and stared her straight in the eye. "I came back." He mentally rolled his eyes. Yeah, duh. "I can see that. But why?" Nash yanked the hat from his head and nervously plowed his fingers through his hair. "Figured I owed you an apology." 130

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Gina was quiet for a second or two, then one black brow arched. "For what? Leaving in the wee hours of the morning without saying goodbye after several hours of hot, steamy sex?" "Um, yeah. That's about it." "Save it," she snapped. "I don't want any damn apology from you, Nash, so just hop back into that pretty black truck and head on down the road." Anger whipped hot and strong through him. No, he wasn't mad at Gina, he was mad at himself. He'd blown it. She didn't want anything to do with him. He slammed his hat on his head and stomped off toward the front of the house. She was right. What kind of man would do such a thing? A coward. That's who! Nash started for his truck when he suddenly stopped cold in his tracks. He was blowing it. It was time for him to fight for what he wanted most in the world and that would never happen if he left now. He turned around and headed back, his long stride eating up the distance. Nash rounded the corner and slammed to a stop. Gina was crying. He could hear her now. Great tearing sobs shook her as she leaned against that old tree. Nash reached up and rubbed the heel of his hand over his heart. It was pounding furiously as he went to her. Her sweet shoulders were shaking with her crying and he reached out and put a hand on her. She went completely still then looked back at him. "Go away," she whispered. "I don't want to be hurt anymore." 131

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"Ah, honey. Come here." Nash pulled her against him, wrapped her up in his arms and sighed against her hair. "How about I make you a promise here and now?" "What promise?" she whispered. He felt her breath warm and soft through the fabric of his t-shirt and he held her tighter. "How about I promise never to leave you again? That is, unless, you want me to go." Breathlessly he waited for her answer. "No." "No?" Nash drew back and looked down at her. His back teeth clenched as nerves bounced around in his body. "What do you mean?" Gina sucked in a breath and looked up at him. She was so pretty, he wanted to kiss her and never stop. Reaching up, she dashed the tears from her cheeks. "I don't want you to go, Nash. Thing is, do you want to stay?" "I'm staying put. Right here, darlin'." She shook her head. "You have to tell me why." "Because this is home. I didn't know it when I first came into town. I'd been looking for so long." Nash stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. "Then I met you." Gina leaned back against the tree and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with emotion, sparkling. Nash swallowed hard, knowing she was finally listening and he was finally talking. "I left without saying goodbye because, honey, I just couldn't stand it. I didn't want to say the words. It hurt too much." 132

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Nash moved to her and leaned in. He rubbed his lips against hers, breathing her in, dying for her taste. "I went back to the Rocking R Ranch, had a little talk with Mama Rose." She sighed against his mouth. "What did she say?" "She gave me a good talking to. That's what she did." "Good for her." Gina shifted closer and so did he. Everything about her body against his felt right. "I was complaining about looking for a ranch to buy, talking about you, about leaving you and how much it hurt," he said low. "Mama told me to wake up and smell the coffee. Said she figured I'd already found my home but I was too dumb to realize it." "Tell me, honey." Nash looked her square in the eye and thought he'd drown in those deep green depths. "You're my home, darlin'. Maybe I've known it since the minute I saw you saunter up to me at the Blue Bug Saloon. You fill this ache I have right here." He took her hand and placed it over his heart. "I want to stay here in Wayback if you'll have me. sweet Gina Ballew." "Oh yeah," she purred low, wrapping her arms around his neck to squeeze him tightly. "I love you, Nash. I know it's dumb and it's crazy, but I feel I've known you forever." "I know. Same with me." Emotion burned through his blood. They had so many things to say, to talk about. He didn't know where to start. "Still looking for a ranch?" Nash tensed and looked at her. "Yeah." "How about this place?" 133

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He looked out over the land, saw her clipboard on the ground and turned his attention back to Gina who was wearing a tiny smile. "The bank got this place back a few days ago, Nash. It's for sale. Good land, decent house and buildings. I just happen to know the loan officer at the bank— although she might have to pass this off to someone else. Conflict of interest and all that." "Conflict of interest, huh?" He grinned and saw her answering smile bloom wider. "Why don't you show me around later?" "Later? Why not now, cowboy? All you've talked about since I met you was finding your dream." Nash reached out to Gina and simply reeled her in. He kissed her lips, drank her sigh. Need burst through him along with happiness and all the other good things. "I've found my dream, darlin', and its right here in my arms. I'm in love with you. I want to stay with you and love you every night and then I want to take you dancing at the Blue Bug Saloon just so I can hear you laugh. Then, I want to bring you home and make love to you until you beg me to stop." Gina's hands cupped his face and she stared deep into his eyes. Her smile was sunshine bright, thrilling and warm. To him she represented home and love. She always would. "Then let's go to the house, honey, get you moved in and we'll get this party started." "I love you, Gina." "Yeah, Nash. Me, too." Nash held her tight. She felt so good, so right. That hollow, yearning place in his heart suddenly filled close to bursting. 134

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He knew this feeling wasn't about land or houses or cattle and horses. It was all about love, the promise of happiness, and the woman he held tightly in his arms.

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Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon [Wayback, Texas Series] by Rita Thedford

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