“So now you’re an expert on The Worthington Group?”
“I know enough to bring money with me when I travel.” He ran a gaze down her front, his expression brimming with amusement. “I didn’t figure you for being in the bartering business.”
“You’re hilarious. Give me my bag.”
“Guess your poor financial standing means I have to buy you dinner, too.”
“That won’t be necessary.” She tried to grab the handle but he pulled the bag out of reach.
“Hold on now. I’m walking you back to your room.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
He ignored her and started toward the street. “Think you’ll be ready to eat in an hour?”
She had to hurry to keep up with his longer strides. “I’m not hungry. You seem to know people around here. Eat with them. Don’t feel as if you have to entertain me.”
“Hell, you should be entertaining me. Dragging me all the way to Houston,” he muttered irritably, though she knew he wasn’t really mad. “You should pay for gas, too. I’ll put that on your tab.”
“Absolutely. Please do.”
He stopped to let the cars pass, then took her elbow as they stepped onto the asphalt.
Wondering what he was up to, she turned to look at him.
“I was gonna put my arm around you,” he said, leaning close and speaking low. “But I wasn’t sure where this elbow would land.”
Lexy didn’t want to laugh. She’d just been humiliated, and to make matters worse, Tanner was being a gentleman about it. But the truth was, she was hot and tired. Besides, this was the old Tanner, the one she’d met yesterday. The one she was beginning to like a little too much. “How do you know the sheriff? He arrest you for brawling?”
“Now that just plain hurt my feelings. What kind of guy do you take me for?”
“I was teasing.”
And he knew it, judging by the smile tugging at his mouth. “I’ve been blowing through here for the last ten years or so. Craig and I met at some point along the way.”
“You’ve come for the festival?”
“Mostly I’ve passed through on my way to a rodeo.” Tanner squinted at an old green pickup that slowed in front of them. A young teenage girl hung halfway out the passenger window and yelled his name. A grin broke out across his face. “Is that you, Laura Kate? How did you get so pretty?”
“I have boobs now, too,” she said, grinning back at him and pointing to her small chest.
Tanner scowled at her. “Get back in that truck.”
Lexy almost choked on a cough. She was glad he hadn’t encouraged the girl, who giggled, hollered that she’d see him later, then slid back to her seat.
“Jesus,” Tanner muttered, a flush creeping up his neck and into his face.
It was kind of sweet. “Who was that?” Lexy asked.
“I know her brother. Billy’s an amateur bareback rider.” Shaking his head, Tanner glanced down the street after the pickup. “That kid’s a handful. Glad I had only a brother to raise.”
“You did?”
“No, not really. He was eight when our mom died and my grandparents took us in. Truthfully, they raised him. But I was his big brother, so...” He shrugged a shoulder, staring after the green truck. “Laura Kate’s always been a real tomboy. Got it in her head early on she wanted to be a bull rider.” He sighed. “Now she’s thrilled about having boobs. I feel for Billy.”
“I feel for anyone who has kids these days.”
“Amen.”
Lexy smiled, but she was disappointed he’d stopped talking about himself and his family. She wouldn’t push, though. “I think my room is that way.”
He released her elbow and for the briefest of moments she felt his hand at the small of her back. The gesture seemed oddly intimate, certainly more intimate than it should have. “You have the key?”
“I do,” she said, wondering if he expected her to pass it to him. “I can take my bag now.”
He just smiled and followed her to the orange door with number 112. Naturally, the key stuck, then the door, and he ended up using his shoulder to push it open. He winced and touched his arm.
“Hold on,” he said when she started to go inside. He pulled the door closed again, triggering an automatic lock. Taking the key from her, he went through the entire process of unlocking and pushing the door open again. “We have to get you another room.”
“We can’t. This is the last one, bad plumbing and all.”
Tanner frowned. “The plumbing doesn’t work?”
“It does, but there’s a problem with the hot water faucet.” Lexy shrugged. “That’s okay. It’s only for one night.”
He stared thoughtfully at her. “I don’t think there’s another motel in town but maybe we can find a bed and breakfast.”
“I’m fine. Really.” She stooped to get her bag but he stopped her. His palm felt slightly rough on her arm and her physical reaction to his touch made her swallow.
He closed the door again and stepped back. “Go ahead. You try.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Easier to humor him, she decided, and used her shoulder as he had done. It was more difficult than she expected but the door opened. “Stronger than I look, huh?”
“No more tangling with you,” he said, smiling when she rolled her eyes.
She walked into the room, startled by the bright green walls. The bed was a double and covered with the most god-awful blue-and-brown-plaid quilt. She couldn’t imagine what kind of shape the mattress was in. The dresser and nightstand were small and cheap, constructed of particleboard, and the white plastic chair in the corner was more suited for an outdoor patio.
“This place sucks,” Tanner said, his disdainful gaze sweeping the room. “You can sleep in the trailer and I’ll stay here.”
Lexy bit her lip. It would be mean to point out that his Betsy was only marginally better. “Do you have running water?”
“Course I do. I’m all hooked up.” He ducked his head in the bathroom. “There’s a tub and it looks clean.”
Lifting her bag off the dresser where he’d left it, she studied the back of his broad shoulders and long legs. She doubted the plastic chair could even hold him. Not that she expected him to hang around.
“No offense to your buddy the sheriff, but his parents are crooks.” She dropped the bag on the bed and unzipped it. “Before you showed up, they wanted a hundred and fifty dollars for the night. Can you believe that?”
Tanner turned around and saw that she was unpacking. “I’m serious about you taking the trailer.”
“I appreciate the offer, but honestly, this is fine.” She held up her toiletry bag, searching for signs of leakage from the heat. Everything looked all right. “At least the noise should be minimal this far back from the street.”
She fished out her only pair of clean slacks and blouse so she could hang them, then realized Tanner had gotten quiet. He hadn’t moved. He stood in the bathroom doorway, his gaze fixed on the bed. Or more precisely, on the red silk thong and matching bra she’d unthinkingly laid out.
“Dinner.” Tanner’s eyes slowly met hers. “What time should I come by?”
The room suddenly seemed stuffy. Lexy spotted the thermostat control and went to adjust the air conditioner. “You go without me,” she said, glad to have something other than him to focus on. “I’m really not hungry.”
“Six-thirty it is, then.”
“Fine,” she said, wanting him gone before she did something stupid.
“Okay.” He lifted the hat off his head and resettled it, tugging the rim low as he walked to the door. “By the way, I think you just turned on the heat.”
She stared at the thermostat. “No,” she said, trying not to give in to a smile. “It’s just you.”
TANNER OPENED THE door for Lexy, then followed her inside the restaurant. She’d left her hair down, the honey-gold streaks catching rays from the late-afternoon sun. He was glad she hadn’t changed out of the snug-fitting jeans, and without being a total prick, he studied her butt trying to figure out if she was wearing the red thong.
The place was crowded and noisy, most of the raucous laughter coming from the bar. He’d warned her that they might have to wait for a table. She hadn’t seemed bothered. The woman continued to surprise him. If he hadn’t seen her driver’s license for himself, he never would’ve believed she was a Worthington. People like that didn’t stay in shabby motels. And certainly not without complaining. Lexy hadn’t even blinked at the ugly room.
Two occupied wooden benches sat on either side of the tiled entryway. Probably folks waiting for tables. Three women were checking out the menu. He already knew what he wanted.
They stepped up to the sign telling them a hostess would seat them, and Tanner got a peek at the wait list on the podium. Looked as if it was gonna be a while.
“Wow, that smells good.” She leaned close so he could hear, and the seductive scent of her perfume hit him low in the belly.
“Rib eye,” he said, his voice rough enough he had to clear his throat.
“I don’t care what it is, I’m having it.” She was about to pluck a laminated menu from the stack when the blonde hostess greeted them.
Tanner had fully expected to wait an hour, but he didn’t argue when the woman led them to a small table in the far back. Seconds later a perky brunette told them her name was Sandy and took their drink order.
“Okay, this is weird. I thought for sure we’d have to wait,” Lexy said.
“Me, too.”
“I think the blonde likes you.”
“Yeah?” He was sorry that he couldn’t see Lexy’s eyes more clearly in the dim corner. In the daylight they looked so blue.
“Oh, brother, are you that used to women falling all over you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I mention the blonde and you’re so blasé.” She tilted her head slightly to the side and studied him. “You should really consider doing the calendar. I think you’ll rake in the votes.”
And here he thought they could have a nice evening. “Keep it down,” he muttered, then smiled at Sandy when she brought his beer and Lexy’s iced tea.
“These are on Buddy,” she said, throwing a glance toward the bar. “Ready to order? Or should I come back?”
He knew only one Buddy, a bull rider who’d been sidelined several years ago by a skull fracture. “Cooper?”
“That’s him.”
“What’s he doing?” Tanner asked, unable to spot him. “Drinking?”
“Working.” Sandy grinned. “And probably some drinking. He bought the place last year. The bartender just got slammed with orders so Buddy’s helping out.”
“Tell him I’ll come see him in a bit.”
“Will do.”
Tanner let Lexy order first, amazed that she hadn’t customized her entrée. The steak came with grilled onions and the potato with butter and sour cream. She wanted everything. All he had to do was tell Sandy he’d have the same.
“I guess that’s why we didn’t have to wait,” Lexy said, her eyes on the platters of food being served at the next table. “Your friend must’ve seen you walk in. I swear, you know everyone.” She brought her gaze back to his. “What?”
He picked up his beer and took a long sip. She’d caught him staring. He could tell her he thought she had the prettiest blue eyes he’d ever seen. It was the truth, but it might ruin dinner if she thought he was hitting on her. “I’m wondering where you’re gonna put all that food you ordered.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I can eat.”
“Wait till you see the portions.”
She glanced at the next table and laughed. “I was just hoping that my potato will be that big.”
He smiled. “I can’t imagine what your appetite is like when you’re actually hungry.”
Her brief glare ended on a sigh. “Okay, I deserved that one. I hate being in this situation. I swear I’m usually more professional. And of course you know I’ll pay you back for both our dinners. Remind me to get a receipt.”
“Don’t worry about it. I never let a woman pay.”
Her slack-jawed reaction came right on cue. Now, the way she swiped her tongue seductively across her lip...that he hadn’t expected. “This isn’t a date.”
“You ever go out with a cowboy?”
Lexy’s brows went up. “Where on earth did that come from?”
“Or do you go for guys in designer suits with expensive haircuts and fancy cars?”
“I don’t have a type...not really.” She seemed to be giving the matter serious thought. “If my father disapproved of a man, that was good enough for me. But that was when I was younger,” she said, grabbing her tea and taking a sip, looking like a woman who wished she hadn’t let that little piece of info slip out.
“You get along with him now?”
“Mostly. What about you?”
He plowed a hand through his hair. Weird not wearing his Stetson, but he never did in restaurants. “I see the old man from time to time, though I can’t say I have much use for him. My mom died twenty years ago.”
“I’m sorry. She must’ve been young.”
“Yep.” All this time and he still had trouble talking about her, forget trying to control the surge of anger toward his father. To Tanner’s way of thinking, the man had been as responsible as if he’d pulled the trigger himself. “Too young to die, that’s for sure.”
She hesitated, and he said a silent prayer that she would drop the subject. “And you have just the one brother?”
“Yep. We’re different as night and day, but we get along well. Doug’s also my attorney,” Tanner said, watching her face as the words sunk in. He tried not to laugh. “I told him you suggested he be replaced.”
Her lips parted. “Dear God, please tell me you’re kidding.”
Tanner liked that she cared about his brother’s feelings. “Isn’t that what you said?”
“Yes, but I didn’t know he was your brother.”
“Business is business,” he said, shrugging and watching her worry her lower lip.
“Are you going to fire him?”
“Doug thought he was looking out for me. Can’t fault him for that.” He saw that she was dying to comment, probably thought he was being a fool. But he wasn’t about to set her straight. Point out that his brother had foreseen Tanner’s rodeo career hitting the skids.
“I’m assuming he told you the contract is binding.”
“Our conversation is privileged.”
Lexy’s smile stretched wide. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Sandy showed up with a basket of rolls that she set on the table. The smell alone was enough to make his stomach growl. He waited for Lexy to dig in but all she did was stare at the red-and-white-checkered napkin draped over the basket.
“Go for it,” she said finally. “I’m saving room.”
“Are you insane?” He shook his head, grabbed the buttery-looking roll and slathered more butter on it. “I see Buddy hasn’t changed anything. These are homemade and still warm.”
“Screw it.” She got her own roll, tore off a big piece and stuffed it in her mouth.
“Atta girl.” He had to laugh.
“Shut up. I never get to eat this kind of food. My roommate would have a stroke if I brought anything non-organic into the apartment.”
“Roommate?”
She nodded, held up a finger and continued to chew. After she swallowed, she said, “I know, it’s pretty sad someone my ag
e needing a roommate. It’s not so bad. Linda’s a pilot so she’s gone a lot.”
Lexy needed a roommate? That didn’t make sense. She had to be pulling in some serious money working for the family business.
He put down his roll and took another sip of beer.
“Yes, I have a trust fund,” she said quietly, dabbing at her mouth with the cloth napkin. “That’s what you were wondering, right?”
“Sort of...I reckon.”
“I can’t touch it until I’m thirty.” She sighed. “Well, no, I can, but not without the consent of both my parents.”
“I’m guessing you don’t want to ask.”
She blew out a puff of air. “I’d rather climb up on this table and dance naked.”
He almost spit out his beer. “Thanks for that visual.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You’re a cruel woman, Alexis.”
“Yes, but it’s a hard, cold world.” Her smile was really something. It lit her face with a warm glow he could feel across the table. “I like you, Tanner,” she said softly. “I didn’t expect that.”
Before he could tell her the feeling was mutual, Sandy appeared with their salads. Probably just as well. He really did like Lexy, enough that he was starting to feel uneasy.
To her credit, she hadn’t waited for him to return the declaration. She’d gone to work drizzling blue-cheese dressing lightly over the lettuce and tomatoes. It was quite a production. Took him two seconds to drench his salad.
They ate in silence until the steaks arrived. He was happy to swap plates with Sandy, but Lexy hung on to her salad, finishing the greens in between enthusiastic bites of steak and potato. It bothered him that he’d let her get that hungry. Course she was an adult, and besides, he’d had no way of knowing she was low on money. But he was no stranger to stubborn pride. If not for the motel incident, she’d probably be eating junk out of the vending machine.
“You’re right,” she said, putting her fork down. “Best steak ever.”
“I seem to recall they serve a mean peach cobbler.”
“One more bite and I’m going to explode.”
Alone with You Page 10