Astonishingly, she was starting to feel hunger again. “You still treating?”
“I’m running a tab.”
“Don’t joke about it. I want you to give me a bill and we’re going to triple the total before I turn it in.”
“Still want to stick it to Daddy, huh?”
“Yes.” She opened the door and slid out of the truck. “Yes, I do,” she said before closing the door.
In truth, she could submit a huge expense account for the trip and her father would never know. And even if he did, the extravagance wouldn’t faze him. But it was fun sharing the joke with Tanner.
He held his hand out to her, and she could feel the blush move up her throat. It was so stupid. He was just being gentlemanly. Still, she felt like a young girl out on a date.
“After we order, you mind if I come out and make my call?” He held her hand as they walked to the restaurant’s entrance.
“No, of course not. Make it now if you want, and I’ll wait inside.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw a variety store. “Or maybe you could advance me a few more bucks so I can pick up a couple of T-shirts.”
He turned to follow her gaze. “I think I can handle that,” he said, bringing his eyes back to her face. “For a kiss.”
“Here? Now?”
“Sure.”
Right in front of the crowded restaurant’s windows, Lexy threw her arms around his neck and laid a whopper on him that sent him staggering back a step.
It was hard kissing and laughing at the same time. She felt great. Better than she had in years. All because of Tanner. And that alone should’ve scared the hell out of her.
13
TANNER SAT IN the truck at a rest stop, watching for Lexy to come out of the bathroom while talking to his brother, who’d known nothing about the auction. “You sure about this?”
“I could be wrong but I don’t think so,” Doug said. He sounded worried, which didn’t help Tanner’s optimism. “I don’t like that no one from the county called you back.”
“Is it a government holiday or something?” He’d left two detailed messages offering to pay the taxes, penalties, anything they wanted. “You’d think they’d be dialing with one hand and holding out the other one.”
“It may be too late to pay the taxes. Once the wheels are in motion, the bureaucracy goes full speed ahead. Crawford say how many years Pop and Nana were behind?”
“No, and I didn’t ask.” Frustrated, Tanner pushed a hand through his hair. “Jesus, I wish I could talk to somebody. I guess the next step is to pull out some of my investments.”
“Not yet. We don’t even know if any of this is true.”
“I hope it isn’t, but I have to be prepared to bid if it comes to that. We could find out the auction is day after tomorrow. I don’t have a lot of cash lying around.”
After a long pause, Doug said, “Man, I hate that you have to do that. I have maybe four grand in my office account, another thousand in my checking.” He let out a string of curses. As a teenager Tanner had taught him every one of them. He wasn’t feeling too proud. “I had no business taking this damn vacation.”
“Knock that shit off. Nobody could’ve seen this coming. You never take time away. And don’t cut your trip short. Can’t you handle everything by phone?” He straightened when he saw Lexy leave the building. “Too late to make calls now, but tomorrow?”
“If there’s an auction, I should go with you. It’s not fair that you always do the heavy lifting. I’m not a kid anymore.”
“Don’t switch your flight yet. Look, I gotta go.”
“Call me later.”
“Yep.” He disconnected and checked the bars on the phone. Only one. He had to remember to charge the damn thing. And he’d better figure out how he’d break the news to Lexy if it turned out Crawford was right. Houston was east and as far south as you could get and still be in Texas. The ranch was located to the west, past Hill Country. By tomorrow they’d have to change course.
“Did you find a hotel?” she asked as soon as she climbed in.
“Nope. I’m leaving that job to you. I was talking to Doug.”
“Oh.” She paused as he reversed the truck. “You know I don’t mind sleeping in the trailer.”
“I don’t have a tub back there.” He was tempted to take her up on the offer. They could keep driving instead of looking for a nice motel that was suitable both for Lexy and for parking a trailer. But they’d made great time, having already crossed into Colorado, and getting to West Texas wasn’t the issue. Depending on when the auction was held, driving from there to Houston could be the problem.
“You look tired.” She reached over and stroked his beard-roughened jaw. “I say we stop at the first place that can accommodate Betsy.”
Her touch settled it. He was still running on adrenaline but that would die out as soon as they hunkered down for the night. “You better be sure. I know a park about forty miles from here.”
“You have a bed back there, don’t you?” she said, moving her hand to his thigh. More interested in where her hand would end up, he gave her a vague nod. She grinned. “Then I’m sure.”
Within an hour they’d arrived at the park and hooked up Betsy under the shade of an old poplar tree. Then they’d snacked on crackers, cheese and fruit...Lexy’s choice. He’d offered her a restaurant dinner that she’d turned down. Though she hadn’t said, he was pretty sure it was because she thought he was beat. No one had worried about him like that in a while. It felt nice, but at the same time, risky.
Another downside to Betsy...the shower was small. Didn’t stop them from trying to get in there together. Tanner finally gave up when he saw they were headed for a world of hurt. Tanner let Lexy go first, and after he was finished with his turn, he found her in the kitchen wearing his blue shirt and studying the pictures taped to the fridge.
She heard him and turned, her gaze going straight to the towel wrapped around his hips. Her face lit up with a smile. “Good. Just the way I want you.”
“I’ll take you any way I can get you.”
He slid his arms around her, and she leaned back against his chest.
“Have you decided yet?” she asked, gasping softly when he reached underneath the shirt to cup her breast.
He stared over her shoulder at the pictures. He understood the question. Earlier he’d told her how much grief the guys gave him over trying to decide between retiring to the mountains or the beach. “Nope.”
“They’re fading. When did you put these up?”
“Don’t recall.”
She moved her hips, rubbing her ass against his hard-on. “This is a joke, isn’t it? You aren’t really going to spend the rest of your life fishing.”
“I might.”
“I don’t believe you. Neither of these places suits you and that’s why I think you put these pictures up. You don’t have to give it serious thought because you won’t choose either one. You just like messing with people.”
“Is that right?”
“Oh.” She let her head loll back when he nuzzled her neck, then made that soft, breathy sound he loved. “Have you even been to—?”
“Stop—” he turned her to face him “—talking,” he said, and came down on her mouth a little too rough. Making it up to her, he soothed her soft lips with his tongue. He found the first snap, and with a slight jerk heard two pops, leaving the shirt hanging open. “I like this,” he murmured against her mouth. “Feel free to wear my clothes anytime.”
“Wanna talk or test your sheets?” She bubbled with laughter, and broke for the back of the trailer. The shirt fell from her shoulders before she hit the bed.
He watched her slide that curvy naked body up to the pillows, worried that he’d come before he lost the damn towel. Leaving it on the floor, he cr
awled in behind her. And managed to take a nip of her butt before she turned onto her back.
* * *
LEXY JERKED AT the unexpected scrape of his teeth on her skin. As soon as she flipped over, he used her surprise to spread her thighs. He kissed inside the left one, then stroked his tongue intimately up her fold. Inspiring another gasp, he parted her moist flesh and took another swipe with his tongue.
She whimpered when he stopped too soon, but he kept going up her stomach, leaving a wet trail to her belly button, then circling it before licking his way to her breasts and sucking a nipple into his mouth. She was about to explode. Shuddering deep inside, she closed her eyes, unable to move by the time he got to her mouth.
A fiery sensation ignited low in her belly, and she knew it was time to bring out a condom. She slapped blindly at the small table beside the bed. The box hit the floor. For all his restraint, Tanner seemed just as eager and quickly retrieved it. He dug out a packet, tore it open and sheathed himself.
He slowed down long enough to kiss her lips, brush the hair from her face and look into her eyes. Already positioned between her thighs, he pulled her legs around his waist and pushed into her, his muscled arms trembling.
“I know this will go fast, but I don’t care,” she murmured, moving her hips, urging him not to hold back. “I want you.”
He drew back slightly, then thrust into her. The bed shook. A growl tore from his throat the whole park could probably hear. She wasn’t quiet, either. Didn’t even try to cover her mouth. Her right hand fisted the sheets. With the other, she clutched his muscled arm. Her fingernails were digging into him but she couldn’t seem to let go. She bucked up to meet his second thrust, and then his third. With the fourth, the bed seemed to spin beneath her.
She flushed feverishly hot, then went shivery cold. His body tensed, his arm muscles bunching rock-hard so that her nails lost traction. Helpless but to release him, she fell back as the spasms gripped her, pulling her into an unrelenting undertow of sensations.
Tanner stilled, muscles taut and straining as he came. His long, low moan sounded otherworldly, hot, sexy as anything she’d ever heard. He looked beautiful. His body tanned and rugged and virile.
Her climax hadn’t eased. The pressure seemed to impossibly build again, regaining momentum, then crashing over her, blurring her vision and overwhelming her senses. Adrift once more, she came around and realized his circling thumb was the reason. She shifted her legs to the side, breaking contact, and he collapsed beside her.
But the best part? The most perfect thing ever...Tanner had never stopped looking into her eyes.
* * *
BY NINE THE next morning they’d eaten breakfast and were on the road again. Lexy leaned as far back as the passenger seat allowed, stretched out her legs and started a second round of yawning.
“You slept well last night,” Tanner said, hoping he hadn’t rushed her. Not knowing more details about the auction was maddening. He figured he’d get there in time, but he also wanted to make good on his promise to Lexy of a nice hotel, an early check-in and lots of lovemaking. “Can’t tell me otherwise.”
She set her to-go mug of coffee down, and he knew what that meant. “Are you implying that I snore?”
“Don’t you dare tickle me while I’m driving. I mean it.”
“Oh, okay,” she said, and he glanced over and caught her sly grin. “Since you mean it, that changes everything.”
“Such gorgeous blue eyes. Who knew you could be so ruthless?” Damn, she’d found that one tiny spot near his butt...his fault for reacting, but she hadn’t let up, either.
“You’re right. No tickling now. But later? I make no promises.” She picked up her coffee. “I don’t snore. Do I?”
“No. But you did hit the pillow hard.”
“I know. It’s weird. For a year nothing has helped my insomnia. But the last two nights with you I’ve fallen asleep in minutes.”
“I’ll try not to take that wrong.”
“Oh, come on. I’m not falling for that crap.”
“What?” he asked, laughing at her inelegant snort.
“You’re like a pool hustler.”
“Not my game.”
“You know what I mean. Preying on unsuspecting women, unleashing that charm of yours until they’re too weak to resist.”
He gave her a long look. “Jesus, you win. Go back to sleep.”
“I know,” she said, laughing at herself. After pausing a moment she asked, “Why aren’t you married?”
“Odd question. Can’t imagine I seem the type.”
“But you do. Even though you spend so much time on the road...” She trailed off. “Let me reword... Why aren’t you in a steady relationship?”
“I tried that once. Didn’t take.”
Lexy hesitated. “Can I ask for how long and why?”
“We met at a rodeo and hit it off. We both liked horses and the quiet life, held similar values...” He blew out a stream of air, mulling over what he’d be comfortable sharing. “Doreen worked as a court reporter in Dallas. She understood the rodeo kept me on the road. Sometimes she’d join me for a long weekend, or I’d spend downtime with her in Dallas. I wasn’t crazy about staying in the city, but we seemed to make things work for almost two years. I’ll admit, marriage crossed my mind.”
A gust of wind buffeted the truck and trailer. He gripped the wheel with both hands to maintain control. Lousy timing, he thought, when Lexy swung him an abrupt look. He didn’t want her confusing the interruption and think he was stalling. Doreen was in the past. He rarely thought about her.
“Anyway,” he continued before she prompted him. “There’s not much more to the story. Doreen hated the term buckle bunny, but basically she fit the bill. I had no problem with that, but all of a sudden she started getting jealous and questioning me when I was away. Twice she accused me of sleeping with other women, meaning buckle bunnies. Never happened. I don’t do that crap. If I make a commitment, I keep it.”
He almost glanced at Lexy, but kept his attention in front of him. If she even vaguely looked as if she doubted him, he didn’t want to know.
“Doreen would cry, tell me she was sorry and things would be okay for a while. But it finally dawned on me that she was the one cheating. Why else the sudden suspicion? I knew she’d started going to local rodeos when I was on the road. Which was fine until the crazy accusations. I couldn’t prove she was screwing other riders, but I was pretty convinced.”
“Did you call her on it?”
“Nope. It didn’t matter at that point. If she’d really known me or loved me, there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell she would’ve believed I was capable of cheating.”
Lexy got really quiet. Finally, he had to look at her.
She gave him a tender smile and shifted closer until her lips grazed his cheek. She kissed him, then whispered, “You’re right. I’ve known you for only four days and I’d never believe it.”
Tanner smiled.
“I’m completely serious.”
The tightness in his chest was powerful enough to choke a bull. “I know you are.” He wanted to thank her, but didn’t trust his voice.
* * *
TANNER STOOD OUTSIDE the convenience store after fueling the truck, and waited while Lexy picked up a few things inside. He thought about trying Doug, hoping for good news, but that would be stupid. He’d only waste his brother’s time. They’d already talked once and Doug was scrambling to make sure they had ready cash. If he had something new to report, he would’ve called. Course it wouldn’t be now since the timing was perfect. Tanner was getting itchy over hiding conversations from Lexy.
After receiving no word from the county treasurer, he had placed another call to the office an hour ago. At least someone answered, an older woman with a creaky voice who�
�d asked him to repeat himself three times. She’d identified herself as a county clerk and confirmed the ranch was to be auctioned off in two days. Only because she’d seen the signs on the posts. In an official capacity she could tell him nothing. She’d offered to leave another message for her boss but Tanner didn’t hold out much hope. He knew how those small country offices operated. The guy was probably off fishing.
Anyway, he’d already gotten the news he’d been dreading. Archie Crawford hadn’t been wrong. The ranch was scheduled to be auctioned.
He peered into the store window, trying to locate Lexy. She was next in line to be checked out so he stayed where he was on the off chance Doug called, and watched her scan the selection of candy bars. An older man standing at the register turned and said something to her. Whatever it was she didn’t like it, judging by the regal lift of her chin as she shifted her attention elsewhere.
Tanner smiled. Every once in a while he got a candid glimpse of the Alexis Worthington who’d grown up in that big, fancy house with a stable and tennis court, money and servants. Hard to imagine she ever could’ve been the spoiled-brat type. She had too much heart and grit. And he didn’t buy that a person could change that much. But he still liked his Lexy better.
Shit.
He lifted his Stetson, rubbed the back of his neck then resettled the hat on his head. That sort of thinking had to stop. She wasn’t his. Yeah, he liked her...quite a bit. And she liked him. So friggin’ what? He liked a lot of people. Even folks who didn’t believe in him like she did.
Ah, hell. There he went, overthinking again. He was out of his ever-lovin’ mind if he thought she’d really meant it about knowing he wasn’t a cheater. What was she supposed to have done? Call him a liar? She’d been earnest and everything, probably believed what she’d said in the moment. But the fact was, she didn’t really know him. That was okay. What he needed to remember was that she never would. It was gonna be adios soon.
Maybe he should think about doing the calendar. That’d keep her in his sights a while longer. Hell, he couldn’t do that, it would kill him. If he wanted to see more of her, he’d just man up and ask. Even if he didn’t think he had a chance.
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