by Cathryn Fox
He pulled a face. “Uh, because I’ll probably end up twisted like a pretzel and rupture something I might need someday.”
She laughed, loving the easy conversation between them. “Trust me. I teach the basics all the time. Besides,” she added, touching his taut shoulder, “you’re wound pretty tight, and yoga can help mellow you.”
“Okay, but only if you promise not to make me do that downward dog pose I’ve heard about. Or the tree pose. I’d have to turn my man card in if I did something like that. But I’m game for whatever else you want to throw at me.”
It surprised her that Mac wanted to join her in something important to her. It almost made her believe he was interested in her as a person, and there really was more to this reunion.
He went quiet for a moment and then laughed. “Speaking of mellow. Do you remember our old chemistry teacher, Mr. Sherry? The one who was always sucking on a cough drop?”
Jess made a snoring sound, then laughed along with him. “Could. He. Be. Anymore. Monotone.”
“Bueller. Anyone? Anyone?” Mac added, grinning. “I’m not sure what he was making in that lab of his, but whatever it was it must have been some seriously good shit.”
“I wonder what ever happened to him,” Jess said.
“Last I heard he was working for a drug company. Getting rich off of making happy pills.”
“Really?”
“Nah, I just made that up. Although it’s probably true.” Jess laughed, and Mac shook his head and added, “Actually, after a year with me in his class, he probably jumped from the highest bridge. That man did not like me.”
“No wonder.”
He feigned hurt. “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Mac. You must have driven him crazy, always bouncing off the walls, messing with his Zen.”
His blue eyes lit like a lightbulb had just gone off. “Maybe that’s why he offered me a cough drop that day when I was being particularly obnoxious and screaming in the halls. My throat was hoarse but now I’m thinking those cough drops were his happy pills and he was trying to drug me.”
“Did you have one?”
He gave her a look that suggested she was crazy for asking. “No, would you?”
“Of course. Cough drops made in a chemistry lab. What’s not to love?”
As they both laughed, she sank further in her seat and stared at the road ahead. They continued to laugh and rehash old stories during the drive to the club, keeping things light as they talked about funny things that happened in their past.
Mac veered off the highway and drove another twenty miles down a long and winding road. Well on the outskirts of town, he pulled into a dark parking lot, squeezed his truck between two vehicles, and killed the engine. She glanced around and took in the lone brick building at the far end of the lot, Wranglers written on the small sign above the door.
He shifted in his seat, and his warm scent curled around her as he rested his hand on her backrest. Twirling a strand of her hair around his index finger, he asked, “You sure you want this?”
She clasped her hands tightly, guessing he picked up on her nervousness. “Yes,” she said, not about to chicken out now.
“If at any time you want to leave, just let me know.”
Her blood pulsed hot and a shiver moved through her, but it was a shiver from anticipation, not fear. “Okay.”
“Just so you know, what happens at Wranglers stays at Wranglers.”
“Oh,” was all she could manage to say, curiosity and anticipation coursing through her.
When she nervously chewed on her bottom lip, his features softened. Caring blue eyes looked at her with genuine concern, and in a soft cadence he added, “Don’t worry, Jess. Trust I’m going to take real good care of you.”
A storm rolled through her as the promise in his voice touched her on another level. “I do,” she said.
She reached for the door handle as Mac climbed from the cab and circled the front of the truck to meet her. He captured her hand in his, and they started toward the entrance. Music drifted from the open windows as they approached. Mac showed his ID at the door before signing Jess in to the members-only club. A moment later, he guided her through a set of double doors and into an upscale establishment that reminded her of a gentleman’s club. Not that she’d ever stepped foot in one before, but she did watch a lot of old movies. Dark wood panels lined the walls and plush chairs were tucked into polished oak tables that were strategically positioned around a stage—a stage where half-naked women and men were dancing. To her left, there was a set of stairs leading to a loft. She glanced up and spotted numerous closed doors.
As she wondered what went on behind those closed doors, she glanced at the gorgeous cowgirls and cowboys sashaying across the stage, some performing acts on the brass poles.
“I didn’t know there would be professional dancers.”
He put his mouth close to her ear, and his warm breath washed over her face when he answered with, “They’re not.”
“No?”
“No. They’re locals and they do it because some people like to be watched.” He gestured with a nod to a crowd of both men and women seated close to the stage. “And some like to watch.”
Her heart leaped as she thought about adding this naughty scenario to her journal. It was definitely one for her book, because in real life—even though she could relate to the desire to be watched—she was certain she would never have the courage to strip and perform for anyone.
As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed that the men and women were all in various stages of undress. She swallowed, the heavy scents of sex and cigars catching in her throat.
Mac squeezed her hand and shot her a reassuring glance, his eyes scanning her face like he knew her innermost thoughts. She felt a little nervous under his careful inspection.
They slipped into a booth at the back of the club, one that allowed them privacy while still giving them a great view of the stage. A waiter came by, and after asking what she’d like, Mac ordered drinks. He pulled her close, wrapping her in his heat as she scanned the club. Everything was so surreal she had a fear of awakening to find that none of it was real and she was back in her one-bedroom condo, immersed in one of her private fantasies.
“Everything okay?” Mac asked, his deep, sensual voice dragging her attention back to him.
“So this is how cowboys unwind,” she murmured when the waiter came back with a beer for Mac and a glass of wine for her.
“Cowgirls, too,” he said, his glance falling over the pretty women on the stage.
At a table near the stage, Jess spotted a woman bent over her chair, her face a mask of pure ecstasy as her man moved over her from behind. She watched for a moment, and then understanding dawned.
“Wait, are they…?” she asked, hardly recognizing her voice.
The corner of his mouth twitched, hunger in his glance as he watched the couple with interest. “Yeah, baby. They are,” he said. “Are you okay with that?”
The shock of what was happening lasted only a moment before lust settled in and consumed her. She squeezed her thighs together; the erotic action taking place in a room where all could watch was beyond anything she’d ever seen or written down. Unable to look away, Jess’s fingers tightened on the edge of the table.
Mac touched her chin to draw her attention back to him. Something potent passed between them when he leaned close and whispered, “I take it you’ve never tried that.”
She shot him a curious glance and thought about what it would be like for him to take her that way.
“Have you ever…” She reached for her wine, bringing it to her mouth with fingers that trembled. She cleared her throat. “Mac, do you come here often?”
“Not really.” He grinned at her, and she leaned forward in the padded booth to take another quick sip of her drink, attempting to mimic Mac’s casual pose as he stretched out beside her. “Are you nervous, darlin’?” he
asked, his voice thick with desire.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Do you want to leave?”
“No,” she said quickly.
“Come here,” he said, and pulled her to him.
Working to quell her nerves, she fell against him, his hand going to her thigh. As skin touched skin, her private parts came alive.
He pitched his voice low. “I’m guessing you’ve never been to a club like this.”
She hesitated, finding it hard to keep a coherent thought with his hand so close to her sex. She shook her head no.
“But you wanted to, right?” Mac arched a knowing brow.
“What makes you say that?”
He slid his hand higher. His voice dipped to a sensual pitch. “The heat between your legs makes me say that, sweetheart. You’re on fire.”
Damned if he didn’t want to give her a night to remember. The first of many, he hoped.
As her eyes dimmed with need, he wondered just how far she’d like to go tonight. He knew that deep down, she wanted to be a part of all this, and while he’d asked for her submission, he wasn’t about to push too hard and frighten her off.
“Do you see something you like?” he asked as she zeroed in on Blake and two pretty blond girls who were staying at the ranch. The three were all wrapped up in one another on the dance floor, their bodies simulating sex as they moved and gyrated to the music.
Her throat worked as she swallowed, and her chest heaved as she watched the action.
“Jess?”
“Yeah?” she asked, like she was having a hard time focusing on conversation as people around them became intimate.
“Do you see something you like?” he asked again, and that’s when Blake turned their way and caught her staring. His friend whispered something to the girls, and then made his way over to their table.
He cast Mac a knowing grin. “I thought you said you weren’t coming?”
“Change of plans,” Mac said, scrubbing his jaw.
Blake turned to Jess, his smile slow and inviting. “The lady looks like she wants to dance.” He shot Mac a quick look as he held his hand out to Jess. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Fuck yeah, he minded. He minded a lot. He glared at Blake. Sure, they’d done this kind of thing before, and he’d never been a possessive man, until now…until Jess. But how could he say no? Jess had been watching him intently, with interest, and he wanted to give her what she wanted.
Before Mac could answer, Blake grabbed her hand and gave a tug.
“Oh, okay,” Jess said, and when she slid from the booth, she fell against Blake. He gave Mac a grin as he led her to the dance floor, and Mac clenched his jaw as he watched his pal lead his girl away. Blake pulled her in closer, and Mac sucked in a sharp breath as he worked to get his shit together. Christ, there was no way Blake could know how much it bothered him to see Jess in his arms, considering all the times they’d tag-teamed in the past.
The music changed, became slower, and Blake splayed his hands over her back, coming perilously close to her sweet ass. Oh hell no! That sweet ass was his. Mac climbed from his seat and moved through the throng to come up to her from behind. As he pressed his chest into her back, he felt a tremble move through her, a tremble that told him so goddamn much. Fuck, she liked this. She liked being between the two of them. Not that it really surprised him. Not after reading her journal. There was no doubt he wanted Jess for himself, but if he wanted to show her he cared, then he’d do whatever he had to, to give her what she wanted.
“Hey,” Mac said, whispering into her ear.
He gripped her hips and spun her around to face him, and when he caught the flush on her cheeks, the two girls Blake had been dancing with earlier came back to hijack him.
Blake laughed, and before they dragged him off he said, “I’ll catch up with you for a beer later.”
Mac pulled her in tight, and as her body pressed against him, his cock swelled. She sucked in a breath and turned when a couple beside them moaned. He felt her shudder as the half-naked duo began to rock against each other. As the man’s hand moved beneath the woman’s skirt, a small sound caught in Jess’s throat.
“Do you like what you see?” Mac asked.
She turned back to Mac and when he saw the way her eyes dimmed with desire, he widened her legs with his knee, sensing she wanted the same. She moved against his leg, desire dancing in her eyes. His mouth found hers and he kissed her deeply. As their tongues tangled, he explored her body, running his hands along her curves. He lifted her hands and put them above her head, then ran his fingers down the length of them, dragging his thumbs over the outer swell of her breasts.
He felt her stiffen, and inched back to see her.
She blinked, and as her breathing grew rapid, she stole another glance around the club. Her smile fell. “I…uh…I have to go.”
He clenched his jaw hard enough to grind bone, his bliss disappearing as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, wanting to assure her everything was okay.
“Which way is the bathroom?” she asked as she inched away from him.
Without giving him time to answer, she darted toward the hall.
Fuck.
He was about to go after her when Blake came back. “Who the hell is she, and where did she come from?”
He watched her disappear around the corner, and when she was out of his sight he sent his friend a quick glance. “I grew up with her.”
Blake shook his head, his eyes full of disbelief. “You’ve known her for years, and I’m just now getting to meet her?”
“I’ve been crazy about her my entire life,” Mac admitted. She’d been the first girl he’d fantasized about, fallen for. And even though he hadn’t talked to her in years, he’d always thought about her. Kept tabs on her to make sure she was okay. Now that he’d had a taste, he only craved more.
Blake nodded. “Yeah, I can see why. And I guess I can see why you’ve been keeping her to yourself. But I think your girl wants to play.”
“We’ll play,” Mac said, looking back down the hall where Jess had disappeared, and hoping like hell he hadn’t blown things between them. He turned to Blake, looking him dead in the eyes. “But you should know…this time, I’m playing for keeps.”
Blake’s head came back with a start. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
Mac gave a slow shake of his head. “Nope, not even a little.”
“So she’s hands-off then?”
“Yes, and no,” Mac said, and leaned toward his friend, wanting only to do right by Jess and give her what she really wanted.
A few minutes later, after explaining his plan to Blake, Mac went to collect her. “I’ll catch up with you later,” he said, then made his way toward the bathroom.
When she came out and found him standing there, a gasp caught in her throat.
“Jess,” he said, everything inside him reaching out to her when she blinked up at him with bright-eyed innocence. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head and pulled her against him. “I thought you were ready for this. You seemed curious, so I thought—”
“Mac,” she whispered.
“Yeah, baby,” he murmured.
“I want to go.”
“I know,” he said, putting his arm around her waist to lead her toward the door.
She stopped in her tracks. “No, Mac,” she said, her lashes dipping lower over her dark bedroom eyes. “I want to go…” She paused, took a deep breath, and nodded toward the loft upstairs. “Up there.”
When she parted her lips in a silent invitation, conveying without words what she wanted, his heart thudded in his chest. Thrilled, yet hardly able to believe this turn of events, his mouth crashed down on hers, not about to waste another second. He kissed her long and hard, pushing his knee between her legs.
She rocked against his knee, her movements sexy and intimate as he continued to kiss her. Her breasts scraped over his chest, and he pulled back, drew a shaky breath, and said, “Let’s go.”
“Change of heart?” he asked.
“No,” she said, her tone soft. “I’m just wondering why you have a key when you said you don’t come here often.”
“Every member gets one, but this is my first time using it.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean…it doesn’t matter…I was just…”
“Jess,” he said to stop her, placing one hand on her cheek, eager to gain all her trust. “I would never lie to you.” Her body relaxed slightly, and he turned his attention to the lock. He swiped the card and when the light turned green, he pushed the door open and ushered her into the room. He set the lock and turned to look at her. Gone was that brief moment of hesitation, and in its place existed need. His hands went to his shirt as his eyes latched onto her sexy curves.
“I want you naked. Now.”
Chapter Five
Pressed against the door in a dimly lit room with nothing more than a king-size bed smack-dab in the center of it, Jess watched Mac undress. Honestly, she couldn’t quite believe that she was here with him, but there was no denying that she wanted this.
With that last thought in mind, she pushed off the door and shed her dress, but her hands stilled on her bra strap when he removed his pants to expose the biggest cock she’d ever set eyes on. It was true that she hadn’t been with many men, but those she had climbed between the sheets with failed to compare to the Adonis standing before her.
“Come here,” he said, his voice a little rough.
“Mac,” she croaked as she crossed the room to meet him. Deft hands quickly unhooked her bra, and he cupped her breasts.
He paused and met her glance. “Are you sure, sweetheart? I want you so much that once I start it’s going to be hell to stop.”
“I’m sure,” she whispered.