by Cat Johnson
“Yeah?” Cassie kept her eyes on her husband, all while jiggling the baby in her arms.
“He seems nice.” Jeez. No one would ever know Becca had a doctorate in English the way this conversation was going.
“He is.” Cassie turned to her and smiled. “A girl could do way worse than Tucker Jenkins.”
Next to her, Emma cleared her throat. The sound had a distinct I-told-you-so tone to it. She didn’t need her sister telling her what she already knew. If she was going to have a fling—one night with a cowboy—she doubted she could do better than Tucker.
All that adrenaline running through him with no outlet—God, what would sex be like with a man who literally vibrated with energy the way he was now?
Explosive. Unforgettable. The exact opposite of how sex with Jerry had been.
Becca realized that, against all common sense, she was dying to find out.
Chapter Seven
“Can you see the end of the line yet?” Angling his head so the rodeo fan in front of him wouldn’t hear, Tuck whispered the question to Jace.
“Anxious to get out of here, are ya?” Jace grinned.
“What do you think?” He turned away from Jace to smile at the young boy and scribble some semblance of his signature on the program the kid had thrust toward him.
It was nearly killing Tuck, having to stay the extra time after the competition ended to sign autographs for the fans with the rest of the guys. He glanced up from the next random item he’d been signing and found Becca watching him. It ramped up his need to be alone with her another notch. Now, he felt as if he were running at full throttle.
“I think this might be the last few,” Jace mumbled low.
There was no use pretending Jace wasn’t just as anxious to get done with this little duty as Tuck was. Not that they didn’t love the fans, but there were two blondes waiting to be shown a good time, and Tuck, for one, sure as hell didn’t intend on letting them down.
He forced his attention back to the last two fans in line, signing a T-shirt and another program before he stood and blew out a burst of air. “That’s it. We’re done.”
“Yes, we are.” Jace capped his marker and stood, too. They both made their way from behind the table in the fan zone and over to the women who’d patiently waited for them for nearly an hour. “So what would you girls like to do? There’s that joint down the road, unless you have another idea.”
Jace asked the question of the girls, but Tuck knew his own answer regarding what he wanted to do, and it didn’t involve a bar or alcohol.
“Hmm. I’m wondering if the place nearby will be really crowded because everyone who was here tonight will go there.” Emma pursed her lips. “I have an idea. Our hotel is only about ten minutes away and it has a really nice bar. Do you want to go there?”
Emma’s suggestion of the hotel bar, so close to all those rooms with beds in them, was incredibly enticing. Tucker’s attention remained on Becca as he waited for her reaction to the idea. She swallowed before saying to her sister, “I think that’s a good idea.”
It was all Tuck could do to stop from whooping with joy at her answer.
“Right? I thought so, too.” Emma nodded. “That way if one of us wants to leave early—you know, because they’re tired or whatever—they can since our room is right upstairs.”
“Mmm, hmm. That’s right.” Becca wore an expression that seemed almost a mix of determination and anxiety.
The body language she broadcasted was so loud it seemed blaring. As if she battled within herself, and for once raw need had won out over logic. He would bet tonight’s pay that didn’t happen often to her. That was fine with Tuck. He’d waylay any of her leftover doubts the minute he got her alone. Which brought Tuck’s immediate thoughts to exactly how fast could they get to the hotel and how best to get her alone once they were there?
“I think that’s a very good idea. Jace? You in?” Tuck glanced at Jace and noticed his brows rise.
“Sure. Sounds good to me.”
Tuck didn’t care what Emma’s motivations were for suggesting the hotel bar. It didn’t matter whether she wanted the freedom to leave so she could be alone with Jace, or if she was playing matchmaker for Becca and himself. As long as the results were he and Becca, alone and sweaty, it was all good.
He turned to the girls. “How are we going to do this as far as vehicles? I’ve got my truck here and so does Jace.”
Emma pulled a set of keys out of her purse. “How about I lead the way in our rental car. Then Jace can follow behind me in his truck and Becca can ride with you in your truck and bring up the rear. That way in case we get separated, she can give you directions to the hotel.”
“Good idea.” Tuck wasn’t about to tell them he had GPS in his truck and could program in the address of the hotel to find it. Or that he lived in this area and probably knew every back road and business establishment there was, including whatever hotel they’d gotten a room in.
Nope. He kept his mouth shut, sparing barely a moment of sympathy for Jace, who’d be driving alone. Poor Jace wouldn’t get the pleasure of Emma riding in his passenger seat, but Tuck would sure enjoy having Becca in his. Having her in his lap would be better, but getting her in his truck was a damn good start.
“Ready to go?” He turned his attention to Becca.
After a glance at Emma, Becca nodded. “Okay.”
Tuck’s gaze dropped to her mouth as she answered. Soon, he hoped, he’d have the pleasure of experiencing those tempting lips. He shifted the weight of his gear bag from one hand to the other, very aware of the strip of condoms Jace had so generously stashed in it for him.
Okay, so maybe Tuck wanted to do much more than just kiss Becca. At least he would be prepared. Fine motto—be prepared. It could make for a very good night.
He took Becca’s hand in his, loving how she looked surprised once again at the action, but didn’t pull away.
“Let’s go.” With a smile and her hand captive in his, he led the way toward the parking lot. Tucker pushed through the door and held it wide for Becca next to him. “So, was your first rodeo what you thought it would be like?”
“Actually, it was much more than I expected.” The tone of her voice and the heat in her gaze as she looked at him had Tuck warming to the core.
“I’m glad.” He blew out a slow breath to steady himself.
How far away was that damn truck of his? He was having trouble remembering where he’d parked. It seemed like a lifetime ago he’d pulled into the parking lot thinking tonight would be like any other event. That he’d hopefully win some cash and not end up on the wrong end of the bull. He certainly hadn’t expected this.
Spotting the truck finally, Tucker squeezed Becca’s hand tighter. He steered them in the right direction. Though any place they ended up together would be just fine with him, he knew her sister and his friend would be waiting at the exit of the parking lot for them. As tempting as making a break for it to be alone with her was, it wouldn’t likely happen for a little bit yet.
Meanwhile, she was being awfully quiet again. He glanced at her as they reached the passenger side of his truck. One push of a button on his key fob, and the door locks released with a click. He opened the door for her. “This is it.”
She glanced at the truck and then back at him. “It’s big.”
“The bigger the better, I always say.” He grinned wide.
“Oh, really.” Her brows rose, and he didn’t miss the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Admittedly the truck was high, but he was never opposed to helping a lady up with a boost. Especially a lady he couldn’t wait to get his hands on.
Damn. How long before they could be alone?
“Up you go.” He stepped forward and wrapped his fingers around her waist and lifted.
She let out an adorable little squeak that had his heart, and parts lower, clenching, before she grabbed the handle inside and pulled herself into the seat. She looked good up there.
He could get used to having a cute little thing like her in his big good ol’ boy truck. Lucky for him she was flying away tomorrow, so he and his scarred heart wouldn’t be tempted to keep her around and risk further damage.
After making sure she was tucked safely inside, Tuck slammed her door and strode around the truck to the driver’s side. He dumped his gear bag behind his seat and was once again reminded of what it contained. He’d obviously been without a woman for too long; the condoms he’d gotten from Jace, and the possibility of being alone with Becca to use them, were all he could think about.
Jace had been right about Tuck’s total lack of female companionship lately. Tuck was paying for that drought now. Just being close to this pretty blonde was making him feel like a high school kid hoping to get lucky after the prom.
Whatever. Too late to do anything about it now. He’d just have to try to enjoy the anticipation. But whatever was making his hands shake as he shoved the key into the ignition did not make him like his sudden bout of schoolboy nerves one bit. He glanced at Becca, hoping she hadn’t noticed.
He backed the truck out of the space and maneuvered his way down the row and toward the exit. Tucker spotted Jace’s truck waiting and pulled behind him. He flashed his lights to let his friend know he was there and then glanced at Becca. “So, what did you think of the bull riding?”
“I think it’s dangerous and you, and all the other guys, are possibly a little bit crazy.” She laughed.
“All right.” He laughed, too, but didn’t deny it. She could very well be right. “Did you like any of it?”
“Yes, when I wasn’t worried to death for you.”
“Aw. That’s kinda nice to hear.” He glanced at her before he had to drag his attention away and concentrate on pulling out into the road behind Jace. “It’s been a while since I’ve had anyone to worry about me.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Well, Jace cares. Maybe. But I’ve found he’s more likely to smack me in my cracked ribs than show me any sympathy for getting stomped on. No one else though.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of females who come watch you ride and worry about you.” There was a definite edge to her tone that hadn’t been there before.
Hmm, was this her way of fishing for information about his dating life? He didn’t mind her little expedition one bit. It could only mean she was interested herself. But she needn’t have bothered since he had no social life lately. “There hasn’t been a woman to worry about me for a long time. Not since I split with my ex. She hated my riding. So, of course, I used to ride every chance I got to prove a point. Still do now that she’s gone. Pretty immature, huh?”
Tuck didn’t know what made him tell her all that. He never talked about his ex-wife to other women. Hell, he didn’t even like speaking of her to his best friends. But somehow he’d felt compelled to tell Becca. Thankfully, Jace put on his blinker to make a turn and Tucker had to keep his attention on following him and Emma instead of obsessing over his out-of-character confession.
“No. I don’t think so. I’ve got one of those, too—an ex who didn’t like half the things I did. But I didn’t spend my time riding bulls to prove a point. I mostly sit on my sofa with a pint of ice cream since we broke up. That’s going to have to stop, though. I’m afraid I’m starting to get fat.”
Tucker risked taking his eyes off the road to glance at Becca. The I’m getting fat statement to get a compliment out of a man was a typical female ploy, but it made him happy she liked him enough to want compliments from him. He’d gladly give her assurance she was perfect just the way she was. “You’re not fat.”
She screwed up her lips into a pretty pout. “My jeans are getting tight.”
“Women should have curves.” And Tuck couldn’t think of a better way to show those curves off than in tight jeans with a nice heeled cowboy boot that raised her ass up just a bit, like Becca’s was tonight.
“I guess the curve theory goes along with your bigger is always better theory.” She raised one brow and glanced at him.
“Sometimes. It’s all about proportions, you see.” He grinned. “But all kidding aside, you look good to me.”
“Thank you.” It was dark out, but in the dim light of the truck he was sure he saw her blush. God, he loved that about her.
“You’re very welcome.” As Tuck focused back on the road ahead, Jace cleared a traffic light on yellow. It turned red in front of them. He slowed and then brought the truck to a stop. He glanced at Becca. “It’s okay if we lose them. I think I know how to get there.”
“It’s right up here anyway.” She shot him a sideways look. “So you know how you said you haven’t had a woman worry about you in a long time?”
“Yeah.” Where was this going? Tuck was more than interested to find out.
“Well, I, uh, wanted you to know I haven’t been out on a date in literally years—not that this is a date or anything.” She scrambled to add the last part so fast, Tuck had to hide his smile. “I haven’t been out or alone with any man except for Jerry, my dickhead ex—in a long while. Which is probably why I’m so bad at it. Being alone with a man, I mean.” She sighed, frustration radiating off her.
“Becca, you’re not bad at it. Trust me.” He smiled.
She got flustered so easily. As uncharacteristic as it was for him, Tuck happened to find that an unbelievably charming trait in her. It was damn nice compared to the women he was used to being around.
He accelerated as the light turned green and considered what Becca had told him. If they were keeping track of official dates, he hadn’t been on one for years, either. Not since when he was dating Brenda before they were married. Since the divorce . . . Well, he couldn’t call what he’d done to get back on his feet dating by any stretch of the imagination. All out angry, rebound, revenge fucking, yes, but definitely not dating.
He was contemplating whether he needed to respond further to her dating confession when she said, “It’s right up here.”
Seeing the glowing neon sign of the hotel, Tuck steered into the parking lot and parked in a spot in the far corner. He wasn’t keen on putting his fairly new truck in danger of getting dinged by squeezing into a spot too near the entrance. He didn’t need someone in an SUV full of kids and suitcases opening their doors and crashing into his paint job. But more important, he wanted a minute alone to say something to Becca and he didn’t want to risk Emma or Jace walking over, knocking on the window, and interrupting them. Hopefully the other couple would go on in and get a table in the bar and give him and Becca some privacy.
He cut the engine, and the sound of the air-conditioning blower died. He released the seat belt that tugged across his chest and turned in his seat to face her. Reaching out, he leaned his forearm against her seat back and let his fingers trail onto her shoulder. “I haven’t exactly been in this situation lately, either. I mean out with a woman. At least not with a woman like you. Not recently anyway. Actually, not for a really, really long time.”
There he went with the true confessions again. Good thing she was leaving tomorrow. This woman could be dangerous for him if she were staying around for much longer.
“That makes me feel much better.” Her gaze dropped from his eyes to his lips.
He wanted to kiss her so badly, it was nearly impossible to keep his own eyes from focusing on her mouth. In fact, he was having a hell of a time keeping his hands off her.
Without realizing how he got there, he found himself leaning closer. Close enough he could hear every one of her rapid breaths perfectly. “Becca?”
“Yes.” She released the clasp on her own seat belt and met his stare with a bold one of her own.
That was it. He took it as a signal, whether she’d meant it to be or not. He leaned in and swallowed hard. What had he been planning to ask her again? Oh, yeah, if he could kiss her. That seemed like a moot point now with him hovering so close to her lips. One small move on his part, or on hers, would put them in contact. She drew
in a shaky breath that had his gut twisting with need.
It had been a long time since he cared enough to take time kissing a woman. Usually locking lips was simply a necessary means to an end. That end being to get the buckle bunny du jour out of her panties. He’d kissed that string of girls after his divorce not because he’d wanted to, but because it unlocked the pussy he needed to bury his pain and anger inside. Hell, some of them he’d never bothered kissing at all. Becca was different. The urge, the need, to kiss her drove him.
To hell with being appropriate. He closed the distance between them. With one hand cupping her face and the other wrapped around her waist, Tucker took his first kiss from the woman who’d been tempting him for hours. Since the moment he’d first laid eyes on her, looking so out of place in the arena.
He groaned with satisfaction at the first taste of her lips. There was no keeping this kiss chaste. Eyes closed, he tuned out everything surrounding them—the sound of the traffic on the highway, the cool air in the truck rapidly being replaced by summer heat. He concentrated only on her and sank deeper, and still it wasn’t enough. Wrapping one arm around her, he hauled her against him. With his hand splayed on her back he felt the thundering of her heart.
This kiss with Becca felt different. Bigger, somehow. Tucker wanted to savor it. To take his time. To test and taste every nuance of this woman. Yeah, he wanted all the rest—all of her—but for now this was perfect. He was happy. He tilted his head, changing the angle and giving him even more possession of her mouth.
The small sound that escaped her throat as she parted her lips to his probing nearly did him in. He growled a response and tightened the grip he had on her with his one hand, while the other plunged deeper beneath the fall of her hair. It was so soft it felt like a curtain of silk against his skin as his fingers cradled her head.
He tasted the beer on her tongue as it tangled with his, and he thanked God he’d chosen not to have a drink at the arena. He didn’t want anything, especially not alcohol, clouding this. He’d woken up too many times with only a hazy memory of the girl he’d been with and what had happened the night before. That wouldn’t be the case tonight. Tomorrow he’d have crystal-clear memories of every second, of every sensation, sight, and sound.