His Last Rodeo

by Claire McEwen

  * * *

  TYLER WOKE TO sunlight streaming across a tumbled bed. He cracked an eye to see Kit, curled next to him. The white sheets and comforter had been kicked partway off to reveal her creamy skin, her black hair spilling all around her. Her lashes made dark crescents; the hollow of her neck was another shadow, and he resisted the urge to kiss it.

  He pulled the sheet over her to cover the million temptations she presented, naked, next to him. He needed to let her sleep. She’d let him love her over and over last night. A night that came to him in a series of images, of remembered desire so strong he felt like no matter how many times he kissed her, or how many ways he made love to her, it wouldn’t lessen, wouldn’t slow.

  Rolling onto his back, he pinched his finger and thumb between his tired eyes. The fact was, the more he made love to her, the more he wanted her. That hadn’t been the plan. When she’d invited him over, he’d been elated and relieved. Because he’d thought maybe, if they finally acted on all the tension between them, it would lessen. And with less desire, maybe there would be less love. And maybe he’d be able to function when she was gone.

  Now he knew the opposite. The more he’d touched her, the more he was connected to her by invisible threads of desire, of understanding, of a deep knowledge of who she was and how he loved her.

  He glanced around the room, bright in the morning sun that the filmy white curtains did nothing to dilute. He’d been surprised when he first saw it. Kit, with all her black leather and dark makeup, with the exotic tattoos he’d traced with his tongue last night, had a bedroom that was all innocence. A white wrought iron bed, white sheets...a small bouquet of pink roses on the nightstand.

  He was reminded of some kind of shellfish. A mussel with its inky dark shell. The hardened image she showed the world hid a delicate, fragile inner creature. It was humbling that she showed that part of herself to him.

  She stirred, sighing in her sleep. Then her thick lashes fluttered, opened, and her dark eyes, unfocused at first, homed in on him. “Oh.” They widened. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Her confusion was adorable and he rolled to face her, to touch the satin of her hair and push the wayward strands behind her ear. But that ear was so sweet, pink and perfectly curved, he kissed it, then her cheek, then her mouth. She gave a whimper as his tongue met hers that launched him on a journey across her incredible body, to find other places that sparked that sound, his hands intent on memorizing her curves, his mouth following his fingers to her breasts, to her belly, to the curve of her hip and down to taste the sweet and salt of her.

  She tugged his arm and grabbed the last ridiculous pink condom off the nightstand, and it was the only hint he needed to lose himself inside her, to feel her hands across his back, pulling him closer and deeper until there was nothing but her. Her faint spicy perfume his oxygen, her small gasps his need, her eyes a window into the only world he wanted to live in.

  When they lay tangled in damp sheets, when she curled against him like she was made to fit with his body, her voice uncoiled in the silence. “You’re better than I thought, you know.”

  He met her dark gaze and saw how the humor lit her up, tilted her mouth in that sexy, sassy way he’d fallen in love with. “What do you mean? You thought I’d be bad at this?”

  Her shoulder rose in a faint shrug. “I didn’t know. I mean, you’re always talking about those eight seconds...”

  He laughed and kissed her teasing mouth, ran his hands over her body, tracing the curve of her waist, the rise of her hips. “I’ll show you eight seconds. And then I’ll show you eight more and another eight...”

  Her mouth found his, demanding his silence with a passion he could feel all the way to his heart. He’d give her the most memorable seconds he could. He’d sear his touch onto her skin, brand himself on her soul, so maybe she’d stay. Or, if she left, she’d remember him. And hopefully, when she was ready, she’d know where her home was and whom she belonged with, and she’d come back to him again.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  KIT LOOKED AROUND the new and improved Dusty Saddle, trying to take it all in. The rebuilt shelves and brand-new taps were so clean and professional; the refinished bar gleamed in the new overhead barn lights. The brown leather stools she and Tyler had picked out looked fantastic.

  Tonight was opening night. Then her job was done. But she was trying not to think about that. Because the past few weeks with Tyler had been incredible, and they made her want to stay.

  Fortunately, she had no time to think right now. She was still trying to train the bar staff in tonight’s signature cocktail. The Fall Fantastic. Spices and whiskey that, when combined, was like drinking potent pumpkin pie.

  Glancing around to make sure she had everyone’s attention, Kit cut a strip of orange peel into a perfect spiral then held it up. “Behold, the garnish.” Lila and Tim clapped. The three of them had come up with the orange spiral together, outvoting Mario, who wanted some kind of plastic pumpkin in the drinks.

  The eight bartenders-in-training each had a paring knife and a cutting board with an orange on it. Kit held up her orange and demonstrated again. “Don’t cut the skin too thick or it won’t curl.”

  It had to be perfect because tonight was special. An invitation-only event. Tomorrow they’d open to the general public and Tyler’s version of the Dusty Saddle would be officially up and running.

  Kit walked around to inspect everyone’s handiwork. “Okay, now let’s talk about muddling. Slice half an orange and put the pieces in the shaker. Start squishing the fruit with your muddler, twisting your wrist a little.”

  Tyler walked in at that moment. Ran in, more like it, skidding to a halt beside her. “Did I miss the lesson?”

  “You can sit there.” She pointed to an empty table with an orange and a knife.

  He leaned closer, trying to speak quietly. “Did you check with the kitchen about food for the staff party?”

  She could feel his breath heating her neck, heating other things, too. “Yeah, they’re doing trays of finger food. And I paid the DJ to stay.”

  He grinned. “When should we tell them the last two hours of their shift is a party?”

  “Let me make sure they all have this cocktail down first. Then you can break the good news.”

  “I better get on it, then.” Tyler picked up the paring knife and the orange. “I don’t want to fail the Kit Hayes master bartending exam.”

  “That would be terrible,” she said, laughing. “A blow to your career from which you’d never recover.”

  He started slicing while Kit surveyed the room and decided the oranges were muddled enough. “Okay, everyone, over to the bar, please. I need each one of you to demonstrate how you make this drink.”

  Tyler presented her with a perfectly coiled orange peel. “Do you have time for a break after this?”

  Kit’s blood heated at his suggestive tone. It had been hard to stay professional these past few weeks, when they’d slipped away from work as often as possible to be together. Their relationship had been tucked between long days and nights of hard work, a patchwork of incredible stolen moments...kisses in the storeroom, late nights and early mornings tangled in her bed or his.

  Kit glanced at her to-do list. “I do have something about a quickie on here.”

  Tyler grinned. “I like your thinking. Can we really make time?”

  “Are you kidding me?” She elbowed him gently. “It’s opening night. Everything has to be perfect.”

  He glanced at the bar staff, then planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’ll have to wait, I guess.”

  “Yes, you will. But if I’m still awake after closing, I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “If you’re still awake... Honey, I’ll make sure you’re wide awake—”

  “Kit!” Tim called. “My cocktail looks like vomit.”
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  She stepped away from Tyler’s caressing words, wanting everything that he was promising, right now. “I’ll be right there,” she called to Tim. And reached for Tyler’s hand to feel a moment of his skin on hers before she went back to work.

  * * *

  TYLER ALLOWED HIMSELF a few moments to walk through the various rooms of the Dusty Saddle. The whole place looked fantastic. From the colorful lights strung over the dance floor to the dark masculine colors of the sports bar, Kit’s magic touch was everywhere. He stopped in the kitchen to make sure Chef Billy had all that he needed. The energy was high, the prep cooks’ knives flying as they chopped. Billy cursed—worthy of a pirate—as he urged them to go faster, to be more careful, to be ready.

  Tyler glanced at his watch, stunned at how quickly the time had passed this afternoon. He had ten minutes to get dressed for the opening. He jogged to his truck for his clothes and then to the men’s room to change and was at the office in time to see Kit walk out and knock him even more breathless.

  She was always gorgeous. His definition of beauty. But he’d never seen her in the burgundy dress that wrapped around her curves as if it had been designed for her. He’d never seen her in black high heels, with thin straps around her ankles. Part of her hair was pulled up with a clip; the rest cascaded down her back in waves.

  “Too much?” A flush formed on her cheeks. “I wasn’t sure.”

  “Not too much.” His voice came out sounding like a rusty gate. “You look great. Just...really great.” Although he’d found his voice, he hadn’t located many words yet. Great didn’t cut it, but it was all he had.

  She gestured to his black jeans and his black Western shirt with white trim. “The man in black. You look nice, too.”

  “Thanks.” There was an awkward beat of silence between them. Like she wanted to say something else. He did, but he couldn’t say any of the thoughts that tangled in his mind. Because they all had something to do with how he didn’t want her to leave. He settled for, “I’m so grateful for you.”

  She flushed pink. “But this is all yours. Your bar. Your big night.”

  He reached for her hand. Held it tight in his own. “I could never have made it happen without your help. You saw me struggling and you helped. Even before I offered you that bonus, you reached out to me.”

  “I was difficult.”

  “You saved me. Kit, this is your night, too.”

  She blinked and looked away, as if she were fighting tears. When she finally looked at him he could see them glittering in the brown depths of her eyes. “You’ve changed everything for me, too. And for my dad. Everything is better because of you.”

  His throat clogged. So he didn’t try to talk. Just tucked her hand under his arm. Loving how she stepped close to his side and leaned on him just a little.

  “Ready to go greet our guests?” she said.

  He nodded. Cleared the emotion out of his throat. “Let’s do this thing.”

  They unlocked the doors together. Opening night had begun. And he was so glad to have Kit right by his side.

  Crater, Stan and a few of their miner buddies were the first to arrive. Tonight Crater sported an old plaid blazer over his usual plaid shirt. And Stan had a tie on. An odd orange tie, but Kit gave them both a big hug, touched by their efforts. “Can we get you a drink?” she asked.

  Crater looked a little sheepish. “Stan and I, and a few of the others, we’re gonna start our night in this new restaurant of yours. Then we’ll come to the bar after.”

  Kit took his arm. “Well, let me walk you over and make sure you get the best seat in the house.”

  She left them in the hostess’s capable hands, then strolled back, stopping to shake hands with various people she knew. Then someone came through the door, so familiar in his shabby suit, and her heart swelled. “Dad.” She rushed over to give him a hug. He looked out of place, clutching his dressier cowboy hat. “I just came by for a quick tour. I won’t stay.”

  She took him to Tyler to say hello, then they wandered the rooms together. She pointed out all the changes they made while her dad said, “Well, I’ll be...” every time. She tried to persuade him to stay, but he said no and left. But not before giving her a pat on the cheek and saying, “I’m proud of you. You know that, right?” For the second time that evening, she had to blink back tears.

  A dark-haired woman caught her arm, saying, “You must be Kit. I’m Sheila. Tyler’s tutor. And this is my husband, David.”

  Kit flushed. The woman she’d been so jealous of was pretty and middle-aged, with a tall, gray-haired man on her arm.

  “Oh my goodness, so nice to meet you.” She squeezed Sheila’s hand. “You’ve changed Tyler’s life.”

  “From the way he speaks about you, I think I can say the same,” Sheila said. “The place looks great. I hear you had a lot to do with the design.”

  Kit nodded, realizing that this might be her only chance to tell Sheila what she truly felt. “I’ve known Tyler since we were kids. I saw the problems he had in school. The problems he had when he first started here. I can’t thank you enough for helping him.”

  Sheila flushed. “Now don’t make me cry. I’m a teacher. I’m just doing my job.” She gave Kit a quick hug. “We’d better get to the restaurant for our dinner reservation. How exciting to have a new place to eat.”

  “Enjoy,” Kit said, liking this woman immensely. “I’ll come by in a bit to make sure everything is just how you like it.”

  Sheila gave her a bright smile and David inclined his head. “Great to meet you, Kit. Good luck tonight.”

  “Thanks.”

  Tyler appeared at her side. “It’s crowded. I can’t believe everyone showed up.” His smile widened even more as his brothers walked in. Then his expression dimmed and Kit knew why. There was no one behind them. His father hadn’t come to opening night.

  She watched, heart aching, as Tyler reassembled his smile and walked toward Miles and Parker for high fives and manly, backslapping hugs. Fury sent her pulse thrumming. Why couldn’t his father see all that his son had to offer? She glanced around. Everything was running smoothly. People had drinks in their hands, smiles on their faces. She made her way through the crowd and grabbed her purse and coat from the office. With one last glance to make sure Tyler didn’t see her, she ducked through the front door and out into the night.

  * * *

  THE BLUE GLOW of the television lit the living room of the Ellis family’s big ranch house. The anger that had propelled Kit over the dark roads raced even hotter in her veins. She parked in front of the house and ran up the porch steps, knocking loudly on the door.

  When Tyler’s dad opened it, she let him have it. “I can’t believe you’d rather watch TV than attend the opening night of your son’s business.”

  “What are you doing here?” Ken looked older, more tired than she’d ever seen him. Or maybe it was the blue bedroom slippers he wore on his feet.

  For a brief horrified moment, she wondered if he’d stayed home because he was ill. Then her anger kicked in again. “You should be at the Dusty Saddle. To congratulate Tyler on his new business.”

  “I’m not fond of bars. And I’d appreciate it if you’d let me get back to my show.”

  He went to close the door, but she blocked it with her hand. “I’d appreciate it if you’d get dressed and get down to your son’s bar to say congratulations. Do you have any idea how hard he’s worked? What he’s had to overcome to learn to run a bar?”

  “I’m sure Tyler makes a very good bartender.” Ken’s face was pinched like he smelled something bad. “He doesn’t need me to tell him that.”

  “But that’s the thing. He does need you. He needs you to see him. To accept him and appreciate him for who he is. You don’t need to stay long. Walk around the place once, then leave. That’s all my dad did
, but it meant a lot to me.”

  At the mention of her father, Ken’s eyes narrowed. “Well, I’m sure if your father came by, then Tyler’s just fine.”

  It hit her, what this might be about. “You’re upset because my dad and Tyler are friends?”

  “I’m not upset about anything,” Ken said. “Except I’m tired of you coming by here and getting involved in my life.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t get involved in your life if you weren’t always hurting the people I love.” She felt the truth of her words, weighing warm and heavy in her heart. She loved Tyler.

  Everything suddenly felt a little off. Like the world had tipped and she was having trouble getting her balance. “Just come by, Mr. Ellis. Maybe you’re upset because you weren’t very involved in Tyler’s life. Or maybe you’re upset because my dad was. Either way, it doesn’t mean you can’t be there for your son now.”

  She ran for her Jeep and drove toward the Saddle, her thoughts whirling and circling. She loved Tyler. She’d tried not to think about her feelings for the past few weeks. She was leaving, so she couldn’t let their relationship mean more than simply time spent with an amazing man. But here she was. She loved him.

  And she had no idea how she would walk into the bar and pretend everything was fine. Because even if she loved him, she couldn’t let love keep her in Benson like it had before. She still had to get on that plane and leave, no matter what.

  * * *

  TYLER TRIED TO focus on what the mayor was saying. Something about what a great place the Dusty Saddle was and how happy he was that Tyler had invested in the community. But the whole time the mayor talked, Tyler looked for Kit. This was his bar, but it was their achievement. Without her by his side, it didn’t feel quite as exciting.

  Then he saw her, wrapped in her black coat, stepping quietly through the door and heading for the office. A moment later she came out, minus her coat, and walked over to the bar.