by Lacey Wolfe
“Nate, dude. You gonna go?” Tucker asked.
“Yeah. Sorry.” He pulled his focus back to the game, but his shot sucked, barely breaking the cluster of balls.
“Damn. What was that?” Tucker stared at him with disbelief.
“My fingers were sweaty.” He gazed at Angie, who wore a flirty grin and raised her eyebrows at him. The tease knew the effect she had on him.
“Do you want to go?” she asked Lauren.
“Nah. You go ahead.”
Tucker leaned close to Nathan. “Be prepared to be amazed.”
By her ass? Yeah, he already was. The way she bent over the table, her ass right there for his looking. Round and plump. He ached to reach out and squeeze it. He was sure it would be firm.
“Whoa,” Tucker said under his breath.
Nathan looked away from the hot ass on display and at the table. She’d gotten three balls in on one shot. She is good. He held the stick to his chest. Angie crossed the table, now leaning over it, so he caught a glimpse down her shirt. Damn, she wore a tight tank top, so he couldn’t see the color of her bra. That was okay, he’d leave it to his imagination.
The plop of balls going in the holes made him glance away. She was kicking their asses. Lauren had a smug look on her face. No wonder she wanted Angie on her team. It was a good thing they hadn’t placed any bets, otherwise they’d be paying soon.
Two moves later, Angie had cleared her team’s balls and the eight ball. That had been one of the quickest games ever. Nathan set the pool stick down and glanced at his brother, who had his arms wrapped around Lauren’s waist as he kissed her neck.
“They are so in love.” Angie walked up next to him.
“Tell me about it.”
“Maybe that will happen for us one day.”
He remembered that feeling. Being in love was one of the best feelings in life. The constant need to be with the person and still not have enough time. Touching every moment. Kissing, hugging, making love.
“You ever been in love, cowboy?” Angie asked, and leaned against the pool table.
“Haven’t we all?”
She twirled a strand of hair around her fingers. “I loved my high school boyfriend, but I’m glad I didn’t marry him. I don’t think I’ve found what they have yet.”
He had. The thing that sucked about love was when it all fell apart. The pain was almost unbearable. “Probably for the best.”
She stood straight and strutted toward him again. “How about I buy you a drink, and you tell me all about her.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Who?”
She whispered in his ear, “The woman who broke your heart.”
Angie wrapped her hand around the crook of his elbow and led him toward the bar. Who the hell was this woman that had strolled into town? And why the hell did she care so much about his past?
Chapter 3
“So, cowboy.” Angie set her beer bottle down. “You’re halfway done with that drink and you’ve managed to sit with me the whole time. Now tell me about the broken heart you’re still mending.”
Nathan rolled his drink between his hands. “Nothing to tell.”
“Quit the bullshit. Do I look like her? Remind you of her? What?” She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. “There is some reason you dislike me.”
You make me feel things. Not to mention, in some ways, her features were similar to his ex, like her long, dark hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Well, whoever she was, get over it.”
“Why do you care so much?” He lifted the bottle to his lips, but didn’t drink. “You don’t know me, I don’t know you. Why do you care if I’ve got a broken heart?”
“Because you’re taking it out on me.”
He shook his head and finished the beer. That was his last one for the evening. He stared at Angie. She had a point that he’d been rude to her on numerous occasions, but he hadn’t intentionally meant to hurt her feelings. “I apologize.”
She smiled, her red lips parting. She had one of those contagious grins, because he felt his spread across his face.
“Now that is sexy. I can see why the girls would fall for you.” She winked.
“What?”
She leaned forward, and he caught a glimpse down her shirt again. “Your smile. It could make a woman fall to her knees.”
I want you on your knees. He wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Now that you’re in a better mood, want to tell me how I can make you like me?”
There was nothing she needed to do. He liked her plenty. “I don’t have an issue with you.”
She shrugged and stood. “Okay, whatever.” She rubbed his shoulder. “I’m going to find me a handsome man to dance with.”
He grabbed her wrist and she stared back at him.
“What? Did you want to be that handsome man?” She tried to look innocent, but the tease knew what she did to him.
Yes, yes he did. He wanted to take her on that dance floor and mold her body to his and let everyone in this place know she was off limits. “Nah, I’m heading out. Just be careful. Some of these guys think dancing should lead to other things.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Good to know.” She moved close to his ear. “I am looking for a good time.”
Something tore loose in Nathan and he stood, pulling her against him. Without another thought, he claimed her lips. She went still in his arms, but then, as he expected, she grabbed hold of him and thrust her tongue in. The taste of beer met his senses and he laced a hand around her neck. She moaned as she lifted up on her toes to make the kiss deeper.
She tasted so good and felt even better in his arms. He’d only kissed a few women since Carrie. He’d fucked a few, but never kissed them. It was too intimate.
Locking lips with Angie felt right. As though this was where he was supposed to be and what he should be doing. She moaned softly, and his gut tightened. If he could get her alone, he’d show her what that little noise did to him.
Someone whistled behind him, bringing him out of his thoughts. He pulled back and gazed at the beautiful woman who’d caught his attention, her lips swollen from their kiss.
“Wow, cowboy. You made my toes curl.” She caressed his chest.
And she made his cock stiff. Instead of saying anything, he stepped away from her and left without a glance back. Angie was something he was going to have to watch out for. If he wasn’t careful, he’d fall for her, and before he knew it, she’d be back in Georgia. When it came to women he liked, he gave it his all.
Damn it! He needed to stop thinking like that. His ex told him he was too clingy and she often felt smothered. Having any thoughts of moving forward with Angie was a bad idea.
* * * *
Angie opened the fridge door and pulled out the creamer. The house she was staying in was huge and quiet. It was a bit stuffy since it hadn’t been used in years, but it was free. The Carvers were kind to let her stay in the vacant home on the property.
She swirled the creamer into her coffee then put it away. Can I drink this in the living room? Will anyone care? Who would know besides her? She wasn’t given a list of rules. She plopped down on the soft couch. She was being silly. Of course it didn’t matter where she drank her coffee.
Lauren would be over in an hour or so, and they were going to pick up their dresses from the bridal store. She couldn’t wait to see her friend in the white gown again. Lauren had flown to Georgia and they shopped together, but had the dresses delivered to Texas. After they picked them up, they were going to get lunch. Angie loved having this time with Lauren. She’d missed her so much since she moved to Texas.
They had been inseparable before, minus when Lauren was with that creep Phillip. The day that relationship ended, Angie was happy. Her friend had been so blind to that guy. Now she had a wonderful man—who had a smokin’ hot brother.
Nathan had taken her breath away with his kissing skills. She’d had g
ood kisses before, but nothing like that. The feeling of the world stopping, she’d experienced that from him. She couldn’t blame him for leaving right after if he’d felt half of what she did.
Sticking around this place was beginning to sound more appealing, especially since all she had at home was a family who probably didn’t notice she was gone. She wanted to get to know Nathan, and she hoped to be the one to open his heart again. Her exes complained she was pushy, but when she knew what she wanted, she went for it.
Her last relationship, and probably one of her longest, had been with a sweet guy named Wes. In some ways, Nathan reminded her of Wes. A bit stubborn and moody. But Nathan was much more of a man than her ex. Any of them, really. She dug her nails in deep with Wes because he’d had a good job and appeared to be the perfect man, even though the feelings weren’t there. He never gave her that butterfly feeling like Nathan did.
She sipped her coffee, trying to push away the thoughts of the day Wes ended things, but she wasn’t successful.
“I’ve had enough, Angie. You can’t keep making me into someone I’m not.” Wes flung his hands up in the air.
This was the first time she’d ever seen such anger out of him. They’d been together six months now, and he’d never raised his voice at her. Today was his birthday, and he apparently didn’t like the gift she’d bought him. “Where is this coming from? Do you not like the sweater?”
“No, I don’t. And I didn’t like the seven others you insisted I buy last week.”
She sighed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
He stared at her, his eyes appearing to be bulging from his head. She already knew what was coming. The same thing all her exes said. She was making them into someone they weren’t. She was pushing them to being the ideal man she wanted and not accepting them for who they were. She couldn’t help it. She always attracted the more submissive type of man.
“Like always, I was trying to make you happy.” He sat down on the bed. “But I’m not happy. I can’t breathe. You control everything.”
“I don’t mean to, I’m just a take control kinda girl.”
“And I let you, but I can’t do this anymore. I hate these v-neck sweaters, and that restaurant you want us to go to every Thursday.” He buried his face in his palms.
“So what? Are you ending things?” She was tired of being dumped.
“Can you take a step back and not be so pushy?”
As much as she wanted to say yes, truth was she couldn’t. Not until she found a man who would stand up to her. She and Wes would be good a week, maybe two. It wouldn’t take long before they fell back into the same ways, and he’d be upset again over the sheets she chose or something.
“You’re not the right guy for me, Wes. So no.”
He stared at her, and she could see sadness and relief in his expression. “Then it’s over.”
“I think so.”
She grabbed her purse and left his apartment; another relationship ending the way most of hers did.
She always went after the weaker man. Nathan wasn’t weak, and he would hold his own with her. Nathan was her next conquest.
Angie refilled her coffee in the kitchen then wandered onto the front porch. The air was cool this morning and the sun was barely peeking through the clouds. She didn’t have much—well any—ranch experience. She was a city girl. Never left the suburbs of Georgia until coming here. No wonder Lauren loved this place. It was peaceful. At night, it was pitch black. She could lie on a blanket and gaze up and actually see stars.
“Good morning.”
She turned and saw Nathan coming toward the house on a horse. My cowboy. Admittedly, she was surprised to see him after last night. She’d expected him to hide out for a few days. “Howdy, cowboy.”
He slid off the horse and straightened his hat. “I was out riding and saw you on the porch. Figured I’d stop by and apologize for last night.”
Her gaze traveled over his sexy body as she set the mug on the railing. “For what? Being a jerk, or for leaving me hot and bothered from that kiss?”
He took a deep breath and rested a boot on the bottom step. “Anyone ever told you that you have quite the mouth?”
“Oh, yeah. In more than one way.”
He chuckled.
She loved catching him off guard. “Okay, serious now. Why are you apologizing? I can’t see anything you did wrong.”
“It’s about the kiss. I shouldn’t have done that. We don’t even know each other.”
She placed a hand on her hip and leaned on the railing, being careful of the mug of coffee. “I don’t accept your apology. I liked the kiss, and I’d be up for doing it again. Unless you didn’t like it.”
“I liked it. I—I didn’t mean…”
“You’re adorable when you’re flustered.”
He removed his hat and ran his hands through his sandy blond hair. “I guess I’m gonna get going.”
He’d just gotten there, and she wasn’t ready for him to go. “Stay. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
He hesitated, and she could see he was fighting his thoughts. “I really should get going.”
“But do you want to?”
He stood straight and adjusted the loose blue jeans. “I’ll see you around, Angie.”
She watched as he climbed back on the horse. She could stop him, but she’d let him go for now. He’d be back, she had no doubt. He was interested in her. They’d be spending a lot of time together with the upcoming wedding. She just had to be patient.
* * * *
Angie pushed her chair in and followed Lauren out of the café where they’d had lunch. The sun was bright, so she grabbed her sunglasses from her purse as she climbed into the car.
“That was delicious.” She rubbed her full belly.
“I love that place.” Lauren checked her phone, the same way she did every few minutes.
“I can see why. I want to eat there every day before I go back home.”
Lauren cranked the car. “I would join you, but I don’t want to gain twenty pounds before the wedding. Let me save the weight gain for after.”
Angie giggled. “I can’t wait to see you married. You’re beautiful in your dress.”
“Thanks.” Lauren backed out of the parking spot. “And you’ll look hot too. Speaking of hot, I saw that kiss last night.”
Angie had been waiting all day for Lauren to say something. “You did.”
“Uh-huh. Tucker was shocked to see it.”
“I aim to shock.” Angie stared out the window. The land was so pretty there. The leaves were beginning to change color, and it was like a picture from a magazine, tons of bright oranges and deep reds.
“Do you like Nathan?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t mess with him if you don’t.” Her friend’s tone was stern.
She got it. Nathan had been hurt by someone, yet no one would tell her anything about this woman. Was it that bad? Did she leave him at the altar or something? “I’m still sorting out my feelings for him.”
“I think you two would be cute together, but you’re leaving. I don’t think it’s a good idea to pursue anything.”
She sighed. “What if I don’t leave?”
Lauren’s head turned and her eyes widened. “What?”
“Watch where you’re going.”
She glanced back at the road. “Sorry. You shocked me.”
“I’m good at that.” Angie laughed. “I didn’t tell you this, but I lost my job.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You can’t say that and not tell me. Come on, Angie.”
She didn’t want to tell her friend she’d lost her job because a client didn’t like her. Or the fact her boss had chosen the client over her. It was embarrassing, and made her question so many things. “Get me drunk first.”
Lauren let out a frustrated breath. “Fine.”
“Or you could tell me about Nat
han and his broken heart.”
“Fat chance, sista!”
“A girl can try.”
Lauren turned onto the road that led to the home she shared with Tucker. “Don’t be so pushy with him. Can you do that?”
Angie rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna be me. But I suppose I could tone it down a bit.”
Lauren parked the car and turned toward Angie. “He’s just a little more delicate than most men.”
Nathan would probably hate being called delicate. In fact, Angie wasn’t sure her friend was right. Maybe Nathan needed someone just like her to break him out of that shell he’d buried himself in. He needed her to open his heart again and show him a good time.
Chapter 4
Nathan entered his parents’ house. His dad was out fishing with Lauren’s father for the day. His mom was probably busy crocheting or doing a puzzle as something mouth-watering simmered or baked in the oven.
“Mom,” he called from the living room, hoping not to startle her.
“In here, honey.” Her voice came from the back den.
He wandered through the kitchen and glanced toward the stove. No aromas welcomed him, instead it just gave off a clean bleach smell. He couldn’t remember a time she didn’t have anything cooking.
His mom was cuddled under a blanket with her eReader in her hand. She set the device down and smiled. “Hey. What brings you by?”
“It’s so quiet.” Then again, he didn’t come by often when his siblings weren’t there.
She nodded. “Yes, and I’m enjoying it. You have no idea how many years I waited to be able to read a whole book in an afternoon. You kids occupied much of my time.”
They were a pretty rowdy crew. “Mind if I sit and join you?”
“I always have time.” She patted the spot next to her. “What did you want to talk about?”
His mom always knew when he or his siblings needed to discuss something. What a gift it would be to have his mother’s intuition. “I’m sure you’ll hear before long, but I kissed Lauren’s friend.”