Texas Hustle

by Cynthia D'Alba

  “Of course I don’t expect you to sleep on the sofa,” he said, a scowl darkening his expression. “What kind of man do you think I am?”

  “I think you’re a wonderful man. Completely trustworthy. One who keeps his word once he gives it.” She swept her hand over the bed. “And this bed is huge. Can’t we share it? As friends. Neither of us should be subjected to sleeping on a sofa for two weeks. I promise to stay on my side and you on your side. Agreed?”

  Her gut tugged at the thought of sharing a bed with Darren. She wasn’t a virgin. Hadn’t been in a long time, but on the other hand, she hadn’t shared her bed with a man in years either. She’d been telling the truth when she’d said she trusted him. It was her she was worried about.

  Darren’s phone rang. Both of them looked at each other surprised.

  “We have service,” he announced and then answered. “Hello. Sure. When? Okay. Heading out now.”

  He click off his phone and shoved it in his pocket.

  “That was my cousin, Travis. He needs help with something.”

  She waved him away. “Go. I’m fine. I’ll finish unpacking and find something to do. We can finish discussing sleeping arrangements later.”

  “Great.”

  He stepped out of the bedroom and then came back. He caught her head between his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. She put her hands over his, loving how large and strong they felt under hers.

  This wasn’t the simple brushing of mouths as before. His kiss was a full-on attack of lips and tongues. Wet and deep kisses that made her insides go soft and liquid. Kisses that had the power to make her forget all her objections to a romantic getaway with him.

  When he bit gently on her bottom lip, she willingly allowed him to sweep his tongue in like an invading army. She sucked on his tongue, not wanting to let it go.

  When he pulled back, she flicked her tongue out to taste the moisture he’d left behind.

  His eyes were dilated and filled with lust. His breaths were ragged.

  “Okay then” he said, dropping his hands and stepping back. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  As soon as she heard the front door slam, she dropped onto the mattress. Holy Lord. That kiss had everything inside her melting, including every ounce of common sense. That man knew what to do with his mouth. She let out a long sigh.

  And he was exactly the type of man her parents would hate. A cowboy. A man a little rough around the edges. Hard hands with calluses and bruises. A man who worked outside and sported a tan most of the year. A man who wasn’t afraid of manual labor, and did it every day, in fact. A man whose hair brushed along his collar because he’d been too busy to get a trim. She knew exactly how her parents would react to him if she were ever to bring him to Atlanta. They would waste no time in telling her he was totally wrong.

  Expelling another sigh, she stood, determined to ignore her parents’ voices in her head about how she was wasting her life with her little bakery and needed to get serious about finding the right man to marry and producing the next generation.

  Once she got her clothes hung up and stashed into drawers, she wandered onto the porch and took the swing. She bent her right knee and pulled her foot up onto the chair. With her left, she pushed off and set the swing in motion.

  Darren had left ten minutes earlier when summoned to help Travis. She’d wondered what Travis was bringing that needed help.

  Pretty soon, she didn’t have to wonder any longer.

  A high-powered truck chugged into the drive towing an extended horse trailer. The truck and trailer pulled around the circle, turned by cabin four and followed the road that’d led to the field where Darren had stored his hauler.

  Behind the truck, a white Cadillac Escalade SUV pulled up to the lodge steps and stopped. The back door flew open and a couple of boys around eight or nine spilled out, followed by a black and white dog. Olivia Montgomery Landry exited from the driver’s side.

  “Adam. You and Norman get back here. Don’t let Daisy near that lake. Do you hear me?”

  The boys didn’t return.

  On the lodge porch, Olivia’s mother, Jackie, laughed, the sound carrying easily across the yard.

  From the passenger side, Caroline Graham Montgomery, Olivia’s sister-in-law, stepped out, a broad grin also splitting her face.

  Olivia threw her hands up in the air. “Fine,” she called. “Don’t come back. I’ll let your fathers handle this.”

  That threat seemed to work, because both boys came running from behind the lodge, the dog still dry. They probably just hadn’t had time to make it all the way to the pond.

  The sound of metal clanking and a ramp hitting the ground drew Porchia’s attention back to the long trailer. Darren walked a chestnut-colored horse out, followed by Travis with a black horse. A total of six horses were unloaded and released into the corral.

  Once the horses were unloaded, Mitch Landry used two fingers to produce a sharp whistle. The two boys raced over and helped unload all the necessary tack.

  Porchia rocked the porch swing in a gentle sway as she watched all the activity in the campground. Most of the other women were at the lodge. Isolating herself wasn’t a good way to start an extended vacation with people she would be interacting with every day.

  She made her way over to the lodge and walked up the steps in time to hear Caroline say, “You know Travis. My husband is going to do what he wants. But this time, I think he’s right. Those horses needed some exercise, and with all the riders in this family, they’ll get what they need. Besides, this is a gorgeous place. Perfect for riding.” Her gaze met Porchia’s as she was gesturing to the area. “Porchia. What a nice surprise. I heard you were coming with Darren.”

  The two women embraced. Porchia had supplied many a doughnut to Whispering Springs Medical Clinic where Caroline had a practice with Dr. Lydia Henson.

  “You know everybody, right?”

  “I do. Nice to see you, Olivia.”

  “You too.”

  “Porchia is going to teach me how to bake while we’re here,” Darren’s mother bragged.

  “Me too,” said Olivia. “I could use some insider tips.”

  Porchia laughed. “Sure. Happy to play in the kitchen. I’m assuming the lodge has a kitchen big enough, because the kitchen in cabin five won’t work.”

  “All the cabins have small kitchenettes,” Jackie said. “Most of the groups who come here have communal meals, so the lodge kitchen is fairly well stocked. I suspect you’ll find whatever you need there.”

  “So, Mom,” Olivia said. “Was it your bright idea to put Jason and Katrina Murphy in cabin three?”

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jackie said, fluffing her hair in such a way that left no doubt she was lying.

  “Jason and his date back-to-back with Marc Singer and Lydia? Are you trying to start a fight?”

  Porchia leaned against the porch rail, enjoying the family interaction. Her family had never been the touchy-feeling kind. No public displays of affection. No public arguments either. Emotional outbursts were frowned upon. Her mother was the perfect society wife. Never a strand of hair out of place. A wrinkle wouldn’t dare form in her mother’s tailored clothing.

  “A fight?” Jackie leaned toward her daughter, her face aglow with interest. “Do you really think Jason would fight for Lydia?”

  “This is a bad, bad idea, Mom. They broke up.”

  “For now,” Jackie said. “We’ll just have to see what the future holds.”

  Nadine braced her hip on the railing next to Porchia. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I never interfere with my children’s lives.”

  Chapter Five

  Darren had been relieved when he’d been called to help with the horses. That first kiss from Porchia had been only long enough to whet his lust. That had to be why he’d gone back to the bedroom and kissed her as though his life depended on it.

  Then she’d licked his tongue and sucked it into her mout
h. He’d been kicked by horses that’d had less punch than that kiss. If Travis and Reno hadn’t been waiting for him to help, he’d have been tempted to drop Porchia straight into bed, and that probably wasn’t the best idea.

  Tonight did worry him, however. He feared their king-sized mattress wouldn’t be wide enough to keep him on his side. He was used to having a king-sized bed to himself, and he had a tendency to use every square inch of mattress. Maybe a bundling board? He chuckled. Nope. He’d climb right over that to be with Porchia.

  They’d met a couple of years ago and she’d intrigued him from day one. However, every advance on his part had been parried away. His ego smarted from all her rejections.

  But then she’d spent money he suspected she didn’t have to buy this time with him. Next, she drops the news that she really just wanted to get out of town away from some old acquaintance hitting her up for money. And finally, she lays a kiss on him that pretty much blew holes in his socks.

  She had him confused and tied up in knots.

  He was tired of hearing how he was younger than her. Big deal. Four years was nothing. She’d used their age difference as her reason for turning down dates. More than once, he’d wondered if that was really the reason, or if she just wasn’t attracted to him.

  Now he thought he had his answer on the attraction question. Buying him at the bachelor auction and following that by a kiss left little doubt in his mind that she was into him. His challenge was to prove to her that they were perfect together, age difference be damned.

  He had every intention of using this camping trip to chip away at her walls. But she had to be the one in charge of moving them from friends to lovers. That was the only way it would work. He’d set the scene, give her plenty of opportunities, and if nothing happened…well, then he’d just rethink this plan.

  Darren spent the next few hours greeting his relatives as they arrived or helping get cars and trucks unloaded. He kept an eye out for Porchia, worried that she would be smothered by his family. The Montgomerys were an unruly crew. Loud voices, louder arguments and shouts of laughter rang throughout the main camping area. Every time he caught a glimpse of his date, she was with his mother or his aunt or his sister, wine goblets in hands, big grins on their faces. The women kept disappearing back into the lodge, where echoes of female giggles would slip out the windows.

  Their paths finally crossed again at lunch. Club sandwiches along with chips and pretzels were piled high on the kitchen counter waiting for each person to fill a plate. The group gathered, or rather crammed, around a long oak table in the dining room. Darren was able to secure a seat next to Porchia only by beating the other Montgomerys to the table. Porchia’s smile lit up her entire face, or it could have been the wine.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Your mom is hysterical,” she said. “I had no idea these women were so funny.” She patted his cheek. “Love the story of you running away when you were five. If only you could have gotten out of the barnyard. Oh, the places you could have gone.” Her laugh tinkled with gaiety.

  He sighed. “Mom has been telling you stories about my growing up?”

  “Oh, not just your childhood, but Reno and KC’s too.” She leaned in and said in a stage whisper, “I think she held back on KC’s stories since KC kept giving her the stink eye.”

  “I did not,” KC protested, but her protestation was weak. “Okay, maybe a little, but I have a professional reputation to maintain.”

  Reno rolled his eyes. “Professional reputation? Hey, Drake. Does she still put panties on her head and dance?”

  KC threw a pretzel across the table, which bounced off Reno’s forehead.

  Drake chewed the bite of sandwich in his mouth and swallowed. “Nope. Most of the time she’s wearing nothing when she’s dancing.”

  KC picked up her sandwich and shoved it into Drake’s mouth. “Eat,” she demanded. “You’ll need your strength for later.”

  Reno and Darren groaned.

  “I don’t need to know that,” Darren said.

  Porchia laughed and elbowed Darren. “See what I mean?” she said. “Funny.”

  His family was going to be the death of any romance with Porchia before he could get one started. His best defense would be to keep her far, far away from his siblings, cousins and parents.

  Reno leaned forward and spoke around Porchia. “Want to try the ATVs after lunch? We haven’t had them out and I want to mark some trails before we take the ladies for a ride.”

  Magda leaned past Reno until she caught Porchia’s gaze. “Ladies?” she mouthed.

  Porchia grinned and shrugged.

  As much as Darren wanted to cut Porchia from the family herd and get her alone, Reno was right. It’d been a few years since the family had used Whiskey Creek. The landmarks might have changed. The last thing he needed was to take Porchia on a romantic ride somewhere on the property and then have to call for help to find their way home.

  “Do you mind?” he asked Porchia.

  “Not at all. This morning started very early. Add lack of sleep to a bottle of wine and an afternoon nap sounds delicious. Have fun.”

  The thought of Porchia in bed had his cock sitting up and begging to go with her instead of out on an ATV with his brother. He had to get that under control before he stood, or else the tent in his pants would embarrass him and probably everyone else in the room.

  Mentally, he started naming state capitals. Nothing more boring than that. He’d only made it to Tallahassee, Florida, when Reno called, “Let’s hit it, bro.”

  He wasn’t entirely ready to parade his semi-erection through the room. “In a sec. I want to finish this sandwich.” He looked down at his plate, his now empty plate. A quick glance at Porchia’s plate revealed a little less than half a sandwich. He snatched it off her plate and took a bite. She gave him a quizzical look.

  “Still hungry?” She gestured toward the kitchen. “There are more sandwiches besides mine.”

  He swallowed and whispered in her ear. “True, but only this one has the taste of your lips on it.” He gave the rim of her ear a quick kiss and then stood, his jeans sufficiently loose to allow him to walk with ease.

  The new four-wheelers started with a growl. The powerful ride vibrated between his legs.

  “Ready?” Reno shouted.

  Darren pulled the strap of his helmet tighter under his chin. Both men had had to agree to helmets before their mother would agree to hand over the keys to the two all-terrain vehicles. Plus, Magda had made Reno promise not to remove his helmet. Darren hadn’t heard Magda’s reward for Reno if he kept it on, but whatever it was made Reno grin and give Magda a long kiss.

  Darren flashed a thumbs-up to Reno, who nodded, goosed the machine and roared out of the camp, throwing dirt and rocks toward Darren. He chuckled and took off after his brother.

  Time had not improved the condition of the trails. Darren bumped and jerked over rocks and large tree roots but he refused to slow. In front of him, Reno’s body bounced on the ATV’s seat and his head bopped on his shoulders. He figured he looked about the same, bouncing and jerking with each leap of the knobby tires over the bumps.

  Reno veered off to the right on what looked like a relatively new trail. The path narrowed and began to climb, not too steeply but the quads’ engines still got a workout. Ahead of him, Reno pulled to the side, turned off the engine and stood, removing his helmet. Darren did the same.

  “Nice view,” Darren said. “I don’t remember this trail. Do you?”

  Reno shook his head. “Nope.”

  Darren ventured around Reno and then out to the edge of a large flat rock that protruded off the precipice. From up here, they had a view of the valley, which included the camp site. Below, various members of the Montgomery family were walking around while the two younger boys were racing around the fire pit with the dog on their heels. The horses Travis had brought grazed lazily in the pasture.

  “This is an amazing view,” Darren said. “We’re faci
ng what? East?”

  “Yep.” Reno nodded behind them. “Sun’s already in the west, so, yeah, we’re facing East.”

  Perfect spot to watch a morning sunrise with Porchia. A little chill in the air, a warm blanket and they’d be snuggled in no time.

  “What are you planning?” Reno asked.

  “No idea what you’re talking about.”

  Reno cocked up his mouth on one side. “When you think, I can see the wheels and gears turning.” He tapped his head. “Don’t forget that we think a lot alike. So what?”

  Darren shrugged. “Maybe a sunrise surprise for Porchia.”

  “I can see that,” Reno replied with a nod. “And what’s going on there anyway?”

  “No clue,” he said with a long sigh.

  “No chemistry?” Reno suggested. “If you say yes to that you’re a liar. There’s more chemistry between you two than all the experiments we had to do in high school chem classes.”

  “I really don’t know.” He scraped his hair off his brow. “She’s got me confused.” He looked at his brother. “Big time confused.”

  Reno chuckled. “I can see that. But she did pay big bucks for this date with you. Saved your ass from Sarah Jane’s clutches is what I hear. And I’ll note that this is the second time she’s pulled your undeserving butt out of the fire when it comes to Sarah Jane Mackey.”

  “Don’t remind me,” Darren snarled.

  It’d been almost a year ago that Sarah Jane had tried to trap Darren into marriage by sabotaging all his condoms with a pin.

  “Sarah Jane still calls from time to time,” Darren continued. “Short of being rude to the extreme, I can’t seem to shake her. Either I’m not being clear or—”

  “She’s as dense as this mountain,” Reno interjected.

  “Exactly.”

  “So back to Porchia.”

  “What about her?”

  Reno just hiked his eyebrows with an incredulous glare.

  “Fine. I’m interested. Happy now? I’ve got to keep Mom from telling her all those idiotic stories about us growing up. She already has an issue with me being younger than her. I don’t need Mom, or you, or Dad or KC adding to her resistance by reminding her of all my screw ups.”