When the one dance was over, another tune started right away and he swung her into a country waltz. She found herself laughing as they danced and then she realized her headache had vanished. Every touch of his hands sent warmth throughout her body. Or was that just the heat of her skin from dancing?
She was ready to walk off the dance floor the moment the next song struck up, a slow tune, but Creed took her by the hand then brought her into his arms, catching her off guard. She braced her palms on his shoulders to keep him from holding her too close. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.
His warm breath caused a shiver to run through her as he murmured, “Thank you for the dances.”
She swallowed, trying to not let his closeness affect her…the solidness of his body, his masculine scent, and the heat of his large hands at her waist. She cleared her throat but couldn’t get anything out.
“I’d like to see you again,” he said close to her ear.
She drew back and gave him a skeptical look. “You’re a bull rider. You don’t stay in one place for too long.”
“Long enough,” he said. “Where are you from?”
“I’m from southern Arizona, in the San Rafael Valley,” she said. “But I now live in San Diego.”
“There you go.” He gave her a little grin. “We do have something in common. I’m from just north of Phoenix, in Kirkland, between Prescott and Wickenburg.” He touched a lock of her long, dark hair. “What’s an Arizona country girl doing in San Diego?”
“I work as a research associate at the University of California,” she said. “In our department we do breeding maintenance, genotyping, cloning, and other related projects.”
“I’m impressed.” He continued to lightly play with her hair. “Did you go to the University of Arizona?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“I graduated from the U of A twelve years ago,” he said with a grin. “I’d bet you were at least eight years behind me.”
“Something like that.” She smiled. “What was your major?”
“Animal Sciences.”
The song ended, surprising her. The time had passed faster than she’d expected.
“I’d better go,” she said as they drew apart.
“Why?” He walked beside her as she left the dance floor.
“It’s getting late.” And she was becoming far too interested in this bull rider.
He caught her by her hand and drew her to a stop. “Sure I can’t talk you into a drink?”
“You already talked me into dancing with you.” She smiled. “But no, not a drink.”
“Give me your phone number,” he said. “I want to see you again.”
She shook her head. “I don’t date bull riders.”
With a laugh he said, “Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous a sport,” she said. “I’d be worried all the time.”
“You’d worry about me?” He had that sexy grin again.
Somehow she felt off-balance by his reply. “I suppose I would, if we were dating. Which isn’t a possibility because, like I said, I don’t date bull riders.”
“Why don’t you give me a chance?” he said. “I’ll show you that you don’t have to worry about me.”
She put her hands on her hips. “How many bones have you broken over the years? How many concussions have you had? How many times have you had to be stitched up?”
He winced.
“Or,” she went on, “maybe you should just tell me what bones you haven’t broken. Yet.”
He shook his head. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“Oh?” She folded her arms across her chest. “How many times have you ridden even when you were injured rather than waiting for those bones and injuries to heal?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “More times than you can count, I’ll bet.”
He laughed and raised his hands. “Aw, come on, Danica. Just give me a chance.”
She liked the way he said her name. His voice had a raw, sensual quality about it. “I’m heading up to my room now,” she said. “It really was nice meeting you.”
“So you’re staying here,” he said as she turned away and he fell into step beside her.
She realized her mistake when she’d said “up to my room.” She paused mid-step and shook her head as she faced him. “Good night, Creed.”
“I know when I’m not wanted.” A smile was on his lips though when he said the words. “Good night, Danica.”
As she walked out of the bar and made her way to the elevators, she found it hard not to look over her shoulder. She could feel him watching her and if she looked, she might find herself turning around and going back.
Chapter 2
It was early morning and Danica rubbed her bleary eyes with her thumb and forefinger as she entered the sitting room of their suite, her bare feet padding over the soft carpet. She glanced at the door to Kelsey’s room and saw that it was open. Was Kelsey up?
She went to her friend’s room and peeked in. The bed was made, Kelsey’s clothes still scattered over the foot of it. She was a disaster when it came to cleaning and keeping her belongings in order.
Danica frowned. She hoped Kelsey was with Darryl and safe. Kelsey had a history of picking the wrong men and Danica sure hoped that Darryl wasn’t one of them.
The doorknob to the suite rattled and then the locks clicked as Danica turned to face the door. Kelsey stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She looked tired and rumpled in the same jeans and blouse she’d worn last night, but she also looked happy.
Relieved to see her friend, Danica went to Kelsey and took her by the shoulders. “I take it you had a good night.”
“A very good night.” Kelsey grinned and hugged Danica. She smelled of both her familiar orange blossom scent and a more musky, masculine scent. When Kelsey drew away she was still smiling. “I think Darryl could be the one.”
Danica raised an eyebrow. “Where have I heard that before?”
“This time it’s for real.” Kelsey sobered a little. “He’s not like the others.”
Danica didn’t want to rain on Kelsey’s parade, so she brightened her tone. “So I take it you got lucky last night?”
“Did I ever.” The look of a satisfied woman was on Kelsey’s face. “That man doesn’t just know how to ride a bull.”
Danica forced a smile. “Sounds like a match made in heaven.” More like the man had taken advantage of a woman who had an infatuation with him. Hell they barely knew each other. She kept those thoughts to herself as she studied her friend.
“Mmmhmmm.” Kelsey made a dreamy sound and looked up at the ceiling. She returned her gaze to Danica and she gave a mischievous grin. “Saw you dancing with Creed McBride last night. How did things turn out with him?”
“They didn’t.” Danica pushed her hand through her hair and gave a tired smile. “I told him I wasn’t interested in dating a bull rider. Told him I’m impressed by a lot of things, but riding an animal out to kill him wasn’t one of them.”
Kelsey clapped her hand over her mouth then moved her hand away. “You didn’t.”
“Of course I did.” Danica shrugged. “I told you how I feel about it.”
Kelsey shook her head. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Danica had to laugh at the expression on Kelsey’s face. “I told him that before we danced so I think he took it well enough—I’m sure he knew I was teasing. He still wanted my number.”
“I take it you didn’t give it to him.” Kelsey looked disappointed.
“Nope,” Danica said. “Said goodnight and headed straight up here.”
“You’re crazy.” Kelsey laughed then moved toward her bedroom. She stopped in the doorway with her hand on the doorframe, looking over her shoulder at Danica. “I could always give your number to Darryl who could give it to Creed—”
“No.” Danica folded her arms across her chest. “Uh-uh.”
“If you’re sure,” Kelsey said.
“I’m positiv
e.” Danica pointed her finger at Kelsey. “Don’t you dare.”
“You’re no fun.” Kelsey laughed then turned away and moved into her room. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t…”
“Kelsey…” Danica said in a warning tone.
Her grin still mischievous, Kelsey closed the bedroom door behind her leaving Danica shaking her head.
* * * * *
Getting through the line at the security checkpoint at the airport felt like it took forever. Everyone and their mother seemed to be leaving Las Vegas at the same time. After going through security, Danica put her shoes back on, returned her laptop to her backpack, picked up her duffel bag, and headed to the gate where she would catch the plane back to San Diego. Kelsey was staying a couple of extra days to spend more time with Darryl.
In some ways Danica wished she would be flying into Tucson then driving home to the San Rafael Valley. As much as she enjoyed living in San Diego, she had to admit she was homesick. She missed her brothers and her young niece. She’d traded wide-open spaces for a large city on the ocean and even though she enjoyed her job, she wasn’t sure sometimes that she’d made the right decision.
She settled herself into one of the plastic chairs in the waiting area and put her backpack between her feet and her duffel beside her. She started to dig through the backpack to find her e-book reader when a male voice captured her attention.
“I must be the luckiest man in Vegas.”
Her gaze shot up and she met Creed’s gaze. Pleasant warmth traveled throughout her. “Oh. Hi.”
He gestured to the empty chair beside her. “Mind if I join you? I’ve got about an hour before my flight takes off.”
Butterflies tickled her belly and she immediately had to reprimand herself for feeling a little excited about talking with the tall, hot cowboy again. “Sure.” She gave a casual shrug.
He settled into the seat and relaxed in a casual male pose. He had a worn black duffel at his feet and wore brown boots that were clean but clearly broken in. His Wranglers were faded and fit him well and he wore a plain black T-shirt along with a straw western hat on his dark hair that was pushed up slightly and she could get a better look at his gorgeous green eyes.
He was even more handsome up close and personal in the daylight where she could clearly see his tanned skin and the smile lines around his mouth. He was clean-shaven and he had a spicy, masculine scent. His eyes glittered with interest as he studied her in return.
“Headed back to San Diego?” he asked in the soft drawl that Arizona cowboys tended to have.
“I have to work Monday.” She rubbed her palms on her jeans. “Off to the next competition?”
“Not yet.” He shook his head. “Need to stop home and check in with my mom.” The corner of his mouth curved into a smile of fondness. “Haven’t been home for a while and she worries.”
“I wonder why,” Danica said dryly.
He laughed. “There are worse things than dating a bull rider.”
“You mentioned last night that your family’s in Kirkland.” Danica adjusted herself in her chair so that she could talk with him better as she changed the subject. “I imagine they’re ranchers.”
“McBrides were some of the earliest ranchers to settle in that part of the state,” he said with a nod. “Sometime back in the eighteen hundreds.”
“Sounds like we both have deep roots. It was the same for my family in southern Arizona.” Danica pushed her long hair over her shoulder. “Camerons were among the first to arrive.”
“San Rafael Valley?” he asked. “Around Sonoita and Patagonia?”
She nodded. “About twenty-five minutes outside of Patagonia.”
“There’s a competition over Labor Day weekend in Sonoita,” he said. “I was thinking about heading there.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Little old Sonoita is big enough for pro bull riding?”
“It’s become popular and has been attracting crowds from all over central and southern Arizona.” He rested his ankle on his knee. “It was added to the circuit just this year and it will be televised.”
“Wow.” She shook her head. “Have I ever been out of touch with my home area. In two years things seem to have changed.”
“I’d like you to come to the competition.” His words were filled with a certain conviction that reminded her of her four older brothers. She’d never met a man who quite measured up to them.
She shook her head, but said, “Maybe.”
He gave a sexy little grin, as if knowing he had her. “Rather than waiting that long, there’s a competition in Prescott coming up soon.”
“Whoa.” She held up her hands. “I’m not going to be following you from competition to competition like one of your groupies. As a matter-of-fact I don’t plan on seeing you ever again.”
“What can it hurt, Danica?” The way he said her name made her feel a little gooey inside.
“We’ve been through that.” She put her palms on her thighs. “I’m not going to date you, Creed. So give it up.”
“I’m no quitter,” he said in a teasing tone, but his eyes were serious.
Her phone rang, thankfully breaking the train of conversation they were on. She glanced at the caller ID then looked at Creed. “Just a moment. I need to take this.”
She answered as she held the phone to her ear. It was her doctor’s office calling with the results from her well-woman visit. Then she was transferred into the nurse’s voice mail instead of to the nurse herself, and was instructed to leave a message with her phone number. She identified herself then rattled off her number before disconnecting and tucking the phone into the outside pocket of her backpack.
When she looked at Creed she found him studying her. “You’re tough,” he said.
“So I’ve been told.” She smiled. “That’s what growing up with four older brothers will do to a girl.”
“We’ve got that in common,” he said. “I’ve got four older brothers myself. Wouldn’t that be some family reunion?”
She found herself picturing her now very large family with her brothers, four sisters-in-law, and her niece, and then Creed with his four brothers and who knew how many were married. And then she wanted to slap herself upside the head just for letting the thoughts enter her mind.
They fell into a conversation about what it was like growing up the youngest of five. From a couple of the stories they each told, it sounded like Creed’s brothers were a lot tougher on him than Danica’s brothers were on her.
“Even though they teased me and played pranks on me, to tell the truth, they spoiled me.” She crossed her legs at her knees. “I got away with a lot growing up. They would even take the blame for some of the things I pulled, just so I wouldn’t get into trouble.”
“I’d like to meet them sometime,” Creed said.
An announcement came over the loudspeakers loud enough to interrupt their conversation. It was the call to board the plane to San Diego.
“That’s me.” She got to her feet and Creed stood.
“I want to call you.” He took her hand and squeezed it.
“Like you said, you’re no quitter.” She didn’t withdraw from him immediately. “But I’m stubborn as hell.”
He laughed. “I can see that you are.”
She drew her hand from his. “Take care, Creed.”
He touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll be seeing you, Danica.”
She shook her head but returned his smile then turned and joined the line of people ready to get on the plane.
As she stood behind other passengers, she felt Creed watching her and couldn’t help looking over her shoulder at him. With his hands tucked into his rear pockets, he gave her a nod but she couldn’t read his expression. He looked so good standing there and she had a sudden feeling, like déjà vu…like they’d done this before.
The feeling made a shiver shoot down her spine and she turned away, determined to not look back at him again. She took a deep breath as the line started to move forw
ard at a faster pace.
Why hadn’t she just given him her number? What would it hurt to talk to him again? She sighed. Maybe she was being too stubborn. But then again, maybe not.
She still felt his gaze on her as she entered the ramp and headed down to the plane. It was almost a relief when she knew he couldn’t see her any longer.
It was time to put one ultra-sexy cowboy completely out of her mind and get back to her life.
Chapter 3
It was always good to get home after a trip. Danica blew out a breath as she let her backpack slip from her shoulder and onto the couch in her living room and tossed the duffel beside it. Even after nearly two years her townhouse didn’t have the same warmth and hominess as the home she’d grown up in on the ranch. She’d surrounded herself with pictures of family and touches of home with western décor, but of course it wasn’t the same.
Sometimes she felt lonely even though she’d had plenty of friends and no shortage of men who wanted to date her. But she was used to a rowdy home with four males and Aunt Grace who had raised the five of them when their parents died.
Danica kicked off her shoes then stretched out her arms toward the ceiling and did a few other stretching exercises before starting toward her kitchen for a bottle of water and lunch.
Her phone rang inside her backpack so she turned back and dug the phone out of the outside pocket. She checked the caller ID and saw that it was an Arizona area code but didn’t recognize the number. She answered it with a “Hello.”
“Hey, Danica.” Creed’s voice sent a thrill through her belly.
“How did you get my number?” she asked with surprise. “Did Kelsey give it to you?”
“I overheard you when you were on the phone,” he said. “I have a good memory for numbers.”
“I should just hang up,” she said, but a smile touched her lips.
“But you won’t.” His voice held a confidence that might have irked her if it had been someone else. For some reason his self-assurance did just the opposite. It attracted her in a way that surprised her.
Roses and Rodeo (Rough and Ready) Page 2