To finish, he pulled her in tight so she could feel his erection pressing against her belly. He wanted to leave her with that information, too, in case she needed reminding that while he was playing his guitar, he’d be thinking of what they’d be doing once they came back to his room.
Although he had no idea whether thirty seconds had gone by or not, he lifted his head and started to let her go. She wanted to fix her makeup, and only a selfish jerk would use up all her time so she couldn’t do that. With a murmur of protest, she pulled his head down and kept kissing.
O-kay. He wasn’t going to argue with that. If she was hungrier for his kiss than for that sandwich, so be it. His state of arousal increased exponentially. He massaged her cute little fanny through her skirt, and somehow it rode up, and now he was touching silk.
Not long afterward, he was stroking bare skin as she writhed against him. Then, with a groan of frustration, she wiggled out of his arms. She was panting. “See what I mean?” She pulled up her panties and smoothed down her dress.
“I do.” He was secretly so happy that he wanted to punch his fist in the air, but he controlled himself. A victory dance right now would be in poor taste. He also wanted to ask her about Argentina again. He didn’t do that, either. But if she thought she could leave this kind of passion and jet off to Argentina, she had another think coming.
13
ELLE REALIZED HER behavior was erratic, which was not like her. As she walked back to the party holding Trey’s hand, the term temporary insanity flitted through her mind. She’d never met a man this compelling.
Although she’d had fun with those other guys she’d dated, they hadn’t affected her as Trey did. He’d asked if she knew him at all, and she’d lied. From that first moment in his arms, she’d felt as if she’d known him forever.
But that feeling of connection had to be a result of sexual chemistry, right? She couldn’t have bonded with him on any other level, not in the short time they’d spent together. And yet, being with him felt so right. They interacted with a kind of ease that should take much longer to develop.
Trey’s attitude had a lot to do with that. He’d treated her as a good friend from the beginning, because after the rescue, he’d thought of her that way. His assumption that they belonged together was hard to resist.
She would resist it, though. Facts were facts. His life as a ranch hand didn’t mesh well with her life as a ski instructor. Her present career path spanned two continents. He might be willing to brush that barrier aside, but she wasn’t. She hadn’t known him long enough to justify rearranging her life.
Alex was still spinning tunes when they walked in, and Trey pulled Elle onto the dance floor. “One number.”
“It’s country swing. I’m not that familiar with—” But she laughed and gave in, because Trey wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Besides, only a person with no rhythm at all would have trouble dancing with Trey. His sense of the music traveled through his arms and his fingertips as he guided her through the movements. Soon she was twirling and two-stepping like a pro.
He grinned at her as she spun under his arm. “You’re a natural.”
“No, you’re a fantastic partner.”
“I’ll take that, especially if it’s a global statement.”
“Global?”
“Covering all partner-type activities.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. You’re blushing.”
She’d believe it. Between the fast dance and the sex they’d just had, she might have acquired a permanent blush.
When the music ended, Alex announced that the live music makers were back in the house. Trey planted a firm kiss on Elle’s mouth before hopping up on the stage. Watkins followed at a slower pace.
Mary Lou walked up beside her. “We looked for you two during the break, but you disappeared.”
Elle wondered if her cheeks could possibly get any hotter. “Oh. We, um, decided to—”
“That’s okay, honey.” Mary Lou patted her arm. “I was young once. In fact, even now, Watkins likes to be spontaneous, if you know what I mean.” She winked. “And judging from your expression, I’m sure you do.”
Elle struggled to think of a response.
“You look thirsty,” Mary Lou said. “What do you say we get some champagne and sit for a minute?”
“Good idea.” Elle didn’t have a better one. She chose not to point out that champagne wouldn’t quench a person’s thirst. She suspected Mary Lou knew that.
Moments later they found a spot at a little table and sat down with their champagne.
“This is the good stuff,” Mary Lou said. “Never pass up a chance to drink expensive champagne. That’s my motto.” She took a sip.
Elle swallowed a mouthful, and the bubbles tickled her tongue. “I think I’ll adopt that motto, too.”
“You’re welcome to it. So, when are you coming out to the ranch?”
“I don’t know.”
“Now would be a great time, when there’s plenty of room. In the summer the boys arrive, and then things are more hectic. Oh, I forgot. You might not know what I mean about those boys.”
“I do, actually.” Elle discovered that good champagne went down easily. “I looked up the ranch on the internet last night. It sounds like a great program.”
“It is. You’d get a kick out of those boys. But you said you’d be in Argentina all summer.” Mary Lou finished her champagne. “These glasses are pretty, but they don’t hold much. Want a refill?”
Elle hesitated.
“Ah, come on. You’re not driving anywhere. And remember the motto.”
“Never pass up a chance to drink expensive champagne.” Elle held out her empty flute. “Fill ’er up, Mary Lou.”
“That’s the ticket.”
While she was off getting them more bubbly, Elle redirected her attention to the bandstand. Trey and Tyler were singing the country standard “Jackson,” which was funny considering that the song was about Jackson, Mississippi, yet they had a town of Jackson right down the road. The two obviously had fun with the lyrics, as each taunted the other about making a splash in Jackson now that their love affair had burned itself out.
“That’s real cute, isn’t it?” Mary Lou set a full glass in front of Elle. “I’ve seen them perform that one before, and it’s a crowd pleaser, since we have a Jackson right next door.”
“They do a great job.” Elle couldn’t help paying attention to the lyrics, though, which described the danger of hooking up with someone because of hot sex, which in the case of the Johnny Cash song, faded fast.
When Trey and Tyler finished, she clapped and cheered like everyone else. But she continued to think about those lyrics. She turned to Mary Lou. “How long did you know Watkins before you married him?”
“A long time. I’ll bet I’ve known him almost twenty years. And he was after me the minute he set foot on the ranch.”
“He was?” Elle realized that sounded rude. “I mean, of course he was. You’re—”
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m gray and plump now, but twenty years ago, I could stop traffic. Well, that’s not hard to do in Shoshone. We don’t have much traffic and only the one light at the intersection.”
Elle was fascinated. And slightly smashed. “So he wanted you, but you didn’t agree to marry him for almost twenty years?”
“I didn’t want to marry anyone, including Watkins. My plumbing’s wonky and I couldn’t have kids, so why get married? Besides, I liked being single.”
“So do I.” It was the answer she always gave, but she felt a twinge of resistance this time. Entirely Trey’s fault, too.
“I pegged you for an independent woman from the get-go.” She took another sip of her champagne. “Want s
ome munchies? I could go for some munchies.”
“Sure, why not?” If she intended to continue drinking champagne with Mary Lou, she needed more food in her stomach. The conversation was just getting interesting, though, so she wanted a reason to keep sitting there.
Mary Lou returned with plates of various kinds of cheese and more of the petits fours, plus a mountain of chocolate-dipped strawberries, which were a real luxury in December. “I’m in the mood to indulge,” she said.
“So am I.” Elle picked up a strawberry and took a bite. Champagne went great with chocolate-covered strawberries. “So after holding out against matrimony all those years, what changed your mind?”
“Watkins was pitiful.”
Elle choked on her champagne.
“Easy, girl.” Mary Lou patted her on the back. “Didn’t know you had a mouthful of champagne or I would have waited until you swallowed.”
Elle dragged in a breath. “I’m fine. So you married Watkins because you felt sorry for him?”
“No, that’s not right. I married him because he loved me more than life itself. And when I climbed down off my high horse and thought about it, I realized I’d loved him all that time, too. I’m not sorry I waited. Made him appreciate me more.”
“I’ll bet it did.” Elle lifted her glass in Mary Lou’s direction. “A toast to holding out.”
“It has its advantages.” Mary Lou finished her second glass. “One more?”
“Okay, but this is it. Someone will have to carry me out of here if I have more than that.”
“I know someone who would volunteer for the job.”
“So do I.”
Mary Lou smiled. “Be right back. Don’t go away. I have a point I want to make.”
“You’ve already made a few, and I appreciate them all.” Elle basked in the rosy glow of expensive champagne and the knowledge that Trey wanted her as desperately as Watkins had wanted Mary Lou.
But then there was that pesky Johnny Cash song to be considered. If Elle gave in, would the fire burn out? She ate another strawberry as she thought about that.
“Here we go.” Mary Lou set a brimming champagne flute in front of Elle. “That bartender is a sweetheart.”
“Amy? She is. I should go over and say hi. In fact, I should probably help her behind the bar.”
“Not tonight. You’re a guest, and from the looks of her tip jar, Amy will do very well tonight. The booze may be free, but the Last Chance folks are good tippers.”
“I don’t doubt it. There’s an almost noble quality in the website. I get the feeling it’s very good to be connected to the Last Chance Ranch. They’re highly thought of in the area.”
“They are, and I love working there. Which brings me to my point.” She took time to drink more champagne.
“Mary Lou, I don’t think I’ve ever had better champagne than this. Thank you for inviting me to sit and share a glass...or several.”
“I had the feeling we might have some things in common. I get the sense you don’t think finding a man is the Holy Grail, either.”
“Hell, no.” Elle clapped a hand over her mouth. “Whoops. I probably shouldn’t be swearing in the middle of a wedding reception.”
Mary Lou waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about it. These are ranch folks. They’re used to swearing. But back to the point I wanted to make.”
“Which is?” Elle took another swallow of this most excellent champagne.
“The whole time I was holding Watkins off, and let me add that during that time we had some sexy interludes, I was living right where he was living. He had to see me every day, and vice versa.”
“That was convenient, but if you’re comparing your situation to mine, I work as a ski instructor. In order to do that in the summer, I have to go to the opposite side of the equator.”
Mary Lou nodded and swallowed more champagne. “That’s fine, but I don’t know if you can hold Trey off and spend six months in Argentina. If he doesn’t see you all the time...”
“But if we’re meant for each other, shouldn’t he be fine with the separation?”
“In a perfect world, yes. But this is a man we’re talking about. He’ll get testy. You’ll quarrel. It won’t go well.”
“Then I guess it won’t work out.” Elle felt a sharp pain in the region of her heart.
“Are you sure that’s what you want? To have everything fall apart? Isn’t there some work you could do in Jackson Hole for the summer?”
Elle gazed at Mary Lou. “How would that look? I change my entire schedule so I can hang around here and wait tables? Talk about pathetic.”
“I see what you mean. I don’t picture you turning into a groupie, Elle. You’re better than that.”
“Thank you! Finally somebody understands my position.”
“But I also see the way Trey looks at you. He’s as smitten as Watkins ever was.” She leaned closer. “Woman to woman, that kind of devotion can be fabulous.”
“So what should I do?”
Mary Lou shrugged. “Drink more champagne.”
* * *
WHENEVER TREY GLANCED over at the table where Elle sat with Mary Lou, they had their heads together, and they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying each other and the champagne. Trey figured having Mary Lou and Elle buddy up could go one of two ways. Mary Lou might try to sell her on the idea of ranches and cowboys, or she might encourage Elle’s independent spirit, which logically meant heading off to Argentina in April as planned.
In the end, Elle would do what she wanted, though. He just hoped that what she wanted turned out to be the same thing he did—for them to be together. Still, he couldn’t help wondering what had transpired between the two women while he’d been stuck behind a microphone.
Mary Lou was a staunch feminist and Trey admired that. He’d never thought women should defer to men. Mary Lou and Watkins were a volatile combination, but they were devoted to each other. Come to think of it, Mary Lou and Elle had a lot of traits in common. No wonder they’d hit it off.
The party took a long time to wind down. Pam and Emmett left, but no one else seemed ready to give up. Tomorrow was a free day, with nothing on the schedule except a morning ski lesson and the after-lunch send-off for Pam and Emmett.
Pam had hired a limo to take them to the airport for their flight to Tahiti. Trey laughed every time he thought of Emmett lounging on a beach with an umbrella drink in his hand. He’d return a changed man.
Pam and Emmett’s love story had come to a happy ending. Trey wasn’t convinced that his and Elle’s love story was bound for the same kind of bliss. They had many unresolved issues. Although he wished they could resolve them in bed, he doubted that would happen.
Even so, he was willing to try. The sooner this party ended, the sooner he could hustle Elle back to his room and continue to show her why they were meant for each other. But this was turning into the never-ending celebration.
Sometime around one in the morning, when Trey’s fingers had grown numb from playing, Alex became his favorite human being of all time, excluding Elle, of course.
“You guys have gone above and beyond,” Alex said. “This group isn’t ready to quit, and it takes less energy for me to spin tunes than for you to play. Give it up.”
“I appreciate that,” Watkins said. “Years ago I could have plucked this guitar ’til dawn, but those days are gone.”
“Nobody should play until dawn,” Alex said. “I’ll close the place down in another hour or so, but I give both of you permission to vamoose, along with the companion of your choice.”
Watkins chuckled. “That sounds great. Come on, Trey. Let’s go get our women.”
“Amen to that.” Trey was glad Elle wasn’t there to hear Watkins’s somewhat chauvinistic comment. Mary Lou would have given him hell for it,
too. Neither of those ladies would consider themselves some man’s woman.
Watkins knew that, but sometimes he liked to talk like the good ol’ boy he’d been raised to be. He’d been around Mary Lou long enough to know when he could get away with it and when he couldn’t.
Judging from the happy expressions worn by both Elle and Mary Lou, the men wouldn’t have to worry too much about being politically correct tonight. Pam’s champagne and good conversation had worked its magic and they were all smiles.
“I see you both have your guitars,” Mary Lou said. “Does that mean you’re finished for the night?”
Watkins nodded and sank into a chair next to Mary Lou. “Alex took pity on us.”
“Want some champagne?” Mary Lou handed him her glass, which was half-full.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He polished it off.
Mary Lou motioned to Trey, who’d remained standing. “Take a load off, cowboy. There’s plenty of champagne left. Pam ordered an ungodly amount of this stuff.”
“And Mary Lou has taught me her motto,” Elle said. “Never pass up a chance to drink expensive champagne.”
Trey gazed at her. She was adorable. And slightly sloshed. “Thanks, but I’m ready to call it a night. You three can have my share.” He wouldn’t assume she’d want to go back with him. He hoped, but he wouldn’t assume.
“You know, I’ve had enough champagne, too.” Elle pushed back her chair, picked up her silver purse and stood.
He smiled at her. “Then I’ll walk you home.”
“That would be lovely.”
Watkins laughed. “You two behave yourselves, okay?”
“Pay no attention to him,” Mary Lou said. “Go have fun.”
“Thanks, Mary Lou.” Trey tucked his arm around Elle’s waist, and his world clicked into focus again. “We will.” He’d been aching to hold her for hours. The time had come.
14
ELLE MOVED DOWN the hallway in a sensual daze. She was desired by a sexy man who turned her on. She had reservations about the future, but none about the present. After consuming a fairly large quantity of champagne, she was ready to live in the present, at least for the next twenty-four hours.
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