“Hey there, little man.” Violet rustled the boy’s hair. He gave her a toothless smile that tugged at the invisible strings of her uterus—mommy pangs. She wasn’t sure what game her hormones were playing, or why she suddenly felt the proverbial clock ticking on her eggs, but she didn’t have to get all maternal every time she saw a child. Jack could make any motherless woman whimper and sigh. The kid was absolutely adorable.
“Why aren’t you dressed yet?” Ruby asked.
Violet looked at her sister in the reflection of the mirror. “I have nothing to wear.”
“What about the strapless dress you brought? The one with tags still on it.”
Shrugging, Violet dropped on the corner of the bed. “It doesn’t seem fitting.”
Ruby swiveled on the stool. “Let me guess. You’ve come to shop in my closet?”
“No, but can I?” Violet lifted a brow, hopeful.
“I guess.” Ruby waved her hand toward the closet.
Violet jumped up and went to the walk in, admiring rack after rack of designer clothes. “You’ve always had the best taste in clothing.”
“You’re only saying that because most of my things still have tags on them—pre-Jack apparel.” Ruby’s sigh could be heard.
“As if you can’t wear them any longer.” Violet pulled at a loose thread from a shirt. “By the way, how’s the writing coming? Anything new?” she yelled into the next room.
“I stink.” There was obvious disappointment in Ruby’s tone.
Violet stepped into the doorway, eyeing her sister. “Oh, honey. You say that more times than I can count. You know you always pull out of it with something unique.”
Ruby rubbed her forehead. “I’m doing something different. I’m writing a biography.”
“For who?”
“Rachel Weatherstone.”
Violet gulped air. “The stripper turned politician’s mistress? How did this happen?”
“My agent set this up. She thought I’d make a good fit for Rachel. I’m apparently non-confrontational and understanding. And there’s a possibility Rachel will be coming here while I write her story.”
“That’s…well…interesting. Just the person I’d want around my man.” Violet rolled her eyes.
“Now, now. I trust Jobe.”
“During the senator’s affair with Rachel his wife of twenty years passed away from a terminal illness. I can imagine the dirty little stripper would need someone who won’t rip her hair out while she gives play by play of her sordid affair.”
“Come on, sis. There’s a side to every story.”
Violet lifted a brow. “Let’s see if you’re still saying that after she arrives. Now that it’s over with the Senator, I bet she’s looking for her next sucker.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be finding something to wear?”
No sense in arguing. She went back into the closet and pulled out a sheer blue off-the-shoulder dress, admiring the color and cut. “The problem is, you’ve got the boobs. I don’t.” She placed the dress back on the rack.
“A post-Jack reward. Look on the rack to the right. You’ll find the treasure.”
Violet turned and her heart skipped a beat. “Wow. You’re a clothing hoarder, sis.” She pulled out a strapless, bright red shimmery dress. It was too dressy for tonight, but she’d definitely keep it in mind for another time. She continued her search.
“So what’s all of the concern about what to wear? It’s a casual barbecue with family. Does it have something to do with a certain rodeo star?”
Violet’s breath caught. Oh shit. “Of course not,” she murmured.
“Oh, so you didn’t have a hickey?”
Hearing Ruby’s voice from right behind her, Violet turned, knocking an item from its hanger. She hurried, retrieved it from the floor and rehung the shirt. “Crystal told you?” She couldn’t wait to get her hands on her sister.
Ruby leaned against the door frame, folding her arms over her waist, a questioning eye, targeting Violet. “She hinted around and when she said the name Keefer Lane, obviously, I grew very interested. I already knew you two hit if off after the charity auction and I had a feeling you’d go out with him again.”
“I had no idea he was working here.” She suddenly felt like she needed to explain herself.
“Of course not.”
“I don’t plan on going out with him again.”
“Or bedding him either?” One corner of Ruby’s mouth lifted in wry humor.
Violet’s cheeks burned. “That hadn’t even crossed my mind.” She went back to rummaging through the clothes.
“Liar! You know you aren’t good at not telling the truth. Since you were little I could see straight through you. By the way-” Ruby slipped beside Violet, reached around her and pulled out a stunning, but casual, yellow sundress. “When I bought this, I saw you in it. I think it’s a good pick. Subtle, yet gives just enough exposure to make a man weak in the knees. That is, if that’s what you’re shooting for.”
“But I don’t have shoes—”
Ruby shook her head. “Behind you. The low heels, the same pair you always stole from me. Perfect for a casual gathering.”
“You’re a gem.”
“Now get dressed and don’t be late.” Ruby gave her a quick hug. “I must finish myself.”
Violet caught her by the elbow. “Wait a second.”
“What? You okay”
“Are you happy?” Violet asked.
Her eyes dazzled. “More than I could put into words.”
“I’m so happy for you, Ruby. And for Jack.”
“Thank you, sis. I’m so glad you’re here, helping me with the wedding plans. I miss all of you.”
“We miss you too, but we all knew that one day we would each go our separate ways. With mom and dad gone…”
Ruby took her hand. “I know. It’s not the same at the Stone Hedge.”
“Crystal is working too hard. I can see what you mean. We should sell the place before she works herself into an early grave.”
“We should have a family meeting while we’re all here and discuss the possibility, but I don’t think it’ll be easy to convince her. The ranch has become her pacifier.”
A half hour later, Violet was dressed, make up perfected, and she was heading down the stairs. She could already hear the chatter and laughter of family. She stepped onto the landing and smiled. Ruby, Sapphire, Jewels, Pearl, and Em were gathered around the kitchen island. Jewels was pouring each of them a glass of wine.
“Have you started the party without me?” Violet asked.
All eyes, similar in color, turned to Violet. “Of course not, sweetheart.” Jewels grabbed the last empty glass and poured it half full. “Yours.”
Violet took the offering and sipped. “We haven’t all been together like this in years. We’re only missing Crystal. Where is she?”
“She called. There was an emergency at the ranch. She said she’ll be here as soon as she can get away,” Ruby said.
“Even more reason to make some changes,” Violet said.
“Changes?” Pearl leaned against the counter. “I hope if there are changes you girls will finally move closer. Having you here makes me crave my family. I want our children to grow up together.”
“I second that.” Em lifted her glass, leaning precariously against the table. She hadn’t gotten all of her strength back yet.
“Good to see you up.” Violet kissed Em on the cheek. “And those docs thought you might not walk again. Apparently, they don’t know the Stone women.”
“We keep having men doubt us, and that’s when we have to pull out the big guns.” Em laughed.
“But you realize she’s not talking about a shotgun, right Pearl?” Jewels narrowed her eyes.
Pearl’s eyes widened. “Will you ever let me live down the fact that I shot my husband in the bottom? It’s been years and it’s still the family joke.”
“Sorry, sis, but that’s funny stuff. Good thing DJ has a forgi
ving spirit.”
Pearl placed her glass onto the table. “Let’s see, Jewels, you tied up your husband and waxed his legs. And that’s not crazy?”
Jewels shrugged. “It’s funny. I remind Spark often, especially when we’re arguing.” She turned to Em. “But really, nothing’s as funny as our little sister here, dragging her husband, before they even liked each other, into thieving a horse.”
Em sniffed. “What’s so funny about that? He happened to be with me and I needed a hand. I wanted to save that horse from death.”
“Oh, that’s not the funny part,” Sapphire interjected. “We’ve all heard that he was wearing a skirt when he was arrested.”
“Nash wasn’t wearing a skirt.” Em sighed. “He had wrapped a blanket around his waist. It was the first time I’ve ever wanted to crawl up a skirt in my life.” She laughed.
They all broke into laughter.
“I hate to break this up, ladies, but we better hand these steaks off to the men to grill or they’ll come looking for us. We wouldn’t want them to overhear our private chatter.” Ruby took the platter of steaks and went to the sliding glass door.
Violet took her glass of wine and followed the group as they made their way outside. She scanned the brawny cowboys scattered across the backyard, looking for one in particular. He wasn’t there.
Sapphire tugged her elbow. “Looking for someone?”
Violet gave her a side-glance. “No, just admiring the scenery.”
“Isn’t it amazing how the Walters men have perfect genes? I’m a little envious that our cousins and sister got to them first. I wonder if they have cousins.” She clicked her tongue.
“Seriously?”
“Oh come on, Violet. You mean to tell me you haven’t thought the same? Even a sliver of envy?” Sapphire’s perfectly groomed brows popped up. “Not once?”
“Maybe, but I haven’t said it aloud.”
“Until now.”
“Okay. I’m ninety percent happy for them and ten percent envious. After all, the cowboys are good looking. And let’s not forget Jewels’s husband, Spark. It’s true, men get better with age. He’s a silver fox and only getting better,”
“If you had to choose one of them, which would it be?”
Violet blinked. “No, I’m not playing that game. They’re all taken, by family. That’s just weird.” She scrunched her nose.
“Only weird if you acted upon it,” Sapphire said.
“I can’t say, but if you forced me…I’d choose DJ, Nash and Jobe, all three. The world would come to a standstill.” She sipped her wine.
“I can see your point.” Sapphire slipped her gaze over Violet, her brows bunching. “What are you wearing?”
Violet stepped back and dramatically fluffed the skirt of the dress. “Ruby loaned it to me. Gorgeous, isn’t it?”
“I asked to wear it once and she told me no.” Sapphire blinked.
“That’s because she loves me more than you,” Violet teased.
“You’re too cute.” Her smile fizzled. “It looks great on you because you’re the challenged one.” She winked.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re the smallest breasted Stone and the top accentuates what you have—or don’t have.”
“It’s a give or take world, darlin’. I got the looks and you got the breasts,” Violet chided.
“Oh…now that’s low.” Sapphire chuckled. “It’s a good thing I love you.”
From beyond Sapphire, Violet caught a glimpse of a white hat. A second later, a whiskered jaw and the bluest eyes that competed against a Texas sky. Keefer. She almost choked on her wine.
“What’s wrong with you?” Sapphire started to turn, but Violet caught her by the shoulders, holding her steady.
“Don’t look,” Violet whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because. He’ll think we’re talking about him.”
“Who? And why are we whispering?”
“Because we are talking about him.” Violet shot her sister a warning look.
Keefer was stopped by DJ and they laughed about something.
“We were talking about all of the men here,” Sapphire moaned.
“Not this cowboy.”
“It’s hard to talk about someone when you have no idea who you’re talking about.” She twisted out of Violet’s hold. “Holy mother of all that is love. Who. Is. That?” Sapphire wagged her brows. “I wished for a Walters’s cousin and he appeared. I’m just that good.”
“You’re just that silly. He’s not related. He is Keefer Lane.” Violet tried hiding behind Sapphire, for the first time ever she was glad that her sister was three inches taller.
“Oh, him. No wonder you slept with him.”
Violet’s mouth dropped open but she quickly slammed it shut. “Crystal told you too?”
Sapphire smiled. “Do you think you’re privileged and the only one who gets to keep secrets in this family is you? Haven’t you learned by now no secret is sacred with the Stones?” Sapphire turned and sighed. “And why would you keep something as juicy as that cowboy a secret?”
Violet slammed one hand to her hip. “It means nothing.”
“If it means nothing then why are you playing hide and seek with him?”
“I-I’m just not ready for him to see me.”
“Oh my goodness.” Sapphire laughed. “You have a crush.”
Violet shook her head so fast, so hard, that tendrils of hair smacked her cheeks. She turned her back to Keefer. “A crush? This isn’t high school.”
“Yeah, and hickeys are so mature.”
“Cut me some slack. Things got hotter than a rooster on a hot tin roof. I’m surprised we didn’t burn the building down. And talk about built. Woo-whee!” Violet fanned her face. “When I say amazing—”
Sapphire’s eyes widened and her cheeks turned a pale pink.
Violet got a whiff of spice and leather. “He’s standing behind me, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Sapphire grabbed Violet’s shoulders and turned her around. “Good luck, sis.” Sapphire kissed her on the cheek and left them alone.
“Hi,” Violet said with a flimsy wave of her hand.
“Hi.” Keefer dipped his hat, his mesmerizing gaze settling on her like a hot pad to an ice cube—she melted.
****
He didn’t want to lower his gaze over her. Or notice the way her long, dark hair hung like silken threads down onto her bare shoulders. The way her eyes twinkled in competition with the sun’s rays. The full curve of her mouth crying out for a cowboy’s kiss. Down lower to the tight fit of the bodice of the dress, her nipples hard against the material.
Were they like that before he approached her?
His dick twitched and threatened to break his zipper. He needed to lasso in his raging libido or things were going to get out of hand real quick. He could easily make a fool of himself when it came to Violet. Over the years he’d been known as the calm, easy going guy by all of his friends, but there was nothing about him calm and patient now. One woman caused a thousand sensations to run through him and not one dang one was good.
He’d wanted to bail out on tonight’s shindig, but when it all came down to it, he wanted to see her. And boy did he see her. That dress was off the hook—and off was exactly where he wanted it.
“Are you going to just stand there and stare at me?” Her lashes fluttered across the tops of her freckle-scattered cheeks. She’d gotten some color from the sun and the cute spots were more noticeable.
“Did I interrupt something?” He pushed his hat back on his forehead, not wanting to miss one flicker of expression on her face.
Her tongue rolled out over her bottom lip, reminding him of how she’d tasted—heaven wrapped up in a lust-filled body. “No.” Was there a slight quiver to her voice?
“Still mad at me?”
“I was never mad at you.”
He smiled. “Could have fooled me.” He leaned in close and whispered, “Why do we do this to ou
rselves?”
Her bottom lip quivered. “Why are you always provoking me?”
“You’ve got this all wrong, sweetheart. You’re denying yourself the inevitable.” He loved seeing the color change on her cheeks—from tan to naughty pink. He’d seen it before when he had his cock buried deep inside of her.
“No, you’re wrong. This—you and me—can’t happen again.”
“Then stop wanting it to happen, darlin’.” He met her gaze, feeling her tug at his heartstrings. When did he develop those? He wanted to remain in complete control, but slowly she sucked him into her web of desire. Damn. He could lasso a bucking bull in seconds, so then why couldn’t he lasso his heart? He didn’t like where this was headed. Walk away man! Hell with walking. Run like a racehorse.
“You have a real vivid imagination.” She threaded her fingers through her hair and he remembered how good her grip had been on his cock—perfect pressure.
He needed to resist the pressure in his gut.
“Yeah. I guess we both do. Some imagination we shared back at the bar apartment. If I remember correctly, you cried out my name telling me to never stop.”
“Again, this ranch isn’t big enough for the both of us.”
“Then leave.” Fixing his hat low on his head, he nodded and brushed past her. He headed into the house, down the hall toward the bathroom. What he needed was a cold shower but a splash of water would have to do for now.
He stepped into the small guest bathroom and started to close the door but it was caught by something. A dainty flat shoe. He followed the delicate ankle, along tanned calf, knee, to where the hem of the yellow dress touched round thigh. He brought his gaze up and met the eyes of a pissed off female. “Bathroom’s occupied, sweetheart.” Instead of walking away, Violet brushed past him and pushed the door shut with her foot. “If you need to use the head that bad just say so.” He placed his hand on the doorknob, but she blocked his path.
“Why are you doing this?” She crossed her arms.
“Going to the restroom?”
“Playing with my emotions?”
He narrowed his gaze and stepped back. “What? I’m not playing with anything, darlin’. I’m not a game player.”
“Really? You seem to get a lot of pleasure seeing me squirm and then you walk away.”
Resisting Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 5) Page 8