by Lacey Wolfe
“Whatever.”
The waitress returned with our waters. She set mine in front of me and slid Cassidy’s to her, but she pushed a little too hard.
“Oh!” Cassidy jerked up as the cold water and ice went into her lap.
“I’m so sorry.” The waitress was frozen then hurried away and back quickly with towels.
Cassidy scooted out of the booth, ice dropping to her feet. She was soaked, her white shirt clung to her. She glared at me and I already knew what was coming out of her mouth. “Take me home.”
I nodded and handed the waitress a twenty to cover our meal that we wouldn’t be eating. It was time to take Cassidy home.
Chapter 5
Cassidy
Waking the next morning, I wanted to stay under the covers. Last night came back to me and I wished it had been a nightmare. That had been the worst date I’d ever been on. When he’d picked me up, I thought we might have a good time, but after what he said to me in his truck, I was done. The night went downhill from there. Falling out of his stupid truck, the waitress pouring water on me. All signs that dating Ryder Starling was not in my cards and I should stay on the path I was already on. No bull riders.
Tossing the sheets back, I went to wake up Shiloh. My date had been over so quick, I’d gotten home in time to put him to bed and share the disastrous story with Beth. Even she was shocked it had gone so bad. What really sucked though I never wanted to see him again, stupidly I’d be the one helping him during his physical therapy.
“Wake up, bud.” I shook Shiloh and he groaned. “Come on, please don’t give me a hard time today.”
“I don’t want to get up.”
“Neither did I, but I am.”
“Can’t we just play hookie today?”
I wish! “Maybe one day soon, but for now, get up.”
I’d slept in, so no shower for me this morning. I’d curl my hair then slip on something before going into the office. In my room, I glanced over my work schedule on my phone. It was a light day, but it was also inventory day where Beth and I had two hours cleared out to meet and talk about things as well as double check supplies around the office.
Beth was the doctor, but it never felt like I worked under her. Maybe because we’d become such good friends that I forgot she signed my paycheck.
An hour later, I dropped Shiloh off at school and parked in front of the office. Beth was pulling up as I got out of my car. I waved and waited on her and then we went inside. The cleaning crew had been here last night and I loved coming into this place after it was freshly mopped and dusted. I might not care about the cleanliness of my house, but the office, I did care.
“How did you sleep?” Beth asked as she turned on the coffee pot.
“I kept hoping last night was a nightmare.”
“I still can’t believe he told you he asked you out because his parents said you were too good for him. What the hell is up with that?”
I leaned against the wall, hoping the old coffee pot didn’t take long. Caffeine was going to be my best friend today. “I have no idea. Up until then I thought things were going to go well. Then it all just tumbled down quickly.”
“At least you did it.” She smiled. “I’m proud of you for getting out.”
Dating and me didn’t get along. It never had. Men found me attractive. Men wanted to fuck me. But men didn’t want to stay with me in the long haul. I dated a lot when Shiloh had been young and didn’t feel that need to have a man anymore.
“I won’t be going out for quite some time. I just hope this doesn’t hit the gossip train.” I chuckled, wondering what kind of spin would come from it.
Cassidy Danvers falls from truck, obviously on some sort of drug, or something stupid like that. It was a good thing I went from work to home and nowhere else.
A light knock sounded on the front door.
“Wonder who that is. We aren’t open for another thirty.” Beth peaked out the side window. “I’m gonna guess it’s for you.”
“Me?” I pulled the curtain back and caught site of Ryder, just as he saw me and smiled with a large bouquet of flowers in his hand.
“You better let him in,” Beth said.
This was an awful nightmare that just wasn’t going away. Ugh! Wake the hell up! I opened the door. “We aren’t open.”
“I just wanted to come by.” He pushed past me and into the waiting room, clearly not caring that I’d just said we weren’t open. “And bring you these flowers as an apology.”
“That was sweet.”
He held them out to me and I took them.
“Can we talk in your office?” he asked because Beth stared at us as though we were an intense reality TV show.
I closed the door then waved for him to follow me. In my office, I set the flowers down on my desk as he shut us inside. Who cares if Beth listened? I’d be filling in her when he left anyway.
“I was a serious asshole last night. I never should have said those things.”
“You’ve already apologized. Not much to be done now.”
“I know, but I really am sorry. I couldn’t sleep last night knowing I’d hurt your feelings. Can I have another shot at a date?”
Another date? “Uh, no.”
“Please.”
I didn’t get it. Why did he want to see me again? “You’ve made it clear that you’re not interested in me. Why would we go on another date?”
“What if I said I was interested in you? You’re hot, and that sassy mouth of yours gets me all riled up.”
I held a hand up. “Let me stop you. I’m not looking to date anyone right now. It’s not a good time in my life.”
“Yeah, well, same here. I don’t want to be with someone and have it be serious, but that changed. Or at least I think it did.” He rubbed his shoulder. “Look, Cassidy, for some reason I like you.”
Let me just swoon at the ‘for some reason’ part.
“I want to try again.”
“Sorry, but as of today you’re my patient again.”
“That’s bullshit.”
My eyes widened. “Look, Ryder, I don’t know the type of woman you usually date, but I’m not her. And I won’t tolerate you raising your tone at me.”
“God, you make me so crazy.” He groaned. “You’re right, we shouldn’t date, but something inside me has to know what it would be like to taste your lips.” He came toward me. “To know what it would feel like to wrap you up in my arms.”
“You’ll have to keep wondering.” As I said it, my gaze fell to his lips and mine parted.
I was curious what it would be like to kiss him. The way he spoke made me think it would probably be a toe curling good one, but I sure as hell was not ready for that myself. No, I didn’t need to kiss the man who was mere inches from me, smelled of fresh shampoo, and wore a shirt so tight across his chest, I wanted to run my finger along the lines.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked.
My gaze traveled to his dark eyes, full of passion. One kiss, maybe?
“And if the kiss is horrible, like our date, will you give this a rest?” I asked.
“You have my word, but if it’s amazing, you’ll let me take you out again. This weekend to the rodeo.”
Before I could object, because there was no way I wanted to go to the rodeo, his lips were on mine. It wasn’t what I’d expected. This wasn’t my first kiss, plenty of guys had just laid it on me the way Ryder was. This kiss, however, made me feel it with everything in me. It was like a strong magnet was between us, yanking me to him. I clung to the collar of his shirt, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. Needing to have more of him. This wasn’t enough. I needed more.
Moaning, I nudged my knee between his legs, his erection pressed into the center of my stomach. He wanted me and if he could feel the warmth in my panties, he’d know the feeling was mutual.
He pulled back, staring into my eyes when his finger swept across my lips. “The rodeo is this weekend.”
I wanted to object bec
ause going to the rodeo was the last place I wanted to go. The movies, somewhere to eat, that was much better, but if going to the rodeo meant I could experience a kiss like that again, then take me.
He gently kissed my lips once more then with a wink, strutted out of my office, leaving me practically breathless with need. What the hell just happened?
Beth stepped into my office giving me a curious look.
I shook my head. “I can’t talk about it right now.”
“All right. Well, coffee is ready then it will be time to open the doors. We might have a vase you can put those flowers in.”
“Okay.”
As soon as she was gone, I took in a deep breath, held it, then released it. What mixed signals. My date was horrendous, but that kiss was downright the best I’d ever had.
Chapter 6
Ryder
All the way home, I couldn’t believe I’d kissed Cassidy. What had I been thinking? This woman had me all tied up in knots emotionally and physically. Never had someone crossed my path that had this kind of effect on me. I didn’t want a wife. I didn’t want a child. Cassidy wasn’t the playing kind. Dating her meant I had to be serious, but I wasn’t ready for that. However, I wasn’t ready to let her go.
Gripping the steering wheel as I turned down the dirt road to my parents, I tried to figure out how my feelings were so mixed. How the hell had I gone from thinking she was attractive, to a date from hell with her, to kissing her in her office. On top of that, inviting her to the rodeo with me this weekend. It made no sense.
I drove over to the barn. My dad was to blame and I was going to give him a piece of my mind. I spotted him out in the pasture with the horses, brushing one of them. Tank, one of the ranch hands, was scrubbing down a trough. I nodded to him as I climbed out of the truck then bee lined my way to my father
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Came to see you.”
“Oh yeah? What about?”
Pointing at my scalp, I said, “This idea you put in my head.”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“About Cassidy.”
My dad laughed. “What, that she’s too good for you?”
My fists clenched. “That’s the one. I had to find out for myself, so I took her out.”
His eyes widened. “You what?”
“I took her out and screwed up that date terribly.”
He patted the horse and I followed him back toward the barn. “I never told you to go out with her.”
“You kinda did.”
“Did your hearing go from that last fall?”
I grinned. “Nah, you and mom were both pushing me toward her, so I wanted to learn more.”
“And what did you learn?”
She could kiss me and make the world stand still. “That she doesn’t like me one bit.”
“Is that so?” He had a half smile like he was amused. “I told ya that you weren’t her type.”
“Apparently I like punishment because I’m taking her to the rodeo this weekend.”
“She said yes?”
“Not exactly. Lost a bet.”
He shook his head as he straightened his hat. “You sure about this, son?”
“Not one bit.”
“I don’t think you should be messing around with a girl like Cassidy.”
“Why is that?” Humor me please, give me more info so I can screw up another date.
“If you aren’t ready to settle down, then don’t be messing with that woman.”
I’d had that same exact thought on the way over here. “I know, she has a kid.”
“Shiloh, good boy. He does some volunteer work at the hardware store after school while his mother works.”
“What’s her story?”
“Cassidy?” He shrugged. “I don’t know, but if I did, it ain’t my place to tell. You’re the one pursuing her, you ask.”
I groaned. “Maybe if you told me everything you knew, I’d leave her alone.” Or I wouldn’t. Not after that kiss. I needed to see what other ways her mouth could make the world stop.
“You’ve never listened to me, but if you’re going to go after this woman, be prepared to fall in love.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Who said anything about love?”
“Don’t forget, your mother and I have been pushing you toward her.”
I knew it! “What? You told me you hadn’t.”
He laughed and walked away from me, calling out. “Go home and ice that shoulder. I don’t want to see you down here again until you’re healed.”
My father drove me crazy. I loved the old man, but he was losing his marbles. As I headed back toward my truck, I grinned, remembering the image of Cassidy on the ground, kneeling from her fall. A light dusting of dirt on her white tank top. I couldn’t wait to see what she’d wear this weekend when I took her out. And I couldn’t wait to have her on my arm as I strut around the rodeo. I’d never brought a woman there for a date. Though, I often took one to a hotel later for a little fun between sheets.
Maybe I’d get lucky with Cassidy too.
***
I was in heaven. Being back out here, smelling the beer, tobacco, animal shit, all of it. I missed this place. Cassidy was seated as she waited on the event to start. I’d ventured off for a moment to find Rob and wish him luck tonight. If I couldn’t win, then I’d be rooting for him. I nodded at a few people as I walked by. I found Rob with another guy and two women.
Patting him on the back, I said, “Good luck, jackass.”
Rob chuckled then gave me a hug. “Damn, man, it hasn’t been the same around here without you.”
“I know it. I miss it.”
“You gonna ride again soon?”
“If there’s a will, there’s a way.”
One of the girls giggled. It took me a moment, but I recognized her. Wild girl in the sack, I’d spent a weekend with her last year. Rob was in for a treat tonight.
“What are you doing here?” my friend asked.
“Just came to watch and I brought a date.”
“A date?” Rob raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, sexy as hell red head. We’re seated on the B side.”
“Can’t wait to meet her after I ride. Did you hear I drew Bruno?”
“Fuck. Bruno?” That bull was an asshole. Any time I rode him, I got bucked off before five seconds. “I wish you luck with that one.”
“I need it.”
“I don’t want to leave my date for too long. Someone might try to steal her away from me.”
“Nah, you’re Ryder Starling. Ain’t no one touching her.”
I chuckled. “She isn’t at all impressed with who I am.”
“So she isn’t a groupie?”
“No.” I was surprised she was here.
“Like, a real date then?”
I grinned. “Yeah, a real date to see if this goes anywhere.”
“That bull did a number on you.”
“For real.” I slapped him on the back. “Call me soon. We’ll go out.”
“Hopefully that lady lets you.”
I pointed at my foot. “Do you see a ball and chain?”
Turning, I made my way back toward the sitting area. As much as I wanted to stay behind the chutes with Rob, the need to be seated next to Cassidy was stronger.
Once again, she’d dressed in a short jean mini skirt, but tonight she’d worn a light pink button-down top. If only I could unbutton each one with my teeth. I pushed past the row of people until I took my seat next to her. It was strange being on this side, staring in at the arena. A few clowns were out there, trying to keep the audience entertained.
“Hope you didn’t miss me.” I nudged her shoulder.
“Not at all.”
“I’m not that bad of a guy.”
“Never said you were. Just not my type. Or my idea of a date.”
I took her hand in mind, intertwining our fingers. She tried to jerk away, but I didn’t let her. “What�
�s an ideal date for you?”
She laughed, but not at me. Apparently the clowns were more appealing. She had a gorgeous smile. One of those that could turn any bad day around. This wasn’t good. I was falling for this woman, when I had no intentions of that. Why the hell did you want something you were told you couldn’t have? It was like my parents purposely dangled her in front of me and I’d taken the bait.
She looked at me and said, “I haven’t dated much since Shiloh was young, but I think an ideal date would be something different. Not the average date, dinner and a movie. But to go somewhere where we can really get to know one another.”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing right now? Any guy ever brought you to a rodeo?”
“No.”
Score one for me.
“But…” she started. “I’m not into this whole bull riding thing.”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve watched it. You might find you like it.”
“Watching you men piss the bulls off so bad and then ride on top of them for fun?”
“Damn, you make it sound like we’re cruel. I bet these bulls are treated better than your kid.”
“Seriously?” She had a sarcastic expression.
It bothered me she felt like the animals were mistreated and just here for our amusement. “Yes. These bulls leave here after this and are fed the best diet. Most of them are not slaughtered for you to eat later on. Instead, get to die of old age. We fall in love with these bulls. Call them by names. We care for them.”
“I didn’t realize that.”
“Anyway, I hope you enjoy your time.” I tightened my hold on her hand, realizing she was no longer trying to jerk away.
This was the start of something. That, or I was delusional, which was a very big possibility. I had hit my head one too many times, and Cassidy might never speak to me after tonight.
Chapter 7
Cassidy
The date was going better than I thought it would. The last thing I wanted to do was admit to Ryder that I enjoyed myself, but the show was entertaining. As it came to an end and they were announcing the winners, I had to admit that this went by fast. I thought this would feel like it dragged on for hours.