by Unknown
"It sure is. I'm already sweatin' down between my boobs, and I ain't even gotten started yet."
The two of them shared everything—boyfriends, periods, dates, sex and men. Not necessarily in that order. Emma knew she could tell Becky anything, and she usually did—but right now the embarrassment of being attracted to both men made her feel like she needed to keep Brandon and Beau a secret.
"What happened with your accident the other day? I heard you hit a bus."
"I didn't hit them, they hit me, but yeah, it wasn't pretty. Screwed up my truck pretty bad."
"Whose fault?"
The waitress returned with their drinks, and Emma took a sip before she answered. "The driver of the bus. He didn't see the stop sign."
"Wow."
"I'm glad I wasn't hurt, and no one on the bus was, either."
"I saw the bus at the garage earlier today."
Crap.
"Why didn't you tell me the bus belonged to Brandon Tucker, Emma? I thought we shared everything. And then I find out from your sister, for goodness' sake, that you had him at your house last night for dinner."
"Well, I…"
"Hey, Emma."
Holy hell! Emma didn't even have to look to see who stood at the edge of the booth. If Becky's round eyes and slack jaw hadn't told her, the tingle down Emma's arm from his touch would have.
"Brandon." She looked behind her, spotting the bruise on his jaw, and stammered, "S–sorry, Beau. I thought…" Damn it. They aren't wearing cologne today.
"It's okay, darlin'. Happens all the time." The smile on his face made her leery. She'd been so pissed at the two of them the night before, she didn't understand how she could look at him now and only think about finding out if Beau's kiss would do the same thing to her that Brandon's did.
She bit her lip and dropped her gaze to the middle of his chest. The blue T-shirt stretched across the expanse of muscle and the jeans riding low on his hips had blood rushing in her ears and liquid gushing from her pussy.
"Wait! There are two of them?" Becky said, her voice almost a squeal.
"Mind if we join you?" Brandon asked, walking up behind Beau.
"Sure. Of course," Becky replied, before Emma could say a word.
Beau sat down beside her and Brandon slid into the booth next to Becky, who sat there with her mouth open.
"Becky, close," she told her, indicating with her hand that Becky should shut her mouth.
"But it's Brandon Tucker and…" She looked at Beau. "And Brandon Tucker."
"Becky, this is Beau Tucker. He and Brandon are twins," she replied, indicating the pair. "Guys, this is my best friend, Becky."
"Nice to meet you, Becky," Beau said, holding out his hand.
Becky took it and blushed to the roots of her red hair when Beau brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. The green-eyed monster of jealousy reared its ugly head, and Emma had to fight it down with a swift mental talking to. Unfortunately, it got twice as bad when Brandon did the same thing.
Emma cleared her throat and said, "What are you two doing here this time of day? Don't you, like, stay up all night and sleep all day?"
"We do normally stay up pretty late, but we had to talk to the mechanic at the garage this morning," Beau replied.
"When did they say the bus would be fixed?" she asked. "I know you've got shows to do the next couple of weeks."
"Oh yeah. Total fangirl over there," Becky said, ignoring the glare she shot her way. "She knows every stop you have on your schedule between now and Christmas."
"I'm flattered," Brandon replied, giving Emma a dimpled grin.
Emma completely forgot to think, breathe, or swallow. If these two turn on the major charm, I'm so totally screwed.
The waitress came back to their table to take their order, and both men made themselves at home, ordering lunch and drinks while they kept up the conversation with Becky.
Emma felt lost. Yeah, she'd planned to flirt and make sure they knew she'd forgiven them for what happened last night, simply because she had plans to use them a little herself. Why not? Two gorgeous men seemed interested in her, and even if they would only be around for a few days, she planned to use and abuse them just like they'd planned to do to her. She hadn't planned on jealousy rearing its ugly head when they flirted with Becky.
After their food arrived, Beau asked, "So what are you two beautiful ladies up to this afternoon?"
"We have to help set up tables and stuff at the beer tent for the rodeo tomorrow."
"There's going to be a rodeo this weekend?" Beau asked, giving his brother a strange look that Emma couldn't quite decipher. Brandon shrugged and shook his head slightly.
"Yeah. It's a huge deal here. Founder's Day and all, but they're donating all the proceeds of this year's rodeo," Becky answered.
"To what?" Brandon asked, stuffing a french-fry in his mouth.
"There's a local family who has some really crazy hospital bills to pay. Their daughter has a brain tumor and needs treatment, but they don't have the money to have it done right now. We're raising money for them," Emma said.
Brandon and Beau looked at each other, and then Brandon pushed his plate away.
"Aren't you hungry?" she asked.
"Not really. I…um. I'm full."
Emma didn't think it had anything to do with his being full. The sadness in his eyes made her wonder what kind of tragedy these two shared.
She shrugged and kept talking. "Anyway, all the proceeds from admission and the sales at the beer tent are for them. Everyone thinks there will be a huge crowd."
"Who owns the beer tent?"
"A guy named Seth Reardon. He owns the honky-tonk up on the corner of Fifth and Onion."
"Onion?" The chuckle coming from Beau's mouth focused Emma's attention on his full, oh-so-kissable lips, and she had the insane urge to lean over and lock her lips on his.
She cleared her throat instead. "Yeah, Onion Street. They didn't get real creative when they named some of our streets."
Brandon stood and looked toward the counter for a moment. "Listen, we'll catch you girls later, okay? I have an errand I need to run, but give Beau the directions out to the fairground, Emma, and we'll help you and Becky set up."
"Seriously?" she asked, not sure if he was joking or what. "Brandon Tucker, mega country star, help us set up chairs and tables?"
"Yes, seriously. I'm no stranger to hard work. I had to set up band equipment plenty of times before I had a road crew." Brandon signaled the waitress for the check and handed her a hundred dollar bill. "Keep the change, honey."
Beau got to his feet and then leaned over to tuck a piece of hair behind Emma's ear. The whole world narrowed to his face, his eyes, and his smile. "We'll see you in a bit, darlin'." He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers lightly, leaving her mouth tingling, her nipples taut, and her pussy screaming for attention.
"Hello? Emma?" Becky waved a hand in front of her eyes, bringing Emma back from her fog enough to realize the two guys had left.
"Huh, what?"
"I lost you there for a minute—or should I say several? The second he kissed you, everything disappeared for you."
"Damn. Am I that obvious?"
"Uh, yeah. Duh. You've been half in love with Brandon Tucker from the moment you laid eyes on him. And now? To have a twin brother too? How in the hell will you ever choose?"
"Who says I plan to choose?" she asked, with a cheeky grin and wicked thoughts running through her mind.
* * * *
An hour later, Emma and Becky arrived at the fairgrounds and headed for the beer tent. Seth already had guys moving in and out with cartloads of kegs, barrels, and plywood for the temporary bar, along with plastic chairs and a few tables so people could sit and mingle. The makeshift Boots and Spurs would be open for business when the sun went down. The rodeo didn't start tonight, but one of the local bands always played, giving everyone a chance to unwind after the long work week, sip some beers, and visit with fr
iends.
Emma glanced toward the back of the tent and caught Seth giving Becky a look hot enough to set the tent ablaze while Becky set up tables and chairs near the front of the tent. Those two were so attracted to each other, the room popped with the electrical current they gave off, but both seemed too damned stubborn to break the barrier they'd erected between them. Maybe I'll play matchmaker a little tonight.
"Hey, Seth," she said, moving close to where he stood.
Seth Reardon could set a few hearts to skipping with his rugged good looks, hard body, and striking green eyes. He was homegrown Montana boy to the core. Born and raised right there in Red Rock, he'd had several girls all over him in high school, but he was very shy around women. Clumsy and awkward in school, he'd quickly earned a reputation as a geek. Shortly after graduation, he'd gotten contacts, worked out at the local gym, and beefed himself up. When his daddy had died several years ago, he'd inherited the local honky-tonk, and ran it with an iron fist—but he never seemed to find the right girl.
"Hi, Emma. How are you?" he replied, never taking his gaze off Becky.
"I'm fine, but Becky isn't."
"What's wrong with Becky? She isn't sick is she?" The look of concern in his eyes told Emma he cared for her friend…a lot.
"Yeah."
"Well, she needs to go on home then and get some rest. Being out here in this heat probably isn't helping. I'll tell her right now."
"Easy, Seth. She's not sick as in nauseated or whatever. She's heartsick."
"Heartsick. What the hell is that? Some new thing?"
"Since you came along, yeah."
"You're confusing me, Emma. Either she's sick or she's not. Which is it?" Seth tapped his food impatiently and folded his arms across his chest.
"Are you completely blind, Seth Reardon?" she asked, throwing her arms up and scowling.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Emma."
"The two of you are half in love with each other, but all you do is give each other scorching looks across the room."
"I've tried, Emma. She won't go out with me. She says we can't be anything but friends."
"And do you know why she thinks that?"
"No," he replied, tapping another keg and avoiding Emma's gaze.
"She thinks you're too old for her."
His eyes narrowed, and he snorted softly. "I am not. We aren't more than a few years apart."
"Five, to be exact, but who's counting?" Emma shrugged her shoulders and laid a hand on his arm. "You need to convince her age doesn't mean anything. You two are perfect for each other, but if you don't speak up, she's gonna find someone else."
The sinfully smooth voice of Brandon—or was it Beau?—interrupted her conversation. "No flirtin' with the boss, darlin'."
She spun around and came face to face with both Tucker men. Damn it. These two are too luscious for my sanity.
"Hey you two. Have you met Seth?"
"Uh…yeah. Sort of," Beau replied. "Nice to see you again."
"Sort of?"
"We met him earlier, Emma, when we went by the bar to talk to him," Brandon added.
"It's great of you to do this, Brandon. It's going to be phenomenal. I already have someone working on flyers and stuff, since we don't have a lot of time to get the word out," Seth said, wiping his hands on a towel. "We already have a makeshift stage the band tonight will use. If you have a couple of amplifiers, we'll be all set.
"I've already let my fan club president know so she can spread the word too. Fans are great for letting each other in on what's goin' on. I wish we had the whole band, but acoustic will have to do."
"Okay, wait a minute. What are you two talkin' about?" she asked, totally confused as her gaze went from Seth to Brandon and then to Beau.
Beau took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Brandon is gonna do an acoustic show here tomorrow in the beer tent to raise money for the little girl's family you told us about earlier."
"Really? That's like… Wow," she whispered. Her heart swelled with awe for these two men who'd blown into her life like a tornado, bowling her over and twisting her up until she didn't know who she was anymore. "Whose idea was this?"
"Brandon's initially, but Seth jumped on it when we talked to him at the bar," Beau replied. "We've spent the last couple of hours getting things together and trying to let everyone know."
Overwhelmed with gratitude, she hugged Beau and then Brandon. "This is amazing. I can't believe you're doing this for someone you don't even know."
Brandon said, "I could tell it was important to you by the way you talked about it at the diner. It's the least I can do, and it's not a big deal, really."
"Yes, it is Brandon. You have no idea how much this will mean to them. And Charlene is a fan of yours, so it will be so much sweeter for her."
"Cool. Then she should have front row seats," Beau said.
"Along with my number one fan," Brandon added, brushing his lips against her cheek. "If you're still my fan."
"It's gonna take a little more convincing, I'm thinkin'," she whispered in his ear then bit the lobe. "But you're on the right track."
"Okay, enough of all this. We've got work to do," Becky shouted from the corner of the tent. "I thought you two came here to work?"
"Yeah, yeah," Beau replied. "Show me where the pack mules are gatherin' and I'll put my back into it." He slapped his brother on the shoulder, pulled him out of Emma's embrace, and pushed him off toward the group of men moving equipment, but not before he glanced over his shoulder and gave her a playful wink.
Fighting the urge to sigh, she leaned against the beer keg and licked her lips.
"If that isn't the look of a woman wantin' a couple of hunky men, I don't know what is." Becky said, walking up beside her.
"Yeah, well. It takes more than just wantin' to get some, Becky."
"Don't I know it," Becky replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down as she watched Seth moving around behind the bar.
Emma pulled out a chair and sat next to her. "You know, I talked to Seth a bit before Beau and Brandon came in, and he wants to take you out."
"I know."
"You know? How come you won't go out with him, then?"
"I told you, Emma. He's too old for me."
"I've never heard anything so crazy in my life."
"You don't understand. I dream of him all the time. Hell, I go to sleep at night thinking about him after I've used my vibrator. I'd give anything to have his hands on me." Becky sighed and placed her elbow on the table. "Why the hell do you think I help him out when he asks me to? It isn't for the money."
"Then what's stopping you, Becky?" she asked, and then waved her hand in dismissal when Becky started to object. "Besides the age thing, because that's just an excuse and you know it." Emma watched her friend pick at a crack on the table without looking her in the eyes. "You can tell me, Becky. We've been friends forever, and you know I'll never judge you."
When Becky lifted her gaze, Emma saw tears swimming in her eyes. "He's Jewish, Emma. My father raised me Baptist, and he'd never, ever let me date a man not of the Baptist faith."
"But…but you aren't really even a practicing Baptist."
"I know, but my father would never give me his blessing to date a man outside of our faith. You know how old fashioned he is."
"God, Bec. I wish I knew what to say." Emma's heart bled for her friend. Although she'd never been in love, she couldn't imagine not having the blessing of her father, her brothers, and her sisters when she did find the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
"There's nothing to say, Emma. I'll never know the feel of his hands on my skin, the taste of his kiss, or how it would feel to have him make love to me. I can't go against my father. He would disown me, and if things didn't work out with Seth, I would have no one."
"You'd have me and my family. You know that. None of us would turn our backs on you."
"Thank you," she whispered, squeezing Emma's hand. "We need to g
et back to work. There are still lots of chairs and things to get set up before the crowd shows up later."
Without another word between them, they walked back outside to grab more chairs, but Emma couldn't quite get her friend's dilemma out of her mind. There had to be a way to help Seth and Becky get together, and she needed to figure out how.
She'd grabbed one of the huge empty trash cans and took it around behind the tent to start picking up the mountain of miscellaneous garbage from the bar set up when she was grabbed around the waist and hauled up against a rock-hard chest.
Chapter Four
Scared out of her mind, Emma elbowed the hard body behind her and reared her head back, smashing the man in the nose.
"Fuck!"
She quickly spun around at the sound of the man's voice and dropped to her knees beside him. "Oh my God! Beau, I'm so sorry. You scared the hell out of me. Are you all right?"
"Hell no, woman! You probably broke my nose to go along with the damn bruise I still have on my jaw." He tipped his head back as bright red blood dripped from his nostril and pinched the bridge of his nose. "A guy needs to be careful around you, or he could get hurt."
"Wait right here, I'll get some napkins." Cussing under her breath, she rushed into the tent, grabbed a handful of paper napkins from the table, and ran back outside. "I'm sorry, Beau, really. I didn't mean—"
"Its fine, Emma. I know I startled you, but damn, woman," he said, his speech garbled by the paper.
"Here. Let me see." She removed the wad under his nose, but he still continued to bleed. "I'm gonna to get some ice for you to put on the bridge of your nose. It'll stop the bleedin' better."
When she rushed back inside the tent, Brandon asked what the fuss was all about. She reassured him everything would be fine before she ran back out again with the ice in a towel. Beau had moved to a picnic table nearby and leaned back against the edge.
"Lay this on there," she said, placing the ice on his face and then leaning over to kiss the spot she'd bruised earlier. "I guess I should stay away from you. It seems all I do is hurt you."