He took her hand. “You’re nervous.”
Of course she was nervous. This night could make or break No Bulls and her career.
“People are already lined up outside. It’s going to be a great night.”
“I hope so.”
“Mackey. Where’s Mackey?” Buck Wilson had entered the building. Nobody called her nickname with a southern drawl the way he did.
She looked up and smiled at him from across the room. His blue rhinestone jacket and matching pants reminded her of the star he was from her childhood. Too bad country singers stopped dressing in such fashion. The costume still made a girl feel as if she was meeting someone special.
She looked at Dustin. “Come with me and I’ll introduce you.” She stopped short of getting off her stool within inches of Dustin’s mouth. For a second she wanted to kiss him, wish him luck, and allow him to hold her and tell her everything would be okay.
Instead, she continued her departure and made her way across the room to greet her old friend. “Thanks so much for being here, Buck.”
“Thank you, Mackey.” Buck kissed her cheek. He held a shorter man by the shoulder. “This here’s Jason Kimball from Cat’s Eye Records. He’ll be one of the scouts you’ll be seeing around here from time to time. Keep him anonymous, though.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Kimball.” MaKayla extended her hand. “This is the owner of No Bulls, Dustin James.”
Dustin shook the men’s hands. “Thank you for coming. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.”
Mr. Kimball excused himself, leaving MaKayla alone with Dustin and Buck.
“Let me get you settled in.” She escorted Buck to a round table butted against the log corral surrounding the dance floor. It was the best seat in the house. “How’s this?”
“Perfect.”
“Can I get you a drink, Mr. Wilson?” Dustin asked.
MaKayla excused herself and headed toward the stage. The band had everything they needed, but she needed to keep busy and avoid Dustin as much as she could. She knew she should be glad he’d be out of her life after tonight, but the thought depressed her.
Being near him she’d had to control her hands. If there hadn’t been another person in the control booth at the radio station yesterday, she would have given him a congratulatory kiss.
She had to keep reminding herself that their relationship was based on one business deal and nothing more.
****
Dustin observed MaKayla heading toward the front door. He glanced at his watch. Seven already. He’d never seen someone so anxious about her work. Or maybe there was something else besides her nerves making her edgy.
He needed to greet the customers as they arrived. He knew that when the owner was present, people felt welcomed. He would hand out the raffle tickets, wish folks luck in the drawings, and thank them for coming.
“Excuse me, Mr. Wilson,” Dustin said to Buck. “It’s show time.” He extended his hand. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you. If you need anything, let me know.”
People began entering the building and to his dismay, MaKayla went to help those in need of answers to questions regarding the memorabilia. If she had stayed and stood by his side, he might find out what was wrong.
The animal and food shelter’s donation bins began to fill up. Raffle tickets were shooting out of his hands faster than bullets from a gun during target practice. The Spurs thundered a song from the country hit list as the place packed with customers.
And still, Dustin could not ignore MaKayla’s presence in the room. What he really wanted to be doing was hold her on the dance floor and keeping her all to himself.
Watching her mingling with customers should be exciting, but the sight was heartbreaking. She wasn’t wearing the happy, excited smile she’d had yesterday at the radio station. She looked as though she were at a friend’s funeral rather than a successful gathering.
There wasn’t an empty spot on the dance floor, and Jesse had to call in backup to help him at the bar. Dustin couldn’t have asked for a better turn out.
The Spurs played songs Dustin remembered listening to as a child. Buck took the stage several times as the band played songs from his many albums. Every minute someone was either congratulating him, wishing him well, or complimenting on what a great job MaKayla had done.
He stopped his sister as she passed by. “Dana, can you take over? I need to dance with the woman who put this all together.” Maybe if he held her in his arms and praised her work, she would relax.
Dustin made his way through the crowd until he came up behind MaKayla. “Can I steal you away for one song?”
She excused herself and followed him onto the dance floor. One hand rested on his shoulder, the other in his hand. “I hope we’re not breaking any fire codes with all these people.”
“Duke will let us know.” He placed her hand onto his other shoulder as he pulled her waist closer. “All your hard work has paid off.”
“I know.”
“So why the sad face?”
She stepped back and met his gaze. “Can we talk about this later?”
No. He wanted to talk now so maybe he could help her have a better time. At least now he knew there was something more on her mind than the grand opening.
Their eyes locked and for a second they were the only two people in the room. Her breasts grazed his chest as their bodies swayed to the music. Her lips were so close all he had to do was lean forward to claim them.
“Okay. Can we talk about how much I want to kiss you right now?”
Her finger went to his mouth. “No.” She smiled. “Potential clients would get the wrong idea.”
He stared at her chest. The short, black dress with two strips of cloth that covered her breasts and then wrapped around her neck bared so much skin, it left a man wanting more. “That dress is giving me the wrong idea.”
The song ended but Dustin couldn’t let her go. Their bodies were too comfortable this close together. Her palm rested flat against his chest as his excitement grew. As soon as he let her go, she would be swept away by others, perhaps not allowing for another chance to be with her this way for the rest of the evening.
“Mackey,” Buck yelled over the cheers, whistles, and hooting and hollering.
She shrugged. “Duty calls. We’ll talk later.” She lifted his wrist to glance at his watch. “It’s ten thirty. I’ll start the raffle at eleven. Buck will pick the first winning number. The winner will come up and collect his or her prize, and then pick the next number. Sound good?”
“You’re the boss.” He caressed her cheek, stretching out his arm until their touch disconnected.
The MP3 player door prize, as well as the video games, body lotion sets, baskets of candy, and gift cards were all appreciated. The food donation bins were filled with enough contributions to supply each organization for several months.
Dustin escorted the last customer out at one o’clock. He hugged his family, friends, and employees goodbye. After making sure the place was empty, he approached MaKayla who was sitting on the barstool in her usual spot. Her head rested on her folded arms.
He stood behind her and rubbed her back. “Long day.”
She tossed her head back as he massaged her shoulders. “Very long…but very successful.” She held up half a dozen business cards.
“Great. Any company will be lucky to have you represent them. I’ll write any letters of recommendation you need. Just say the word.”
Her hair fell to one side, and he had to force himself not to suckle the exposed, silky skin.
“Thank you.” She turned around and faced him. He stepped into the small area between her legs. “Hey, did you notice if the winner from the radio station, Tiffany Reynolds, ever showed up?”
He thought for a moment. “No. Did you ask Buck?”
She shook her head. “I’ll call him tomorrow.” She checked his watch. “I guess we should start cleaning up.”
“Not a chance. I hired a cleaning crew. They’ll be here at two.” He caressed her cheek. “Can you tell me now why you looked so depressed half of the evening?”
She met his gaze and he’d swear there were unshed tears deep within. He had to put a smile back on her gorgeous face.
A little joke might do the trick. “I know why you’re upset.” His fingers glided down her bare arm. “After this is over you won’t have an excuse to hang out with me.” He couldn’t let her know this very fear had been racing around his mind all evening.
She bit her bottom lip, and allowed a tear to trickle down her cheek.
“No, MaKayla…” He leaned forward and kissed the tear away. “Please don’t say this is the end.” His lips brushed hers and then trailed across her cheek to the side of her ear. He raised her dress up enough for her legs to open, allowing him to step closer. His hands caressed her thighs before they glided beneath the material of her dress, and then over her hips. Her skin was warm on his palms.
With her hands wrapped around his neck, his mouth pressed against hers. His arms gathered her waist closer to him as her leg wrapped behind his knees, pulling him closer. His tongue greeted hers with the want he hoped she would understand. He wouldn’t let this be a good-bye kiss.
His hands found their way beneath the strips of cloth that covered her braless breasts, cupping them and grazing his thumb over each excited nipple.
She moaned and broke the kiss as her head tossed back, inviting his moist tongue to trail down her neck and dip between her bosoms—teasing her body into frenzy. Her heavy breathing made her chest rise and fall against his mouth.
“Ah, Dustin. We can’t do this.”
“Why not?” He pushed the fabric strip aside enough to expose and capture one full mound between his lips. “I want you, MaKayla.”
Her back arched toward him as his lips glided across her chest then teased her other swollen mound. He wanted more—more than the taste of her apple lotion on his tongue, more than his tongue circling her erect nipple, and more than her fingers gripping his hair while she pressed his mouth closer to her flesh.
What he didn’t want was to stop and allow her to walk out the door and to never see her again.
His mouth opened and took in all he could as his hand caressed the inside of her thigh then brushed a fingertip across the panty-covered mound between her legs. He wanted to bury his prick inside of her. To become as close to her as two people could be. Maybe if he showed her how much she meant to him, she’d change her mind about saying good-bye.
She pushed his shoulders back but his mouth wasn’t ready to leave her. The sucking sound as he departed made him bite his lip at the emptiness his mouth now felt.
He glanced up. More tears had trickled down her cheeks. “Did I hurt you?”
Her lips pressed together as she shook her head.
“Talk to me, MaKayla.”
****
MaKayla wasn’t sure exactly what would spill out if she opened her mouth. There were so many thoughts and emotions running through her mind and heart. Maybe being over-tired was amplifying her feelings.
His touch had her body aroused in a way no other man had ever done. But she couldn’t give in to her needs. She wasn’t a one-night-stand kind of woman. She needed more. More than she could allow herself to take from him.
“I’m sorry.” Her words cracked as they squeezed through her tight throat. She stood and adjusted her dress. “This won’t work, Dustin.”
“Explain why—so maybe I can understand.”
She hoisted her purse onto her shoulder and stepped back. “Guilt, Dustin. I feel like I’m betraying my husband, not to mention my son. I couldn’t wake up in the morning regretting having made love with you. I know the circumstances surrounding our mutual attraction are unusual. And I know I shouldn’t feel this way. But I do. Until my desire for you burns out, I won’t be back.” She stepped forward and kissed his cheek. “Goodbye, Dustin. Thank you for everything. And good luck.”
Walking past the bar and tables, she prayed he wouldn’t follow her outside.
Free from his presence, she took a deep breath and sobbed as she sat behind the wheel.
Those had to be the hardest words ever to pass through her lips. Now she could go home and cry…for the love she would never know…and a past that would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Chapter Twelve
It had been a week since the grand opening at No Bulls. As much as MaKayla missed Dustin in her life, she knew she’d done the right thing by breaking their ties.
Making love to him on the stool that early morning could have easily happened if she didn’t feel, in some way, she was cheating on her husband with the man who took him from her.
But still she drove by the club all week hoping to catch a glimpse of Dustin walking to or from his vehicle. She wondered if he would look as miserable as she felt. How crazy life had become. She had never acted like a maniacal girlfriend spying on a boyfriend in her teens. Why start now?
As she approached No Bulls’ parking lot, she slowed to check if the grand opening had generated any new Saturday afternoon business. Cops in the lot were a given, but today their lights were flashing.
What if something had happened to Dustin? She turned into the lot and parked alongside the building. Squeezing her way through the onlookers, she paused as two police officers escorted a pregnant woman to their car.
“Hey, MaKayla.” Nancy, from Jodi’s anniversary party, waved. “Sam was right. We’re getting our treat instead of a trick tonight.”
Relief washed over her. Dustin was okay. She scolded herself for having so much concern for a man she needed to let go.
She smiled at the woman’s words. After her shopping spree tonight, she, too, would have her own treats—her trick would be getting new clothes at a good price.
Slipping into a new outfit might not replace Dustin’s soft caress or passionate kiss, but shopping was the best she could do to keep her mind occupied. And if this lonely, miserable week was a sign of days to come, she’d be doing a lot of pity-shopping.
“MaKayla, what are you doing here?” Jodi linked her arm.
She turned around. “I was heading home and I saw the police. I hope she’ll be okay.”
“She’ll be fine. Come inside and have a drink with me.” Jodi pulled her inside. The familiar smells and the memory of her encounter with Dustin on the barstool stirred MaKayla’s emotions once again.
Her heart wanted him to be near her, kissing her hand and flirting. Her head, on the other hand, was thankful the man wasn’t here to torture her with his teasing.
Her eyes caught site of Dustin over Jodi’s shoulder. She should have known he wouldn’t be far. Her body stiffened and she placed her hand on her chest. “I can’t stay.” The fire that burned through her body when in his presence had not smoldered in the least.
His tight jeans and exposed chest hair was only a reminder of what she longed for. She had to look away before he assumed her eye contact was an invitation to join them. She forced a smile and then focused on her friend. “I’m taking Tammy pity-shopping.”
“MaKayla.” Dustin stood beside her. “How are you?”
Miserable. She choked up and then forced a smile. “Fine.” The last thing she needed was to be depressed in the company of her son’s girlfriend. She couldn’t let Dustin’s presence get to her. “How’s business been?”
“Business is great.” He held her hand and stepped closer. “I can’t say as much for the company. It’s not the same here without you.”
She withdrew her hand and crossed her arms. Her eyes gazed into his for a second too long. He reached up and caressed her cheek. Her shoulders slumped and her knees weakened.
The taste of his kiss still lingered on her lips from a week ago. Imagine if she had succumbed to their passions. His touch would be branded on her skin for a lifetime.
This teasing had to stop. His lips were too close and too tempting. He
apparently consumed most of the oxygen between them because it was becoming harder for her to breathe. She stepped back and cleared her throat.
“How about a drink? We never got to celebrate a job well done.”
MaKayla shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m on my way to pity-shop. Maybe another time.”
“Pity-shop?”
“You don’t want to know,” Jodi interjected. “MaKayla, say goodbye.”
She allowed Jodi to escort her outside. The crisp fresh air filled her deprived lungs.
“Better Tammy goes pity-shopping with you, than me. How’d you talk her into going?” Jodi asked.
“She has no idea what she’s in for. She called to come over and borrow one of Alex’s shirts to sleep in. I told her I was going shopping and asked if she wanted to come. She’s actually looking forward to it.”
“That’s because the poor girl doesn’t know that you’re insane, zipping from one store to the next like a mad woman. Tell her I said good luck.”
MaKayla didn’t take Jodi’s comment to heart. She knew her shop-till-you-drop always turned into shop-until-they-kick-you-out. None of her current acquaintances wanted a part of her pity-shopping, which was why she hadn’t warned her son’s girlfriend.
She hugged her friend. “Let me know when Nancy has her baby.”
“Uh, yeah, as soon as you let me know what’s going on between you and handsome in there.”
“Nothing.”
“I’m not buying that. The sexual tension between the two of you was enough foreplay for me to go home and attack my husband. Now spill it.”
MaKayla glanced at her watch. “There’s no time. I have to go home and change. Tammy’s waiting for me.”
“This isn’t over. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Of course she would. At least MaKayla had bought some time to try and come up with a story Jodi would accept.
She ran upstairs when she got home. Tonight, she would be shopping until Dustin’s image faded from her mind and his heated touch no longer set her body on fire. That required comfortable jeans, an oversized sweatshirt, and sneakers.
It was going to be a long night. She hoped Tammy would be up for the challenge. At her age, she would probably outdo MaKayla anyway.
The Patriot Girl Page 12