by MISSY HARPER
The only two things he’d heard all day, that didn’t rip him up inside, were that she’d come home every night and that, as far as any of them knew, she hadn’t seen Bart Kyle again! He still had no idea where she was or who she was with tonight. That bothered him more than he wanted to admit. A bunch of friends was all the information Thor had offered and was more than anyone else seemed to be willing to give him.
He’d left the Yellowbrook ranch feeling only slightly better than he had when he got there, and his mood hadn’t improved since. He’d gone as far as to call Rylee’s cell phone, but like all the other times he’d called her in the past week, she hadn’t answered. He’d met some buddies, that happened to be in the area to ride in a local rodeo, for dinner and was now back in Fort Smith with nothing to do but stew over his thoughts about where Rylee was and who she was with.
His truck, on autopilot as it often seemed to be lately, turned into the local honky tonk located almost directly across the street from his brother’s restaurant. He couldn’t help himself when he climbed down from his truck. He looked over at the parking lot across the street, just hoping that she’d decided against the whole dancing idea and gone to work. No such luck. The parking lot was empty save for his brother’s truck, proving Rylee hadn’t closed the restaurant that evening. That meant she was out somewhere. To make matters worse, there just happened to be that rodeo in the next town over. Just considering the group he’d had dinner with, it meant Bunny Season was officially open in Fort Smith, MT, and that scared the hell out of Ethan.
Ethan found a table at the back of the bar and started sipping on his longneck. He felt anxious and empty, and the beer was doing nothing to help with either emotion. Damn it, he missed that little Runt, and it didn’t make any sense either. He’d been gone for years, talked to her on the phone maybe a dozen times during that time, but now, he couldn’t go fifteen damn minutes without wanting to hear her voice!
He missed her laugh, he missed the way her eyes danced when she talked. He could only hope her body didn’t look nearly as good when she danced as her eyes did. He missed the way she smelled, and hell, he even missed being chewed out by her about one thing or another. She was at her most beautiful when she was tuggin on a bone! But, most of all, he missed how she had felt in his arms, how she had tasted and dug her fingers into his hair. Her innocent passion was like a drug! A drug somebody else was likely trying tonight, and it was all his fault.
“Hey, Cowboy. You lookin mighty good in that corner. I could think of all sorts of things we could do in a dark corner.” A sultry female voice brought him back to the here and now. He looked up to see Heather Wild leaning over his table, giving him a full view of all she had to offer. It surprised him a bit when the view actually disgusted him. Ethan rubbed his big hand over his face as he sat his bottle on the table. That had never happened before!
“Hey, Heather.”
“Mind if I sit down.” She asked as she plopped her rear in his lap and snaked her arms around his neck. Ethan’s arms instinctively went around her waist, and he looked into her smiling face. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of desire flare inside him! Aggravation, irritation, yep, but not a bit of desire.
“Comfy?” He asked, and watched an eyebrow raise over her heavily made up eyes. He was really glad Rylee was more tasteful with her makeup.
“No, but this dark corner definitely has potential.” She said as she brought her lips to meet his. He kissed her back, simply out of habit, and thought of Rylee. Thought how much softer her lips had been, and how much sweeter she’d tasted. He remembered how she’d trembled in his arms until the passion had over taken her, and then she’d been wild with unpracticed abandon.
He turned his face away from Heather to break the kiss. All of a sudden he had a strong wave of nausea wash over him at the thought of this whore’s tongue in his mouth. She planted her mouth on his neck and did her best impression of a vampire, causing Ethan’s stomach to roll. He pushed her away and stood her up on her feet. She smiled down at him with her best let’s get out of here, cowboy smile. Ethan shook his head.
“Not tonight, Darlin.” He said, pointing to the other chair at the table. “I’ll buy you a drink, but I ain’t feelin it tonight.” He told a shocked little buckle bunny. Not many women had heard those words come out of Ethan’s mouth, and realizing that fact alone made his stomach churn all over again.
“So it’s true?” She accused. Ethan looked up at her and wondered if she was smokin crack or something.
“So, what’s true?” He asked, doing nothing to hide his aggravation.
“About you and that Van der Brook chick.” She sneered, as if Rylee was dirty or unworthy. Ethan fought the urge to reach over and slap her! He’d love to clue her in to the fact that she’d never be in Rylee’s league.
“Don’t know what you’re talkin about.” He said, turning his head and taking a long pull from his beer, desperately attempting to get the taste of her out of his mouth.
“I heard she had you wrapped around her little finger, jumpin through her hoops just like your whipped brother and her handsome brothers alike.” She said with a wicked grin. Ethan watched the woman across from him and wondered why he’d ever wanted to touch her. She was pretty enough, but she was hard and fake, so unlike his sweet little Runt.
“I ain’t never been much of a hoop jumper, Heather.” He scolded, taking another sip of his beer and motioning to the waitress to bring him another. It looked as if he was gonna need it.
“I didn’t believe it, but as soon as she walked through the door you damn near dumped me off your lap and onto the floor.”
“Rylee’s here?” His head shot up before he could stop himself and remember he was a cool cowboy. A tough bull riding, buckle bunny chasin cowboy that didn’t get rattled by tall, beautiful blondes with tiger striped eyes and sweet kisses.
“Oh, you’ve got it bad, cowboy. I never thought I’d see the day the great Ethan Hawkins would fall.” She teased him as she ran her long red finger nail down his arm. It couldn’t have felt worse if a snake had slithered down his arm.
“I’ve just been lookin for her, that’s all. It’s ranch business, it’s nothing personal.” Ethan grumpily explained, stuck somewhere between disgusted with Heather, disgusted with himself and elation at having finally found Rylee.
“Really, then you won’t mind if I give you a little kiss.” She said, leaning over at the waist so that her shirt fell open in the front again, and her butt was up in the air for all to look their fill, only Ethan wasn’t the slightest bit interested.
“I told you I wasn’t feelin it tonight.” He glared at her as he shoved her back down into the other chair at the table. Heather tossed her head back and let out a humorless laugh.
“I actually think it’s kinda funny. How many women have fallen hard for you, and you just buttoned your blue jeans when you were done and walked away?” She asked as she rubbed her hands up and down her long jean clad thighs.
“What the hell do you want, Heather?” Ethan sneered at her, his patience wearing thin.
“I want you back in my bed, but I guess neither of us are gonna get what we want tonight, cowboy.” She said as she stood up and turned her eyes toward the dance floor, then back to him with an evil smile.
“Too bad she seems to be interested in every cowboy but you.” He watched her slither off to find her next victim.
He looked over to the dance floor where she’d cut her eyes before she left. His stomach lurched and he almost lost it right there at the table. Rylee was in the arms of a bull rider named Sam Waters, one of the fella’s he’d had dinner with earlier that night. Sam was a fine bull rider, a good friend and a bona fide buckle banger. No fuckin way was Rylee going anyplace with that guy!
“My name’s Sam.” The cowboy leaned down, speaking close enough to her ear that his lips brushed against it.
“Nice to meet you, Sam. I’m Rylee.” She introduced herself with a playful smile. “So, do you always cut i
n on a man’s dance less than five seconds into the song?” She asked with a perfectly raised eyebrow, trying to avoid giggling. His grin was as wicked as sin itself and she wasn’t complaining in the least.
“Only when the lady’s as pretty as you. Then I just can’t seem to wait my turn.” He offered her a little more of his sexy grin and pulled her even closer to him. She felt the bulge in his jeans, and he made no effort to disguise it. As a matter of fact, he presented it more as an advertisement, if the truth be told. It was a little disconcerting, but she was having a good time and wasn’t going to let anything ruin her night.
“I got friend’s around here, so I stop by most times I ride in this area. We come by the Busted Buckle every single time, but I’ve never seen you hear before, Miss Rylee?” He flirted as he brought one hand up from her waist and stopped dangerously close to her breast. She started to push his hand back down to her waist, but then she remembered Ethan was over in the corner with some whore on his lap. If he could have some woman in his lap in a public place, why couldn’t she enjoy an edgy dance with this cowboy? Ethan was such a hypocrite!
“I work quite a bit so I don’t get to come out much.” Rylee said as a giggle escaped. She was a bit tipsy, and openly enjoying herself, along with her new found freedom.
“Why, I think that might be a crime, Darlin! Something that looks as good as you ought to be out on the town and available to all us starvin cowboys.” Rylee giggled at his obvious flirtation and bad attempt at humor. If he wasn’t so dang cute, she’d have probably laughed right in his face and called him on it.
“You are available, aren’t ya, Darlin?” Sam asked as he leaned in for his first taste of her lips.
“Sorry, Sam, but this little Runt’s not available to anyone but me.” Ethan’s eyes were burning holes into Rylee as he said the words.
“Ethan!” Sam said with a smile and then he lifted both of his eyebrows. “Oh, so this is what’s got you bouncin your boot heel and checkin your cell phone when it ain’t even ringin.” Sam said with a knowing smile. He looked back at Rylee and let his eyes travel boldly up and down her body as his grin turned wolfish, clearly mistaking her for a Bunny. “I certainly see why you’re wound so tight. You thinkin of sharin?” Sam asked.
“No.” Ethan growled as he wrapped his hand around Rylee’s arm.
“Let go!” Rylee demanded, but neither man paid her any attention.
“Can’t say I blame you, I wouldn’t mind spending a little one-on-one time with this little one when you’re done with her, though.” Sam said as he watched Rylee struggle to get out of Ethan’s grip and made a call me sign with his fingers.
“Not gonna happen, Sam.” Ethan said as he started pushing Rylee toward the exit.
“Ethan, I’m warning you…”
“Really?” Sam questioned with a grin as he watched Ethan struggle with Rylee, both men still ignoring her protests.
“Get your hands off me, Ethan!” Rylee sneered and stumbled a bit.
“Door, Rylee! We’re leavin!” Ethan glared down at her with his best conversation ending stare.
“I’m not leaving! I came here to dance, and that’s what I’m gonna do. So, get your stupid hands off me!” Rylee demanded, having had just enough to drink that she was able to disregard how angry Ethan looked at the moment.
“If you’d only been dancing with the man, then you might still be dancing with him, but you weren’t, were you?” Ethan growled at her and gave her a quick jerk.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rylee asked, planting her feet and refusing to move an inch farther. It was fine with her if the hypocrite wanted to fight. They could do it right here in front of God and everybody!
“Why is it every time I see you lately, you’ve got your lips locked onto some cowboy?” Ethan glared at her as he jerked her hard against him. Rylee stumbled a bit again and then began to giggle.
“Jealous, much?” She blinked up at him. “You damn sure didn’t mind when it was your lips, now did you, Ethan?” She accused as she licked her lips. It took all he had not to accept the invitation.
“Great you’re half drunk on top of everything else!” Ethan huffed. “I warned you, Rylee. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Ethan said as he lifted her off her feet and moved toward the door with her, but Rylee started to kick and make a scene, of course!
“She’s drunk, help me get her to the door.” Ethan told his friend. Sam grabbed her feet and the two of them started heading toward the door with her.
“Wait! Sam, Ethan forgot his bunny.” Rylee announced as if she were trying to be helpful, pointing back toward the corner where Ethan had been sitting. A chorus of giggles erupted as she bent at the waist, making it difficult for Ethan to hang on to her. Sam couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not talkin about the chocolate kind with wobbly eyes, either. Those kind ya can give to a kid on Easter, or take home to your momma, and she might actually let cha in the house with it!” Rylee fell forward as she laughed at her own joke.
“Shut up, Rylee.” Ethan growled, angry that she was drunk and bothered that she was right about Heather Wild. His mother would have tossed that girl off the ranch and never thought twice about it.
“But you had a bunny sittin in your lap.” Rylee turned to Sam pretending to be innocent. “He was petting her and everything.” Ethan cut his eyes toward Rylee and saw Sam chuckling, again.
“Did she hop away, Ethan? Is that why you’re so mad?” Rylee asked, scrunching up her face questioningly. “Did your bunny get away?” She asked as if she were speaking to a little kid, then burst out laughing.
“HOP… HOP… HOP!” The cold wind hit hard when they opened the door and did a real number on her buzz. She immediately began to sober, and fear settled over her like a hot blanket. Ethan had warned her and now he was furious!
“Where we takin her?” Sam asked with an eager grin.
“I’m takin her across the street to my brother’s restaurant for some coffee and a little discussion about her behavior. Where are your keys Rylee?” Ethan asked with his hand out.
“Bite me, Ethan!” Rylee stared right into his eyes, praying he’d back down, but knowing he wouldn’t. She threw her elbow at his head, hoping the blow would allow her to escape, but Ethan ducked the elbow she threw and dropped her to her feet, crushing her back against his body.
“Don’t worry, Runt, I will.” He hissed from just behind her ear and grabbed a handful of hair. “I just wanta make damn sure you remember it, so I’m gonna get some coffee in ya first.” Ethan explained just before he yanked her head back toward him and captured her mouth beneath his. Damn he’d missed those lips!
“Good night, Sam. Thanks for your help gettin her out here.” Ethan said as he tossed Rylee over his shoulder and headed across the street.
“Drink!” Ethan commanded as he roughly sat down a mug of coffee before Rylee, sloshing it on the table.
“Thank you.” She said with all the sarcasm she could muster as she took her first sip. Her buzz was completely ruined and her head was already starting to hurt. “Think you could make a bigger mess?”
“What the hell is wrong with you, Rylee? I thought we had an understanding?” Ethan tried to remain calm and reasonable, but his aggravation was showing through. He couldn’t believe she’d gotten drunk! How stupid could she have been? Sam would of had her ten ways till Sunday if he hadn’t showed up. He flexed his hands to hide the fact they were shaking. The thought of her being treated that way scared him to death. Rylee would never be the same after a night like that.
“Nothing’s wrong with me, Ethan. It’s you that has the problem!” She said, slamming down her coffee mug. Her head was beginning to hurt so bad she no longer cared how mad he was anymore.” You don’t get to decide who I spend my time with or who I can kiss! I do!” She yelled, pointing her finger at herself.
“Is that what you want?” He yelled back at her as he extended his arm back toward the bar across the street. “To have some guy you don’t mean
a damn thing to have his hands all over you? Is that the life you want, Rylee! To be nothing more than a piece of ass to some drifting cowboy! A stranger, Rylee!”
“It’s my decision! If I decide that’s what I want then you have nothing to do with it!” She screamed at him. He was making her crazy. “You don’t want me! You’ve made that abundantly clear, Ethan! But just because you think I’m worthless, and a waste of time doesn’t mean all men feel that way! I deserve to have a life, Ethan! So… just, just stay the hell out of it! I’ll date who I want, and it’s none of your damn business!” She screamed as she got up and headed for the door, hurt and angry… a dangerous combination when Sam was surly waiting in the wings.
She’d done nothing but try not to feel for the past week. Ethan had no way of knowing that what he described was exactly what Rylee thought would be best at the moment. All she wanted was to feel and not have to care… for once in her life. Now he was here, ruining everything again.
“Worthless?” His voice sounded angry as his arms wrapped around her waist from behind and pulled her flush against his hard body. His head lowered and his teeth sank into her neck. He soothed the bite with his tongue and then did it again.
“If I thought you were worthless, Rylee, I’d a had you the first fuckin night I got home.” His hand traveling from her waist up toward her breast. He cupped it in his hand and pinched her nipple just hard enough to make her gasp. He loved having her in his arms and feeling her beneath his hands, but he was silently praying she would break sooner rather than later. She deserved so much more than this.
“Is that what you were hopin Sam would do to you, Rylee?” He felt her breathing get heaver and much more rapid. He knew she was scared, but too damn bad. This was what she’d been asking for, and he’d warned her fair and square… unfortunately.
“Don’t lie to me!” He growled in her ear as he pinched her other nipple and moved his other hand down below the hem of her too short skirt. He ran his hand up the inside of her leg until he felt her tighten her legs around his hand.