Between Hope & the Highway (16 page)

“How’s that man in bed, hun? I bet he’s incredible.”

I pushed an obnoxious curl over my ear. “We don’t believe in premarital sex. We’re saving ourselves until marriage.”

A wicked gleam sparked in her overdone eyes. “You mean Rawson Law’s a virgin?”

“A virgin piña colada.” It was the only drink I could think of offhand. Feeling like a dweeb, I hurried to excuse myself. “I need to start loading horses. Nice to meet you, Miss Lincoln.” A bold-faced lie if ever I told one.

As I finished loading the last horse, Rawson materialized and wrapped his arms around me again. I jumped as he nestled his stubbled chin into my neck. The tingling sensation he evoked sent delightful shivers clear down to my toes.

“You ready to go, babycakes?”

Goosebumps erupted as he rubbed his chin against my neck. I tried to escape, but Blondie stood nearby and Rawson acted for all he was worth. Twisting me, he pulled me close and leaned in to kiss me. I threw my hand over my mouth just before his lips made contact. At this angle, the bimbo couldn’t tell he kissed the back of my hand quite passionately. Thank goodness for small mercies. I might have passed out if he’d gone at my lips with such gusto.

When he paused to wink at me, I whispered, “I hate your guts.”

His blue-green eyes crinkled. “I know.” He grabbed my slobbery hand and said over his shoulder, “It was a pleasure meeting you, Kelsey.” He doffed his hat and closed the trailer. Opening my door, he helped me inside his flashy truck. “There you go, sweetheart.”

When he climbed in the driver’s side, I hauled off and punched his leg. “I can’t believe you kissed my hand like that.”

“I was going for your lips.”

“Gross!”

He laughed and glanced out the window. Catching Kelsey watching us like lab rats, he leaned over to peck my cheek.

“Kiss me again and I’ll deck you,” I said between clenched teeth.

“It might be worth it, especially if you move your hand.”

“You’re impossible.”

He waved as we pulled away from the arena. “I owe you big time for saving me from that blond nightmare. Thanks for playing along.”

“You kind of forced me to,” I grumped.

His grin caused havoc in my heart. “Did you see her face when you said all that garbage about what
thing
implied? It was difficult to keep a straight face.”

I stuck my tongue out, making him chortle.

“Ah, Lizzie, you’re all right.”

“And you’re an idiot.”

He grabbed my hand. “How about we stop for ice cream? You deserve something decadent for your acting skills.”

I pulled my fingers away. “Just get me home.”

He pouted, which looked extremely good on him. After we left Bozeman behind, I couldn’t help notice how he squirmed like a five-year-old needing a bathroom break. Maybe he did. I certainly wasn’t going to ask. Staring out at snow-capped mountains, I tried to pretend he wasn’t there. Unfortunately, he was like a scratch on a disc. I couldn’t stop replaying how arousing his stubbly jaw had felt against my neck. Oh my. My body resonated even now. An evil part of me wished I had let him kiss me for real just for the experience. I doubted I’d get a chance like that again.

The truck pulling onto the side of the road snapped me out of my wicked trance. Rawson threw the truck into park and hopped out his door. When he ripped off his shirt, I gasped.

“What are you doing?”

Air stuck in my throat as he glanced up at me. The sight of his wide shoulders, muscular arms, and gorgeous pecs flooded my body with warmth. Satan, in all his manly glory, stood on a lonely stretch of highway in Montana, and I could not tear my gaze away.

“I need to change shirts or I’ll lose my mind. That’s why I wanted to stop at DQ.” He pointed to my boots. “Can you reach under your seat and grab my duffel?”

What a strange man.

After I handed him his bag, he pulled out a silky red shirt. Although the material seemed feminine, it looked amazing once it outlined his ripped muscles.

“Why do you change so much?”

He shrugged. “A glitch in my system. Clothes itch, like ants biting my skin. Sweat magnifies the sensation until I can’t concentrate. Trust me. I’ll drive safer with a fresh shirt.”

“So you’re not just vain?”

He snort-laughed, making my stomach flip flop. I really liked his laugh. “I’m sure my vanity doesn’t help, but no, I change when I can’t endure the itching. My body has a psycho sensitivity to detergents and materials.”

“Sounds horrible.”

“I’m used to it.” His dazzling eyes took on a mischievous glint. “Did you really tell Kelsey I was a virgin?”

Heat licked my cheeks.

“No wonder she pulled me aside all hot and bothered. You made me that much more enticing by telling her I was an innocent.”

I huffed and turned to look out the window.

“She wanted to dig her claws into a fresh slab of meat.”

“Oh, shut up.” I realized he was teasing me. “You’re such a fruitcake.”

“A fruitcake? I’ve never been called
that
before.”

As he hopped back in, I relaxed. He wasn’t the vain, arrogant jerk I’d pegged him to be…not completely. He had some good qualities, and didn’t seem out to get me anymore. Saving his life had reaped some benefits.

“So,” he drawled, “what’s your real major, my little English Nazi who doesn’t think
thing
implies a relationship.”

“Food science.”

He appraised me for several long seconds.

“Watch the road.” I gave him a gentle shove.

“Oh, please. It’s straight for the next five miles.” He glanced back at me. “Food science, huh? You want to be a dietitian?”

“Mercy, no. I’ve taken too many difficult science classes for that. I want to work for a large food manufacturer as a research chemist.”

“Why’d you drop out and come here?”

I frowned. “Life yanked the carpet out from under my feet and made me fall flat on my face. I haven’t quite recovered.”

Thankfully, he didn’t push for details. “Life’s done the same to me. Almost makes me scared to stand again.”

Usually, whenever I mentioned how difficult life was, I received platitudes meant to inspire and remind me how precious each day was. But Rawson’s honest acknowledgment soothed me in a way no faith-filled words ever had. He got it.

“I received some helpful advice though.” He broke the comfortable bond.

“What?”

“
Sith
happens.”

I groaned. “You and
Star Wars
. Do you want to be a Jedi warrior when you grow up?”

“Jedi knight,” he corrected. “No. That’s Benny’s dream. I want to go into the bounty hunting business with Boba.”

“You’re a nerd.” An extremely handsome, sarcastic nerd.

After we reached the ranch and parted ways, I couldn’t help thinking how Rawson Law was like his crazy-beautiful eyes…always changing and shifting colors. Sometimes he acted chauvinistic and crude, other times he surprised me with gentleness. Today, he’d made me laugh, and I hadn’t done that in forever. I didn’t know quite what to think of him. Certainly I didn’t trust him—he was the biggest tease around—yet his kind, witty side had charmed me completely.

Which one was the real man?

Chapter 29

Bentley

As the sun welcomed me with a spectacular color show, I knew good things awaited me. Today I would attend church with Lizzie…and Rawson. I still didn’t know what to think about my brother joining us. He’d never showed an interest in church before, so why had he offered to drive us now?

Waiting in the entryway for Liz, I heard the rumble of his diesel truck as it pulled up to the house. I adjusted my red power tie and caught a flash of blue on the stairs. Looking up, I watched Lizzie descend in a turquoise-colored dress that hugged all her curves.

“Yowza.”

She blushed and pushed curly locks over her shoulder. With her hair all down, she looked beyond gorgeous.

“You look handsome, Ben. I’ve never seen you all gussied up like this.”

“Thanks.” I took her hand and walked outside. At least with Rawson driving, I didn’t have to endure a long, boring ride with that lame Mackay Benson, who usually picked Liz up.

As I climbed into the middle seat, Rawson teased me. “Don’t you look like a silly fool in your ape suit.”

“Who’s more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?”

“Good one.” He raised his hand for a high five.

Lizzie’s dress snagged on the seat as she crawled in, revealing a glimpse of her upper legs. I turned my head like a gentleman, but Rawson grinned as she scrambled to get modest.

I tried to divert his attention. “What are you? One of Jabba’s sideshows?” My brother’s Wranglers, burgundy dress shirt, and shimmery silver tie appeared quite gaudy. “I told you to wear a white shirt and slacks.”

“I liked this better. And you have to admit, this tie is amazing. I picked it up in Italy,” he bragged as he pulled out of the driveway. “These are my good jeans too. No holes.”

“Because you ain’t holy.”

“Ha ha.” He slugged my arm.

Turning onto the dirt lane, he began driving like the devil was chasing him.

Lizzie clutched the hand hold. “Slow down.”

Rawson pushed the gas pedal harder. “Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dustin’ crops, girl.” When he winked, I chuckled.

“You’re freaking me out.”

“Loosen up, sweetheart. I’m the best driver this side of the Mississippi.”

To prove his point, he slammed on the brakes and spun us in the middle of the road. Dust stirred up like a cyclone as we came to a stomach-lurching stop. I couldn’t help but grin. My brother’s stunts never grew old. Before I could turn to see if Lizzie had enjoyed it, her seatbelt flew back and almost hit me in my face.

Opening her door, she flew out of the truck like a bat released from Hades. She didn’t make it far before she emptied her breakfast on the side of the road. And even worse, she started to cry.

“Damn,” my brother muttered.

I watched as he ran over to help her. She pummeled his chest before he pulled her in tight and did the whole rocking-hug thing.

“Sorry. I was just showing off. Most girls like my stunts.”

By how she stiffened, I could tell he’d shoved his boot in his mouth.

“I’m not most girls.” She slapped his arm and marched away. At the hood, she turned and pointed. “I refuse to drive with you.”

“I’ll go slow. Promise.”

Lizzie shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Well, you should. I don’t want you upchucking again. That was nasty.”

She scowled.

“Cross my heart. Hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye. I promise not to go over sixty.”

Recalling the last time she’d driven with him as a passenger made me hope she’d cave. “I believe him, Lizzie.”

She rolled her eyes and marched to the passenger side. “Fine. But I’ll be watching the speedometer.”

Rawson reached behind his seat. “Here.” He tossed her a water bottle.

She didn’t thank him, but she did turn around to drink and spit.

My brother kept his lead foot under control…mostly. Lizzie called him out a time or two when the needle inched upward. Rawson grumbled, but didn’t argue. When we finally reached the church, Liz looped her arm through mine and walked at my hobbling pace across the parking lot. Having a girl on my arm made me feel like a man.

“Liz!”

I grimaced as I looked over my shoulder to see Mackay jogging our way. Lizzie waited for him as my lips puckered on an invisible lemon. When he reached us, he leaned in to peck her cheek and take possession of her hand.

“What the hell?” Rawson muttered.

I thought his swearing sounded sacrilegious being next to a church and all, but I didn’t blame him since I was tempted to cuss too.

Lizzie squirmed under our scrutiny. “Uh, you know Ben.”

It wasn’t a question, but Mackay answered like it was. “Of course, I know Benny. How could I forget my little partner at the rodeo last month?” He spoke as though I was eight instead of thirteen.

“Judge me by my size, do you?” I mumbled under my breath.

Rawson nudged me to acknowledge my Yoda wisdom.

“This is his older brother, Rawson. I don’t know if you’ve met.”

The smile slid off Mackay’s face. “I know Rawson.” His eyes narrowed. “I never thought I’d see the day you darkened a church door.” He steered Lizzie past us.

I glanced over to see my brother’s nostrils flare. “I never thought I’d see you get a girl.”

When Lizzie scowled over her shoulder, I elbowed him. “Hush.”

My mind spun as we followed them inside and into a chapel. How did Rawson and Mackay know each other?