Branded for You (26 page)

She raised her brows. “Who says I’m leaving?”

He gave a slow, sexy grin. “Honey, you’ve been trying to head out that door all night.”

Her face warmed. “You’ve been watching me?”

“Ever since you walked into the room.” He searched her gaze. “Just waiting for a chance to catch your attention. I don’t think there’s a cowboy in this place who hasn’t offered to buy you a drink.”

She studied his eyes. He had dark hair and nice eyes that were a gorgeous shade of green. “Who’s to say I’m not going to send you packing?”

His gaze held hers. “I’m hoping my luck will hold out. I think this is the longest conversation you’ve had with any cowboy you’ve met tonight.”

Amusement sparked in his eyes as he spoke. He had that same ease and confidence in his manner in person as she’d seen before he’d ridden that bull and even after his ride.

He was about as tall as her four brothers, around six-two, but a little younger—she’d guess about thirty-three. His white shirt and Wrangler jeans fit him oh-so-well, and his white western hat was tilted up enough that she could study his eyes. He was definitely hot in an alpha male, bad boy kinda way.

“I’m Creed McBride.” He held out his hand.

“My name is Danica and you’re right, I’m heading up to my room.” She smiled as she took his hand. “Nice meeting you,” she added but couldn’t get herself to turn away. In fact she had a hard time getting herself to release his hand. His grip was firm and warm, his hand callused from hard work.

It was probably only seconds but it seemed as though it carried on longer before she finally drew back her hand.

“Pretty name.” He looked like he wanted to touch her again to keep her from leaving but held himself back. She didn’t know why she thought he did, but she could almost feel the brush of his fingers against her cheek even though he hadn’t reached for her at all. He studied her and she felt warmth go through her at the intensity in her look. “I bet you’re told all of the time what gorgeous blue eyes you have. Such a brilliant blue,” he said.

“Is that a pick-up line?” She raised an eyebrow.

“You know it’s not.” He smiled. “It’s an observation.”

It was true that she got that all of the time. She and her four brothers had the same eye color and her aunt called them “Cameron blue”.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to two-step with me?” Creed gave a nod to the dance floor. “I haven’t had a chance to dance all night.”

She wanted to ask him why not when gorgeous women had surrounded him all night, or the other woman he’d been talking with, but she didn’t want him to know that he’d captured her attention tonight, more than once. Fortunately, she didn’t think he’d caught her at it.

Darryl came up to Creed’s side and he put his arm around Creed’s neck. “Do you know who you’re talkin’ to?” Darryl raised his beer bottle with his opposite hand. “You should be damned impressed. This is Creed McBride, two-time world bull riding champion.”

Creed looked uncomfortable and Danica’s lips twisted with amusement as she teased him. “I’m impressed by a lot of things, but riding an animal out to kill you isn’t one of them. I’m more impressed by the person.”

“Felt the heat on that one.” A slight grin curved the corner of Creed’s mouth, obviously knowing she was teasing, and he disengaged from Darryl. “Why don’t you go find that cute little blonde you’ve been with all night?” he said to Darryl.

Darryl turned his gaze on Danica and slowly looked her up and down. Disgust flowed through her at the blatant way he was undressing her with his gaze. “What about this sexy thing?” He grinned. “Danica, right?”

“Yes.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Best friend to Kelsey Richards. Where is she, by the way?”

Darryl jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “She’s waiting for me by the bar.”

Danica put her hands on her hips. “I think I might need to go have a talk with her.”

“Just havin’ a little fun.” Darryl straightened. “I best be getting back to Kelsey.”

Danica frowned, wondering if she
should
go have a talk with her friend. But then Danica wondered if maybe she was reading too much into the way he’d been looking at her.

Darryl touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am,” he said politely, his demeanor completely changed. Darryl slapped Creed on the shoulder then turned and headed toward the bar where Danica caught a glimpse of Kelsey.

“Come on.” Creed indicated that dance floor with a nod. “Give this cowboy a dance.”

The only indecision that warred within her was the thought of getting to know him better, maybe even liking him, when she’d already decided that she wouldn’t want to date a bull rider. Not that dancing with him meant that he even wanted a relationship with her.

Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding. “All right.”

He flashed a smile at her and took her by the hand. She set her beer bottle on a table as they passed by and then they were on the dance floor.

It was a lively two-step and they fell into the dance as if they’d been doing it together forever. She’d been country-western dancing since she was a little girl and it was obvious he was plenty experienced, too.

When the one dance was over, another tune started right away and he swung her into a country waltz. She found herself laughing as they danced and then she realized her headache had vanished. Every touch of his hands sent warmth throughout her body. Or was that just the heat of her skin from dancing?

She was ready to walk off the dance floor the moment the next song struck up, a slow tune, but Creed took her by the hand then brought her into his arms, catching her off guard. She braced her palms on his shoulders to keep him from holding her too close. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.

His warm breath caused a shiver to run through her as he murmured, “Thank you for the dances.”

She swallowed, trying to not let his closeness affect her…the solidness of his body, his masculine scent, and the heat of his large hands at her waist. She cleared her throat but couldn’t get anything out.

“I’d like to see you again,” he said close to her ear.

She drew back and gave him a skeptical look. “You’re a bull rider. You don’t stay in one place for too long.”

“Long enough,” he said. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from southern Arizona, in the San Rafael Valley,” she said. “But I now live in San Diego.”

“There you go.” He gave her a little grin. “We do have something in common. I’m from just north of Phoenix, in Kirkland, between Prescott and Wickenburg.” He touched a lock of her long, dark hair. “What’s an Arizona country girl doing in San Diego?”

“I work as a research associate at the University of California,” she said. “In our department we do breeding maintenance, genotyping, cloning, and other related projects.”

“I’m impressed.” He continued to lightly play with her hair. “Did you go to the University of Arizona?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“I graduated from the U of A twelve years ago,” he said with a grin. “I’d bet you were at least eight years behind me.”

“Something like that.” She smiled. “What was your major?”

“Animal Sciences.”

The song ended, surprising her. The time had passed faster than she’d expected.

“I’d better go,” she said as they drew apart.

“Why?” He walked beside her as she left the dance floor.

“It’s getting late.” And she was becoming far too interested in this bull rider.

He caught her by her hand and drew her to a stop. “Sure I can’t talk you into a drink?”

“You already talked me into dancing with you.” She smiled. “But no, not a drink.”

“Give me your phone number,” he said. “I want to see you again.”

She shook her head. “I don’t date bull riders.”

With a laugh he said, “Why not?”

“It’s too dangerous a sport,” she said. “I’d be worried all the time.”

“You’d worry about me?” He had that sexy grin again.

Somehow she felt off-balance by his reply. “I suppose I would, if we were dating. Which isn’t a possibility because, like I said, I don’t date bull riders.”

“Why don’t you give me a chance?” he said. “I’ll show you that you don’t have to worry about me.”

She put her hands on her hips. “How many bones have you broken over the years? How many concussions have you had? How many times have you had to be stitched up?”

He winced.

“Or,” she went on, “maybe you should just tell me what bones you
haven’t
broken. Yet.”

He shook his head. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“Oh?” She folded her arms across her chest. “How many times have you ridden even when you were injured rather than waiting for those bones and injuries to heal?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “More times than you can count, I’ll bet.”

He laughed and raised his hands. “Aw, come on, Danica. Just give me a chance.”

She liked the way he said her name. His voice had a raw, sensual quality about it. “I’m heading up to my room now,” she said. “It really was nice meeting you.”

“So you’re staying here,” he said as she turned away and he fell into step beside her.

She realized her mistake when she’d said “up to my room.” She paused mid-step and shook her head as she faced him. “Good night, Creed.”

“I know when I’m not wanted.” A smile was on his lips though when he said the words. “Good night, Danica.”

As she walked out of the bar and made her way to the elevators, she found it hard not to look over her shoulder. She could feel him watching her and if she looked, she might find herself turning around and going back.

# # #

Excerpt…
Satin and Saddles

Cheyenne McCray

Carly braced her hands on the back of Mike’s chair as she watched the poker game with the Cameron men along a couple of their friends, including Mike. He was holding his own and it was down to him and Dillon who had the biggest pile of chips.

Throughout the game she’d had a hard time keeping her eyes off a Dillon and again he’d caught her at it. Like the other men, he’d taken off his western tux jacket leaving him in a shirt that was snug across his muscular chest and fit his broad shoulders just right. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and she liked watching the way the muscles in his arms flexed when he dealt. Every now and then their gazes would meet and she’d feel a warm flush throughout her body.

She looked over Mike’s shoulder. He had a straight flush. He set his cards down and shoved most of his chips into the middle of the table.

Dillon studied Mike for a moment, then his cards. “I’m all in,” he said and pushed everything he had in.

Mike looked at the remainder of his chips then looked at Dillon.

“Have anything else you’d like to wager?” Dillon asked.

Mike glanced up at Carly then back to Dillon. “Got anything in mind?”

Dillon met Carly’s gaze. “The rest of the weekend with Carly if I win. If you win you can buy Rocket.”

Carly’s jaw dropped and the other men around the table hooted and laughed.

“That is one deal too good to miss,” Ty Sharpe, Mike’s cousin, said. “Mike’s been trying to buy that stallion off Dillon for the past year.”

“I think
not
,” she said.

“Come on, Carly.” Wayne, Dillon’s brother, grinned. “You’ll sweeten the pot.”

Zane nodded. “I’d like to see this.”

Mike glanced up at Carly.

She put her hands on her hips. “Are you serious, Mike Sharpe? You’d trade me in a poker game?”

“Anything else you’d take?” Mike looked sheepish as he asked Dillon the question.

Dillon shook his head. “Carly or nothing.”

Wayne laughed. “It’s all in good fun, Carly.”

She held back a smile. It was kind of funny—she’d never had men fight over her before—so to speak.

“Let me see your cards again, Mike.” She sat on his knee and looked at his cards. A straight flush, ace to five. “All right.” She glanced up at Dillon. “Do I have to sit in the middle of the table?”

The men chuckled.

“You’re fine right where you are.” Dillon leaned forward. “But when I win you have to come sit on
my
knee.”

Carly felt her cheeks flush. She tilted her chin up. “Daytime only if you win. But when you lose, Mike gets to buy that horse.”

“It’s a deal.” Dillon winked at her.

Mike laid down his cards. “Straight flush.”

Dillon’s eyes were totally on Carly as he laid down his own cards. “Royal flush.”

Carly’s eyes widened and this time she burned with heat all over. She had just been won in a poker game.

The men around the table were grinning and laughing. She tore her gaze from Dillon to Mike.

Mike wore a smile. “You know Dillon was just kidding.”

Dillon shook his head. “I wasn’t kidding.

She swallowed and met Dillon’s blue eyes again. He patted his knee and beckoned to her.

“You can’t be serious,” Mike said. “That was a joke.”

“Like I said, I wasn’t kidding.” Dillon looked at Carly. “You know I wasn’t.”

“You’re right..” She stood. “When you made the bet I knew you were serious.” She looked at Mike. “I guess I’m Dillon’s for tomorrow.”

“The deal was for the rest of the weekend,” Dillon said.

Saturday and Sunday. She took a deep breath and walked over to him, hoping she wasn’t blushing all over, and perched on his knee. He eased his arm around her waist and her whole body started tingling. Like earlier when she’d first talked to Dillon, she was at a loss for words at the moment, which was entirely unlike her.

She hadn’t been this close to him before and she hadn’t realized just how good he smelled. Of man and leather, a combination she loved.

Dillon stood, easing Carly to the floor and taking by the hand. “Time to cash out and head home.” He looked at her. “How did you get here?”

“Mike.” She glanced at Mike who had a bemused expression then she looked at Dillon. “He picked me up at my house.”

Dillon slid his fingers over the back of her waist. “I’ll get you home tonight and then in the morning, you’re mine.”

# # #