Lydia's Twin Temptation (25 page)

Chapter Twenty-two

Clayton groaned as he and Chance sat at their table in The Dancing Pony, watching as Lydia followed Rachel Wolf to the dance floor. That Big & Rich song that was practically the girl’s anthem was playing as Lydia and Rachel joined Rosemary on the dance floor with the other dancers.

Clayton growled. “One of these days those girls are going to start a riot. Oh shit, she can
move
, can’t she?” He didn’t need this evidence to know that for a fact. He remembered her dancing in the kitchen and could tell by the way she moved with them last night that she had good rhythm.

“Let’s just hope it’s not tonight. At least it’s just the three of them and not the whole gang.”

“Yeah,” Clayton said, looking around. “Not many of the group is here tonight.” He was distracted from conversation, watching as Lydia’s hips gyrated and she moved on the dance floor. His cock hardened, and he remembered the feel of her as she moved like that on him. He smiled when Chance scrubbed his hands over his face.

Clayton’s attention was drawn to several men seated at tables on the edge of the dance floor who watched Lydia and the others with admiration. Knowing from experience that Eli was somewhere nearby, Clayton shifted his attention back to his woman. She nodded at something Rachel said to her and kept dancing to the beat.

“Thanks for picking the necklace up for her,” Chance said a couple of minutes later as he took a sip from his beer bottle. “Everything else go okay?”

“No problem. I tied up all the loose ends. It’ll be a week or so.” He wondered if he’d be able to wait that long. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face.

“Great. Here she comes,” Chance said as he slipped out of his chair. “I’m going to ask her to dance. Order another round?”

“Sure.”

Chance approached Lydia as she made her way from the dance floor, and her face lit up when she saw him. Clayton marveled that he didn’t mind it when she looked at another man like that. He supposed that was because the man in question was the one person in the world that Clayton had been closest to, up to that point.

Lydia had no idea how she’d bowled them over earlier that evening. The outfit she’d worn tonight made her pale-turquoise eyes glow even more vividly. But her response to the gift was what really caught him off guard. Over the years they’d encountered a lot of gold diggers and manipulators. She was neither. Her reaction proved it when she’d looked about ready to faint.

Clayton watched as she smiled up at Chance and slipped her arm around his waist as he led her back to the dance floor. The lights moving on the dance floor illuminated the strands of her dark-brown hair against the white sleeve of Chance’s shirt. Over the speakers, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s song “Remind Me” began to play.

He grinned remembering her reference to their clothing earlier that evening, with Chance playing the part of the good twin and him as the bad twin. While he knew she didn’t mean good and bad in the literal sense, he did understand what she was getting at. Chance had always tended to be more optimistic and upbeat, while he was more introverted and pessimistic. In that sense, they were total opposites, like black and white. Lydia must have been able to see that.

“Well, hello there, cowboy,” a sultry voice said from behind him.

He didn’t like anybody else calling him that, except Lydia. Irritated at the intrusion, Clayton resisted the urge to curl his lip and didn’t even bother turning to see who it was because he already knew. He recognized the voice and the sexy tone she’d used. This was a booty call in the making, or at least he was pretty sure that’s what
she
thought.

“Brittany,” he said, by way of greeting. He hadn’t talked to her in five months and wouldn’t have given her any attention even if he wasn’t already caught up in watching his beautiful woman dance with Chance.

She moved to stand beside him, and he shrugged off the hand that she placed on his bicep, making it seem like he was just shifting in his seat to get more comfortable. He didn’t appreciate her proprietary gesture.

“How have you been, Clayton?” Her eyes were limpid, seductive pools of pale green that didn’t inspire the minutest of responses in him.

“Fantastic, Brittany. How about you?”

Her overly glossed, pale-pink lower lip pooched out in a pout, and she said, “Lonely.”

“Lonely for what?” He already knew the answer but couldn’t resist, recalling that Brittany wanted whatever she couldn’t have. She’d attempted to “cheat” her way into a threesome and Clayton had no tenderness left in his heart for her, remembering her unkind words at The Pony after their breakup.

“You, baby.”

“Sorry, Brittany, but I’m unavailable.”

“Since when? You’re here with Chance and his date.”

“Guess again, Brittany. I’ve been claimed, too.”

“By who?”

The song had ended and Chance and Lydia now made their way toward the table. “By our woman.”

He had eyes only for Lydia as she beamed at him, but could hear Brittany sputtering. Her mouth and brain were evidently having a hard time getting traction on his statement.

“Your—”

Lydia came to Clayton, and he slipped his arm around her shoulders as he said, “Lydi, I’d like you to meet an acquaintance of ours. This is Brittany. Brittany, this is Lydia.”

“She’s your—” Brittany’s eyes bounced like a ping-pong ball between the three of them, and she didn’t even pretend to be cordial.

Chance answered for him. “Yup. Actually it would be more appropriate to say that we are hers, but whatever.” He evidently had a pretty good idea of the direction their conversation had been taking.

Lydia eyed Brittany curiously but smiled at the same time and then looked up at Clayton. “I want to dance with you.” She turned her gaze on Brittany and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Brittany. Will you excuse us?” Clayton was a bit surprised that he liked it when she told him what she wanted, rather than asking. He wanted very much to give her whatever she wanted.

Brittany sputtered some more as Clayton rose from the chair and said, “It was nice to see you again, Brittany. Take care.”

Clayton turned his attention to Lydia as he escorted her back to the dance floor. The lights made the diamonds in her choker pendant sparkle brilliantly and he was proud that they were able to give her such a nice gift which she obviously loved, judging by the way she caressed it from time to time.

“Do you really like our gift?”

Lydia nodded vigorously, “I do. Are you sure you secured the catch really well? I’m afraid of losing it.”

“I was careful when I clasped it. You don’t have to worry about it. And if it ever gets lost it wouldn’t be the end of the world. We’ll just buy you something else.”

“I never want to lose it, Clayton. It’s so pretty. You spoil me.”

“Yeah, because it’s in my job description.”

He turned to her and pulled her into his arms as Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” started to play. The love in her eyes, coupled with the lyrical guitar melody of the song intro, brought a sappy lump to his throat and he leaned down to kiss her right there on the dance floor. Her fingertips crept up to his cheek, and she kissed him back, her eyelids sweeping closed, making her oblivious to anyone who watched them. He wrapped his arms around her and led her in the dance.

“I’ve been a walking heartache

I’ve made a mess of me

The person that I’ve been lately

Ain’t who I wanna be”

He accidentally bumped into someone and grinned when he looked up and noticed it was Evan and Rosemary Garner. Evan chuckled and muttered, “Get a room, lovebirds.”

Rosemary giggled and waved, giving him a not-so-subtle thumbs-up and pointed at Lydia who didn’t see the gesture. Clayton smiled at Rosemary and then turned his full attention back to Lydia, who had pressed her cheek against his chest.

“There’s more here than what we’re seeing

A divine conspiracy

That you, an angel lovely

Could somehow fall for me

You’ll always be love’s great martyr

And I’ll be the flattered fool

And I need you”

Clayton had never had a girlfriend with whom he’d had a deep enough connection that they actually had a song that was their own, like an anthem. But listening to those words, he knew that he was hearing “their song.”

“On my own I’m only

Half of what I could be

I can’t do without you…”

He kissed the top of her head, breathing in her unique, womanly scent, and hoped she would come to understand how precious she was to him.

“And for when I think I’ve lost my way

There are no words here left to say

It’s true

God gave me you, gave me you

He gave me you”

Lydia smiled up at him, and he wondered if her thoughts weren’t along the same lines. He didn’t care what anyone thought when he wrapped his arms around her middle and lifted her so she was eye level with him and kissed her. She caught his hat as they knocked it askew with their kiss and put it on her own head as she kept kissing him. Her luscious body pressed against his from her breasts to the toe of her boots was all he needed in the whole world.

Finally she broke the kiss and breathlessly said, “I love you, Clayton. You make me so happy.” Dancers moved around them as the song ended and another began.

“I love you, Lydi. I want to love you forever.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes and his heart pounded so hard she had to be able to feel it, as tightly as they were pressed together.

* * * *

Chance pulled a chair back as Rachel and Eli Wolf walked up to his table while Clayton and Lydia were on the dance floor. Eli helped her into the chair, and Chance smiled when she placed her hand on her little bulging abdomen and gently stroked.

“How are you doing these days, Rachel? Feeling good?”

Rachel smiled broadly and nodded. “I feel great. I thought the stomach flu was going to kill me when it went around a few weeks ago, but I feel great now.”

Chance noticed Eli caressed her shoulders from where he stood behind her and proudly said, “She felt the baby move for the first time this week.”

Chance chuckled and patted Rachel’s arm. “That’s great news. When is the baby due?”

Rachel said, “Right around Christmas.”

“That’s a great Christmas present,” he replied.

Eli said, “I think so, too.”

Rachel put her hand on Chance’s arm, looked him in the eye, and said, “Not to change the subject, because I could talk about the baby all day, but do her brothers know she is in Divine yet?”

He must’ve had an
“oh crap”
look on his face because Rachel continued, “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. I only just figured it out a few minutes ago, because this is where we met Ace two years ago. The resemblance is very strong. Grace already said she looked familiar.”

“She plans to tell them soon. We don’t want to pressure her.”

“You can bet if she meets Summer the cat is going to be out of the bag. I’ve heard him and Kemp talk about their baby sister. I’ll bet they act just like pit bulls on steroids where she’s concerned.” Unsaid was that if they found out before Lydia told them, the shit was going to hit the fan. He still wasn’t worried. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but he hated the thought of Lydia upset.

Rachel looked at the dance floor and said, “My lips are sealed, I hope it works out okay.” Clayton and Lydia made their way from the dance floor.

“I have a good feeling about it, but I appreciate your concern. And congratulations on feeling the baby kicking.”

Lydia smiled at him across the room, her eyes glowing with happiness, before Clayton distracted her, introducing her to another friend of theirs. He imagined her, someday when the time was right, a beautiful glow in her cheeks and her hand stroking her pregnant abdomen. He hoped things worked out for them because he found, for the first time, that he could envision their house with a new baby, a
family
, in it.

* * * *

Lydia stood near the bar of The Dancing Pony with Clayton, talking to Wes, Evan, and Rosemary Garner. Clayton’s thickly muscled arm was draped around her back, his hand resting possessively on her hip, and Lydia felt secure, tucked into his side like that.

She and Rosemary were chatting when she noticed Kade Parker walk in. Judging by the pinched, harsh look on his face, the ranch hand’s evening wasn’t turning out any better than his day had. He hadn’t been back to her dining room table since that first night nor had he partaken of any of the snacks she’d made for the men. She felt slightly sympathetic toward him, assuming he must feel a bit like an outcast. He joined Robert Martin and Jim Cappell who had seats at the bar. They were currently chatting with one of the club bartenders, Quinten, whom Clayton had introduced her to earlier, when he ordered her a drink.

Lydia saw Clayton glance Kade’s way but made no comment about his arrival. They were standing close enough to the bar that Lydia heard Kade loudly place his drink order over the music.

“Budweiser and a shot of Everclear!”

A sense of foreboding clutched at her when Robert and Jim cringed and Clayton sighed heavily. Wes and Evan even looked Kade’s way curiously.

Rosemary and Lydia resumed their conversation but within a few minutes it was clear that Kade Parker was on a roll. He’d gotten progressively louder to the point where he was obnoxious not only to those sitting near him but to other nightclub patrons at tables nearby. Lydia split her attention between their conversation and listening to Robert and Jim trying to get Kade to slow down a bit after he downed his second shot.

Kade loudly responded, “I’m just fine. I just ate a few minutes ago,
in town,
since I’m not allowed at a certain dinner table these days. At least, not unless I’m willing to
kiss ass
.” Robert admonished him quietly, but Kade shook his head and continued. “I don’t kiss ass like
some
people do,” he stated, pointing his finger at Robert and Jim who were looking more and more disgruntled. “Matter of fact, not only do you kiss ass out at the Rockin’ C, I’d go so far as to say you’re pussy-whipped, without even the benefit of getting any.”

Another bartender, who Clayton had told her was also part owner of the club, sidled over behind the bar and leaned against it. “Hey, Parker. You want to keep it down? Everyone can hear you.”

That remark seemed to only spur Parker on. “Most every man in here is pussy-whipped. Except me. There ain’t no woman going to dictate to me how I behave, or any pussy-whooped man for that matter,” he said, pointing his finger at the bartenders. “That includes you, Ben. I’ll bet that itty-bitty bartender Camilla orders both you and Quinten around in
and
out of bed.”

Clayton turned to look at Kade, and Lydia watched the bartender’s face darken with anger, which he contained. Lydia noted that the petite female bartender was red-cheeked with embarrassment, but spunky fire burned in her eyes as she glared at Parker. Quentin touched Camilla’s shoulder and gave her a sympathetic smile before he shot a murderous glower in Kade’s direction.

Calmly, Ben said, “That’s about enough, Kade. Settle it down or you’re done for the evening. Why don’t you have some coffee?”

“I don’t want any damned coffee. Another shot of Everclear,” he said as he pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “Get something for my two friends here, too. We’re just getting started.”

Jim and Robert shook their heads at Ben as they settled in their seats and faced the bar, disassociating from him.

“Kade, I think you’ve had enough,” Ben replied, looking tense. He glanced over at the bouncers who looked ready if Ben needed help.

Robert said, “Kade, let the man do his job and keep your voice down. The Carlisles are standing right there. You want to lose your job?”

Kade turned in his seat and smirked when he made eye contact with Lydia. He curled his lip and then faced the bar again. “I’m not scared of him. What’s he gonna do? He can’t keep a woman satisfied on his own and needs his brother’s help. Maybe he’ll get his brother to help him fire me. Damned perverted, pussy-whipped sons of bitches.”

Lydia gasped at Parker’s scathing insult and looked up into Clayton’s eyes when he put his hands on her shoulders. “Stay here with Rosemary and her men.” He nodded at Wes and Evan and walked over to intervene. Kade scowled at him in the bar mirrors’ reflection as Clayton approached. The ranch hand had to have known he’d just cost himself his job with his foul, disgusting mouth.

Lydia watched as Chance now made his way from their table. All eyes were on the confrontation about to take place near the bar. Nightclub patrons moved out of the way, and Wes and Evan even backed both Rosemary and Lydia farther away.

Disliking that she was the cause of the conflict, Lydia moved in Clayton’s direction, hoping to diffuse the situation before it got out of control. A gentle grip on her upper arm impeded her from going any closer. She looked up at Wes as he stopped her.

“This is all my fault. I have to—”

“No, Lydia. It’s not your fault. Let your men deal with this. No one forced those drinks down his throat. If he can’t handle his liquor then he deserved the consequences. Stay here with us. They’ll handle it.”

Frustrated, Lydia turned back and gasped as Kade flung a fist in Clayton’s direction. His aim wasn’t good and Clayton deflected the blow.

“Parker, you’re fired. Get your shit packed up and be off the Rockin’ C by noon tomorrow.”

Kade turned and saw Chance standing at Clayton’s side and said, “Fine. I see you needed your brother’s help to get the job done. But then again you do everything together, don’t you?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Parker?” Chance asked.

Kade climbed awkwardly from his seat at the bar. “That means you need his help to fuck your woman because you can’t get the job done right on your own. Perv—”

Before he could get the full word out, Clayton’s fist connected with Kade’s face, and the bouncers caught him as he reeled back in a daze.

From behind the bar, Ben shook his head and said, “Mike, Rogelio, take him out front for now.”

The noise level in the night club returned to normal and Clayton and Chance spoke quietly with Ben for a moment before returning to her. She felt eyes on her as they approached and wondered what people must be thinking of her.

Chance caressed her jaw when he reached her and thanked Wes and Evan for keeping her safe.

“That was awful. I’m sorry—” she said quietly, stealing another furtive glance at the onlookers around them.

The surprise on Clayton’s face halted her, and he replied, “Sorry? Why are you sorry? Did you make him drink those shots or open his mouth to spew his filth?”

“No, but…”

“He just made an ass of himself and lost his job because of it. That had nothing to do with you.”

The stares she noticed told her otherwise, but she focused on Clayton and Chance and said, “This trouble started because of me.”

Rosemary scoffed and said, “Oh, trust me when I say this, Lydia. Poly groups in this area have been getting more than their fair share of ugly remarks and unwanted attention for a while now. It’s not just you, sweetie. He’s just a judgmental asshole.”

“Forget about him. He’s gone as of noon tomorrow,” Clayton said as he rubbed his knuckles. “Now where were we?”

Chuckling, Lydia guided Clayton’s arm around her back and slid her arm around Chance’s waist. “We were right about here, cowboy. And someone was just about to ask me to dance,” she added with a giggle as Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter’s song “You and Tequila” began to play.