Secret Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 4) (5 page)

“What are you doing here?” he snarled.

He had known from the very beginning they wouldn’t last, but he’d allowed himself to remain hopeful. She’d made it clear that she wasn’t interested in a relationship, especially with a cowboy who lived across the state of Texas.

He thought he could control his anger, however, seeing her now, he became madder at the whole situation. At himself, mainly.

Ruby narrowed her gaze, looking at him through the veil of her long lashes that were lighter at the tips. “I’m here for an event. What are you doing here?”

“What does it look like? I’m watching a football game,” he growled the words.

His sarcasm didn’t seem to unravel her. After a split second, one corner of her mouth lifted into a nervous grin. Damn, why did she have to smile? “Yes, I guess it’s obvious what you’re doing here. I was just wondering if you planned—”

“To see you while I was here?”

“That’s not what I was going to say,” she snapped.

“Oh it wasn’t?” Cynicism dripped off his words, just how he wanted.

There went that thin brow flicking up in irritation. “Of course not!”

He shrugged. “Sure, doll.” The words stuck in his throat like a dry piece of bread. Had he hoped—slightly—that she’d say yes?

She lifted a shoulder and dropped it. “I just thought you’d be busy back home. I hear the R&R is doing very well.”

“Since you’re getting news from a source back home, then you should have known I’d be here,” he snapped back.

“I don’t keep track of your comings and goings.” She rolled her tongue along her bottom lip and his zipper stretched.

Shit! Shit! Triple shit! He wouldn’t allow her to make him nervous. “Em certainly keeps me informed of what you’re doing.”

Her face turned pale as she laid her hands on her hips—nice, rounded hips that he’d molded his hands to so many times that he had palm memory. His body twitched and ached. She had more curves now and his mouth salivated. He hated that she had that control over his body. “What did she say?”

Did her voice shake?

He shrugged. “That you’re the same as always. Unfortunately.”

She blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Figure it out for yourself.” He grew angrier as his dick continued to misbehave.

“Is your wife here?” Ruby darted her glance down the fence.

“Wife?”

“I heard you were engaged. I just assumed by now you’d have made it official.”

He shook his head. So, she really didn’t keep track of how he was doing. His ego dropped. “Some things just weren’t meant to be.”

She dropped her hands to her sides. “I’m sorry.”

Her words scraped his last bit of patience. He didn’t want her concern or empathy. “I’m not. Life is too short to waste it on somebody else. Wish I would have figured that one out three years ago.” Yeah, his voice had turned sour, but he didn’t care.

“Are you referring to me?” Her lips thinned.

“Yes.” No reason to skirt the truth.

She wrapped her arms around her waist. “That certainly sounds bitter.”

“I’m not bitter, sweetheart. I’m indifferent.”

“You have some nerve!”

“I have nerve? Oh lady, you don’t have a clue.” He hauled in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“If I had to guess, I’d say you’re still upset over what happened between us.”

He chuckled—cold and raw. Perfect. “Don’t flatter yourself. I stopped caring the second you walked away.”

“Mind your manners, Jobe. I’ll begin to think you care more than you want me to believe.”

“And mind your ego. It’s getting out of hand.”

“Do we need to separate the playpens, kiddos?”

Who is this?
Jobe moved his attention to the pretty dark-haired woman who interrupted as she edged up next to Ruby. This had to be another Stone. The similar eyes, dark hair, and pert nose gave it away. “I’m Jobe Walters.” He gave a curt nod.

“I’m Violet St—”

“Stone. You all look alike,” he said.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Thin brows lifted above Violet’s curious eyes.

“Only bad thing would be if you share the same flaws.” He slid his gaze to Ruby who was now frowning.

“Who’s she?” Cal asked as he sidled up, a dangerous grin curving his lips as he looked from each lady.

“No one in particular,” Jobe barked, then took Ruby by the elbow, guiding her toward an area away from Cal and her sister.

“That’s not very nice.” She brought her laser-like eyes on him.

“And neither are you.” Yeah, he realized his words teetered on resentment, but when a man samples complete heaven and then reality slams him into the gut that he was nothing more than a piece of meat, he has to do what he has to do. She sighed and he settled his gaze on her. The top of her head came just to his shoulder, a head full of dark curls. Her amazing espresso eyes were gold-flecked and watched him through a thick fringe of long lashes that skimmed the tops of her cheeks which were scattered with a dusting of freckles. Against better judgment, he allowed his gaze to slip over the mounds of her breasts not covered by the top, just enough of a peek that would give him hours of fantasies.

Bringing his eyes back up, a glimpse of an apologetic smile curved her plump, pretty lips. “I guess I shouldn’t have approached you here.”

He had a strong urge to drag her into his arms and kiss her until they were breathless. Shit, that’d happened before and what did he have to prove for it? A sore spot and a dry spell.

He needed to get this accidental meeting over quickly. A little voice reminded him that she’d walked away, but his cock was suddenly begging to land in bed again for a tumble. They’d been there, done that. He couldn’t fall back into the web.

The buzzer sounded, interrupting his sexual reverie. He glanced over his shoulder as another rider shot out of the gate. He couldn’t see anything, or think about anything, but the woman standing near him, staring at him like she could slice him to bits. The breeze kicked up and he got a strong smell of cotton candy. She smelled so good, and it made him want her more. Damn if he didn’t wish for the shit smell of the arena to drown out her tantalizing fragrance.

“I guess a simple hello never killed anyone.” He groaned, trying very hard for civility.

She tugged at her skirt. Had it suddenly gotten too short? “I wanted to say hello, yes. That’s all. How long will you be here?”

“A few more days.” Her smile made his disobedient cock throb.
You ain’t getting any
.

Several expressions flickered across her face as if she struggled internally. She took a step back, stopped, then brought her gaze up to meet his. A good three seconds floated by. “I…well, I was wondering, would it be possible for us to meet tomorrow for coffee?” Sweeping her tongue out, she licked her kissable bottom lip. He practically moaned aloud, but thankful he swallowed it back in time.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ruby.” The name matched her. Rubies were one of the most sought after stones, and the most beautiful of all. The deep color of a ruby was compared to silk, and he remembered all too well how every inch of her body reminded him of satin under his calloused hands, and the way she squirmed under his touch. The way she called his name in a throaty whisper.

A tiny crease popped out on her forehead. “Wow, you really hate me, don’t you?”

He shrugged, hearing a seam or two break. “I don’t hate you. We had a good time and it came to an end. I believe it’s best to leave sleeping dogs lie.”

Confusion slipped over her delicate features. “Your attitude toward me is uncalled for.”

He had to check his invisible guns, wanting to fire away on her with bullets of rage and confusion. “That’s your opinion, darlin’, and mine is the only one that matters.”

“If I didn’t know you any better I’d say you were a mean man, Jobe.”

He laughed. “You don’t know me.”

“You’re right. I guess I don’t.” Her soft voice made his chest ache.

“Is there something more you need to say?” This was going nowhere fast.

She hesitated, then finally said, “No.”

“And neither do I, so now we’re even.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I? About as ridiculous as someone walking away without saying goodbye.” Yeah, he went right where he shouldn’t have gone. Now the words were out and there was no turning back.

Her mouth opened and just as she started to say something…

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got to get going,” Violet said.

Ruby nodded. “I’m coming. Goodbye, Jobe,” she said and walked away.

He watched her leave, flexing his hands, wanting to go after her and demand an answer. But pride kept him steady.

Cal approached. “Hey, Keefer is done. Ready to go?”

Jobe gave his friend a side-glance. “Where to?”

“Heart Throbs,” Keefer said as he walked up, a noticeable limp to his walk.

“Are you sure you’re up for anything but a good dose of pain meds and rest?” Jobe asked.

“Hell, this ain’t nothin’.” Keefer patted his thigh. Standing at six foot four, weighing in at two-fifty, the cowboy was a giant—a gentle giant. He had a reputation for being tough as nails, but would help anyone and everyone.

“I don’t know, fellas. I had plans to head back to my room for a steak dinner and a beer.” Truth was, Jobe wasn’t in the mood for socializing. He wanted a cold shower and some time to ease the tension in his body. He glanced in the direction where Ruby had disappeared and frowned. The memory of rejection scorched its way through his veins. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be taking her up on her offer and meeting for coffee. No, wouldn’t happen. No matter how much he wanted to see her and talk to her again, that part of his life was over.

“Come on, pal. You can’t go back to your room and sit alone. You got to get out, enjoy San Antonio and what it has to offer,” Cal urged. “Heart Throbs is only a walk away.”

His friend was right. If he went back to his room, he’d have nothing better to do than to think of Ruby. “I’ll go. We need to catch up anyway, Keefer.”

Maybe good conversation and a couple of beers would ease the tension.

Keefer smacked him on the back. “You okay, my friend? If you want to pass up Heart Throbs, I’ll understand. I’m sure I can pass your ticket to someone else. I’ll bet there won’t be anything that’ll match that over there.” He nodded in the direction of where Ruby and her sister had gone. “You could probably still catch her.”

“No, let’s go.” He was fully aware of the strain in his voice.

CHAPTER THREE

Ruby kept walking, but her knees threatened to give out.

The second she was out of Jobe’s sight, she dropped to the nearest bench and inhaled deeply, filling her parched lungs with heavenly oxygen. Every nerve in her body had come alive and many other parts, especially those between her legs, scorched with steamy heat.

Why had she approached him?

Why hadn’t she walked on by?

She should never have allowed Violet to talk her into walking through the rodeo just to grab a lemon shake.

Once she saw him standing by the fence, a magnet drew her closer, for curiosity’s sake and for other reasons she couldn’t quite explain. She remembered every touch, every moan, how their bodies fit together…two becoming one.

Her head spun and secret parts of her body throbbed as if they’d been massaged by a sexy cowboy…but that was only her memory working overtime.

She’d thought about this moment over and over in her head through the years. Wondering what it would be like if she ran into him. Never did she think he would be angry. What gave him the right? His words had immobilized her.

A flash of her son’s face had washed through her mind. His shock of black hair. Pale blue eyes that matched his father’s in intensity. And before she could control her tongue, she’d asked him for coffee. Thankfully, he’d turned her down flat.

“You have some explaining to do,” Violet dropped to the bench, sipping her shake through a straw, handing Ruby the other cup.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ruby didn’t dare look at her sister—couldn’t for fear she’d see straight through into Ruby’s thoughts and feelings. She drank the shake, hoping it eased the heat in her body.

“Don’t play silly with me, sis. I saw that look on your face and it never lies.”

Ruby twisted on the hard planks, frowning. “What look?”

“Like you just saw the other half of your heart. So, he’s the one, huh?” Violet tapped her foot, narrowing her gaze on Ruby.

“You’re imagin—”

“That the fellow back there means something to you. No, that’s not imagination, honey.”

Blinking, Ruby rubbed the bridge of her nose. “It’s a long story.”