Secret Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 4) (6 page)

“Yeah, I’d say it’s a very long one that started with nine months of gestation and ended with a beautiful baby boy who looks exactly like his daddy.” The accusation in Violet’s words made tears fill Ruby’s eyes. “I’m right, aren’t I?” Her voice turned soft.

“Yes, you’re right.” The truth had a way of working its way out. The wall was crumbling and she couldn’t pick up the pieces fast enough to recover.

“The cowboy has no clue, does he?” Ruby gave her head a quick shake. “Oh, sweetie…why the hell not?”

“Like I said, long story.”

Violet moistened her lips. “Okay, I hear you. We are going to discuss this, but for now we have an auction to get to. Are you up for it? If not, I’ll let you ditch it and you can catch up to blue-eyed cowboy.”

She couldn’t let her sister go alone. Ruby had made a promise and planned to keep it.

****

Jobe stepped into the club, realizing he’d made a fundamental error in thinking this was the right thing to do or that he needed a night out for drinking. He needed this like he needed another hole in his head. The alternative meant going back to his room, popping open a beer and watching a game on TV, which didn’t sound like too much fun either.

No, what he wanted was to crawl into bed with a curvy brunette who seemed to evoke the deepest and darkest emotion within him. Not just any brunette would do. She had to have the curves of a goddess, smell like heaven, and taste like apple pie…and be named after a gemstone.

Fuck! He didn’t like feeling like a teenager, balls in a bunch, gut in a bind.

The curvy, tight shorts high on her ass, waitress stopped at their table, grabbed their orders, and while Cal and Keefer were watching her with tongues hanging out, Jobe automatically recalled the gentle sway of Ruby’s hips and her long, lean legs. He swiped his palm down his face and inwardly cringed. What had he done in life that was so wrong, so bad, that he had to live life tormented by the image of Ruby Stone?

He considered himself a good guy. He worked hard, went to church every Sunday, give or take a few here and there. Even his niece and nephew, DJ and Pearl’s son and daughter, loved him, although the youngest was barely out of diapers. Jobe guessed whenever Nash and Em had a child, he or she would like their uncle too. He just couldn’t seem to shake the idea that karma was paying him back for some shit he did a long time ago. He just couldn’t put his finger on what it was that he’d done.

He couldn’t let Ruby get to him. He’d allowed it to happen before and she’d been only interested in using him to scratch an itch.

Hell, most men would be happy with a free romp with a beautiful woman. He’d thought he could handle sex only with her, but turned out she had been the closest thing to making him a marrying man as he’d ever been, yet he’d asked the wrong woman.

And why the hell had she asked him to meet her tomorrow? Did she think since he was in town they could enjoy each other’s company in bed? He smiled, couldn’t help himself. He wished the idea repulsed him, but instead, his dick climbed to huge proportions and his zipper etched teeth into his skin—not exactly the teeth he wanted. He shifted in the wooden seat, dragging his mind away from Ruby’s naked body and back to the moment at hand.

“What did you say they have going on here tonight?” Jobe raised his voice above the loud music playing from the speakers. And it wasn’t county music.
Grrr.

“A bachelorette auction,” Keefer said.

“What the hell? What’s a bachelorette auction?” Jobe had never heard of it.

Cal shrugged. “The hell if I know.”

“Come on, man, you know what it is. We get to bid on a date with a beautiful country-girl bombshell.” Keefer wagged his brows.

Jobe scrubbed his jaw. “A date as in dinner and a movie? Or a date as in paying for pussy?”

Cal laughed and Keefer shook his head. “We could only be so lucky.”

“So when did you, rodeo star and pretty-boy, get so down on his luck that you have to pay for chicks?” Jobe shook his head and chuckled. As far as he could remember, his buddy never had a problem catching the eye of any woman, single or otherwise.

Keefer tugged on his goatee, winking. “Hey, anything I can do to help a cause, I will. All proceeds raised will go to the Kids with Cancer foundation that benefits the children’s hospital. I’m sure you have the money to spare too, fellas.”

“Sounds like a real good cause to me.” Jobe would be more than happy to help out, but he didn’t think he’d be paying for a date. He’d fill out the necessary information and drop it in the donation box before he left.

He took the time to scan the interior of the club. He hadn’t been to a bar like this, especially one this upscale, since he was in his early twenties, back when he found excitement in the loud music and participating in the cat and mouse chase with single women. He was never really much into the scene. Sometimes he and his brothers would go into town to the popular country bar, Heathens, have a few beers, throw some coins into the jukebox and watch the ladies from afar. Although none of them had a problem getting the attention of women, they just never managed the smooth-talking charm that some women liked. Jobe always kidded his brothers, telling them he would never understand how they ended up with Pearl and Em. They were the cream of the crop. Truth was, he knew exactly what his sisters in law saw in DJ and Nash. They were the greatest men with hearts of gold.

The song changed to a popular redneck tune. Yeah, this was more like it.

Smiling, he spotted two bouncers dressed in all black take their places by the stage. It was definitely a classy club. The owner had put together a very fashionable bar with the pretty waitresses and decor. Tables and chairs occupied most of the polished wood flooring around the large dance area. Framed art hung on the walls and candles were lit on each table, giving the place a peaceful feeling…probably so men would dig deeper into their wallets. The bar ran from one end to other, back dropped with wall to wall mirrors and shelves lined with every variety of expensive liquor one could imagine. Neon signs flashed with popular beer names and the bartender, a tall, attractive blonde, filled the orders of several waitresses standing at the end of the bar, gathering their drinks on trays. There were no bar stools available, only tables.

Their waitress approached, placing Cal and Keefer’s bottles in front of them, leaning close to Jobe as she reached across the table. Her long red hair brushed his arm and he inhaled deeply. She smelled nice, but the scent certainly didn’t compete with cotton candy. He growled deep in his chest. When the hell would he stop comparing every woman he met to Ruby?

The tempting little red-head flashed him a wide, inviting smile. Why didn’t his cock respond?  “Can I get you anything else, darlin’?” she asked, still close enough that he got a sneak peek of large, tanned breasts caged by the too-tight, green jeweled bikini top. Yeah, not even a twitch. Damn, he needed sex therapy. What man wouldn’t get a rise here, surrounded by stimulating women?

She stepped back and the diamond piercing in her navel sparkled in the candlelight. Yeah, there went any chance of a rise in his southern region. Ruby had a belly piercing too…

“How about a shot of tequila.” He needed something stronger. Maybe a strong dose of liquor would help ease the ache burrowed deep in his loins. The waitress winked and made her way to the bar. He turned and met two pairs of eyes. “What?” he asked.

“The hot chick wasn’t asking what you wanted to drink, my friend,” Keefer chuckled.

Jobe scratched his jaw. “What she’s offering, I’m not interested. These women probably get hit on more times than they can count. She doesn’t need anything from a country, redneck fool like me.”

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the purdy brunette we saw back at the arena, would it?” Cal asked. He had removed his hat and his shock of blonde curls had bounced down around his forehead.

“Of course not. That’s ancient history.”

“Is it?” Keefer’s thick brows scrunched. “I really don’t know how a man would forget a woman like her, but if you say so.” He winked.

Shot glass in hand, Jobe knocked back the tequila and winced as it slid, or rather burned, down his pipe, pooling into his stomach like a puddle of acid. Realizing the reality of his friend’s words cut through him. Sure, Ruby was sexy as hell and had a sweet side that could send any man at her feet—but she was just a woman.

Since he’d hit puberty, he’d liked women and there’d never been a shortage of females. Not ever. He’d never been one to hunt out a woman, or a slew of women, but he’d always had an advantage of women liking him and his deep dimples, at least that’s what they always pointed out. Yet Ruby had been different than any woman he’d ever met before. After a night of pleasure, it was usually he who wanted to slip out before the sun rose, but dang, Ruby had taken him to a different place in bed, and before the sheets cooled she was slipping out while she thought he slept.

At the same time he’d dreamed of a future with her, he’d understood there wasn’t a chance in hell. She didn’t want to leave her family at Stone Hedge Ranch, and he couldn’t leave Walters R&R. It was his life—his heritage. His legacy was there in his home with his dad and brothers. He’d even imagined living at the farmhouse with a wife. Since his brothers had built new homes, and his father, Jeb, had started spending more and more time in Florida, he decided to sign the house over to his sons. It needed work, but Jobe hoped one day, maybe soon, he’d meet a woman who would like to share his life.

Ruby wasn’t that woman.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Why didn’t a small part of his heart not go along with the program?

“I’ve been thinking, Jobe,” Keefer pushed his empty bottle to the edge of the table, “of getting out of the business.”

“Quitting the rodeo circuit?” Jobe was shocked. He thought his friend lived and breathed bull riding and would die doing what he loved.

Keefer shrugged a wide shoulder. “Shit, man, I’m turning thirty-five next month. This ol’ body ain’t getting any younger.”

Jobe took a long swig of his beer, finishing it. “What are you thinking?”

“I haven’t gotten that far yet.”

“You know you always have a place at the ranch, buddy. Just so you know,” Jobe offered.

“I appreciate that.”

A blonde stepped out onto the stage, bringing out a microphone and stand. Whistles were heard throughout the room and she gave a shy wave to the patrons, then disappeared through the slit in the curtain. “This place is on fire tonight,” Jobe said as he scanned the crowd. All tables were taken and men lined the walls. “How many woman are up for auction?”

“Hell if I know, but with the deep pockets I see filling up every inch of space, they must know something we don’t.” Keefer tipped back his black hat. “I had to purchase the tickets three months in advance.”

The announcer stepped out on stage and in a deep voice one would expect to hear at a wrestling event, he explained the whole reason for the fundraiser. Helping sick kids. He also added that everyone should be respectful. No touching. And the only two things they should be flashing was a smile and green, preferably lots of green.

Jobe relaxed in his chair as the presenter introduced the first lady up for auction.

She wasn’t what he’d expected. The lady wasn’t dressed explicitly or revealing. Her silver sequined dress flowed along her legs, only giving a peek of high heels. She was a nice looking woman. “Meet Meribeth—or rather Dr. Meribeth Cooper. During the day she fixes teeth, but by night she likes to let her hair down and dance. She likes animals and the outdoors.”

Keefer and Cal debated whether they should participate in the bidding, but before they could make a move, another bidder, a man in a white hat and fancy western shirt, won a date with the doc for a whopping five thousand dollars.

“We’re dealing with some high rollers here, boys.” Jobe laughed. “I think this might be too rich for my blood.”

“You ain’t a kiddin’.” Keefer whistled through his teeth.

Then the next pretty lady stepped out. A red-head who liked long walks and dancing. Jobe ticked his gaze down her slinky black dress that fit her voluptuous curves nicely. “She needs a man with strong arms to hold these curves,” the presenter said. Cal quickly lifted his hand and started the bidding, but he lost to a fellow sitting up front.

“Now for our next Goddess. She’s a writer who whips up romance on each page. Loves gardening and enjoys a night at home watching Hallmark movies. Hang on to your hats, boys. Meet the lovely and talented, Ruby Stone.”

Jobe stiffened. Uncertainty slashed through his gut. Had he heard right? No possible way.

And then he saw her.
His
Ruby Stone, stepping out onto the stage. Her long, dark hair glistening in the lights and the swell of her hips swaying like a pendulum. He jolted his gaze down her sweet, but sexy dress, showing just enough to tempt a man’s erotic imagination. Legs that fit perfectly around his waist while he pumped in and out of her tight—

Oh fuckity fuck!

His dick jerked so hard and so fast, he thought it’d break his belt buckle.

What the hell was she doing here? The rodeo was one thing, but participating in some auction just wouldn’t work, at least for him. He fisted his hands and laid them on the table, agitation making his gut sick.