Secret Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 4) (9 page)

He blinked. “How the hell does that happen?”

“Like I said, I’m busy.”

He then reached across the table, laying his hand over hers, his thumb caressing her knuckles. Her head spun and butterflies fluttered inside of her stomach. “Then you deserved this date more than either of us could have imagined.”

“I’m starting to realize just how true those words are.”

Jobe smiled kindly and her pulse skipped a beat. “Glad I could be of service.”

The words warmed her heart. Maybe the wine had contributed, but Jobe had always been capable of warming her inside out. The combination of candlelight, alcohol and sitting across from the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on made her deliciously fuzzy.

He appeared unfazed by the scotch. A man his size would need half a bottle to get drunk.

“Would you like to dance?”

Her breath caught. To think of being in his arms, body against body, inhaling his sweet and spicy smell, sent shivers racing through her body. It was dangerous and would bring her to her knees, yet she couldn’t form the word no.

“Is that a yes?” He pushed his chair back.

“Okay.”

He came around the table, holding out his hand, palm up. She stared at his long, square fingers. “Don’t be worried. I won’t bite. At least not at first.”

Her throat tightened. The man always knew how to send her heart into her shoes and her knees to mush. Tingles spread into her limbs, a pool of need in the apex of her thighs. At least her sex parts still worked.  Unfortunately, no one else had the magical touch. No other man could make her feel as if the floor was slipping out from underneath her.

They held hands as they moved toward the dance floor, the soft music drawing them closer. He led her around other couples until they stopped on the far side of the floor where the dim lighting barely reached. She walked into his inviting embrace and he wrapped his strong arms around her waist, tugging her against his iron hard chest. She stared at him, looking though the veil of her lashes. Her fingers ached to touch his hair that reached the collar of his shirt. She did—no reason to deny herself the pleasure.

His eyes had haunted her each time she looked at Jack.

He didn’t take his eyes off her, and what she saw lit a match in her body. She planted both hands on his chest, rolling her fingers, grasping the soft material of his shirt. His palms splayed across her waist—the heat radiated through her dress.

Inhaling deeply, she drew in his mesmerizing scent. How could she have forgotten his intoxicating fragrance? No, she hadn’t forgotten.

Things had always been mystical between them. Mesmerizing and fervent. What she wouldn’t give to experience the same pleasure again. And what would be so wrong with going with the flow? She was an adult, with adult needs—and right now her body craved the attention that Jobe could offer.

What they’d shared that one summer had left more than a lasting impression. They created a child together. A beautiful son with big blue eyes and a head of dark hair. And Jobe had no clue. Some of the need disappeared. Would he hate her if he knew?

“Are you okay?” he whispered next to her ear, his warm breath sweeping across her cheek.

She swallowed against the constriction in her throat, wiling her voice to work. “Y-Yes, I’m fine.” It was the furthest thing from the truth. She wasn’t okay. She was drowning in a longing so poignant she couldn’t fight it.

The song came to an end, but neither made a move to leave the floor. His embrace tightened around her body. She swore she could hear the beating of his heart. Needful, demanding. Another song played and as they moved, she slid against him, feeling the bulge against her stomach. He was turned on. The realization excited her, swirling through her like warm molasses. He’d buried his imprint on her a long time ago, and she couldn’t ignore it any longer.

With each beat of the slow song that passed he held her tighter and she moved closer, willingly. Their bodies came together, mingling, heat encircling them. A hint of logic poked at her fuzzy mind, telling her how dangerous this was, but she ignored the warning. After all, this was Jobe, the man who’d learned more about her in a few months than anyone ever had.

She lowered her cheek to his chest, closing her eyes and soaking in the moment. It wouldn’t last—couldn’t last. The soft tune became a lullaby, wrapping them in a hypnotic cloud of lost love and regret. Ruby had a lot to regret, and yet she had so much to be thankful for. This man, who was a stranger and yet not, had given her a child.

Over the years she’d dreamed of being here, in his arms again, on a different path than the one she’d chosen. She’d never been a mean person, or wanting to intentionally hurt another. She’d kept a secret. What would Jobe say if he knew about Jack? Would he drag her into his arms or push her away?

“I want you, sweetheart,” he whispered into her ear and the soft hairs on her nape stood erect.

There were two paths to choose from. One would take her down a familiar road where she’d end up in his arms, satisfied, yet wanting more and more. Or the other path would send her home, cold and lonely. She had plenty of those nights. There wasn’t a happily-ever-after in their future, but what about happiness for now? She couldn’t believe they’d found each other again just to ignore the connection between them. “I-I think this is dangerous, Jobe.”

“It always was, darlin’ Never stopped you before. Why should it now?” he murmured close to her ear while threading his fingers through the strands.  The fingers of his other hand pressed into her bottom, tugging her against the hard length under his big silver belt buckle. A shudder bounced through her, landing in the apex of her thighs and creating a massive fireball of need.

“I’m beginning to see your point.” She shrugged. “Nothing wrong with two adults exploring passion.”

“There is the reactive woman I remember—and damn, I’ve never forgotten how responsive you were when I touched your breasts, your hips and here.” He slid his thigh between her legs. She moaned. “How your body would melt under my touch and your husky voice whimpering my name to never stop. Oh yes, baby, I recall every second. You lying in my arms, legs spread wide, your juices flowing over my fingers, my lips. What I wouldn’t give to have my body buried deep inside that sweetness.”

She clutched him tighter as her knees threatened to give out. She’d always liked it when he talked dirty, pulled her hair, slapped her ass. Were mothers supposed to want dirty sex? “It’s been a long time. So long, but never—”

“Do you remember, Ruby? Do you still think about the nights we shared? How our bodies came together? How you begged for me to put out the flames?” He cupped her cheek.

Dang, he had big hands. His husky Texas twang swirled through her like honey, curling deep into her core, igniting an old flame. Yes, she remembered so well how their bodies had responded to each other. How much she’d pleaded with the hands of time to be gentle and prolong the inevitable. “I remember. Never forgotten.” She couldn’t deny the truth—didn’t wish to.

“I promise I didn’t come here for this…I didn’t, but somehow I can’t force enough control into this body to not want you. I need to know, sweetheart, do you want me too?”

Nerve endings popped alive. She had all sorts of thoughts of big hands, big—

Oh yes, Jobe was big all over.

He raised a curious brow.

She notched her chin high, swallowing the last remnant of logic. “I do,” she murmured. His chest lifted then fell, a breath rolling from his lungs. The length of him getting harder against her hip made falling so easy. He could do whatever he wanted to her and she’d follow along. Her defenses were useless, her limbs like cooked spaghetti. “I do want you. I want this.”

He touched her chin, lifting her face so that their gazes met and held. She searched his rugged, handsome features for a sign of pulling back, but there was an undeniable vulnerability in his eyes and it ripped through her like a scorching knife straight into the heart. His head dipped and he covered her mouth with his.  At first, the kiss was slow, searching, exploring and then aggressive, commanding her to open so he could taste her. Parting her lips, his tongue swept in and dueled with hers, rubbing the roof of her mouth. Tingles splashed over her, heat pooled in her inner thighs. There was more emotion in this one kiss than she’d felt from other men she’d allow to get to second base. There was a power here in his controlled touch that kindled a fire between them. If only it never had to end…

She lifted her arms and snaked them around his neck, entwining her fingers in his silken hair and nicking her nails across his scalp. He moaned and it vibrated her throat.

Ruby tried to find her protective wall, something within her to resist the wild emotions spiraling through her, but she was at a loss. There were no lifelines or life boats ready to rescue her. Only the waves of desire dragging her out into an ocean. She continued to relish in his kiss, giving as well as receiving. Sweat beaded between her breasts as her skin trembled. Moving against his hips, she teased him, rubbing him seductively. His body was rock-solid—strong and capable. Her head was spinning, wine and lust did wicked things inside of her. Being near him stroked her sinful side, and the inner beast refused to remain caged. She should be running as fast as her three-inch stilettos would carry her, but every part of her, even her toes, demanded attention from the sexy cowboy. They were in the middle of the dance floor at the fancy restaurant, surrounded by a crowd, and she didn’t care one damn bit that people were witness to the magnet drawing her to Jobe. She’d guess most of the women at the auction had been jealous that she walked away with an Adonis wearing a cowboy hat and boots. The thought made her giggle.

“Share your thoughts, sweetheart?”

“I’m only thinking that I’m glad you won me, cowboy. I wouldn’t want to be dancing with anyone else,” she admitted openly. He’d always had that effect on her, bearing all truth and desire.  As her every inhibition dwindled, she became more excited to rip his shirt from his body and explore rippled olive flesh.

A moan came from deep inside of his chest, ragged and pain filled. She loved having the control of making a man like Jobe want her. A man she’d never stopped wanting—and never would. Once her body got a taste of him, she became addicted.

For the first time in a long time, she didn’t care about tomorrow. Didn’t care that she’d be faced with losing him again and it could ruin her. For now, all that mattered was the longing enveloping them in a tight steel-like grip. She couldn’t deny him. She didn’t want to.

****

The minute their lips touched, Jobe was a goner. Hell, probably way before that.

All of the blood rushed from his head to the area behind his zipper. His dick grew as emotions inside him blossomed. He rolled his tongue along the curve of her smooth lips, tasting the wine and chocolate. He broke the kiss and dipped his head to her neck, inhaling her sweet, intoxicating scent. Everything about her reminded him of a treasure map, he could explore all day and not get enough. She was so soft, giving, and with the way she responded to him, he would bet his eyeteeth she was wet and ready. Her hips moved in promise and a longing ripped through his body. He could stay like this, right here, forever.

Damn! The realization of his feelings came over him like an electrical volt.

He wasn’t prepared to come face to face with his feelings, and he certainly couldn’t manage pushing her away.

A seductive purr sounded from her and she sank deeper against him, her firm breasts pressing his chest. He inhaled a raged breath, taking in the hint of need on her body. He could practically taste it. If only he could bottle the exotic scent, he’d make a fortune. Who was he kidding? He’d keep it all to himself.

He tightened his arms around her. He’d never been a sentimental man, but suddenly there was a danger of him telling her how he felt.

No, man. Don’t be a fool.

Alarm stabbed through desire. He grabbed her shoulders, gently pushing her back. She blinked, confused. “What’s wrong?”

“Not a damn thing, and that’s the problem,” he said breathlessly.

She smiled and the sunshine bursts through his chest. “I like this, Jobe. I like being near you.”

“Could be the wine talking.” He tried viciously to build a wall, but his heart wasn’t having any part of protective strategies.

“I’ve spent too long trying to find what’s right, do what’s best for those I love. I’m ready to do what I want, if only for tonight.” Her bottom lip puckered. “If only you knew. You’d hate me.”

“I couldn’t hate you.” He skimmed the backs of his knuckles against her smooth, flawless skin. Did he see faint moisture in her eyes? Shit! If she started crying, he’d become weak. “Come on, sweetheart.” He grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor back to the table. He pulled out his wallet and fumbled for a wad of cash and dropped it to the table. “Do you have anything you need to do?”

“My purse.” She had a certain husky quality to her voice. He watched as she bent over and grabbed the small bag, the dress tugging against the firm shape of her bottom. His dick threatened to break the zipper.

Once they stepped outside, a cool breeze swept up and dried the sweat on his forehead. He had eaten a sixteen ounce steak and yet he still had a hunger deep in his body. He glanced at her profile. Would she bulk? Would she follow the desire he could see in the depths of her warm chocolate eyes?