Twice the Malone by Laylah Roberts

1

Men sucked.

So did being in a bar alone.

Oh, and bosses? Well, they sucked most of all.

Scarlett finished off her drink. Richard should have been here with her. This was meant to be her opportunity to make her move.

Make her move.

Right. As if she’d have had the guts to make a move.

Scarlett tore up her napkin in frustration.

Loud laughter came from the corner of the room. Turning, she saw four gorgeous men at the pool table. She wished she could have fun like that. Hell, she wished she had the confidence to stroll over there and talk to them the way some of the other women in the bar had been.

“Want another drink, dollface?” the bartender drawled. She looked to be about eighty, and she was wearing an outfit Scarlett could only dream of having the guts to wear. A short, tight skirt and sequined top that plunged daringly low in front. That was some impressive cleavage she had going on.

She glanced down at her white shirt and pressed jeans. Even her casual wear was boring. No wonder Richard never looked twice at her.

Face it, Scar. He’s never going to be interested.

They were here in Freestown, Texas for two nights to check out the property his company was looking at buying. But he’d had her change his flights at the last minute, leaving Scarlett drinking by herself in a honky-tonk bar. Was that the proper term for a place like this? She wasn’t sure, but there were plenty of cowboys around. Like the four in the corner. And country music was blasting from the jukebox.

“Thanks, I will.”

“Figure that might save more of my napkins from being destroyed,” the woman replied.

“Sorry.”

Her phone buzzed.

Margo:How’s it going?

Scar: Richard never came. Think he’s with someone.

Margo: Well, the guy is a dick.

Scar: Haha, you should do stand-up.

Margo: You need to forget him, Scar. He’s not good for you. Guy’s a player and a jerk. How often have you worked overtime without even a thanks?

Scar: I know. You’re right. It’s just that I can’t stop. I’ve got some weird obsession.

She hatedwho she’d become. Someone who just sat around waiting for the cute guy to notice her. She never used to be like this. But life had hit her pretty hard these past few years, and it seemed like she couldn’t find her self-confidence again.

Margo:You know what will get you over that obsession?

Scar: I’m afraid to ask.

Margo: Cowboy dick. Nice, fat, juicy cowboy dick. Now go get you some, girl.

Scarlett let out a small gasp.She could feel herself blushing.

“Must be something interesting on your phone there, darlin’.”

Her head snapped up and her eyes landed on the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Wide shoulders that were encased in a tight, plaid shirt. Dark jeans. And his face.

Oh. Lord.

Chiseled. Masculine. Topped with an impudent grin and blue eyes that danced.

“Enjoyin’ the eye candy, darlin’?”

“W-what?” she stuttered out.

“It’s okay. You just keep eating me with those eyes. I don’t mind being objectified.”

“I . . . I . . . .” Oh, crap. Had she been staring at him? She had, hadn’t she?

“Cute blush you have there. What’ve you been watching on your phone? Porn?”

“What?” she squeaked. “No. Why would I watch porn? In a bar? In public?”

“We’re all adults here.” He shrugged.

“That would be weird. And wrong.”

“Now, now. Don’t be putting yourself down for your needs. Naughty girl.” He tapped her nose.

Shock made her mouth drop open. Did he really believe . . . but he couldn’t believe . . .

“I’m a good girl.” She winced. Had that really just come out of her mouth? There was something wrong with her.

His grin was doing something to her. It was frying her brain. Making her stutter and stumble. And her insides heat.

“Are you?” He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Well, if you decide you want to be naughty for the night, I’m just over there with my brothers.” He nodded to the corner where that same group of guys she’d been admiring before were hanging out.

“Your brothers?”

“Mm-hmm. I have a lot. Sometimes we even like to share. Think about that, naughty girl.” He winked at her then grabbed the bottles of beer the bartender set down for him before walking off.

And, yeah, she watched that tight ass of his as he walked away. She was human, after all.

“Damn, that’s one fine ass.”

She jolted, wondering if she’d said that instead of thinking it. She turned to look at the older woman who watched her knowingly.

“Um, I, uh . . .”

Jesus, Scarlett. Spit it out.

“I was a few years younger, I’d tap that.”

Scarlett had just taken a sip of her drink and she nearly spat it back out at those words.

“Course, then I’d likely fall for one of those rascals. And they’d break my heart. Those Malone boys are trouble, sweetheart.”

Scarlett nodded. She could tell that from just that one encounter.

“But the most delicious kind of trouble,” the woman added. “If you can guard your heart against their charisma, you’ll have yourself a wild ride. Something to tell your grandkids about.”

“I’m not here for sex,” she said in a prim voice.

“Your loss.”

“This is a very weird conversation. Do you usually try to convince customers to sleep with those men?”

The older woman barked out a laugh. “Nobody ever needs convincing to sleep with those boys. Gorgeous and charming rogues, the bunch of them. Well, except West. That man’s a total grump. But he’s taken anyway. Still can’t believe such an ass found a sweet woman to put up with him.” The woman shook her head and turned away, but Scarlett wasn’t listening much anyway.

Another shout came from the corner, and she glanced back. It seemed they had plenty of women to spend time with. He must have just been teasing her. Or maybe he was one of those guys who had to know that every woman wanted him.

Then her gaze hit his, and she blushed as she realized he’d been watching her. He winked.

Oh, Lord.

You’re in trouble, Scarlett Jean.

Knowing she needed to get a hold of herself, she slid off the stool and walked on surprisingly wobbly feet toward the bathroom. She just needed a bit of a break from him, from that gaze, that smile, that wink.

How could he be so sexy? So damn confident? It wasn’t fair.

She threw another look over her shoulder at him. This time he was facing away from her, laughing at something. Her nipples tightened.

His . . . his pheromones or whatever it was shouldn’t be affecting her from here. Keeping her head down, she walked toward the bathroom while pulling her phone out. She should probably check to see if Richard had texted her.

He’s your boss, Scar. Even if he texted you, it’s after hours. Grow a pair.

Suddenly, she banged into something firm and large. She wobbled on her heels and would have fallen on her ass if two firm hands hadn’t caught her upper arms.

“Whoa, there.”

That deep voice. It sent a shiver through her, while his hands seemed to burn through her top, searing her.

Branding her.

Shit. She needed to get her head together. Branding her? Really? Then she sucked in a breath as she looked up at the man she’d bumped into, the one who had his thumbs running along her upper arms in a caress.

“W-what?”

How had he gotten here so quickly? Was there another entrance? What was going on?

“You should pay more attention to your surroundings. Especially a woman alone in a bar. You can’t walk around with your eyes down and your head in the clouds.”

There was a definite scolding note to his voice which was very different from the suggestive teasing in the bar. And there was something different in his eyes. They seemed darker, almost.

More serious.

Was this really the same man? What was going on here?

“You paying attention?” He waved a hand in front of her face, looking concerned. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Uh, only a couple of Manhattan’s.”

“What the fuck is a Manhattan?”

“Well, it—”

“You know what, it doesn’t matter. Why people would drink that shit rather than a good beer is beyond me.”

She frowned, feeling insulted. “It’s a sophisticated drink.”

“Sure it is.” His gaze ran over her. “Sophisticated, huh? Where you from?”

“None of your business. Why are you being rude? Is it because I didn’t immediately fall into your arms back in the bar?”

His dark eyebrows rose. “Why would you do that?”

That wasn’t what she expected him to say.

“Because . . . I . . . you . . . you accused me of watching porn!” she squeaked out.

Oh, hell. Why did she say that?

“Did I? That’s interesting.” Something strange crossed his face. His eyes moved over her, taking her in. “You sure about that?”

Was she sure about that?

“Yeah, pretty sure. I was just sitting at the bar, minding my own business when you came up and flirted with me. Then I came here to go to the bathroom, and you somehow get here before me. I bang into you on accident, and all you can do is accuse me of being drunk.”

Her breath heaved in and out of her lungs by the time she finished speaking. She half-expected him to fire back at her. Instead, his lips turned up in the most gorgeous smile she’d ever seen.

Holy. Hell.

It chased away the darkness she’d seen in his eyes and it made her want to do dirty, dirty things to him.

Okay. Did they make Manhattan’s stronger in Texas or something?

“Well, now, were you watching porn?” he drawled.

“No!” She felt herself blushing as his grin widened.

Yikes.

“No need to be embarrassed, if that’s what you’re into, then I’m certain I can accommodate you.”

Okay. This guy had some kind of personality disorder right? How could he go from flirty to grouchy and back to flirty in the space of like twenty minutes?

“I’m going to the bathroom now,” she told him. “And when I come out, I’m going to forget we ever met.”

“Ah, don’t be like that.” Reaching out, he ran a thumb across her cheek. Shivers ran through her body. Wrapping a hand around her neck, he tugged her toward him. It felt like he was claiming her.

Really, Scar? Quit it with the claiming and branding shit. You’re not in the Wild West.

Although, it was starting to feel like she’d entered some sort of strange universe. One where sexy cowboys flirted with her and then scolded her with their next breath.

Where they gave her admiring looks.

But Scarlett knew what she was. Somewhat chubby and plain. She tried her best with what she’d been given. She’d tried every diet out there, she exercised. But it seemed like her curves just never disappeared.

Probably why Richard never looked twice at her.

She had an ass and chunky thighs and large boobs. She tried not to be too hung up on her appearance, but sometimes it was hard not to let insecurity take over. Okay, most of the time.

Especially when she hadn’t had sex in five years. She missed sex. So much. Even more than that, she missed cuddling.

What she wouldn’t give for a night on the couch, cuddling and watching movies.

“Earth to sugar.”

“Hmm?” She glanced up at him.

His lips twisted into another grin. Be still her heart.

“You really do drift off into that head of yours, don’t you? Maybe I should see what I can do to keep you in the here and now.”

What did that mean? She didn’t drift anywhere. And how was he going to . . . oh holy fuck! He was kissing her.

Except, she wasn’t sure that kissing was the word to use to describe this. Because she wasn’t certain she’d ever been kissed like this before. His hand was still around the nape of her neck. His hold firm and unrelenting. She wasn’t going anywhere. But instead of fear, she felt this buzzing of excitement. In contrast, his other hand was cupping her face. His thumb brushed back and forth across her cheek so gently. So sweetly.

There was nothing sweet about this man, though.

He was all hardness as he pressed himself against her. There was nothing soft. No flaws she could feel. Oh, she was certain he had them, but not physically.

His tongue slid across her lips and she found herself having to fight his demand.

Kissing had never been her favorite thing. At least not with tongue.

“Damn, these jeans are sweet but next time, wear a skirt.”

Why? And what next time? There wouldn’t be a next time. She stared up at the insane man holding her captive. One hand rested on the wall, the other moved to the side of her neck. Then he put his thumb on her chin, tugging at it.

“Open your mouth, little one. Let me in.”

Little one? Was he mocking her? But she only saw sincerity in his face.

She shook her head. His eyebrow rose. That darkness entered his gaze again, making her shiver.

“No? I feel like I should warn you that I don’t like to be denied.”

“Then I guess you best let me go and find someone else. I’m sure there are plenty of other women out there who won’t tell you no.”

He grinned. “You’d be right. There are. Thing is, I don’t want them. I want you.”

“You can’t always get what you want.”

“Says who?”

“M-me.”

His eyes narrowed at her stutter. “You afraid of me?”

She shook her head.

“No? Hope not. You have nothing to fear from me, little one.”

“I don’t know you.”

“Would you like to? I promise the only pain I’d ever inflict on you would be to spank that fucking sexy ass of yours. But then you might just like that. So long as it wasn’t for punishment.”

What the fuck? Spank me?

“Nobody’s spanking me. I’m not a child,” she told him primly.

He looked her up and down. “Hope not. And I’d never spank a child. But that ass of yours was made for a good spanking or fucking.”

“Nobody is fucking my ass either!” she managed to get out. Okay, he was insane. Definitely insane. And did no one in this whole bar need to pee? How was it possible they’d been on their own for this long?

“Ahh, so you’re an anal virgin? Isn’t that interesting. You know, for someone who was worried about not knowing me, you certainly open up about personal things quickly.”

Her mouth dropped open then shut. What the hell?

“What is happening? How are we even having this conversation?”

“Well, if you’d just opened for me, we’d be kissing rather than talking about what it’s going to feel like when I fuck your ass. Don’t worry, I’d prepare you first. Make you nice and relaxed. I’d take good care of you.”

“For your information, I’ve had anal sex before.”

Um. Okay, that wasn’t what she’d meant to say. She blamed him. He was addling her mind.

“That so? And did you enjoy it? Did you like having a cock take you back there? I bet you make the cutest noise when you come.”

“I do not! And that’s none of your business!”

“Oh, I’m making it my business. You intrigue me. I haven’t been interested in a woman for months.”

She found that hard to believe.

“I’m going to kiss you now. Open your mouth.”

That last part was pure command. This was a man who was used to being obeyed. Well, maybe it was time someone shook him up.

“No.”

“You really want that spanking, don’t you?” He sighed and shook his head. “Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until we’re in private for that. I don’t want anyone else looking at that ass but me. Well, maybe my brother. He’s more of a tit man, though. Not that that’s a problem with you.”

He stared down at her breasts with pure lust in his gaze.

She groaned. “I can’t believe this is happening. I must be dreaming.”

“You always dream about a handsome cowboy pressing you against a wall and kissing you? Those are some sexy dreams you have. Do they get raunchier? Do I undo those jeans? Do I slip my hand down to your panties? Run my finger along your slit then make you taste your own pleasure? Do I pull your jeans down so I can bring you to orgasm? Then spank your ass when you come without permission?”

“What? No! You’re. . . you’re. . .”

He grinned. “You’re gorgeous when you get riled up.”

“I don’t like kissing,” she blurted out.

An eyebrow rose. “That so?”

She nodded. It was so. Wasn’t it?

Suddenly, he stepped away from her. Wait. Where was he going? Was he stopping?

Which is what she wanted. She didn’t want him pinning her to the wall with his gorgeous face inches from hers, talking about spanking and anal sex and kissing.

He wasn’t a gentleman. He was sexy and dominant and used to getting his own way. Nothing like Richard, whom she actually wanted.

Who are you kidding, Scarlett?

“You change your mind about that kiss, you know where to find me. Ball’s in your court.”

What . . . what did that mean?

Did that mean if she wanted something more, if she actually wanted that kiss, all she had to do was make a move?

But she didn’t know how to, did she?

She’d been lusting after her boss for two damn years. Making a move? Not her thing. In fact, she kind of wished he’d go all dominant on her again.

Wait, what was she thinking? She didn’t want a dominant guy. Even if he could be kind of charming and sweet.

A dominant man wasn’t what she wanted, though, right? Spankings? She wasn’t into BDSM or domestic discipline or anything like that, was she?

How would she know? She’d only slept with one man. Her high school sweetheart. The love of her life.

And in that relationship, she’d been the dominant one. Sure, she and John had never lit up the sheets with passion, but they’d been comfortable.

Argh. Comfortable? Is that why he’d left her? Because she’d been comfortable? Because she didn’t meet his needs?

Enough, Scarlett.

She had to stop thinking about that little fantasy the cowboy put into her head. Stop thinking he might be the one person to change her mind about kissing.

Get in the bathroom. Calm down then get the fuck out of here.

She was shocked to find her legs were weak as she moved into the bathroom. This was insane. How could one man affect her like this? Her panties were wet. Why? Because he’d pushed her against the wall? Told her what he wanted to do to her?

Shakily, she drew out her phone and called Margo.

“Hey, babe, get any cowboy dick yet?” Margo greeted her.

“Um, well, actually, I think I was just propositioned.”

Margo squealed in her ear, making her wince. “What? By whom? How? What do you mean, you think?”

“Well, a cowboy flirted with me at the bar then later he pinned me against the wall, kissed me, and told me to come find him if I wanted more.”

“Dude! Your life went from zero to a hundred in the last hour.”

“Dude? Really? We’re forty. I don’t think people say that anymore.”

“Shut up. I’m permanently thirty-nine, and you know that.”

“Margo, what do I do?”

“Well, that’s easy. Go get you some juicy cowboy dick.”

“I don’t know him, though.”

“So? Wait, are you concerned about safety? Text me when you leave with him. Take him to your hotel room. Then text me every hour to let me know you’re safe or I’ll call the cops.”

“Every hour? How long do you think this will take?”

“It hurts me that you ask that. Not everyone is a two-pump chump like John.”

She had to smile at that. Margo was right.

“Go get you some, babe. You deserve to blow off some steam. And it’s been sooo long.”

Scar huffed. “Not that long.”

Margo didn’t reply.

“Fine! I’ll go get me some. Only, he’s really sexy and younger than me and I’m—”

“Gorgeous and amazing. Babe, you look like Jayne Mansfield and Brigitte Bardot had a love child.”

She had to giggle at that. “Because that’s so likely. And I don’t think either of them had an ass wider than the Titanic.”

“Scarlett,” Margo warned. “Don’t.”

Scarlett took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. “You’re right.”

“John did a number on your self-esteem when he cheated on you, I get it. But you don’t have to let him win.”

Her ex had said some really hurtful words to her. Things she’d taken to heart. They’d been together seventeen years and it had come as a big shock when he’d left.

She wasn’t what he’d accused her of being. Frumpy and plain. Boring. Dumb.

“I’m not going to.”

“What are you going to do then?” Margo coached.

“I’m going to go out there and get me some fine cowboy dick.”

She wasn’t aware that the door to the bathroom had opened until another woman spoke.

“You go, girl. Go get yourself some,” the other woman said.

Scarlett went bright red as the other woman ducked into a stall.

“Um, Margo. I’ve got to go.”

“You can do this. Remember to keep texting me. I don’t hear from you, I’ll call the cops.”

“Thanks. You’re a good friend.”

“Babe, I’m not doing this out of friendship. I want deets. I’m gonna live vicariously through you. After all, my life is boring.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes. Margo was gorgeous, petite, and fun. She was a flight attendant who traveled all over the world. Her life was far from boring.

“Sure, it is, talk to you later.”

Checking her appearance in the mirror, she took in her flushed cheeks, her plump lips, and wide eyes.

She could do this. Have a one-night stand with a cowboy. How hard could it be?

“Well, actually I hope it’s very hard,” she murmured.

“Me too,” the same woman said as she stepped out of the stall and washed her hands. “For your sake. Oh, and the handicapped stall is nice and big, you know, if you want somewhere private to get you that fine cowboy dick.”

The woman winked and laughed as she stepped out of the bathroom.

Ew. She didn’t have to do it in a bathroom, right?

That was a hard no.

Stepping into the hallway, she banged straight into something hard.

Shit. Fuck.

Talk about déjà vu.

Maybe the cowboy was right. She really needed to start looking where she was going.

“Well, hello there, darlin’. You didn’t have to pretend to bump into me to get my attention.” He had his hands on her waist, steadying her.

She gaped up at the smiling man. “I didn’t pretend to bump into you.”

“You didn’t? You’re just clumsy, huh? That’s cute.”

“I’m not clumsy. I just . . . wasn’t paying attention.”

His face grew serious as he drew her away from the door. “That’s dangerous. You should always pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t you know how to take care of yourself?”

Okay . . . what was going on?

She stared up at him. There was something different about him. He was smiling and it was reaching his eyes, she realized. The darkness wasn’t there in his gaze.

And he called her darlin’.

And he was giving her the exact same advice as before, but she felt like he didn’t know that.

Because . . .

“You have a brother.”