Burning Desire by Marie Harte
Chapter Fourteen
Wednesday, their last day together on the project, had come and gone, and by Friday, Bree had butterflies of steel warping the inside of her stomach as she waited for Tex to pick her up for their first official date…not at all counting the one where Bree had thrown Tex’s water in his face. They both pretended that one had never happened.
They’d decided to go out at the end of the week. Bree and Tex both needed the break from the constant work on her project, and Tex had off until his regular rotation began again the next week. They could, ostensibly, relax and just focus on enjoying each other.
They’d both agreed to make the date a low-key affair as well as private, away from prying eyes. Tex thought he had the perfect solution. He called it a getting-to-know-you date. And he’d said he’d take care of all the details.
Sadly, the only detail she wanted had to do with whether he wore boxers or briefs and how long until she could get those suckers off his glorious body.
Bree groaned. Do not think about sex. Try to get to know more than his package, doofus.
To take her mind off her date, she called Carrie, sadly not expecting an answer. As she waited to go to voicemail—again—she plucked at her silky shirt, wondering if she’d dressed up enough for her date. Tex had said to be comfy casual, so she’d worn a sporty skirt that reached her knees, a comfy but stylish tee, and cute sneakers with sparkles, because, you know, sparkles.
The air felt cool but not cold, and she had an insulated though lightweight jacket for warmth.
To her surprise, Carrie actually answered the call, and it took Bree a second to respond to the unusually meek hello.
“What the hell, Carrie?” she snapped. “You’ve been ducking me with stupid texts. Are you okay? What’s going on with you?”
Carrie blew out a breath. “Okay, you can’t freak out.”
“Oh, no. What? What?”
“You’re freaking out.”
“Damn it. Talk, or I’m coming over there.”
“No, you aren’t. You’re waiting for Tex for your big date. That’s why I answered your call now, actually, because you can’t come get me.”
“Wait. How do you know that?” Bree had been keeping her date with Tex a secret, planning on sharing with Carrie after it was over since her best friend couldn’t take it upon herself to talk on the phone like a normal human being.
“I made out with Melissa.”
Totally not what Bree had been expecting to hear, and she had no idea how to respond.
“I know.” Carrie groaned. “I didn’t mean to. She had questions. Now I have questions. And that’s it though. It was just a kiss. Nothing else.”
“Wait. Nothing else?” Bree’s brain was on pause. “What?”
“It’s too early to tell, but my lesbian theory might just hold water.”
“I’ll cancel my date with Tex. We need to talk about this.”
“No, we do not need to talk about this. This business is between Melissa and me. You got a courtesy answer because I love you. And because I know what a pain in the ass you can be if you think someone’s keeping secrets from you.”
“Not true.” She paused. “Well, kind of true. You could have called and told me though. You didn’t have to hide it.”
“I totally did. I’m not handling this well myself. It’s…weird.”
“Yeah.” Bree cringed. “Please, just don’t become a couple with her or anything. You’re my friend. And yes, I heard myself say it and know I sound like a terrible person. But we’re talking about Melissa.”
“I know. But Bree, she’s hurting. She’s pretty messed up. And I’m not sure how she feels about all this, so you really can’t say anything.”
The perfect revenge for all of Melissa’s bitchiness over the years. And something Bree would never in a million years do. Gay, straight, and whatever else her sister might be, her personal life belonged to no one but Melissa. Heck, Bree wished Carrie hadn’t told her.
Bree heard Tex’s truck pull up. “She’s actually talking to you about her issues?”
“Yeah. I think it’s about time too. But enough about me, what about you? What are you guys doing, besides each other, for this date?”
Bree appreciated the change in subject. “We’re not having sex.”
Carrie laughed.
“We’re going to try not to.”
“Why not?”
“Because we want to get to know each other beyond how we look naked. We need to have more than sexy times to be a couple.” She blinked. “Oh, wow. Are we trying to be a couple? I don’t know. The sex makes me want that, but there are problems. My dad, Tex’s many exes, my best friend kissing my sister…”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t mention that again and that you aren’t freaking out. Okay, while you’re dealing with your sexed-up Texan, I’m going to drink. Heavily. It’s been a tough week.”
“Sorry, Carrie.” Sometimes Bree spent so much time bitching to Carrie that Carrie didn’t get a fair shake. Then again, Bree seemed to have a messier life. “Want to hang out this weekend?”
“Sunday brunch?”
“Deal. And I promise not to go wacko on you about Melissa. Okay, he’s here. I have to go.”
“Later. Try not to be too easy.”
“Idiot.”
Carrie laughed, and Bree disconnected. She answered the door, only to see Tex standing with a large, black duffel bag.
She stared at the bag, trying to focus past the handsome cowboy wearing tight jeans, an even tighter T-shirt, and a cowboy hat. Because the hat really did quadruple his sex appeal. Oh, mama.
He tightened his hold on the duffel, and she said the first thing that popped into her mind. “I hope that’s not for my body when you’re done with me.”
“What? No. Wait, what?”
“I like to watch true crime on TV. Best way to move a body is to chop it up into smaller pieces for ease of movement.”
Tex frowned. “O-kay. And see, this is why we needed a date. I had no idea you were so into crime shows.” He paused. “Or crime. Should I be scared?”
“Maybe.” She grinned. “So where to?”
“Come with me…”
Half an hour later, she stood over the plate, ready to swing again. “This is actually a lot of fun. I haven’t been to a batting cage in almost twenty years.”
“A little birdie told me you liked softball and tennis. I have the perfect night planned.”
“Would that little birdie be six-two and have very scary eyes?”
“That’s the one.” He grinned. “Carrie told me I’d owe her big, and she’d make me pay. I’m officially frightened.”
“You should be. But I’m flattered you sold your soul to make our date fun.”
“What can I say? You’re worth it. Especially when you wriggle as you wind up. Nice ass.”
“Tex.” She shushed him. “There are little kids around here.” They were at a fun center that catered to games for the younger crowd and a few brave older souls who didn’t mind whack-a-mole, birthday parties, and cosmic bowling. With any luck, she’d get a shot at the retro arcade before they left.
“It’s eight o’clock, and we’re surrounded by teens and old guys like me, in case you hadn’t noticed.” He chuckled. “Man, you’re brutal, Bree. These poor kids are going through puberty and dealing with your skirt. That’s gotta be tough.”
“What’s wrong with my skirt?”
“Don’t look at me. Look at the pitch.”
The ball shot out of the machine and flew right by her.
“Strike one.” Tex laughed at her angry face. “The only thing wrong with your skirt is that it shows your legs. Your very long, very smooth legs.” He sighed. “And on that note, I should stop talking. This is a fun date. With our clothes on.”
Two teenage boys walking by overheard and glanced at Bree, then at Tex.
“Guy has no game,” one muttered to the other as they passed.
Tex shook his head. “He’s not wrong.”
Bree blushed. “Would you keep it down?”
He glanced down at himself. “I’m trying, okay?”
“Not that…just…never mind.” He was making her laugh despite her embarrassment. And it made her feel better that he still desired her as much as she wanted him.
They each took turns batting, and she’d managed to really smack the ball a few times. Tex, of course, hit home run after home run according to the digital scorekeeper.
“Do you come here to practice on your days off?” she asked, suspicious.
He laughed. “No. But I’ve always been good at baseball. I was an athlete back in the day.”
“And now.”
“Kind of. I do like playing in our county league. You should see us play soccer. It’s brutal, like a death match with a ball. Come see us sometime. We’re the Burning Embers.”
“Lovely.”
He grinned and bought them sodas to go with their cheesy nachos. They ate inside the facility, overlooking the indoor bowling alley. The fun center also had bumper cars and miniature golf.
“So, do I get the whole treatment?” she asked. “Bowling? Golf? Bumper cars?”
“We’ll see. Depends on how many of my questions you answer correctly.”
“Oh, a quiz. How fun.”
“Question one: How do I feel about music?”
“The questions are about you?”
“No, you don’t get to ask them, I do.”
“Well, hmm. You like to listen to country music in the truck. And I’ve heard you singing under your breath. I think maybe when no one’s with you, you sing along to the radio.”
“Good answer. Okay, you win a round of miniature golf.”
“Yay, I win.” She clapped like a child and saw him try to hide a laugh. “Next.”
“Question two: Am I a cat person or a dog person?”
“Both. You love animals. And you love people. In fact, I’d put you as an extrovert.”
He blinked. “Ah, yes. Good. And you get extra credit. After golf, we’ll hit the arcade.”
She made gave an exaggerated fist pump. “Yes. That’s what I was hoping to score. Okay, my turn.”
“What do I win if I guess right?” The expression on his face, especially when his gaze moved from her eyes to her lips and stayed there, told her exactly what he wanted.
“Tex, behave.”
“Aw, shucks.”
She laughed. “My question number one is: True or false? I am afraid of clowns, gum, and spiders.”
“Oh, that’s a tough one.” He studied her, his eyes clear, his lips curled. “I’m going to go with false. Clowns and spiders, sure, but gum?”
“You are correct. And you are wrong. Ha! You forfeit a point.”
“Wait. You’re afraid of gum?”
“I had a bad incident in second grade. Got gum in my hair and had a hideous haircut because of it. It left lasting scars.” She ran her hands through her hair to remind herself she had length.
He laughed. “Okay, no gum. Not even to chew, ever?”
“Nope. I don’t do gum and don’t like people chewing it near me. I know, weird. Oh, but I do hate clowns. Spiders, however, I have no problem with.”
“Wow. A gal who likes spiders. How about that?”
“Stereotype much?”
“Quit harrassin’ me. What’s the next question?” He grabbed some nachos and chowed down. But he didn’t make a pig of himself and made sure not to take more unless she took some as well. Always the gentleman…
“Question two: What is my least favorite food?”
“Aw, come on. These are hard questions.”
“Suck it up. Guess.”
“Um, well, how about onions? Or liver? Maybe brussels sprouts?”
“Wrong. That’s two points you’re in the hole for. I hate pudding, Jell-O, and anything mushy. I can’t stand the texture.”
“Seriously? No mashed potatoes? No peanut butter?”
“Nope and nope.”
He stared at her, his eyes wide. “Are you even human?”
She laughed. “What about you?”
“I like all food, can’t you tell?” He rubbed his stomach. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Pink—and don’t say a thing about girls liking pink.”
“Not a word. I like pink too. But I like blue best.”
“Favorite animal?”
“Probably dogs or horses. I like cats too, but they seem kinda evil to me.” He studied her. “I bet you love cats.”
“I do.” She shrugged. “What can I say? I love their predatory nature.”
“Says the woman who talks about dismemberment and my duffel bag—that held bats, might I remind you.”
“So sensitive. I didn’t accuse you of being a killer. I just asked if maybe you had leanings that way.”
Tex finished his beer. “You scare me a little.”
“Good, just what I was going for.”
“Another important question: How competitive are you?”
Bree showed him by kicking his ass at miniature golf, and she talked a lot of smack while doing it. After they returned the putters, she apologized. “Sorry. My dad taught me how to play a few sports, and he instilled a nasty competitive streak.”
“Blaming your dad for that, huh?” Tex walked with her back inside toward the arcade. Her body hummed, and she subtly inched closer, loving the heat he generated. “Well, then, sweetcakes, prepare to eat up what you just dished out.”
Tex then proceeded to destroy her at Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Frogger.
“Fine. You win.” Bree didn’t like losing. “But I totally rule at Ms. Pac-Man.”
“Double or nothing?”
“On what, exactly? You lost two points from the quiz, and I think you cried when I sank my ball under the windmill.”
“I had a bug in my eye,” he grumbled, but she could see his amusement. “I don’t know what to think about this killer side to you, Bree. It’s…interesting.”
“I hope it’s still interesting when I mop the floor with you and Blinky.”
“Huh?”
“He’s the red one.”
They found the Ms. Pac-Man machine empty and stood by it while Tex forked over the change for the game. “Ladies first,” he said with a flourish. “That you know the names of Pac-Man’s ghosts—”
“Ms. Pac-Man,” she corrected as she chased energy pellets and a bouncing cherry.
“—disturbs me. I can’t believe you know their names.”
“I can’t believe you don’t.”
The game surprised her by being close. Bree normally crushed the competition. When younger, she’d been addicted to the game, and as she’d gotten older, she still cherished remembrances of her mother taking her to the old-fashioned arcade downtown, which unfortunately had become a shoe store a few years ago.
“Finally. I win.” She turned, exhilarated by her victory, and found herself kissed breathless.
“Sorry, but you’re irresistible when you’re gloating.” Tex sighed and kissed her once more. “Okay, I’m done.”
I’m not.She cleared her throat. “Well then. Time for you to pay up.”
“Yeah?” He smiled. “I’m happy to do whatever you want, darlin’. As fast or slow as you need…”
***
“What the heck kind of pay-up is this?” An hour later, standing in Bree’s garage, Tex glared at the busted lawn mower sitting near her barely used toolkit. “This is evil, even for you.”
“Not my fault you assumed I’d want you to sex me up.”
“But…” He looked at her. Then he sighed. “Fine. But I think you’re missing out on some of my greatest talents.”
“I’m not going to ask.” She wanted to. Badly. But tonight had been so much fun, and they’d spent it getting to know each other outside a bed. She felt so proud of herself for resisting temptation. “Can you come back tomorrow to fix it? I don’t want to ruin your Saturday, but my lawn is getting out of control.”
“Being with you isn’t ruining anything.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and regarded her with a frank gaze. “I liked being with you tonight. I learned a lot. Like the fact that you cheat at mini golf.”
“I do not.”
“And you’re a sore winner. It’s kind of cute how you rub my nose in it, so angry-like. Especially when you know I could carry you like a human duffel bag with only one hand.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” She frowned. She couldn’t help her size compared to his.
“See? That bit of fire in you. It’s sexy. And cute. And you’re gettin’ madder.” He chuckled. “Easy, Killer. I’ll swing by tomorrow to fix your damn mower. What time?”
Gratified by the “Killer” reference, she let out a little breath. “Would eleven be okay? I want to sleep in tomorrow. And I’m sure you do too.”
“Sounds good.” He followed her from the garage out to his truck in the driveway. “So, um, are you busy tomorrow? After I fix your mower? You probably are.”
“Not really, no.” She should have made up something, to seem like she had a super exciting life outside of work. But all she could think about was the possibility of spending more time with Tex. She liked him. He made her laugh, and they could talk about anything, agreeing or arguing, and she felt energized and thoughtful after.
“Maybe we could hang out or something. And that’s not a sly way to ask for sex,” he said before she could accuse him of that. “I like spending time with you.”
She blushed. “Me too.”
He took a step closer to her. “Can I hug you good night?”
“No kiss?” she teased.
He looked serious. “Not if you want to keep your clothes on. I don’t have that much willpower.”
“Oh.” She smiled and held out her arms.
He hugged her off her feet, and his body felt like a slab of granite. He was so strong.
“You smell good.” He groaned and set her down. “I’d better go before I do something I won’t regret but you probably will.” He got in his truck, waved, and left.
Bree stared until his lights faded and went back inside. After closing the garage, she got into her pajamas and flicked through the channels on cable and streaming on the web, not seeing anything of interest despite hundreds of options. Though it wouldn’t have mattered if she had, her mind full of Tex McGovern. She really, really liked him.
Personality, brains, looks—he had it all. Now if she could just figure out if she could trust him. And she had no idea how to gauge that.
With a sigh, she turned off the TV and headed for a glass of wine and a bath instead. That would have to do until tomorrow.
When she’d have Tex all to herself. She bathed and plotted. And couldn’t wait to put her devious plan into action.
***
Tex picked up Bubbles from Oscar and Gerty’s place, went home to let her out for a few tosses of the ball, then locked up the house and went straight into a cold shower.
He froze his nuts off for a good minute, seeing how much he could take.
But when he went to bed, he stared down at a tentpole in his shorts.
Swearing, he left the bed—because he couldn’t do what he needed to with Bubbles staring at him—and hid himself in the bathroom in the dark. The lights off, the house quiet, he let himself imagine Bree naked, seeing those full breasts with their tight little nipples, the hollow in her belly, the soft, rounded curves of her waist and ass. He remembered how it had felt to plunge into her wet heat, to feel her coming around him and see her face as she lost herself in his arms.
It took him no time to get off, and after cleaning up, he went back to bed and wondered why a simple choice of Bree or his career had suddenly grown complicated.