Single-Dad Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Chapter Nineteen
Zeke had pulled out all the stops to convince Teague to share the cost of that expensive bubbly. This was his first date in years, damn it, and he wasn’t letting some other man buy his lady’s champagne.
He’d forgotten the thrill of treating a woman to a night of dinner and dancing. Nell brought out romantic impulses that he’d kept buried for some time. Yvette’s barrage of insults and putdowns had staunched the tender feelings he’d once had for her.
After she admitted cheating on him, his only goal had been protecting Claire, being the solid, dependable parent she desperately needed. His own sexuality had become irrelevant, a nuisance, in fact, to be contained as best he could.
Until Nell. Until their explosive encounter a week ago. And now, flirting with her over dinner and holding her in his arms on the dance floor reawakened an instinct to be there for her, the man she turned to, her hero.
But he wasn’t that single guy with no responsibilities he’d been ten years ago. He’d do well to keep that in mind, enjoy the moment and keep a tight rein on his tendency to dream.
They’d just finished an energetic two-step and he’d pulled her in tight for the finish when she glanced up at him, her breathing as erratic as his. “How soon can we leave?”
He gulped as the implications of that questions set fire to his privates. “Whenever you want.”
“I think…” She paused to take a breath. “I think we can go after one more dance. Then we can vamoose.”
“Fine with me.” More than fine. He’d been keeping the heat down to a simmer because dragging her out of there right after dessert wouldn’t have been the gentlemanly thing to do. Instead he’d waited for her to decide. She just had.
She gazed up at him. “Whaddya know? It’s my favorite song.”
“Amarillo by Morning is your favorite song?”
Snuggling against him, she gazed into his eyes. “It is tonight.”
* * *
Finally.Nell was tucked into the passenger seat of Zeke’s truck and he’d switched on the engine. They’d bid everyone goodbye and suffered through the sly grins and knowing winks. It went with the territory and he didn’t mind. He didn’t mind anything at this moment. Nell’s bungalow was only minutes away.
He put the truck in reverse and paused. “Any instructions?”
“About what?”
“How you want me to drive to your house?”
Her laughter was soft, enticing. “I trust you won’t do eighty through the streets of Apple Grove.”
“No, ma’am. Might feel like it, but I won’t.” He checked for traffic, non-existent this time on a Friday night, and backed out. “You have to watch on summer nights. Could be a raccoon or a skunk crossing the road.”
“Good to know.” She glanced over at him. “I was touched that you kept your speed at fifty-five all the way into town tonight.”
“Wasn’t easy.”
“But you’re a stickler for keeping your word?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It’s an admirable trait. Clearly it’s important to the Brotherhood, too.”
“It is, and I appreciate that.”
“I could be wrong, but…” She hesitated. “Jake’s comment made it sound like truthfulness has extra significance for you two.”
Not surprising she’d lock onto Jake’s statement. His big brother had been focused on supporting him. He loved Jake for stepping up like that. But Nell was like Claire, sensitive to the undercurrents.
He didn’t want to discuss his dad tonight. His father’s shameful behavior sickened him. And he’d have to make Nell promise to keep it to herself. The Buckskin gang knew everything since he and Jake had both been affected by it. But Claire was still oblivious, and they’d all agreed to keep it that way.
“You don’t want to talk about it.”
He glanced at her. “Not now.”
“Okay.”
The mood change was subtle. A little of the warmth was gone from her voice. He didn’t like it. “It’s not a pretty story.”
“I get it, Zeke. I didn’t mean to pry into your private business.”
“You don’t have to apologize. You pick up on things. Nothing wrong with that. I’d just rather not go into it, at least not now, when we’re—”
“Seriously, it’s fine.” She reached over and squeezed his arm. “I like you. A lot. And I gather you’ve been put through the grinder. Sometimes it helps to talk about it and I’m a very good listener. But clearly this isn’t the right time.”
The tightness in his chest loosened. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not pushing. For not getting upset because I won’t… I don’t know… open up.” He parked in front of her bungalow, switched off the engine and unbuckled his seat belt. He turned to her. “You’re a good friend, Nell.”
She smiled as she unfastened her seatbelt, too. “Don’t forget I’m a friend with benefits.”
He reached across the console and cupped her face in both hands. “There’s zero chance I’ll forget that.” Leaning toward her, he nibbled at her mouth. “You taste delicious.” He ran his tongue over her bottom lip. “Is that stuff you put on flavored?”
“Mm-hm.” She slid her hand behind his head and pulled him closer. “Cherry.”
“I like it.” He outlined her top lip with the tip of his tongue.
“Then you’ll like the body oil, too.”
He drew back, a surge of lust stealing his breath. “Body oil?”
“It’s on my bedside table.”
He let go of her and reached for the door handle. “Then time’s a-wastin’, pretty lady.”
