Cowboy Kind of Reckless Page 3

  Jody rose from the couch and went to the window. The view from her rental wasn’t much. A street that held her truck and a few others under the orange glare of the sodium light. Better than the view from the trailer where she’d grown up. It only offered a look at the trailer set about twenty feet from her dad’s. Still, she would’ve liked something nicer. Just once. To look out the window at a place like the Tumblin’ B. Which she might’ve been able to do if her parents weren’t such assholes. If her mom hadn’t left her behind.

  Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so alone.

  She folded her arms and studied her reflection in the dirty window. When she was ten, she’d found a photo of her mom and dad together. She looked more like her dad. Maybe that was why Diane hadn’t wanted her. But that made no sense, because she’d taken Will. Even if she hadn’t been the best mother, at least he’d had Luke and their grandparents.

  She kept the photo tucked in an old paperback western she’d picked up at a flea market years ago. It showed a moment frozen in time when her parents looked happy together. But even under that, she knew something had been very wrong with their relationship.

  In turn, she’d gotten into her fair share of bad relationships. Let herself be influenced by the wrong people. It wasn’t like Dad was around to tell her not to get in with bad boys. Thank God as she got older, she’d realized men like that weren’t her style. It was easier to be alone.

  Except sometimes… Sometimes she wanted someone to hold her tight and even if it was a lie, tell her everything would be okay. There were nights when the loneliness practically drove her insane.

  Nights when it was all she could do to keep from trolling a bar to find a one-night stand. She’d only done it twice. God knew what kind of creep she’d bring home if she let herself loose more often.

  But this was one of those nights she couldn’t take listening to that clock another minute. Jody left the window and went to her room to get dressed. It wasn’t late enough for last call. She had time for a drink or two and she might find a man worth holding onto for one night.

  * * * *

  Music swelled out of Casa Piedra’s open doors. Jody stepped into the bar and the cheeriness of the place lifted her spirits. On the dance floor, a group of men and women were boogying to a line dance. Others gathered at the bar and carried away colorful drinks. No one here seemed to notice it was nearly Sunday morning. A lot of people here would be swearing off alcohol tomorrow in church.

  She seated herself on one of the faux leather stools at the end of the bar. Tugged her denim skirt a little lower on her thigh. Not that she expected it to stay there. The damn thing had a habit of creeping up, but it showcased her long, tanned legs nicely.

  The bartender recognized her and brought a longneck before Jody could order. Given that she had a usual, maybe she was coming in here too often. She took a swig, then tapped the toe of her ankle-high boot against the footrest on the barstool in time with the music.

  Most of the men here seemed to be with women, but a couple of loners watched the game going on at the pool table. Under the blue lights of a neon beer sign, one of them caught her staring.

  Big guy with his western shirt unbuttoned to the middle of his chest and the sleeves ripped off to display impressive biceps with tribal tattoos that probably meant nothing. Purposely torn jeans showed off his knees and a little glimpse of his thigh. His hair was dirty blond and a day-old shadow of beard accented his square jaw. A gold chain with a cross pendant hung around his neck—totally tacky. His boots looked expensive, but they were the kind of thing no real cowboy would wear.

  He winked at her and jerked his chin up. A hi, how-you-doin’ kind of gesture.

  That guy, totally not her type, but exactly the sort she’d have gone for as a teenager.

  She licked her lips, traced the mouth of her beer bottle and kept her gaze down. Jody crossed her legs and the skirt slipped up a couple of inches.

  He headed her way in less than thirty seconds. “Hey.” He leaned on the bar and ignored the dirty look from the man sitting on the barstool next to Jody.

  “Hi.” She smiled at him. “Are you waiting to play?”

  He glanced over his shoulder at the pool table. A couple of the men there looked at Jody and her new friend like they’d grown extra heads. “Not anymore. Can I buy you another one?” He nodded at her beer.

  “Sure. This one’s getting a little warm.” She’d only had it a few minutes, but what the hell. “Come here often?”

  “Nah. I mostly hang out downtown. Tonight seemed like a good time for a little change of pace. Looks like I was right.” He signaled the bartender and got served two longnecks. “You?”

  She made a non-committal noise. “Sometimes. I don’t get downtown a lot.” She wasn’t much for the artsy scene. Many of the old buildings there had been renovated and offered art, antiques, and cutesy shops she didn’t care for. The seedier bars were down there too. Seedy bars always led to bad decisions.

  “Too bad. We might’ve crossed paths sooner.” He pushed one of the beers to her, then raised his. “To new friends?”

  Jody lifted the bottle. “New friends.”

  They were both quiet a moment as they worked on the beer.

  She turned to him again. “What do you say about—”

  “Wanna get out of—” He stopped and laughed. “After you.”

  She put her hand on his forearm. “I was thinking we could get to know one another a little better. Away from here.”

  His mouth turned up and he showed off pearly white teeth. “That sounds like a plan, ma’am.” He lifted his beer and drained the bottle. Thumped the empty down on the bar, then tossed a ten down to cover the cost. “C’mon.”

  Jody took another drink. This was happening a lot quicker than she’d anticipated, but it was what she’d come for. She slid off the barstool.

  The second she was down, his hand was on her ass. He gave a pinch and she jumped.

  “Ow.” She glared at him. “What the hell?”

  He grinned. “Aw, you liked it.”

  “I really didn’t.” She turned her hips away from him. “Let’s get one thing straight. I say when and if things get rough. Until then—”

  “Oh-ho. The lady takes the reins.” He held his hands up and waved them. “A dominatrix.”

  Her face burned. She should have realized sooner that he was drunk. The scent of beer practically rolled off of him. “No, but—”

  He backed her up against the wall, pinned her there with his chest, and pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger. His opposite hand skimmed her thigh and slipped beneath her skirt. “Honey, Billy don’t take orders from broads. Never has, never will. If you want this to happen, you roll along with what I want. Capiche?”

  She pressed her hands against his shoulders and pushed, but he didn’t budge. “Get off me.”

  “The wildest kittens are the most fun to tame.” He grinned and wicked light gleamed in his eyes. He lowered his mouth a few centimeters from hers. His breath stank like beer and cigarettes. “You still want to get out of here with me. I promise you a good time.”

  “Hell no.” She jerked her chin away from his grip and bared her teeth, prepared to bite him if she had to.

  “Hey, asshole.”

  Billy raised his head and turned his face just in time to take a right hook. He staggered back against the bar.

  Nolan, fists raised, glared at Billy. “I’m pretty sure she wasn’t into your attention.”

  Billy rubbed his jaw. “I’m gonna push your head through your asshole for that.”

  “Hey, hey, hey.” The bartender leaped over the bar, heavy duty MagLite in his hands. “Take that somewhere else. No fights in here.”

  Billy sneered at Jody. “Teasing bitch.” He turned and stomped to the pool table.

  Nolan met Jody’s gaze. “You okay?”

  She let out a pent up breath and yanked her skirt down. “I’m fine.”

  “Let’s get out of here. You l
ook like you need some air.”

  Shaky, she let him put his arm around her shoulders and lead her out the door. The music faded to a steady thump as they left the building.

  He took her to his truck, opened the door and gestured at the passenger seat. “Hop up.”

  She put her foot on the running board and lifted herself into the seat. “Crap.”

  “That’s one way to put it.” Nolan hooked his thumbs through his belt loops. “Can I ask what you were doing with Billy Wishall?”

  She frowned. “I take it he’s a well-known unsavory character?”

  “You mean you don’t know?”

  Jody shook her head. “Know what?”

  “He beat the shit out of Luke a few months ago because of some crap about Luke’s ex-girlfriend, who’s Billy’s ex-wife. Luke was hurt really bad. He didn’t even have a chance to fight back because Billy jumped him in the dark with a t-post.”

  Jody sucked in a breath. Neither of her brothers had mentioned anything like that happening. “Are you serious?”

  “Unfortunately. Billy bonded out with what basically amounted to a slap on the wrist. Not to mention he’s got bastards scattered all over the county. And Billy loves chasing those skirts. Any time, anywhere.” His gaze dropped to her legs. “Yeah, no wonder he was all over you.”

  Jody yanked at the skirt again, but it refused to budge. “Women don’t really like to be referred to as skirts.”

  He met her eyes. “I’m loosely quoting your friend in there.” Nolan lowered his hands to his sides. “You’re really okay?”

  She nodded. “Thanks to you, I guess.” Her face burned and she had to look away. God, she’d done some stupid things in her life, but tonight made the top five. Hopefully Luke and Will would never find out.

  “You don’t normally dress like that. Should I assume you intended to pick up a feller?”

  Shame burst in her stomach. “Maybe.”

  “You could’ve called me. I mean, I’m flattered that I got to play the hero, but it would’ve been easier to drop by if you were looking for a quick lay. We could’ve skipped all the trouble.”

  Jody knotted her fingers together. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “If you were bored, you knew I was available. I told you that this afternoon.”

  “Nolan, thanks for the help, but I’m ready to go home now.” She wasn’t about to explain her reasons for choosing anonymous sex with a stranger over calling him. “And I swear to God, I’d better never hear that Will and Luke found out about this or I’ll hang you by your thumbs. Got it?”

  She slid down from the seat and pushed past him.

  “They won’t find out about it from me, but you can bet that little bitty skirt that they’ll hear. Plenty of people in there know who you are. They damn sure know about what happened between Luke and Billy. When your brothers find out, Billy will wish he’d never laid eyes on you.”

  She spun to face him. “That’s ridiculous. You think they care?”

  His brow furrowed. “I’d bet the ranch on it.”

  “You’re nuts.” She laughed. “Good night, Nolan.”

  “So I don’t get an invitation to join you?”

  Illuminated by the lights, his face was shadowed by his cowboy hat, but Nolan made an inviting picture.

  “What? You think you deserve the fair maiden’s treasure because you saved her?”

  “I don’t see any fair maidens. Just a pissed off cowgirl in a too-short skirt who was looking for a little adventure anyway.” He pushed his hat back to reveal his grin. “I like that skirt, by the way, but it would look better on my bedroom floor.”

  He wanted a rebound girl, she wanted a moment to ease her loneliness. What the hell. She walked back to him, extra swing in her step. Grabbed him by the shirtfront and pulled him close. “You better pray Will and Luke never find out about this.” She pressed her lips to his, slipped her tongue into his mouth.

  Nolan stiffened for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her and gave in to her kiss.

  He tasted better than beer. Like expensive whiskey. The kind that could make her lose her head real easy.

  Drunk off the kiss, she pulled back and patted his cheek as disappointment bloomed on his face.

  “Looks like you get to find out what this skirt looks like on your floor after all.” She slipped past him and climbed into his truck again. “What are you waiting for? Daylight?”

  “You’re crazy. You know that?”

  “I’ll leave without you, I swear.”

  “Okay, okay.” He rounded the pickup bed, then got in beside her. “You’re sure?”

  She narrowed her eyes.

  “You’re sure.” He started the truck and peeled out of the parking lot with a spray of gravel.

  Chapter Five

  The glorious scent of coffee roused Nolan from his tangled bedsheets. Tiff. His heart raced before his gaze landed on the denim skirt beside the bed. Not Tiffany. Jody. Even better. He hadn’t had a night like that with Tiffany…maybe ever.

  He got up and pulled clean clothes out of the closet. Dressed in such a hurry that he buttoned his shirt crooked and had to start again. Without bothering to shave or comb his hair, he hustled down the stairs into the kitchen.

  Jody leaned one hip against the counter as she took a long pull from a beer bottle. She looked at the bottle as she swallowed, met his gaze, then shrugged. “Coffee’s not ready yet.”

  She wore one of his old t-shirts. A mile too big around her, but it skimmed shorter than her skirt had. Her hair hung in a messy ponytail over her shoulder. If he hadn’t known better, he’d have mistaken her for a college student.

  “Not that I mind sharing, but isn’t it a little early?”

  Jody’s brow furrowed. “The coffee—”

  “Won’t take that long. Jeez, Jody. I like a cool beverage now and then, but this is pushing it.” He pried the bottle from her hand, then poured the remains of the bottle down the sink. “We tend to wait until the afternoon around here. What’s up?”

  “A little hair of the dog.” She pushed her dark hair over her shoulder. “What a waste of decent beer. If you’ll give me a couple of minutes, I’ll get dressed and you can take me back to the bar.”

  Which fortunately didn’t open until lunch time. She wouldn’t have the opportunity to step inside for a drink.

  “Look, I enjoyed last night. I needed to blow off some steam. It doesn’t mean you have to run the second we’re both awake. You’re welcome to stick around for breakfast.” He gestured at the kitchen table. “I’ll cook.”

  She gave him a hard stare. “I enjoyed last night too, but it doesn’t mean I want to make this a thing between us. I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Not a breakfast companion either. Just a quick lay now and then. So instead of breakfast, I’d really like to go home.”

  Her eyes were bloodshot like she hadn’t slept much after he’d dozed off. He imagined her prowling around his house, waiting for the second she could excuse herself.

  Nolan stepped closer to her. He raised his hand and cupped her face. “We could take this conversation upstairs.”

  She leaned into his touch and let her breasts press against his chest. Turned her face toward his palm and nipped his thumb. “We could.”

  The but hung heavy between them.

  Her hand slipped beneath his cotton shirt.

  A tingle rippled across his muscles where her fingers grazed his skin. “Yeah?”

  “You have to understand this is a booty call. I’m only using you for your body.” She smiled and it was full of wickedness. “I’m not the stick-around kind of woman.”

  “I had one of those. Or I thought I did. This arrangement is fine.” He swallowed to moisten his throat. Placed his hands on her hips where deceptively innocent-looking black satin panties covered her skin. “Better than fine.”

  He pulled the t-shirt over her head, tossed it on the counter, then lifted her onto the Formica. The bra that matched her panties w
asn’t overflowing, but he was more of a leg guy anyway. And she had them in spades. Her thighs, shoulders, and arms were tight with muscle. He’d only thought her thin because he hadn’t known what lay beneath her clothes. He slipped between her thighs and cupped her face. “It’s lucky I showed up last night.”

  “Why?” She ran her tongue over her lower lip.

  “Otherwise you’d be sitting on Billy Wishall’s counter, drinking his beer, and kissing him like this.” He pressed his lips to hers.

  Jody pushed her fingers into his hair as she kissed him back. Her short nails scraped against his scalp in a way that made his skin tingle all over.

  He hadn’t had that kind of reaction from one of Tiffany’s kisses in forever. Through the years, they’d dissolved into quick pecks on the cheek that barely meant anything. He should’ve known the relationship was sinking long before he figured it out.

  Jody drew back. “What’s wrong?”

  “What?”

  “You kind of fell out of that one. Like you forgot we were in the middle of something hot and heavy.” Her dark eyes gave away a little concern. “Was it something I said?”

  He swept his hand over her hair. “Not you.”

  “Ah, the elephant in the room. Tiffany.” She nodded. “Back it up, tiger. Fun as it is to play in your sandbox, I really should get out of here. Peach’ll expect me at work in half an hour.”

  He stepped back and she slid off the counter. A damn fine picture in underwear that covered just enough to leave something to the imagination. The panties dipped low, revealing a silvery scar a couple of inches below her navel, thin, about as long as his palm.

  She caught him staring and crumpled his t-shirt over her abdomen. “I’ll get dressed.”

  “Shame.” He winked at her, then helped himself to the coffee as Jody padded out of the room. Her hips swayed to a silent beat, inviting, even if she did have to be at work soon.