Cougar in Texas (Rugged and Risque 3)

“Free me,” she said with a laugh.

He moved in close and she got another nose full of the enticing scent he wore, along with the leather from his jacket. His hunky body filled the passenger side and his shoulder brushed hers as he jiggled the latch until the metal released from its holder.

“There you go.” He ducked out of the SUV and straightened.

Reese tried to get her breathing under control. She slipped from the vehicle and led him to the entrance of the saloon, admittedly on shaky legs. He did crazy things to her insides. Made her knees practically knock together. Her nipples puckered behind her lacy bra and her pussy pulsed with awareness. None of those sensations could be controlled, least of all the tingling of her skin.

He reached around her for the door handle and pulled it open. She stepped inside, instantly relieved to have the upbeat country-western music and the noise from the patrons take her mind off the way she innately responded to Caleb.

“Hey, y’all!” Jess waved them over. They’d pushed together several tables to accommodate the large party.

Jack delivered scotch to George and beers to the others. He asked Reese and Caleb, “What can I get you two?”

“The same,” Caleb said as he inclined his head toward the brew.

“Ditto.”

“Comin’ right up.” Jack headed off to the bar.

Caleb draped his jacket over a chair and added Reese’s after he helped her out of it. His gaze slid over her, and it made her pulse accelerate. She hadn’t gotten too dressed up for the evening out. She wore jeans along with a sweater and tank-top ensemble in winter-white. Admittedly, she was glad she’d left her hair down and had applied a bit more makeup than what she’d had on earlier. Caleb seemed to like what he saw.

Yet she couldn’t help reminding herself she wasn’t looking for a new man. And certainly not a younger one. Though five years wasn’t a huge difference, it’d be nice if they’d at least been born in the same decade. Him being a twentysomething made her feel as though she was trolling for a younger man to spite her ex. That was not the case at all, particularly since she’d decided yesterday she needed to cut the ties with the past. Let it all go.

Caleb leaned toward her and asked in a low tone, “You two-step, darlin’?”

“Not in a very long time.”

“Like riding a bike,” he said in her ear. “You game?”

She spared a glance at her friends, all of whom wore expressions of encouragement. She debated the situation a moment. Despite all of her reservations though, the offer was simply too tempting to pass up. Placing her hand in his, she let him lead her onto the dance floor.

Chapter Three

Caleb pulled Reese into his arms and had to bite back the sigh of relief that sprang up on him. From the minute Jack had suggested they head to the saloon, all he could think of was dancing with her. It was a wonder he’d been able to get through the conversation about his new business on the drive over, though it was such a grand passion he could talk about it extensively with little thought. Reese, he’d discovered, had incited a different kind of passion.

They moved together easily as he guided her around the dance floor. He kept her close to him, which didn’t go unnoticed by those in the near vicinity. He caught the curious glances shot their way and knew Reese did too, because her body turned rigid.

He smiled at her and said, “Relax, darlin’. We’re just dancing. That’s hardly newsworthy enough to set the rumor mill on fire.”

“You have a lot to learn about this town.”

With a chuckle, he added, “I can take the heat.”

But he wondered if she could. She seemed preoccupied with the indiscreet attention they received.

When the song ended, he asked, “Ready for that beer?”

“Definitely.”

Despite her obvious tension related to the scrutiny from the townsfolk, Caleb didn’t miss the flash of awareness in her eyes. Something more than self-consciousness edged her tawny irises. An unmistakable flicker of desire told her she’d liked being in his loose embrace. So he didn’t think twice about taking her by the hand as they strolled over to rejoin their party. They took the empty seats and sipped the cold draught beer awaiting them.

George said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you out on the dance floor, Reese.”

“Not since my wedding reception, which was a few months before you came to town,” she told him, a distant tinge to her voice.

“Looked like you were enjoying yourself,” Jess added.

Caleb watched as her gaze slid to the dance floor and then returned to him. She smiled.