Cougar in Texas (Rugged and Risque 3)

“I was enjoying myself. Too hell what anyone has to say about it. Wanna get back out there?”

The band covered Garth Brooks’ lively American Honky-tonk Bar Association. He reached for her hand again and said, “Damn straight I do.”

He heard George’s laugh as they left the table. Whether the half a pint she’d had while they were sitting helped to calm her nerves, or she really did want to brush off the busybodies, he wasn’t sure. Nor did he care. All that mattered to him was that she settled comfortably in his arms this time and was much more relaxed as he led her across the floor. Song after song, he twirled her and shuffled her around They moved together in a natural way, as though effortlessly in tune with one another.

When the band slowed it down, Caleb didn’t let her go. He pulled her closer to him, so her breasts nestled below the ledge of his pectoral muscles. She stared up at him, that lusty flicker in her gaze again.

“You’re a very good dancer.” Her tone was provocative and breathy. Her fingers tangled in his hair at the nape of his neck and a soft smile played on her lips.

“It’s our chemistry.”

The way his groin tightened assured him of this. She nodded in confirmation. “I like being in your arms.”

He groaned. Those were words he’d wanted to hear. Bending his head to hers so he could keep his voice low, he said, “Darlin’, you feel better than anything I’ve ever known.”

Her breath seemed to catch. Her eyes searched his and he was certain she found what she was looking for—sincerity. Because he didn’t spew nonsense or empty sentiments.

Her chest rose a tad faster against his. “Maybe we should work our way back to the table.”

“Is it really so bad we’re attracted to each other?” he asked.

“I’m too old for you,” she retorted, a bit quick for his taste.

“Hell, I’m too old for me, Reese.” He scowled. “If that’s the best defense you’ve got…”

“Being the talk of the town again isn’t something I welcome.”

“Too late for that. We left tongues waggin’ back at the restaurant. And jaws have been droppin’ in this joint since we walked in together. I don’t mind one bit.” He stared deep into her eyes. “Tell me you don’t either.”

She hedged for only a moment, then said in a lighter tone, “I’m out here on the dance floor with you, aren’t I?”

He grinned. “Well, then. Problem solved.” He twirled her slowly, then brought her back to him, holding her close. “I’d say from the looks of things, your friends aren’t opposed in any way.”

She glanced around his shoulder and then shook her head. “We didn’t leave all the tongues wagging back at the restaurant. We brought six of them with us.”

He found the situation amusing, despite the fact he’d forewarned himself he didn’t need any complications. Something about the woman he held in his arms made him think he was inviting all kinds of trouble into his life—on a lot of different levels and from varying outlets, including his own family, since they would not approve of his interest in someone outside their social circle. But impending adversity neither slowed him down nor tripped him up.

After several more songs, he suggested, “Why don’t we get out of here?”

She nodded, likely ready for a break from all the interest they’d racked up. He released her and placed a hand at the

small of her back. She collected her purse and their jackets as he dug out some bills from his front pocket.

Liza raised a hand in protest. “No, no. These are on Jack.”

Caleb gave the saloon owner a wave and then said to everyone else, “We need to head out. I’ve got another early start at the ranch tomorrow. Thanks for the good time. And happy birthday again, George.”

“Nice to meet you,” the other man said.

The rest of the group bid them a good evening and then they left, Reese holding her chin at a respectable level, he noted.

When they reached the Range Rover, he opened the passenger door but she didn’t slip inside. Instead, she gazed up at him.

“Are you sure you don’t mind all the gossip we just sparked?”

“What are they going to say? That the new guy in town took an instant liking to the woman he’s renting a room from? Can’t get too worked up about that. It’s the truth, after all.”

Her fingers toyed with a button on his white shirt. “You just got here. Maybe you should keep your options open. Plenty of younger, single women in town.”