Sexual Affection (Contemporary Cowboys 3)

Gemma moistened her lips. “I don’t think so.”

“Too late. I’m interested. And I don’t see a ring or a collar.”

Her dark-brown eyes became pools of everlasting sadness and for a moment he thought he might end up with a crying drunk on his shoulder. “I’m Scott’s woman.”

“I don’t care if you belong to the lot of them.” And he knew she did. Why she only claimed Scott he couldn’t be sure.

He took another step and then one more.

“What if I told you I belong to all the McDowells?”

“I’d tell you they were foolish men. They should’ve collared you or put a ring on your finger. Their mistakes are one man’s gain.”

About that time the door opened and Brandon and Kurt entered, engaged in a heated discussion. They came to an abrupt stop as if they had already picked up on the sexual tension in the room. After an uncomfortable silence, Kurt said, “Gemma, good to see you. Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“Kane said he missed an unknown call.” Brandon glared at Hales and pointed at the balcony. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure,” he said, backing away from Gemma but never taking his eyes off her. Before they exited the room, Hales jerked his thumb toward the master suite. “Someone better tell Zak and Dallas to finish up. The midnight hour is approaching and most of the ammunition is in there.”

Kurt laughed. “Dallas shoots blanks so he couldn’t care less if everyone else does, too.”

“Tell him that in front of Drina and see where it gets you,” Hales said, following Brandon outside.

Once there, Brandon reached around him and slammed the door. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Waiting on you?”

“You were coming on to Gemma.”

“So what if I was?”

“She belongs to the McDowells. They’ve made sure everyone in town knows she’s marked as their woman.”

“Then they should’ve put a collar on her neck and kept her close.”

“If you’re Scott McDowell, you probably don’t think about those things,” Brandon said. “She’s off-limits. Do you understand me?”

“Why? Because the godfather of moonshine wants everyone to think he has the sexiest babe in the mountains?” Hales snorted at that. “I’ll have her in my bed by tomorrow morning at nine if I decide I want her there and you and Scott McDowell can talk about it at your next community function.”

“I mean it, Hales,” Brandon said sternly. “We’ve had enough trouble around here. We don’t need the McDowells for enemies.”

“Who said I wanted them for enemies? Hell, for all you know we could be destined to be the best of friends.” He opened the sliding glass door and reentered the suite right as Dallas and Zak exited the bedroom. “’Bout time you guys finished up. We’ve got trouble brewing in case you didn’t know.”

Zak muttered some smartass remark. Dallas snickered and said, “Your loss, little brother.” Obviously he was talking about Drina. Hales locked gazes with Gemma who was standing across the room. “I don’t think so, big brother. Something tells me things have already worked themselves out like they’re supposed to.”

* * * *

Drina couldn’t believe she’d lost sight of what was most important. Either she’d been hungry for good loving or she’d bought into the fact that her father was behind this abduction and Nory wasn’t in any real danger. Whatever her reason for slipping into seductress mode, she didn’t regret it. She was the recipient of some illicit looks from across the room and she’d never felt sexier in her life.

She’d had time to think about the accusations made, too. Without a doubt her father had been behind the abduction. He had either hung the Blaziers out to dry and had worked a deal with the Feds or he was trying his hand at extortion now and if Drina wanted to make an all-or-nothing bet, her money was on the latter. Her father was a desperate man.

Kane and Peyton returned. Kane held up his phone and said, “It was Alberto.”

Zak and Dallas seemingly gravitated to her as if they thought she wouldn’t be able to handle the truth. Soon, they stood on either side of her. Dallas patted her hand. Zak slipped his arm around her waist.

“I’m sorry, girls,” Kane said, swapping glances with Peyton.