“Zach,” she said sweetly, “maybe we could discuss this further over a drink, or even dinner. I’m famished, and it would be fun to catch up, don’t you think?”
“That sounds like a plan,” Chad agreed. “Let’s go for some chow. There’s a great steakhouse about a mile from here.”
“The lady asked me,” Zach said, “and I’ll take her to dinner. Alone.”
“They can come too,” Dusty said. “I’d love for us all to chat. It’d be fun.”
Zach’s eyes raked over her. “Now why would I want to share a pretty little thing like you with these two clowns?”
Dusty’s cheeks heated. She couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Okay, okay, bro.” Chad said, backing away. “What say we go for a few beers and some chili cheese fries, Sam?”
“Uh, sure, but Dusty—”
“I’ll be fine, Sam. I’ll see you later at the hotel.”
Her brother and his old best friend trotted off together, as if seventeen years hadn’t passed.
Breathing deeply, she gathered her courage, turned to Zach, and looped her arm through his. “Shall we?”
* * *
While Dusty talked on and on about her experience handling bulls, Zach sipped his Wild Turkey and watched her. Damn, the little ragamuffin had turned into a beautiful woman. He tried to listen, really he did, but his mind kept wandering to the image of her naked on top of him. Her reddish-gold hair—his mama used to call it strawberry blond—was braided and hung to her waist in a long plait. Those big chocolate brown eyes. He could lose himself in them. Her cherry-red lips were full and sumptuous, and she had a tiny spray of freckles across her cute little nose. And her body…curves in all the right places. She filled out her stretch denim shirt, which was unbuttoned just enough to show a little cleavage. Did she have any idea how crazy she was driving him? He’d bet his life those breasts were as succulent as two juicy peaches.
“So what do you think?” he heard her ask.
“About what?”
“About what we’ve been talking about!” Dusty let out an audible breath. “Haven’t you been listening, Zach?”
No, I’ve been thinking about how you’d look naked. “Of course I have. But I’m still not gonna let you ride Diablo.”
“Come on. Please?”
Oh, those big brown eyes got to him. But—
“No.” At her crestfallen gaze, he added, “It’s for your own good, darlin’. That stud damn near killed Chad last year, and he’s one of the best riders around.”
“He said you’re the best.”
“I am. But he’s a close second.”
“How long have you stayed on him?”
“About three seconds.”
“A couple years back one of our neighbors had a nasty one. Fireball was his name. I was able to tame him a little. I rode him for twelve seconds, Zach.”
“But was he Diablo’s size?”
“Well, no, but—”
“No buts, Dusty. You can’t ride the bull.”
“How about if I just get to know him a little.”
“What do you mean?”