Hitching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 1)

“So how’d you end up at a strip club?” I ask. “The real story.” I meet his baby blues again, intrigued as hell about who this man is. He’s dangerous in all the right ways. My hormones are in overdrive, and I try to snap out of it but can’t. The attraction is too strong, and by how he’s looking at me, I think the feeling is mutual.

“I dared him to sign up for the amateur contest,” he tells me with a smirk, then shrugs.

“Why wouldn’t he just refuse to do it?”

“Because he’s too proud.” Laughter escapes Riley, and it makes me smile. The man’s as genuine as they come, but I have a feeling there’s more to this story than he’s letting on.

“And I thought you were a nice guy. Sounds like you’re evil and played with his pride.”

“Hey! My mama didn’t raise no devil.” He shoots me a wink, and it causes me to blush, which he seems to enjoy.

“That’s too bad because I’m no angel,” I quip, causing him to stiffen and nearly choke on his food. I grin, amused I can affect him just as easily. Flirting with Riley is fun, though I’m not immune to him or his Southern charm.

“So where are you girls from?” Diesel asks.

“We’re from Phoenix,” Summer tells him.

“And where do you live?” I ask.

“Texas. Before you even say it, I know Imma walking, talking cliché.”

This causes me to snort. “Just a little. I think it’s mainly the hat.”

Taking it off, he sets it on the table, revealing disheveled sandy brown hair, and I want to run my fingers through it. Dark facial hair grows along his jaw and chin, and I love how rugged it makes him look. His blue eyes sparkle, and I can’t help but notice how his long eyelashes naturally curl up. Damn, he’s the whole package. I’m at a loss for words as I look at him, admiring some of his best features. All this time, he’s been hiding them under a gigantic cowboy hat. Heat rushes through my body, and I somehow force my attention away because I’m gawking.

My heart pounds rapidly in my chest, and I try to calm down so he doesn’t notice.

“So what’re you ladies up to today? Maybe we’ll see you around?” Diesel randomly throws a wink to my sister’s friends.

“Walking around and shopping, but later, we’re going on a club bus tour,” Chelsea tells him, leaning in close. She’s ready to crawl in his lap.

“Is that right?” Diesel slaps his leg. “Riley and I are going on one too. Which one did y’all book?”

Summer chuckles. “It’s the one from the Sin City tour agency. It leaves at nine in front of the hotel.”

“Yeah, that’s the same one we booked too. What a coincidence!” It’s obvious Diesel’s full of shit, but no one calls him out on it, which I’m okay with because I want to spend more time with Riley.

I lean forward and grin. “Wow, that’s very coincidental.”

“It really is, isn’t it?” Riley smirks.

Avery, Chelsea, Naomi, and Julia are completely smitten by Diesel, and I have to hold back my laughter at how they’re acting. Diesel doesn’t seem to mind, though. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s actually enjoying them undressing him with their eyes. Though we all got a good look at what he had to offer last night when he took off his clothes.

“What do you like to do for fun?” Riley asks as I finish my food.

“Anything, really. I go with the flow, and I like being spontaneous. If it’s not a planned adventure, even better. Love hiking and going on road trips too.” After wiping my mouth with my napkin, I push my plate away.

“Spontaneous? I like that.” The gruff in his voice has my entire body melting.

“What about you?” I turn my body toward him, giving him my full attention.

“I like horseback riding and camping, but I work a lot. We make the best with what we’ve got out in the middle of nowhere Texas, so we gotta create our own fun most of the time. Lots of pranks and dares and drinking,” he admits, glancing at Diesel. “And keeping this one out of trouble and away from my little sister has become a part-time job.”

I find myself smiling as he talks. I could listen to him chat about whatever he wants with that sexy Southern bedroom voice. “It actually sounds like fun.”

“It can be, but there are some things that suck about being far away from a big city. The closest Walmart is hours away. Amazon is your best friend if you don’t want to drive, and patience is key. McDonald’s breakfast? Forget about it. Late-night craving for Taco Bell? Better learn how to cook. But I love it and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Texas is home,” he tells me matter-of-factly.