Chapter 3
“For Heaven’s sake.” Marlee frowned at her closet as she scolded herself. “You’re not going to a fashion show—it’s a date to a bar. Just pick something already.”
She flipped through her blouses, trying to find something to go with her new jeans. She needed something cute but not too cute, and long-sleeved due to the chilly weather, but not too heavy because she’d probably work up a sweat dancing. Colt had been a good dancer in high school, so no doubt he was even better now.
“This one.” She pulled out a royal blue shirt in a soft fabric with a sweetheart neckline. It met all her requirements and was as good as any. Besides, she happened to look great in it, according to Rae. She hadn’t worn it since last winter, and she doubted if anyone was keeping score.
She tossed the blouse on the bed with the jeans, bra, and panties she’d laid out. She’d lost track of time on her jog, trying too hard not to think about Colt, and now she had to rush to take her shower, dress, and throw on makeup before he arrived.
Her cell phone rang and she tried to tell where the sound was coming from. Where did she leave that thing? She hoped like crazy it wasn’t Colt calling to cancel.
It sounded like the ringing was coming from the floor. She got down on her hands and knees and found it under the bed. She looked at the screen and her stomach dropped.
Ben.
She sat back on her haunches, connected the call, and brought the phone to her ear. “Hi, Ben.”
“Hey, Marlee.” Ben sounded upbeat. “I just got back in town and heard there’s a live band at Mickey’s tonight. Are you up for it?”
She winced. I’m sorry, Ben. I’m already going with someone.”
A moment of silence. “Another man? I thought you and I had something.”
“We haven’t been exclusive.” She let her breath out. “We’ve just been on a few dates. I did plan to call and let you know, but I wasn’t sure when you’d be back in town.”
“Who are you going with?” Ben had a surly note to his voice.
“Does it matter?” She frowned. “Regardless, I think we need to see other people. I enjoy your company, but to be honest I haven’t felt like you and I had a relationship that was going anywhere.”
“Enjoy yourself.” The line went dead.
Marlee stared at the phone to see the blank screen. He’d hung up on her.
She let out a long breath. With that kind of attitude, thank goodness their relationship hadn’t gone any farther than it had. She did feel badly about him being hurt, but she’d needed to have this conversation. Better now than later.
She glanced at the time on her phone then scrambled to her feet. Crap. Colt would be here soon.
Marlee managed to get ready before the doorbell rang, except for her socks and shoes. Her long hair swung around her shoulders as she grabbed the socks she’d left on her bed, scooped up the boots she hadn’t worn in a couple of years, and hurried out of her bedroom and down the creaky wooden staircase.
She peeked out the peephole and saw Colt on her doorstep. A flutter went through her belly. She hadn’t had time to be nervous in her record-breaking rush to get ready.
Her throat worked as she swallowed. She arranged a smile on her face and opened the door.
And there he was. One hundred percent All-American Sexy Cowboy.
“Come on in.” She stepped back to let Colt through the doorway and held up her shoes. “Give me a minute to pull my boots on.”
“You look great, Marlee.” He gave her a grin that singed her from head to toe.
“Thanks.” She turned, hoping her face wasn’t red, and made her way to the couch on the cold floor so she could sit and put her socks and boots on.
As she tugged on a sock, she glanced at him. He rocked back on his boot heels with his thumbs in his pockets as he looked around her living room. “Nice place. It’s you.”
She pulled on her other sock. “I love this old house.”
“I can see why.” He turned his gaze back to her.
She focused on stuffing her feet in her boots, first one then the other, as she tried to ignore the way Colt made her feel.
Maybe this hadn’t been the best idea. She blew out a breath. Stop. It would be fun going out with Colt.
When she finished, she got up and grabbed her purse and slid out her credit card for emergency usage, her ID, and a twenty-dollar bill. She returned her purse to its spot and grabbed her key from the dish on the table by the door. She shoved everything in her right front pocket before taking her jacket off a hook near the door. He helped her slip it on.
She stepped back a little and smiled. “I’m ready to two-step.”
“Good thing.” Colt followed her out of the house. “I plan to wear you out tonight.”
“Don’t even try.” She laughed. “It’s been a while since I’ve worn these boots and I’m bound to get blisters if I overdo it. I never did really break them in since I rarely go dancing.”
“That’ll change.” He sounded so confident, like it was a foregone conclusion that they’d continue on from tonight.
Marlee wasn’t sure she liked that line of thinking. She preferred a confident man, and Colt was definitely that, but she didn’t like being taken for granted. With Colt, though, she didn’t think that would happen.
Ben blipped into her thoughts, and she held back a groan. She’d only gone on a few dates with him, but it would be awkward if he was at Mickey’s tonight.
Stars shown brightly, glittering in a clear sky, as she and Colt walked from her house to his truck. She paused and studied them. “One of the things I like about King Creek is the fact we can see the stars so clearly.”
Colt came to a stop beside her and tilted his head back before looking at her. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Cool air chilled her face while they continued through the front gate to his truck. He helped her into the vehicle before making his way to the driver’s side and climbing in. She adjusted her seat buckle as she watched him. The lights from the dashboard illuminated his strong features as he backed out of her driveway.
Colt had been the best-looking guy in their senior class, as far as she’d been concerned, and he was even more handsome now. A man like him was dangerous to a woman’s heart. She swallowed back fear of getting her heart broken all over again. She’d had her share of adult relationships, a couple of which had not ended well, but nothing like what she’d felt in high school when she split from Colt.
Just went to show how much more fragile a teenager’s heart was. Things were different now, a lot had changed, and she was much older.
But was she old enough to know better?
Colt glanced at her. “I can just imagine what’s going on in that pretty head of yours.”
She tipped her head. “And that would be?”
“You’re wondering if you should be here.” He glanced at her. “But you’re glad you are.”
Her face heated. “You do think a lot of yourself.”
He flashed her a grin. “Just sayin’ it like I see it.”
She couldn’t help a smile as she shook her head. “You haven’t changed much.”
He gave off an air of nonchalance. “Why change perfection?”
She laughed. “Okay, Mr. Perfect.”
He answered her laugh with a chuckle. “How’s your dancing?”
She shrugged. “It’s been a while. I don’t dance nearly as much as we did in high school.” She bit her lower lip, regretting the reference back to the days when they were a couple. “Just haven’t had much opportunity.”
“Now’s your chance.” Colt guided his truck into the parking lot of Mickey’s Bar and Grill, a popular hangout for cowboys and other locals.
“Hopefully I can keep up with you.” Marlee looked around the parking lot, but it was too dark to spot any familiar vehicles. “Bear and Rae are supposed to be here.”
“Carter and Kit, too.” Colt parked the truck next to another truck that was just as big as his.
“I haven’t seen those two since Bear and Rae’s wedding.”
“Carter and Kit got Mom to babysit the twins, which wasn’t hard,” Colt said. “Mom loves those kids.”
Marlee waited as Colt hopped out of the vehicle and made his way around the truck. She knew better than to get out on her own when it came to cowboys. They enjoyed treating women like ladies, and who was she to disappoint?
Colt opened the door and took her hand, helping her out into the cool night. He gripped her as she stepped onto the runner before the ground then escorted her in the direction of the bar. She did her best to ignore the flutters in her belly as they walked toward the long building crafted with barn-wood walls and a bare concrete floor.
“This place has been around for ages.” Marlee studied the older building as their boots crunched on gravel. “I can remember when Mickey opened it. My freshman year, I think.”
“Yep.” Colt’s hand seemed to rest a little more possessively on her back. “We had a lot of fun in high school on teen nights when we’d come to dance.”
Marlee tried to ignore the little shiver that ran through her at his touch. “I remember.” She glanced at him and met his gaze before looking away. She had to fight herself to not give in to Colt’s incredible charm.
He said, “Nice evening,” to a couple standing on the wide barn-wood porch as he escorted Marlee up the wooden stairs.
Marlee smiled as she recognized Luke and Marsha who lived down the street from her house and gave them a little wave. The pair responded in kind but didn’t waylay them.
Colt didn’t pause to talk with the couple, or the two men who walked through the door before he could take Marlee through the doorway.
Warm air flowed over her along with smells of onion rings, burgers, and beer as she and Colt stepped into the busy bar and grill. The huge bar that Rae used to tend took up the wall to the right, tables and booths to the left, and straight ahead were the pool and foosball tables, with a dart board on the far wall.
The band appeared to be on break, the corner stage empty save for the mic, amps, and drum set.
Colt took Marlee by the hand and she wondered at the comforting feeling of his grip as they threaded their way through the crowd. He took her toward a table where Bear and Rae sat. Bear got to his feet.
“Hey.” Rae stood, hugged Marlee, and talked above the laughter and conversation. Rae leaned close and spoke in Marlee’s ear. “I see you’re taking me seriously and giving Colt another chance.”
Heat flushed through Marlee’s body. “I suppose so.”
Rae drew back and grinned. “You two belong together.”
Marlee grew hotter. “I have avoided Colt since high school. So, why would you think that?”
Rae shrugged. “I’ve been around him a lot since Bear and I got together. I like him for you. He’s intelligent, he’s fun and has a great sense of humor, and you have to admit he’s sexy as hell.” She glanced at Bear before looking at Marlee again. “Almost as much as Bear.”
Marlee couldn’t help a grin as she drew back from her cousin. It was so easy to see Rae’s love for her husband and she in truth wanted something like it for herself. She glanced at Colt and a flutter went through her belly. Would she ever be able to think of Colt in the same way Rae felt for Bear?
Much too soon to even consider those thoughts. She mentally shook her head as she turned her attention back to Rae. “I’ll give you that he’s sexy.” Marlee gave little smile. “We’ll see if there’s more to the man than a hot body and great looks.”
“Hot body?” Colt’s voice startled Marlee, causing her to whirl around to face him, a sexy grin on his strong features. “I think I heard something about great looks, too.”
Marlee’s skin tingled. “Must be your imagination.” She glanced in Rae’s direction, hoping for a distraction, but Rae and Bear now had their heads together, talking.
Bear took his wife’s hand. “Rae needs some air,” he said to Marlee and Colt. “We’ll return in a bit.”
The band started to troop in from a back room to the stage as Bear and Rae eased through the crowd, toward the front entrance. Marlee returned her gaze to Colt. “Here comes the music.”
“I’ll help you out of your jacket.” He moved behind her and assisted her in removing it before he hung it on the back of a chair. Colt pulled out the chair. “How’s your appetite?”
She slipped into the seat he offered. “I could eat just about anything.”
“Good thing, ’cause I’m hungry enough to order everything on the menu.” Colt removed his own jacket, put it on the back of the remaining seat at the table, to her left and sat.
Marlee took the single-page laminated menu he handed her from the center of the table. She scanned the limited items Mickey’s had to offer. “I’ll have the ranch burger with green chilis. I’d like a pale ale, too” She slid the menu back in its place, between the salt and pepper shakers and the ketchup.
“Share a sampler platter with me?” he asked.
She grinned. “I’ll fight you for the jalape?o coins.”
“You’re on.” He slipped his menu in with the others. “Here comes Jane.”
Marlee looked in the direction Colt indicated and smiled at the server. “Hi, Jane.”
“Nice to see you both here.” Jane turned her smile from Marlee to Colt. “What will you two have?”
Colt gave their orders, including a domestic beer on tap. With a nod Jane headed off to turn in their request.
The band struck up a popular country tune and Marlee tapped her foot to the music.
Colt drew Marlee’s gaze with a question. “How long has it been since you two-stepped?”
She shook her head. “Long enough that I might have forgotten how.”
“You’ll do fine.” His smile warmed her belly. “You’ve always been a good dancer.”
“Just watch your toes.” She couldn’t help a smile. “And be there to catch me in case I trip over my own feet.”
“I’ll always be there to catch you.” The almost serious look in his gaze caused her to swallow, hard.
The thought of being in Colt’s arms set her off balance and she struggled to hold on to her composure.
He pushed back his seat and stood. He offered his hand to her. “Ready to strut your stuff?”
A grin tugged at the corners of her mouth as she took his hand. “You betcha.”
He escorted her to the dance floor, and they flowed into the crowd and two-stepped to the music. She was surprised at how easily it was to fall into the rhythm and move around the dance floor with Colt. The song ended and everyone came to a halt. Applause broke out in the bar.
“This is a great band.” Marlee leaned close to Colt so he could hear her as the musicians started up again. “The lead singer has a fantastic voice.”
Colt swept her into another dance. “I’ve seen them perform in Phoenix. They’re so good I’m surprised Mickey was able to get them to come to King Creek.”
She smiled. “Hey, King Creek is a happening place.”
“Especially tonight.” He held onto her as they moved around the floor. “You’ve still got it, sugar.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she said. A total understatement.
When the song ended, Colt leaned in, close. “You’re still the best dance partner I’ve ever had.”
She smiled. “You’re just flirting with me.”
“I’m serious.” He tucked strands of hair behind her ear. “And I’ve been flirting with you all night.”
“I noticed.” And she hadn’t minded at all.
A moment later, Marlee glimpsed a vaguely familiar woman staring at them with an intense, angry expression. Marlee’s skin prickled, and hair rose at her nape. The woman would have been beautiful with her thick red hair, creamy complexion, and perfect hourglass figure, if it weren’t for the ugly scowl on her face.
Colt drew Marlee close, blocking her view of the woman. She expelled a slow breath and pushed away the feelings. She wasn’t going to let some stranger’s glare color her time with Colt.
Yet was she a stranger? She had looked familiar… Marlee mentally shook her head and turned her attention fully on Colt.
A line dance started with the next song and Marlee tried to excuse herself from it. “I am not familiar with this one.”
Colt held onto her. “I’ll teach you.”
She relented and proceeded to do her best to keep up. By the end of the song, she’d caught on but was laughing hard.
“I see our food on the table.” She fanned her face. “I’ve definitely worked up an appetite.”
He took her hand. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
“I wouldn’t care if it was.” She let him guide her back to the table. “I’m so hungry.”
Marlee spotted Bear and Rae near the bar, talking with another couple.
Colt seated Marlee at the table before sliding into his own chair. They’d taken so long on the dance floor that not only had the appetizers been delivered, but their meals as well.
They dug in and shared the sampler platter and ate their burgers. She enjoyed the pale ale along with their dinner.
“Mickey’s makes the best bar food.” Marlee popped a breaded jalape?o coin into her mouth. She glanced at Colt to see him observing her intently. “Do I have something on my nose?”
“On your mouth.” Colt ran his thumb along her lower lip. “A few crumbs.” His feathery touch caused a shiver to travel over her skin.
Marlee reached for a napkin and dabbed it to her lips as she turned her face away from him. She wasn’t sure how she could handle being with this man all evening and not want more than just a kiss at the end of the night. When she glanced back at Colt, his sexy grin told her all she needed to know—the man wanted her and knew she wanted him.
She focused on her burger and bit into it. They had never gone farther than kissing and teenage groping in high school. He’d been a teenage boy, raging hormones included, but he’d been a gentleman even then. The fact that he’d messed around while dating her, hadn’t made sense, but she had never forgiven him. Until now.
The burger was quite good and just as messy. She made sure to wipe away any sauce that might have escaped, not wanting a repeat of what had just happened.
“How’s the editing business going?” He drew her attention back to him as he dabbed a breaded cheese stick in marinara sauce then took a bite and chewed.
She set the remaining half of her burger on the plate. “It hasn’t been too exciting lately. Just plugging away, trying to find great manuscripts in the slush pile.”
“What counts as exciting for an editor?” He popped the rest of the cheese stick into his mouth.
Her brows knitted as she considered his question. “Finding a treasure of a manuscript hiding away in stacks of submissions can be very exciting. A manuscript that shows the author’s talent for storytelling whether it’s a biography or memoir.”
Colt shook his head. “I’d rather be shoveling manure.”
Marlee couldn’t help a laugh. “I’d rather be editing than dealing with horse poop or cow patties.”
His grin broadened. “Horse poop?”
She gave a firm nod. “I don’t use bad language.”
“Sure you want to be around me?” He gave her a teasing look. “I’m not above saying horse?—”
She clapped her hand over his mouth, stopping him. “I know you better than that, Colt. You don’t use foul language around a lady.”
He chuckled as she lowered her hand from his mouth. She could still feel prickles from his stubble against her palm and the firmness of his lips.
She tried to think of a way out of the moment when she straightened in her seat. “This is one of my favorite songs. Let’s dance.”
“My pleasure.” He got to his feet then took her hand and helped her up.
This time she led the way to the dance floor while he held her hand securely. He took control the moment they reached the area that was crowded with dancers. He swept her into the maelstrom and her heart grew lighter. Laughter bubbled up inside her and escaped. Colt grinned every time she burst out laughing.
At the end of their third dance in a row, she was covered in perspiration and in need of cooling off. “Let’s get some air, Colt.”
“Hold on, beautiful.” He inclined his head toward the band as they struck up a slow tune. “This is our song.”
She rolled her eyes. “This song wasn’t even out when we were younger.”
“It’s our song now.” He drew her to him. “Dance with me.”
Her heartbeat grew more rapid, and it had nothing to do with the earlier exertion. She vaguely heard the words of the song…a cowboy telling his woman that he loved her above all else.
Colt pressed her close to him. She looped her arms around his neck, letting him guide her to the center of the floor as they swayed to the music. She tipped her head back and looked into his amber eyes that seemed to darken as he studied her.
He moved his lips close to her ear. “I’m glad you’re here, Marlee, with me.” He slid his fingers into her hair and cupped the back of her head. He drew back and studied her again. “I don’t want to lose you again.”
Words caught in her throat. She didn’t have any idea what to say.
He saved her from speaking by lowering his head and claiming a kiss.