3. Anything Goes

CHAPTER 3

ANYTHING GOES

KALLIE

I love these girls. All of my college friends from Montana State University still live locally and meet us at the tavern. It's like a mini-college reunion, so great to get caught up with them.

We'd graduated a few years ago, and all but one of us is still single, although a few have serious boyfriends. I'd have been next had I gone through with marrying Jeremy.

I'll miss Montana when I leave tomorrow. My mom grew up around here, having met my dad through family friends at some rancher convention long ago. So despite our home being on one of the biggest ranches near Austin, Texas, Mom's family ties often led to us visiting here. It was only natural that I got my business degree from MSU, and it got me away from Mom and Dad, giving me the space to be out from under their thumbs for four years, at least.

Later, with a couple of drinks in us, we all loosen up and get on the dance floor to a popular country tune, falling into a line dance. Around here, men like to lead a lady on the dance floor, so glares come our way each time we impose upon the space, spreading out to do our single moves. We tease the cowboys watching our wiggling hips, while not requiring their dancing services one bit.

One dude brazenly rakes me over—ugh, one with a tooth missing in front, tall and lanky, wearing a sleeveless flannel. The rodeo brings all kinds of strangers to town. No thanks.

There's only one I wouldn't mind wrapping his arms around me for the night—if I dared let anyone bust down my ten foot tall brick wall against all men for a moment. I spot Big D leaning against the bar drinking a beer with two other men, all of them studs, so gorgeous compared to the other rough cowboys. They are almost other-worldly, like they have one foot in another realm and one foot here. Big D might be a cowboy, but one look at him and you can tell there's more to him than this rugged Montana life.

He must have showered and changed after the rodeo. With a fresh plaid shirt, open to a muscle t-shirt underneath that hugs his pecs, and arms folded up to his elbows, he's mighty fine. He hasn't spotted me yet, unless he's doing a great job pretending. I could change all of that by simply strutting by, only to hear what might come out of his mouth next. Could be fun. But I don't. The song ends, and I head back to our table and grab up my drink.

"My, my. Did you see who's here?" Dixie glues herself to my hip, leaning in. I know she's talking about Big D. I'm about to tell her to drop it, to remind her of my self-imposed dry spell for the summer, all designed to rid my body of a reliance upon any man.

What Jeremy did to me… It'd be a long time before I could forgive. Even longer before forgetting. But she has insisted all summer, forgetting would be a helluva lot easier getting under another man. I just don't have the energy to give to a one-night stand. I don't think.

I sneak another glance over her shoulder at Big D, giving it pause. But there's a whoosh of air on my other side, and my skin crawls before I even turn my head to see who's standing there. The toothless guy.

"Hey. You're lookin' mighty fine tonight, queen. Why don't you let me spin you properly around the dance floor?" He sways and his laughter sends a blast of alcohol infused breath into my face, the kind laced with bad breath to begin with. I shudder and wince, turning away.

Dixie can't save me, as she's busy talking with one of her guys, one of a few she dates, all of them knowing they could never lock down a free spirit like hers.

The idiot behind me grabs my arm, bringing my attention back to him. "What ya say we show your friends how to really dance?"

"No, thanks." I yank away, making off for the bathroom, my only refuge. But he catches up to me, twirling me around by the waist.

"Don't rush off now. Our night's just gettin' started."

"Oh, no it is not." I quickly knee him, although I miss my intended spot in the center of his groin, hitting his boney thigh instead. It's enough for him to let go of me so I can get away.

Ahead of me is Big D, with his blue eyes fixated on me. He sees me now. He elbows and murmurs something to his buddy beside him, then points at me, like he can't believe his eyes as I draw nearer.

Toothless rushes up behind me, so close I can smell his breath once again.

I launch myself at Big D, wrapping my arms around his neck, and I purr. "There you are, sugar. I've been waiting all night for you."

My lips engage softly with his, lingering there, hoping to deceive Toothless enough that he'd give up the chase. Only Big D must know a good thing when he has it in his arms, because he wastes no time picking me straight up. He slices through my lips with his tongue, a tangle of cinnamon heating my taste buds. His body is cozy warm, solid like a tree. He stands here as if he's been plucked right from one of my hottest fantasies. His lips devour, taking without asking, demanding more, knowing my answer by the traitorous mewls escaping my throat.

The pool of wetness gathers in my panties, shocking me. How many days, months—fuck, years—has it been since I've been this wet for a man? Not even Jeremy has ever produced this kind of instant attraction, instant lust from my body.

I cling to Big D like he's my wild bull. Have I hung on tight for eight seconds? I deserve my own belt buckle as a reward. When I finally pull my lips away, I want more. His eyes, blue and bold, gaze right into the heart of me.

But… But…

My mind scrambles trying to recall why I don't want a man right now.

Oh, yeah. Because of my ex.

I find my voice again. "Is the jerk behind me in the sleeveless shirt with the gap tooth grin gone now?"

Big D doesn't answer, still staring right into me. His lips remain puckered in kissing position like I froze him in time.

One of his buddies speaks for him, though. "Yes ma'am. He saw you kissing my friend here, Big D, and left."

I arch a brow and lick my lips. "Big D? There's that name again. You can put me down now. Thanks for letting me borrow your lips. They came in handy."

His hold on me loosens, and I slowly slide down the front of him. He groans as I pass over the stiff rod in his pants—hard to ignore when my body skims it. Even harder to ignore when it is, in fact, rather sizable.

Finding solid ground under my boots, and trying to pretend he hasn't shaken me to my core, I wink and sashay away, right into Dixie's giggling hug.

"How fucking hot was that?" She exclaims.

One of her friends pulls my sash out of my bag and puts it over my head, calling me the Queen of Hearts and Hard-ons. Another puts a fresh bottle of beer in my hand. They all yip and holler as a new song kicks up from the DJ.

Yes. One more night to celebrate being young and free. Monday would arrive soon enough. My deadline to be an adult again.

We stay on the dance floor, stomping through another tune. Only my eyes can't help but catch Big D's every time I turn his way.

Dixie crowds me, dancing up behind me, and speaking just loud enough for me to hear. "He's got it bad for you. Go for him tonight, sweetie. You need this." She pushes me forward so I can't ignore the large man making his way toward me.

Like my body is drawn back into his arms, he doesn't even have to ask for me to dance with him. We just do and connect. Our eyes lock, our bodies melt together, and I hardly even hear the music while swaying in his arms. There's something about him. We've said only a few dozen words to each other, but I feel closer to him than I did after a few years with Jeremy.

By the time the song ends, he leans down, nuzzling my neck, sending a thrill down my spine. His hot breath and words land in my ear. "Want to get out of here, cowgirl?"

A cowgirl is all I've ever wanted to be. How did he know? Running Dad's ranch was my dream, until he hired a new man for the job, and demanded I work in his sports entertainment business instead.

"Where to?" I ask. I break from Big D's gaze with a quick glance over to Dixie. She holds up her thumbs, smiling and winking. I interpret that as, You better claim this cowboy now or I'll never forgive you. Or maybe it's finally making sense, what she's been saying all along, that a handsome cowboy like him can force me to forget Jeremy.

"Ah, shit." He chews his cheek. "My buddy drove us here and we're bunking in cabins out on the Double Barr ranch. Not exactly private accommodations. How about you? Do you live nearby?"

I'm not usually a one-night stand type of gal, but right now, anything goes. Dixie shares a room with her college roommate tonight, leaving me with my own room, which suits me fine. I planned on a soak in the clawfoot tub later, but plans change.

"I have a hotel room up on the top floor." I nod, resolute with my decision. Because I'm a grown woman and I'll take this bad boy to my bed for some fun.

His sly, cocky grin twists my insides all up. "Then I guess you'll be my darlin' tonight after all."

"Shut up, cowboy." I laugh, and take his hand.

"Lead the way, darlin'. I'm all yours. " His deep voice awakens every place that had been lulled to sleep by Jeremy. I parade him through the bar as if claiming the best prize of the night, ignoring the glares of jealousy from other women tracking us as we pass.

I feel like a new woman in control of my destiny. After all, walking in Monday to Dad's office, taking over the marketing department for his hockey team, and having to face both him and Jeremy would be so much better knowing I'd been good and fucked all night by Big D—who I desperately hope possesses a really big dick and knows how to use it. Yes, that'd be the exact confidence boost I'd need to face what's coming Monday.