Chapter 18

Taz was on time.

Scarlett, however, was not.

Which was annoying since she'd been up early enough to pamper herself with a face mask, hair mask, and even took the time to paint her nails a soft pink. Ryland had fed Hank for her, while she got her son's bag organized and once that was done, Scarlett bathed her boy and got him dressed for the day.

She'd tore through her closet and found a baby blue dress that fit her, mostly—the bodice was still a little snug—but it snatched her waist and fell to a few inches above her knee. She left her hair loose and took some time with her makeup, giving her eyes an extra coat of mascara to make them pop, and some gloss to make her lips shine.

She was feeling good. Desirable. And looking forward to spending the day with Taz and his girls. She'd come downstairs, plopped Hank on the floor in the living room, and with five minutes to spare, stood back and admired her sweet baby. His dark hair curled wildly, now long enough to touch his ears, his cheeks were rosy, his white T-shirt sported a bucking bronco, and she'd paired it with denim shorts and little baby crocs. He looked like an angel. Her angel. He smiled up at her and she peered closer, saw the beginnings of a tooth.

"You're growing too fast," she murmured, now knowing why he'd been drooling so much of late.

He cooed.

She smiled.

He blabbered his baby gibberish.

She laughed.

Then Hank got quiet. Serious. His face reddened; his brow furrowed in concentration.

By the time she realized what he was about to do it was too late. He clenched his little fists and less than thirty seconds later he'd completely destroyed his outfit. Hank looked more than a little satisfied with what he'd accomplished as he looked up at his mama, diaper overflowing and smelling the complete opposite of fresh.

"Oh, my little man," she scooped him off of the floor, and nope, the area rug was also destroyed. "Why?" Scarlett was holding Hank in the air when Taz walked in, Ryland having opened the door at his knock.

Taz stopped short. "Impressive. He's got some power down there." That slow smile that only he owned, spread across his face. Even now with the current situation she found herself in, Taz's smile was her focus. The pull was that strong.

"Dude, that's disgusting," Ryland looked at his nephew. "Have fun with that." The door slammed behind him, leaving her and Taz alone with a baby who smelled like rotten potatoes.

Taz pointed to her son. "Get him cleaned up and I'll take care of that." That, being the area rug.

"I'm so sorry, are you sure?"

"Darlin', you forget I've got two of them." He winked. "I'm sure."

By the time Scarlett got Hank cleaned up and dressed in a new outfit, it was eleven thirty. Taz was sitting outside on the porch with both girls on his lap. They were interested in the small paddock across the lane, and the horses milling inside. Cameron's head was on Taz's chest, while Ryan pointed toward the paddock, asking questions about the paint kicking up his heels. Scarlett watched the three of them, and something warm bloomed in her chest at the sight of this big, handsome man, and the two little girls who had his heart.

He glanced up suddenly, and her stomach erupted, filled with a thousand butterflies.

"I'm ready." Shit. Did she have to sound like a lovestruck teenager?

The girls squealed and hopped off of Taz's lap, while he took his time, that slow wicked grin doing nothing to alleviate the mess inside her stomach.

"We like your princess dress," Cameron said, with a shy smile.

"You should wear a tiara," Ryan added. "Do you have a tiara?"

"I don't."

Ryan looked very serious. "You can borrow one of mine next time. I have four."

Taz reached for Hank. "I've got his car seat secure in the truck. Let me get Hank and the girls settled while you grab your bag and anything else you might need."

Hank didn't fuss. It could have been because he was interested in his toy horse, or maybe he just liked Taz. Whatever it was, she handed over her son with no issue, and Taz's fingers lingered along her arm, spreading a delicious tingle that rushed across her skin. It was a whisper of a touch, but her reaction had Scarlett thinking about later. About after the rodeo. About how she was going to navigate getting some more of Taz while three kids were in the picture.

She ran inside to grab Hank's diaper bag, and a small purse that held her cell and lip gloss. Taz was waiting by his truck, and dropped a kiss to her mouth before opening the door for her.

"Such a gentleman," she murmured, grabbing for her seatbelt.

"For now." His voice was low, and she smiled. "Wait until I get you alone."

"You do that well," Scarlet said, settling back in her seat.

"What's that?" His hand was on the door.

"The flirting thing."

He held onto the door for a few more seconds. "It's easy with you."

The ride to town took about half an hour. The radio was on low, while she and Taz talked about the merits of the Bourne movies, Thai food, and her insatiable knowledge of all things Star Wars. Hank giggled most of the way, clearly enjoying the antics of the twins, and by the time they reached the rodeo, he was tuckered out.

She got him settled in his stroller, and he was asleep by the time they paid their entrance fee and walked inside the grounds. Vendors were set up selling food and merchandise and they wandered a bit, the girls each holding one of Taz's hands, skipping along to a song only they knew, while Scarlett walked beside them with Hank.

Taz stopped to buy the girls each a snow cone, and he'd just paid when a man walked up to Taz and grabbed him in a bearhug. Decked out in a blue plaid button-up, jeans, chaps, and cowboy boots, he wasn't a local.

Scarlett watched, amused, when the men broke apart and the newcomer turned to her. He was a handsome devil, with a square jaw, a smile that didn't quit, and the kind of charisma a rockstar would be envious of. His hair was on the long side—hung past his shoulders—and his green eyes twinkled when he touched the brim of his hat.

"Howdy," he said in a slow drawl.

"Not gonna happen." Taz shook his head. "Off limits."

Surprise lit up his features. "Huh," he said with a wink. "In that case, nice to meet you. I'm Mason."

"This is Scarlett, and her little guy, Hank," Taz said before she could answer. "And these are my girls, Cameron and Ryan."

Ryan cranked her head to get a better look. "Are you a real cowboy like Daddy?"

Mason chuckled and knelt down. "I sure am. Except I ride broncos, not bulls."

"I want to ride broncos when I grow up," Cameron added, digging into her snow cone.

"Princesses can't ride broncos, silly," Ryan chided.

"I can do whatever I want, right Daddy?"

"You sure can," he replied.

Mason straightened. "This is a good look for you, Pullman." He turned to Scarlett. "Hopefully we can find time for a drink later. I'd like to get to know the woman who managed to get Taz here to rethink his life goal of staying single and…" He caught himself in time, aware the girls were waiting on his every word. "Well, that's for adult ears only."

"I don't think Scarlett needs to hear your bull. You riding today?" Taz asked.

"After the barrel racing." He backed away, a devilish smile on his face. "Nice running into you. We'll have a drink later?"

"Not sure I'll be around later, but if I am, I'll shoot you a text."

"See?" Mason chuckled. "Gelded."

"An old friend?" Scarlett asked as he walked away.

"We go way back. I haven't seen Mason in over a year when I ran into him back in Texas."

Scarlett would have liked to know more, but they found seats, and she rummaged through her bag for the ear protectors she'd packed for Hank, and once they were in place, settled back to enjoy the show.

"Do you want anything?" Taz leaned close, his hand on her knee. In that moment there wasn't anything she wanted or needed. Everything was perfect.

She shook her head, unable to answer.

"If I didn't tell you already, you look beautiful," he whispered, before straightening up and explaining to the girls how barrel racing worked.

The event had just started when Scarlett's phone pinged. It was Lacey. The message was short and to the point.

I need details. I'm at the hotdog tent. Come now.

She smiled to herself and considered her answer.

"Everything okay?" Taz asked lightly.

"Yes. Can you watch Hank for a few minutes? I need to?—"

"It's okay darlin'. Go meet your girlfriend." He leaned closer. "Don't give away all my secrets."

Face as pink as ever, she got to her feet, aware she and Taz had drawn the interest of some locals, mainly Mary Margaret Christchurch and her pals. They didn't bother to look away or hide their whispers as she walked by.

Once clear of the stands, she spied Lacey and headed her way.

"You got enough onions on that hotdog?" Scarlett asked.

"I don't know. It's so big." Lacey winked and held it up. "I was wondering about the size more than anything. It's a footlong. Do you like footlongs? Have you seen a footlong lately?"

"Oh my God, Lace. Stop."

Lacey took a big bite, eyes bright as she chewed. Once she swallowed. "I'm sorry, it's all I've been thinking about." She nodded toward a picnic table. "I'm dying here. You were very vague when I texted you yesterday." They sat down and Lacey took a sip from her soda. "I don't have a lot of time because Johnny and Punk will be back any minute. Did you guys do the deed?"

"We're getting right to it then?"

"Damn straight. Did you?" Lacey swiped at some mustard in the corner of her mouth.

"You tell me," she replied coyly, though it was hard to keep from smiling.

"I think that you're looking at my hotdog and it's bringing back memories."

"Stop." Scarlett reached for it and took a bite.

"Was it good?"

"What do you think?" She was blushing, no way around it.

"I think it was more than good." Lacey leaned back; eyes narrowed. "I think that it was so good you had to do it more than once just to see if Taz Pullman is an anomaly."

"You'd be right."

"And I'm thinking he's not just an anomaly."

"Wow, you're shooting three for three."

Lacey giggled. "I love it. And you guys are here today. Together."

"Yes."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know," Scarlett admitted. "This feels good. Better than good. I don't think I have a word to describe it. I've never felt this way before," she confessed. "And he's so wonderful with Hank. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. From what I've heard he was giving Mike Paul a run for his money when it comes to the ladies. I might be the flavor of the month."

"Firstly," Lacey's mouth was full, so Scarlett had to listen closely. "No one can give Mike Paul a run when it comes to the trail of broken hearts he's responsible for." Her brow furrowed. "Though I think something's up there. I heard he's been laying low." She continued to chew. "That's another story, where was I?"

Scarlett opened her mouth to reply, but Lacey continued.

"Taz Pullman is no angel, that's true. But he's always been upfront with the women he's been with. That's what Johnny says anyway. He's still pals with most of them. And I know for a fact that he's never brought a woman with him to an event. Ever." She winked. "I think you guys are a thing."

"A thing?"

"A couple. Shit." Lacey jumped to her feet. "There's Johnny and Punk. I don't want him to see me with this hotdog. I've already had one and if he sees me scarfing down another one, especially with all the onions he'll know that?—"

Scarlett stood up. "Know what?" Lacey's skin was flush, her face somehow fuller. "Are you pregnant?"

Lacey glanced over her shoulder toward her husband and son, then turned back to Scarlett, eyes misty as she slowly nodded. "I haven't told a soul. Not even my mother. It's so early and I've had issues in the past."

"I won't say a word," Scarlett whispered, grabbing the hotdog from her hand as Johnny and Punk came over. She kissed her friend on the cheek. "I should go," she said. "I'll call you later."

"Not if I call you first," Lacey quipped. "And Scarlett? That was a footlong, right?"

"You're terrible." Scarlett left her friend and headed back to the barrel racing. Her mood was light and, in that moment, her world was perfect. In fact, her entire afternoon was perfect. If she were in a Disney movie, there would be birds chirping, squirrels dancing, and magic in the air. And later, after the five of them had an amazing dinner at a local steakhouse, then a walk along the main street where they enjoyed ice cream, Taz drove her home.

The kids were asleep, tuckered out from a full day of activities. He grabbed Hank, and followed her into a quiet house, and then upstairs to her bedroom, where he placed the sleeping child in his crib.

When he looked at Scarlett her mouth went dry, his need and desire clear. "I should go," he said slowly, voice thick and rough.

She led the way back downstairs and didn't stop until she was on the porch, the air cool against her heated skin. Taz was at her side, staring out into the night, his truck a few feet away with his slumbering children. Several hundred feet away, she spied Dallas in the paddock, speaking low to a large stallion.

It was still. Quiet. There was no room to hide, and that was okay, because Scarlett needed to say some things.

"It's been a long time since I've felt like this." She glanced away, a knot forming in her throat. "Like everything is in place. Like I deserve to be happy. I want to thank you for today."

Taz gave her some room and when she was able to continue her voice was soft.

"I used to barrel race. I loved it. Mom would watch and give me pointers and we had the best time. It was our time. And when she died a lot of things changed. I was young. Not even ten and I went from being the life of the party to hiding in the corner. Vivian was the one who acted out. She was at the heart of every storm our family had. She dealt with it all so differently. I didn't understand it then and I'm not sure that I do now. But I found that if I made myself small, I could disappear and then I didn't have to talk about it. Or think about it. Mom dying. Dad and his drinking. It's partly why I moved to New York. I needed to be somewhere else in order to be half of who I was."

"And now?" he prompted.

She looked at him. With the light fading and the shadows that crept over his face he looked mysterious. Handsome. Dangerous.

"Now I feel like I'm living again."

Something shifted in his eyes, and she found herself lost in them. It was a telling moment. A door was either going to open fully, or swing shut.

"What is this, Taz? What are we doing?" she asked softly, almost afraid to hear his answer. Would it be what she wanted to hear?

He dropped a kiss to her mouth, and lingered, his tongue diving in for a taste. As the kiss deepened, she leaned into him, needing his warmth, and feeling his need.

He tore away with a groan and kissed the top of her head, as he pulled her against him. "You make me lose my mind."

"Sorry," she said with a small smile.

"Don't be." Gently he lifted her chin and the expression in his eyes set her blood on fire. "In answer to your question. We're together." His thumb touched the corner of her mouth and his voice deepened. "Exclusively."

She liked that answer but cocked her head playfully. "So, if your buddy Mason asked me out on a date I should?—"

"I don't share."

She liked his answer. "And if Angel Simms wanted you?" Okay, that came from out of nowhere and Scarlett was glad it was dark—he couldn't see her heated cheeks.

"Not that Angel is interested, but if she were, I'm not." He slid his hand up the side of her neck and bent toward her. "You're the only woman I want."

Scarlet moved so that she could see his face and reached up for one last goodbye kiss—a kiss that made her toes curl. She was breathless when she finally moved out of his arms. "Okay," she managed to say. "Let's try this couple thing."