Emily's Cowboy (17 page)

Authors: Donna Gallagher

Under the weight of that stare, Pippa felt she would just melt. She imagined herself as a piece of satin material sliding from the stool and pooling on the floor at his feet.

Finally, with every ounce of concentration possible and her tongue feeling as if it was stuck to the top of her mouth, she managed to squeak out a single word. “Yes.”

“Okay, then, that’s great. I’ll be right back with the bubbly, and princess, don’t you dare go anywhere.” Rook touched his finger ever so lightly to Pippa’s chin before he turned and backtracked to the bar, leaving her shaking in response to his touch.

“Oh…
Lordy
! I think I’m going to die. My body is on fire and all he did was touch my chin. What am I going to do, Cass? Do you think he knows who I am?” Pippa whispered anxiously.

“Pip, I don’t reckon he recognises you. Why should he? You look so different now to when he last saw you. But, my girl, he certainly is interested. That’s as plain as the nose on his gorgeous face. I’m feeling a bit like the ugly stepsister, here,” Cassie joked, trying to lighten her friend’s mood.

She continued, “Pip, go for it. Finally get Rookie out of your system once and for all. Don’t even tell him who you are, just enjoy tonight for what it is—your fantasy. Then maybe you can move on and find a nice, rich man to make you happy! I’ll stick around for a glass and then make up some excuse. Wake me as soon as you get home. I want all the down-and-dirty details, girl.” Cassie winked at Pip just before Rook returned to their table, with a bottle in an ice bucket and three fluted glasses.

The loud
pop
as Rook effortlessly uncorked the bottle made Pippa jump, even though she had been expecting the sound. Rook expertly filled the three elegant glasses.

Rook handed the first flute to Cassie. He picked up the second and held it out to Pippa. As she lifted her hand to take the offered glass, he took it in his free hand. After brushing his lips over her palm he formally introduced himself.

“Hi, I’m Rook. What’s your name, princess?”

Pippa froze. What should she say? Trying to stifle the sudden rise of hysteria overtaking her and knowing she had to think fast, she blurted out the first name that came into her head.

“Nice to meet you, Rook. My name is Cassandra,” she said, ignoring the sputtering sound of her friend choking on a mouthful of champagne at hearing her own name coming from Pippa’s mouth.

Finding her hidden seductress, even if it was for the first time, Pippa leaned towards Rook and, using the hand he still held, pulled him closer to her.

“Rook? That’s a very unusual name. I don’t think I’ve heard that before,” she purred, taking the flute of champagne from him and sampling a small sip.

Pippa watched the movement in Rook’s thick neck as he swallowed, mesmerised. She noticed his eyes glaze over, his tongue twitch over his lips.
Has it got incredibly hot in here or what?
she thought as the sound of her friend’s voice broke into her reverie.

“Umm, guys? Hate to interrupt, but
Cassandra
, I have to leave,” Cassie said.

Pippa had to stop herself from giggling, pleased at the sight of Rook’s face filling with disappointment—he was probably thinking she would leave as well. He’d snapped his neck around so quickly in response to Cassie’s comments that his head could have fallen off.

“It’s okay. Rook, wasn’t it? I’m sure you’ll keep my friend here good company and send her home at midnight, before she turns into a pumpkin.” Cassie grinned at Rook, winking as she made reference to his earlier ‘princess’ comment.

Rook, looking decidedly more comfortable with the new arrangement, went to great lengths to assure the real Cassie that he would indeed protect her friend with his life, ending with one of his best trademark heart-breaking smiles. The wattage of that smile had been known to send women swooning, as Pippa knew only too well.

Watching as the real Cassie grabbed her bag and walked away, Pippa couldn’t help but wonder what she had just got herself into.

Looking for some Dutch
courage to get her through the night ahead, Pippa up-ended her champagne glass and swallowed the bubbly liquid down in one gulp. Her mouth was so dry from nerves that the fluid hardly touched the sides. Trying to act calmer than she felt, the tornado whirling around in her stomach making it hard to breathe, Pippa—or was that Cassandra?—leaned in even closer to Rook and repeated her question about his unusual name. All the while, she searched his eyes for any sign that he recognised her as the coach’s daughter who had all but undressed herself in front of him five years ago, only to be rejected and humiliated in return.

She pushed the moral dilemma of her contractual obligations to not get intimate with her co-workers firmly pushed to the back of her mind. Having decided to continue with the charade and see what happened, for better or for worse, Pippa was now determined to give herself this night and be damned with the consequences. All she had to do was make sure she didn’t say or do anything that might clue Rook in to the fact that she was the girl from so long ago who used to follow him around making goo-goo eyes at him. “No problem!” she whispered into her empty glass.

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About the Author

Sydney-born Donna Gallagher decided at an early age that life needed be tackled head on. Leaving home at fifteen, she supported herself through her teen years. In her twenties she married a professional sportsman, her love of sport—especially rugby league—probably overriding her good sense.

The seven-year marriage was an adventure. There were the emotional ups and downs of having a husband with a public profile in a sometimes glamorous but always high-pressure field. There were always interesting characters to meet and observe, and even the opportunity to live for a time in the UK. Eventually Donna returned home a single woman, but she never lost her passion for watching sport, as well as the people in and around it.

Now happily re-married and with three sons, Donna loves coffee mornings with her female friends, sorting through problems from the personal to the international. But she’s on even footing with the keenest man when it comes to watching and talking rugby league.

Donna considers herself something of a black sheep in a family of high achievers. Her brother has a doctorate in mathematics and her sister is a well-known Australian sports journalist. An avid reader, especially of romance, Donna finally found she couldn’t stop the characters residing in her imagination from spilling onto paper. Naturally, rugby league is the backdrop to her spicy tales of hunky heroes and spunky heroines overcoming adversity to eventually find true love.

Email:
[email protected]

Donna loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at
http://www.total-e-bound.com
.

Also by Donna Gallagher

League of Love: Caitlin’s Hero

League of Love: Mandy’s He-Man

League of Love: Laura’s Light

League of Love: Pippa’s Fantasy

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