Playing for Keeps (Honky Tonk Angels Book 5) (8 page)

And one day they’d tell stories and laugh about their adventure. They’d remember the people they met and giggle about the hot guys they left behind. Roxie couldn’t let herself believe any other way.

Dini came out of the bathroom and climbed on the bed next to Roxie. “I know you’re eager to leave, Rox, but you might as well have some fun while you’re here.”

“Are you having fun?” Roxie asked.

Dini smiled and stretched. “Did I tell you that I’ve kind of been seeing someone?”

“No, you definitely have omitted that, so give. Who is it?”

“His name is Jasper Weathers and he’s in the oil business. Actually, his family is partners in that Cotton Creek Energy Company everyone talks about that bought up all the mineral rights and started the big oil boom.”

“And did he also start a Dini boom?”

“Oh girl, I’m here to tell you that he’s got some major moves. Hot doesn’t even come close to describing it.”

All at once, the atmosphere lightened. Crowding together in the small bed, they snuggled under the warm blanket as Dini began her tale. And for the moment, everything was fine in Roxie’s world.

Chapter Six

Hannah was leaving the bank when she saw Pressley headed her way. Instead of crossing the street to her car, she waited on the sidewalk.

“Hey.” Pressley smiled and greeted her. “I was just thinking about you.”

“Oh?”

Pressley held up a folder. “You know how we were talking the other night? About how nice it would be to have our own place?”

“Yes, I do and yes, it would.”

“Well, Mr. Ross put this together for Cooper when he was looking for a place, and Cooper let me borrow it. I’m not in a position to buy but there are two really nice places for rent and I was thinking, why don’t we do it together?”

“Rent a house?” That surprised Hannah.

“Yeah, why not? I want my own space, but I’m not keen on just being by myself. And…well, I just thought…”

Hannah was surprised how much the idea appealed to her. She’d been living with her folks ever since she graduated college. Maybe that was one of the reasons her mother still treated her like a child.

“Actually I love the idea. Show me what you have.”

“Sure, but how about somewhere other than the sidewalk?”

“My car’s across the street.”

“Cool.”

They crossed the street and got into Hannah’s car. Pressley handed her the folder. “I put green tabs on the ones for rent.”

“Okay.” Hannah noticed there were three. She went through each selection, looking at the photos and reading the information. It wasn’t really necessary. She knew the houses at first glance. Two of them were fairly large homes, in excess of three bedrooms, but one was a three bedroom, cottage-style home that was quite lovely.

“I know the people who lived here.” She indicated the photo. “They have two grown children, one who is married and lives in Georgia and another who is divorced but has three children and lives in Florida. They wanted to move closer and their daughter in Florida found a nice place for them.”

“And they’re willing to rent,” Pressley said with a smile. “And not a bad price if you split it two ways.”

“No, not at all.” Hannah was already doing the calculations in her head. With what she earned working at the diner, and the bar, she could more than afford her share. “Want to go look at it?”

“Now?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Yeah, why the hell not? Oh, wait, I don’t have the realtor’s number.”

“Mr. Ross?” Hannah asked and started her car. “No problem. It just so happens that he manages the town library.”

They had just pulled up at the library when Hannah spotted Netta Mae Baker walking toward her car. She put a hand on Pressley’s arm as Pressley made a move to get out of the car. “Wait just a minute.”

“Why?”

Hannah pointed to Nellie Mae. “Who’s that?” Pressley asked.

“Nellie Mae Baker. She’s a nice lady, but one of the worst gossips in town. Recently she and her friend Netta started a rumor that Cody and I were fighting over Cooper and that Cody was
getting around
if you know what I mean.”

Pressley looked out of the window at Nellie Mae who was getting in her car. “Wonder why they did that?”

“Who knows, but I’d just as soon not have to speak to her.”

“No problem.”

They waited until Nellie Mae pulled away then got out and went into the library. It didn’t take long to find Mr. Ross, and lucky for them, he kept the keys to the houses he had listed in his briefcase. He’d known Hannah her entire life so he trusted her with a set of keys to the house they were interested in.

An hour later, Hannah and Pressley were back at the library, signing a rental agreement. Hannah was so excited she felt like dancing. The house was perfect, and she was already starting to see how pretty the rooms would look with certain decorations.

It wasn’t until she and Pressley were back in the car that it hit her. “Oh, damn.”

“What?”

“I don’t have any furniture. Do you?”

Pressley grimaced. “Not a stick. The place I rented in Dallas was furnished.”

Hannah felt like her bubble was deflating rapidly until Pressley spoke again. “But nothing’s stopping us from buying stuff. I have money put away, and we could head up to San Antonio and do some shopping.”

“I have money saved, too.” Hannah felt that bubble expanding again. She had saved nearly everything she’d made since she got out of college. Why not spend some of it on her first place? “So, yes, let’s do it. When?”

“How about we leave around five tomorrow, drive up and check into a hotel, have a nice dinner and then Friday hit the stores. If we need to spend another night we can, or we can drive back late on Friday. Hell, we can make a weekend of it if you want.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to Cody and Cade about covering for me. But what if we find things? We can’t haul furniture in a car.”

“No, but we can rent a truck. I can drive a truck.”

Hannah felt like the move must be in the stars since it was all going so easy. “Okay, so you want me to take you back to your office?”

“Yep. And hey, are you working tonight?”

“Yeah, Wednesdays are normally pretty busy, but I don’t close tonight.”

“Maybe I’ll swing by and if you can take a break, we can talk about what we see for the place and make a plan of action.”

“Oh, I’d like that.”

“Me too. I’m excited about this.”

“I am too.” It was a feeling she had not experienced in a long time. She was acting independently, making her own decision without consulting anyone for approval or agreement. It felt good. She was certain this was the first step toward her learning to be a truly independent woman with a life of her own. Even if it was in Cotton Creek.

****

Cade finished reading the report his investigator had sent and tossed the pages onto the coffee table. There was definitely more to Roxie Ellis than met the eye. He felt a twinge of guilt over having her checked out but quickly dismissed it. Despite outward appearances, he was by nature a cautious man. He always had people checked out. Not only did it save him from potential problems, it gave him the edge he needed—in business and gambling.

Not that Roxie legitimately fell into either category. Well, maybe gambling. Loosely speaking. He was in the middle of the most erotic bet he’d ever made in his life, and he intended to win.

He’d expected Roxie to have at least one skeleton in her closet. Most people did. What he hadn’t expected was to discover that she’d been blacklisted from every casino in Vegas. Seems Roxie fell into not only the world-class gambler category, but was also one of the best cheats in the gambling world.

Good enough that it had nearly cost her jail time. The only reason she had escaped serving time was that the charges against her couldn’t be proven. No one could figure out how she’d rigged the game of five card draw that cost four very high-profile players millions of dollars.

Nor could anyone figure out where the money had disappeared to after the win. Cade thought about it. How did someone dispose of or hide several million dollars? She’d reported the win and paid the required taxes on the money, so she was square with the IRS, but her life had not changed at all. No fancy cars, penthouse apartments, or extravagant purchases.

If she had that kind of money, why was she so broke on paper? And where the hell
was
the money? All his investigator had been able to determine was that the funds were deposited, taxes paid, then what remained withdrawn.

What the hell? Had she stuck it under her mattress? Buried it in a backyard somewhere? It just didn’t add up.

The report had certainly revealed some interesting information, but it’d also brought more questions. Roxie was quite the mystery, and Cade was a true sucker for mysteries.

He pushed himself off the couch and wandered into the kitchen. He’d been up since before dawn and it was closing in on nine in the morning. Time for something to eat.

After a quick look in the refrigerator, he headed for the shower. Might as well head over to the diner where there was real food before he made a trip to the market. Besides, if what he heard was true, Roxie and her friend Dini had holed up at her room in the boarding house last night for one of their girls’ nights. Chances were they’d be making an appearance at the diner before long.

Not that he was trying to arrange a chance meeting with Roxie. Not at all. At least that was what he kept telling himself as he hurried to shower and dress.

Less than an hour later he was sitting at a table in the café with Jasper Weathers, who was part of the Cotton Creek Energy company, and someone who had become a pretty good friend since Cade had arrived.

“So how’re things going with Roxie?” Jasper asked over the top of his coffee cup.

“Interesting.”

“Meaning?”

Cade hesitated a moment. He wasn’t sure about revealing information on Roxie’s past. “Meaning she’s not quite what I expected.”

“Seems like neither of those gals are.”

Cade grinned. “So I hear. Matter of fact, I hear you and Legs are getting pretty hot and heavy.”

“Legs?”

Cade shrugged. “Hey, I’m a guy. I have eyes. And Dini does have world-class hot legs, man.”

Jasper smiled. “That she does.”

“And?”

“And that’s all I’m prepared to say at the moment.”

Cade laughed. “That’s what I like about you, Jasper. Such a blabber-mouth.”

They both chuckled and turned their attention to the breakfast plates the waitress delivered.

Halfway through the meal, the door opened and in walked Roxie and Dini. Cade had his back to the door and wouldn’t have known who’d entered except for the look on Jasper’s face.

Damn. The man was in love. Cade wondered if Jasper realized he’d fallen for Dini. He turned in his chair and suddenly it seemed the temperature in the café rose ten degrees.

Roxie was wearing a pair of sweat-shorts that hung low on her hips, a running top that stopped just short of her navel and sneakers. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her face scrubbed free of makeup, and still she looked like something out of a wet dream.

Her eyes met his and Cade knew. Something had changed. So far, she’d been holding her own in the bet, but the moments when she seemed to be having fun with it were not as frequent as he’d like. She was intensely determined to win. Intensely determined to leave Cotton Creek.

And if he was honest, the bet was more about keeping her there than sex. Sure, he wanted her. Painfully. But the idea of her leaving brought another kind of pain—a kind he wasn’t familiar with and wasn’t sure he could handle.

Her mouth lifted in a sexy smirk that had his blood racing. She sauntered over to a table with her friend and took a seat with her back to him. Cade turned back around, watching Jasper, whose face was split with a smile. No doubt for the lovely Dini.

“Well, I better hit the road,” Cade announced. “Got some things to take care of.”

Jasper nodded as Cade stood. “Catch you later.”

“Yeah, later.” Cade went to the counter, paid for breakfast, then headed for the door, making sure to pass Roxie’s table. “Ladies,” he nodded and smiled.

Dini wished him a good day. Roxie just sat there with that fox in the chicken coop smile on her face. Cade returned the smile, but once outside blew out his breath. He’d lay money she had something cooking. He could almost see it in her eyes.

But what?

He shrugged off the question and headed for his truck. Sooner or later, the answer to that, and hopefully many other questions would come to light.

Until then, he was going to give some thought on how to up his odds.

Chapter Seven

Saturday nights usually pulled a full house at Honky Tonk Angels, but this Saturday, the place was slammed. Standing room only. Roxie had been on her feet for three straight hours, waiting tables, and it was getting busier by the moment.

She delivered a round of drinks to one table and stepped up to another occupied by four rodeo cowboys in town for the night. They’d been drinking steadily for two hours and with each drink, one of them got a bit louder and more obnoxious. She wondered if it wasn’t about time to cut him off, but figured she’d keep an eye on him and let Beckett know if he got out of hand.

“Another round, boys?”

“Ain’t no boys here, sweet thang,” the obnoxious one boasted loudly and made a grab for her hand.

Roxie dodged his attempt and moved a step away. “Slow down there, cowboy. You know the rules. You can look but you can’t touch.”

“Ta hell with that.” He stood and started for her. “You been teasing me all night, baby, and damned if I’m in the waiting mood. Get your sweet ass over here and give Danny boy a taste.”

“Not gonna happen,” she retorted and backed away.

“Oh, it’s gonna happen.”

Roxie set her tray on the table beside her, ignoring the curious looks and comments from the people seated there. She kept her eyes on the drunk, Danny.

“You need to sit back down.”

“Rather have you sit on my face.”

She grimaced and reached for one of the empty beer bottles on the tray as Danny moved in on her. “You really need to step back,” she warned.

He laughed and grabbed her arm. Just as he started to yank her close, she raised the bottle and swung. And met with empty air. Danny boy was being pulled back like he was a fish on a line.

Beckett had hold of him. And from the look on Beckett’s face, the man was soon to be toast.

Roxie started after him as he pulled the drunk along toward the door. “Beckett!”

He paused at her call and when he did, the drunk took a swing. The blow clipped Beckett on the  on his chin and did little more than snap his head to one side before he retaliated.

One punch and the drunk was flailing backwards, arms waving and spit flying. Two seconds later, he hit the floor. Two seconds of stunned silence filled the bar, then the drunk’s friends jumped up and headed toward Beckett.

Roxie hurled the bottle in her hand, catching one of the men in the side of the head. He stumbled into a table, arms out, reaching for support and managed to overturn the table, spilling beer on two women. Their companions took exception to that and went for the man.

Meanwhile, the remaining two cowboys were closing in on Beckett. Roxie broke into a run, headed straight for them, but before she could reach them, all hell broke loose. Jasper Weathers waded in to help Beckett and the two of them tore into the cowboys.

It was ten seconds of mayhem before an eardrum splitting yell came over the speakers.

“Stop!”

Everyone froze and looked around. Cody stood on the stage with a shotgun in one hand.

“Time for everyone to settle down.”

Roxie’s eyes sought out Dini, who sat beaming at Jasper. Roxie couldn’t say she blamed her. He was quite a sight. Like something out of an old western. His stance clearly said, “Don’t fuck with me,” and his eyes gleamed with what might be anticipation that someone would.

He looked at the two drunks still standing. “Think you better get on outta here.”

“They were just leaving.” Beckett grabbed one man by the arm and nodded to Jasper, who did likewise with the other. Roxie ran over to Beckett but he ignored her and shoved the man toward the door. She started to follow, but a big hand wrapped around her arm and stayed her. Roxie whirled and looked up into JD Weather’s face.

“We got this,” he said quietly.

“Fine.”

JD released her and joined Beckett, stopping long enough to sling the last unconscious man over his shoulder like a sack of seed before following Beckett out.

Roxie turned and almost ran over Dini. “Are you okay?” Dini asked.

“Yeah, fine.”

“Oh? Then why are you biting my head off?”

“Because…because I had it under control.”

“Yeah sure. But wasn’t that something? The way Cade grabbed that guy and pulled him off you and the way Jasper just jumped in and JD Weathers heaving that guy over his should like it was nothing.”

“Yeah, a real hallmark moment,” Roxie groused. Yes, it had been something to see, but she didn’t want to be impressed with the way Beckett had rushed to her defense.

“What crawled up your ass?” Dini asked.

“I didn’t need any help!”

Dini rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know you’re a big bad-ass, Rox and could have kicked the guy’s butt, but this
is
Cade’s family’s bar and he was trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need his protection!”

“Well maybe he didn’t know that.”

“Whatever.” Roxie didn’t want to listen to reason. She knew Beckett was within his rights to act as he had, and it was his place to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.

But damn it all, she didn’t want to remember the sudden thrill of seeing fury blaze in his eyes at the man touching her. Didn’t want to get that hot little knot of excitement at seeing him be the alpha male and go all macho.

She didn’t want anything to make her want him more. And the only way to keep from thinking about those things was to be mad. So she hung onto the mad like a lifeline, even though she knew it was unreasonable.

“I have to get back to work.”

Before Dini could respond, Roxie stomped over to the bar. Two seconds later, a hand closed around her arm. She jerked around as Beckett started pulling her away from the bar.

“Come on.”

“I’m working,” she said as she jerked free.

“In the office. Now.”

Something in his eyes had her biting down on the urge to argue. She tossed her hair and marched through the kitchen to the office. He entered behind her and slammed the door.

“What the hell were you thinking?” His voice was loud and angry enough to have her hackles rise.

“Excuse me?” She arched her eyebrows haughtily.

“You heard me. Why didn’t you call me if that guy was giving you trouble?”

“It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.”

“With a beer bottle? What were you planning to do? Come upside his head with it?” His voice kept growing in volume.

“If necessary.”

“Smart, real smart.” The mocking tone of his voice jacked her anger higher.

“Fuck you, Beckett!”

He grinned at her and it wasn’t friendly. More like a predator closing in on its prey. “You don’t want to start up with me, sugar.” Suddenly his voice was not loud at all.

Roxie snorted. “Oh, now I’m scared.”

Beckett crossed his arms and stared at her. “What’s your problem?”

“You!”

“Me? All I did was protect what’s mine.”

That one word sent a bolt of something purely female and entirely terrifying through her. But she wasn’t about to succumb to either. “I’m not yours!”

“The bar is. Well, it’s mine to manage. And if you’d hit him, you could’ve been charged with assault.”

“It would’ve been self-defense!”

“Maybe. But you were itching to do it.”

“I was not.” Roxie stuck her chin out stubbornly.

“Yes, you were.” His voice softened as he regarded her. “You’ve been spoiling for a fight for a while and that poor jackass seemed like a likely target.”

“That’s bullshit. I have not been spoiling for a fight.”

“Oh yeah, you have.”

“Fuck you.” There was no way in hell she’d ever admit he was right. It wasn’t that she was spoiling for a fight—it was more that she felt like a pressure cooker that was about to blow. Beckett had gotten to her on more than one level and the stress was starting to take its toll.

“You making that a formal offer, honey?” His tone was teasing, but there was nothing of a jest in his eyes.

Roxie went for the door knob, but Beckett grabbed her wrist. “Let go of me,” she warned.

“Or?”

Roxie hissed and raised her hand to hit him, only to have him catch her fist before it made contact. She tore free and backed away, stopping only when her backside bumped into his desk.

Cade stalked over to her, putting his hands on the desk on either side of her.

“Or?” he asked again.

“Move, Beckett.”

“Or?” The heat was back in his eyes.

“Or we’re gonna have a big problem.”

“Oh we already have a problem, Roxie.

“Do we?” Her eyes met his and held. “And what might that be?”

“The same it’s always been.”

At the same moment the last word came from his lips, he reached behind her with one hand and pulled her against him. Her breath came out in a small rush a moment before his lips closed on hers.

Her mind screamed for her to push him away. This was not a good idea. Not safe. But her treacherous body betrayed her. As Beckett’s arm tightened around her, she pressed into him, not only accepting the kiss but returning it.

It was a lusty battle of tongues and teeth, hands gripping and roving, bodies straining into one another. Beckett growled in protest when she pushed back from him.

“Don’t stop now, honey.”

She shook her head and blew out her breath. She couldn’t play this game. Not with him. It was too costly and she couldn’t take the strain. “Look, Beckett, I need to be straight with you.”

He cocked his head slightly to one side. “I’m listening.”

“Okay, so here’s the deal.” She took a breath and steeled herself. “You affect me like a drug and right now there’s nothing I want more than to get you out of those clothes and inside me. But—”

She raised both hands and pressed them against his chest when he moved to pull her back to him. “But—I work for you and as much as I want you, having you is going to complicate my life in a way I can’t handle. And before you say anything, this has nothing to do with our bet.”

“No problem. You’re fired.”

“You already used that line.”

“Whatever. This time I mean it.”

“But—” She kept the pressure on his chest, looking up at him. She couldn’t tell if he meant it. What she could tell was that he wanted her. Whatever it was between them wasn’t cooling off. It got hotter every day and chances were the only way to put out that fire was to give in to it.

And if she was honest, that was what she wanted. Sure, it’d mean she’d be stuck in Cotton Creek longer than she planned, but like Dini had reminded her just the day before, it wasn’t like any of them had anywhere to go.

Besides, she was tired of battling it. “What the fuck.”

With that, she fisted his shirt in both hands and yanked him to her. And in that moment civility vanished.

There was nothing gentle in his lips as they staked a claim on hers. Teeth nipped and tongues clashed. Breath came hard and fast. Cade gave no care to the damage to her clothing as he tugged and tore anything that barred his hands from her flesh. His hand moved between her legs to the wetness that clearly spelled her desire.

She was no less impatient as she stripped his shirt off then started on his jeans. By the time his Levis were bunched around his knees and she’d slid a condom on him, he was sending her over the edge. Roxie tore free from his mouth as his fingers stroked inside her faster. Her fingers dug into the top of his shoulders, her breath a series of pants. She was so close.

“Let it go, baby.”

His lusty croon was all that was needed to send her tumbling over the edge. Her sex clenched to the accompaniment of a low throaty moan she made no attempt to silence.

“In me,” she panted before the climax could subside.

The smile he flashed her was all the time it took for him to lift her up, supporting her with his hands firm on her ass. Roxie wound her legs around him and in one fluid motion, he slid inside.

A quick “ahh” went along with the momentary flash of pain. It’d been a while since she’d had a man and it took her body a few seconds to begin to adjust to the sensation of being so full.

A few seconds was all she allowed. Hanging onto his shoulders, she bucked against him, the motion driving him deeper. Beckett’s breath hitched, his eyes locked onto hers and everything around them vanished.

She couldn’t explain it any other way. Not that it mattered. All that mattered was the feel of him inside her and the hard, driving rhythm of his body. How perfect it would have been if this was more than just physical. She hated that weak part of herself that longed for more and reminded herself this was all she could ever have.

Roxie shoved aside thoughts of what she could not have and focused on the moment. If this was all there was, then she was not going to waste a moment of it. She met him stroke for stroke, feeling sensation build to the point of madness.