Authors: Cheyenne McCray
Tags: #cheyenne mccray, #Erotica, #Erotic Romance, #Western Romance, #Western
Darryl jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “She’s waiting for me by the bar.”
Danica put her hands on her hips. “I think I might need to go have a talk with her.”
“Just havin’ a little fun.” Darryl straightened. “I best be getting back to Kelsey.”
Danica frowned, wondering if she
should
go have a talk with her friend. But then Danica wondered if maybe she was reading too much into the way he’d been looking at her.
Darryl touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am,” he said politely, his demeanor completely changed. Darryl slapped Creed on the shoulder then turned and headed toward the bar where Danica caught a glimpse of Kelsey.
“Come on.” Creed indicated that dance floor with a nod. “Give this cowboy a dance.”
The only indecision that warred within her was the thought of getting to know him better, maybe even liking him, when she’d already decided that she wouldn’t want to date a bull rider. Not that dancing with him meant that he even wanted a relationship with her.
Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding. “All right.”
He flashed a smile at her and took her by the hand. She set her beer bottle on a table as they passed by and then they were on the dance floor.
It was a lively two-step and they fell into the dance as if they’d been doing it together forever. She’d been country-western dancing since she was a little girl and it was obvious he was plenty experienced, too.
When the one dance was over, another tune started right away and he swung her into a country waltz. She found herself laughing as they danced and then she realized her headache had vanished. Every touch of his hands sent warmth throughout her body. Or was that just the heat of her skin from dancing?
She was ready to walk off the dance floor the moment the next song struck up, a slow tune, but Creed took her by the hand then brought her into his arms, catching her off guard. She braced her palms on his shoulders to keep him from holding her too close. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.
His warm breath caused a shiver to run through her as he murmured, “Thank you for the dances.”
She swallowed, trying to not let his closeness affect her…the solidness of his body, his masculine scent, and the heat of his large hands at her waist. She cleared her throat but couldn’t get anything out.
“I’d like to see you again,” he said close to her ear.
She drew back and gave him a skeptical look. “You’re a bull rider. You don’t stay in one place for too long.”
“Long enough,” he said. “Where are you from?”
“I’m from southern Arizona, in the San Rafael Valley,” she said. “But I now live in San Diego.”
“There you go.” He gave her a little grin. “We do have something in common. I’m from just north of Phoenix, in Kirkland, between Prescott and Wickenburg.” He touched a lock of her long, dark hair. “What’s an Arizona country girl doing in San Diego?”
“I work as a research associate at the University of California,” she said. “In our department we do breeding maintenance, genotyping, cloning, and other related projects.”
“I’m impressed.” He continued to lightly play with her hair. “Did you go to the University of Arizona?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“I graduated from the U of A twelve years ago,” he said with a grin. “I’d bet you were at least eight years behind me.”
“Something like that.” She smiled. “What was your major?”
“Animal Sciences.”
The song ended, surprising her. The time had passed faster than she’d expected.
“I’d better go,” she said as they drew apart.
“Why?” He walked beside her as she left the dance floor.
“It’s getting late.” And she was becoming far too interested in this bull rider.
He caught her by her hand and drew her to a stop. “Sure I can’t talk you into a drink?”
“You already talked me into dancing with you.” She smiled. “But no, not a drink.”
“Give me your phone number,” he said. “I want to see you again.”
She shook her head. “I don’t date bull riders.”
With a laugh he said, “Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous a sport,” she said. “I’d be worried all the time.”
“You’d worry about me?” He had that sexy grin again.
Somehow she felt off-balance by his reply. “I suppose I would, if we were dating. Which isn’t a possibility because, like I said, I don’t date bull riders.”
“Why don’t you give me a chance?” he said. “I’ll show you that you don’t have to worry about me.”
She put her hands on her hips. “How many bones have you broken over the years? How many concussions have you had? How many times have you had to be stitched up?”
He winced.
“Or,” she went on, “maybe you should just tell me what bones you
haven’t
broken. Yet.”
He shook his head. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“Oh?” She folded her arms across her chest. “How many times have you ridden even when you were injured rather than waiting for those bones and injuries to heal?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “More times than you can count, I’ll bet.”
He laughed and raised his hands. “Aw, come on, Danica. Just give me a chance.”
She liked the way he said her name. His voice had a raw, sensual quality about it. “I’m heading up to my room now,” she said. “It really was nice meeting you.”
“So you’re staying here,” he said as she turned away and he fell into step beside her.
She realized her mistake when she’d said “up to my room.” She paused mid-step and shook her head as she faced him. “Good night, Creed.”
“I know when I’m not wanted.” A smile was on his lips though when he said the words. “Good night, Danica.”
As she walked out of the bar and made her way to the elevators, she found it hard not to look over her shoulder. She could feel him watching her and if she looked, she might find herself turning around and going back.
# # #
About Cheyenne
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author Cheyenne McCray’s books have received multiple awards and nominations, including
*
RT Book Reviews
magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice awards for Best Erotic Romance of the year and Best Paranormal Action Adventure of the year
*Three “RT Book Reviews” nominations, including Best Erotic Romance, Best Romantic Suspense, and Best Paranormal Action Adventure.
*Golden Quill award for Best Erotic Romance
*The Road to Romance’s Reviewer’s Choice Award
*Gold Star Award from Just Erotic Romance Reviews
*CAPA award from The Romance Studio
Cheyenne grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona. She has been writing ever since she can remember, back to her kindergarten days when she penned her first poem. She always knew one day she would write novels, hoping her readers would get lost in the worlds she created, just as she experienced when she read some of her favorite books.
Chey has three sons, two dogs, and is an Arizona native who loves the desert, the sunshine, and the beautiful sunsets. Visit Chey’s website and get all of the latest info at her
website
and meet up with her at
Cheyenne McCray’s Place
on Facebook!
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