Love & Rodeo (3 page)

She flung her long hair from one side to the other, while Levi danced closely behind her. When she felt his hand on her hip, immediately her heart raced and her skin danced where his fingers touched her. She closed her eyes and got lost in the music.

Soon the music slowed and she turned to face Levi. She rested her hands on his hard chest, feeling a zing that ran straight through her body and resided in her core. Her breath caught at the sensation before she ran her fingertips along the hard contours of his chest, to his shoulders until her palms cradled the back of his neck. Levi’s arms moved around her waist and pulled her body against his. She inhaled sharply at their closeness and how alert her body had become to his. She looked up into his crystal blue eyes and couldn’t help but notice the curve of his lips. She wanted those lips. She wanted those lips on parts of her body she shouldn’t even be thinking about. She shoved the thought from her mind before closing her eyes as she held onto him while they swayed to the music. His body felt good against hers. He was warm and that was when she realized she felt safe there. A feeling so foreign to her she almost pulled away, but then he cleared his throat and their gazes connected.

“
What are you thinking?” Kallie asked.

He looked mesmerized as he stared down at her.

“
You’re beautiful.”

Kallie’s heart raced in her chest. All of a sudden, she was surrounded by a mixture of leather and sandalwood, making her weak in the knees. He filled her senses, and it was too much. She grasped at his button-down shirt, mostly to hold herself together, but really to keep herself from doing something she’d likely regret. Kallie Davis was many things, but a buckle bunny was not one of them, and jumping him right here on the dance floor would scream it. She wanted him. There was no denying that. She just had to be careful. She took a deep breath and pulled away. It took her a minute, but her bearings returned. She started to excuse herself but his arms tugged her back to him. His large calloused hands found hers and guided them until they were back at his neck. It was then she felt his fingertips move up her arms. He skimmed the surface of her skin with his calloused hands, causing goose bumps to rise all up and down her body, and heat to pull at her core. She exhaled deeply as she bit her lip. He ran his hands back down her side until they found their place on her hips. He leaned down until his mouth was beside her ear. She inhaled sharply with anticipation, both hoping and needing his lips to land on her neck.

“
Are you ready for another beer?” he whispered and she shivered.

She nodded and he pulled her toward the table. As they walked, she focused on her breathing and getting herself cooled down.

Cassidy and Travis were sitting there already and Kallie couldn’t help but want to run in the other direction.

“
Hey! We’re ready for another round.”

“
Shots?” Travis suggested as he glanced around the table.

Kallie looked at Levi.

Levi started, “You don’t have to—”

“
Oh, Levi! She’s too good for shots. Maybe we should get her a glass of white wine or something.” Cassidy was pushing her buttons.

Kallie glared at Cassidy who was staring her down with condescending eyes. She told herself she didn’t have anything to prove to these people, but something in the back of her mind said to do it.

“
I’ll do it,” Kallie said.

“
Oh my gosh! Kallie Davis is actually going to do a shot,” Cassidy said.

“
Yes, she is,” Kallie said as the server came up to the table.

Travis ordered the shots, and as they waited, Levi pulled her close.

“
Listen, you really don’t have to do this. They’re used to this.”

“
I’m fine. I promise. Besides, you’re going to be with me, right?”

She smiled at him suggestively.

“
If you want me to be.”

“
I do.” She smiled and the server returned with the shots.

Travis paid, while Cassidy pushed a shot glass filled with a dark golden liquid in front of Kallie and Levi. She lifted it to her nose and smelled, nearly gagging at the scent. It smelled disgusting and burnt her nostrils. She sat it back on the table.

What in the hell have I agreed to?

“
So what are we drinking to?” Travis asked.

“
To taking chances,” Levi said, looking down at her.

She nodded and they each threw back the shot. It burned the whole way down, and Kallie thought she’d cough fire. She shook her head.

“
Good?” Levi asked.

“
Yeah.”

“
I’m going to use the restroom.” Kallie stood and Levi’s hand found hers.

“
Will you be back?”

She smiled. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. Or maybe it was the alcohol?

“
Of course.”

“
See you soon.” He squeezed her hand.

“
See you soon,” she said as she squeezed his back, and he reluctantly released her.

Chapter Three

Kallie moved through the crowd to the restroom. She did her business and stood in front of the mirror looking at herself. The shot had started to hit her and the lines around the bathroom grew blurry. She closed her eyes for a second to right her vision and walked out the door, only to find Luke waiting against the wall.

“
Are you okay?” he asked.

“
Yeah. Why?”

“
You’re throwing back shots like its water. What’s wrong with you?”

“
It was one shot, Luke. You’re not my boyfriend anymore. You don’t have to protect me. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

Kallie started to move around him, but tripped. Luke’s hand moved to her stomach to steady her.

“
Don’t touch me there,” she told him defensively.

He quickly pulled his hand away. “Seriously, Kal, are you okay?”

She looked up into his dark eyes and saw worry stretched across his face. How could she tell him that of course she wasn’t okay? She lost her parents, her home, and her passion for rodeo all in the last six months. How did she explain what it felt like to sell off pieces of your memories to perfect strangers just to try to break even? How did she explain to him that all she wanted to do was escape those memories, but every time she looked at him, they constantly replayed themselves? Instead, she decided to lie.

“
Yes.”

“
At least let me get you some water.”

She looked at him for a second and felt the full effect of the shot hit her before she agreed. They walked to the bar together and Luke got her a water. She drank it down, feeling a little better.

“
Be careful,” Luke told her as he leaned into her.

“
What do you mean?”

“
I mean, Travis and Cassidy are bad news. I don’t know about Levi, but Cassidy is nasty, and she’s your competition.”

Kallie looked at Luke. About that time, another bull rider walked up.

“
Deuce Craft! How are you?” Kallie yelled as she hugged him a little too long.

“
I thought that was Kallie Davis. I’m good. How’re you?”

“
Feeling pretty good right now.” She giggled.

“
I see that. Can I buy you another one?”

“
I got it.” Kallie heard Levi behind her.

“
Oh Deuce! This is my friend Levi Cavanaugh.”

Deuce extended his hand.

“
It’s nice to meet you. Great ride tonight, by the way,” Deuce complimented him.

Levi ordered and then leaned into her. “Are you running away from me?” he whispered into her ear.

She turned to face him so that he was standing positioned between her legs.

“
Should I?” she asked playfully. “Run from you?”

“
Never.” He kissed her cheek and pulled away, but by the look on his face, he wanted to do more. Hell, she wanted to do more.

The bartender came back with their drinks and Kallie made sure she drank it slow. She sat on the barstool while she and Levi listened to stories from the other bull riders. As they sat there, Levi put his arm around her and tickled her back while they listened, making it impossible to concentrate on the conversation.

After a little while of listening, Levi leaned into her. “Do you want to get out of here?”

She looked at him and bit her lip. Coming here had been uncharacteristic of her. Hanging out and drinking with a stranger was definitely out of character. Would she take it one step further and leave with him? Staring into his blue eyes, she remembered how his body felt against hers on the dance floor, and her body buzzed just thinking about it. She glanced around to see if anyone was looking at her. No one had to see them leave. Her eyes went back to him and instantly she had her answer.

“
Okay,” she said.

She slid off of the barstool, and much to her surprise the effects of the alcohol had started to wear off.

“
Are you leaving?” Luke asked her.

“
Yeah, I’m tired.”

“
Well, do you want me to walk you back?”

It was clear he was hoping to take her back and wanted something more to happen. It was the look he used to wear before they’d have one of their hot and heavy make-out sessions.

“
Levi’s going to walk me back. I’ll be okay.”

She rested her hand on Luke’s arm while Levi put his around her.

They each said their goodbyes and headed for the door. When they were out into the night air, Kallie took a deep breath as Levi pulled her close.

“
Where’s your horse trailer?”

“
This way,” Kallie pointed them in the right direction.

They walked quietly for a moment.

“
I’m glad you decided to come out.”

“
Me too. I had fun,” Kallie said. “So what do you think of the circuit so far?”

“
I like it. Everyone seems real nice.”

“
Yeah, they are.”

“
I don’t think Luke likes me,” Levi said.

Kallie exhaled. “Luke used to be my boyfriend. He just thinks you’re up to no good.”

“
Why would he think that?”

“
Because you’re a cowboy and cowboys are known for the mischief they cause. Are you up to no good?” They were at her trailer now and she turned to face him.

“
I’ll let you know.” Levi smiled as he leaned in and captured her lips in a soft caress. She closed her eyes as his lips explored hers. Her heart raced in her chest as she held onto his shirt. He deepened the kiss and her tongue slipped into his mouth, while something deep inside of her stirred. Pressing her body against his hard one, her need took over as their kiss turned into something frantic. Her hands moved to the back of his neck and to his hair as she entangled her fingers in his thick locks. He pushed her back against the trailer door before releasing her lips and trailing kisses to her neck. She moaned as she gasped for air. Kallie closed her eyes as every molecule in her body danced and screamed out to him. He palmed her breasts, gently but effectively caressing them. She moaned again under him, feeling as if her knees could buckle at his touch. She held onto him as he massaged her sides while his lips found hers once more. His tongue danced with hers as his grip found her backside and squeezed, jerking her back to reality. She opened her eyes and pulled away from him, leaving both of them breathless.

“
What’s wrong?” he asked still holding her.

“
We have to slow down. Contrary to my actions right now, I’m not the one-night stand kind of girl,” Kallie told him as her fears flooded her.

He cupped her face with his large hand. “I don’t think that.”

She closed her eyes as his thumb ran over her bottom lip, igniting her desire all over again.

“
You’re so beautiful.”

It was the second time he told her that tonight and the effect those words had on her were unnerving. She closed her eyes and savored his touch. His lips found hers again, this time barely brushing hers. He pulled away and immediately her body yearned for his. She watched as he adjusted himself and turned away from her.

“
I’m sorry.”

He turned to face her. “Why are you sorry?” Levi asked.

“
I mean, I know what cowboys expect,” she started.

“
I didn’t expect anything when we came here. I had to walk away, because if I didn’t, I’d throw you over my shoulder and take you in that trailer and make love to you like you’ve never experienced before.”