Once with a Cowboy: Loving Day Collection (One Night Only Book 1) (2 page)

A group of new customers made their way up to the bar, taking her attention away from “Jolene” and Ty. She served them and the next wave after them until she wanted to collapse, having reached her limit. A glance at the clock showed her she had an hour to go before closing.

“Hey, gorgeous, can we get two brewskies please? In the bottle.”

              She glanced over at who called her to find her best friend’s crushes from across the hall, wearing matching tight navy blue t-shirts and jeans.  One had classic dark Roman looks while the other looked like redheaded trouble with blue eyes that sparkled with mirth.

“Gorgeous?” She snorted as she fulfilled their request. He must be blind. Had he not seen Jolene still chatting it up with Ty over there? Ignoring her inner bitchy self, she grabbed their usual order.

“I’ll put it on your tab, which you two owe me at the end of the week.”

“You got it, gorgeous. And yes, I mean gorgeous. Ty only lets the hottest women work here. You know that, Nessa.” Drake winked.

“Yup.” Roy bobbed his head. His blue eyes darkened and heated.

She swallowed as a blush heated her cheeks and she ducked her head. It was sweet of them to attempt to make her feel better, but only a shower, a heavy petting session and cuddle with Ty would revive any of her spirits right now. 

“Drake, Roy, harassing my best girl?” Ty came over and slung an arm around her shoulders. Just the touch, the weight and the press of him against her made her knees sag as a wave of heat washed over her. She let out a soft sigh. She cuddled into his side before she realized just what she was doing. They were in public and although she suspected people knew what was going on with them, she didn’t want to give the rumor mill even more fodder.

“Yo, you two gonna cuddle or serve me?” someone at the far end of the bar shouted out.

She straightened up. “Gotta go kill…I mean help someone. Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone,” she warned before she slipped away.

“You mean something you don’t want to have to punish Ty for later don’t you?” Roy called after her. “Ow! Damn it, man.”

“Shut the hell up,” Ty hissed.

She peeked over her shoulder and giggled when she saw Ty had taken off his hat and swatted Roy with it before, placing it back on his head. Nessa shook her head but couldn’t keep from smiling at his attempt to keep their business private. She just wished this wasn’t a temporary thing. As much as she enjoyed working at the bar and playing around with Ty, it wouldn’t do to get attached. After all, work relationships and commitment didn’t work out, the past had taught her that much.

Chapter Two

              Ty watched the sway of Nessa’s hips and rounded ass—encased in painted on denim—move away from him. His damn dick jerked and he wanted to punch the stupid little head for acting up again. All fucking night he’d had to fight off a hard on while they did their usual thing behind the bar. Unfortunately, being around her made him lose a bit of his discipline and he couldn’t resist making it clear who she belonged to. Sure, they weren’t exclusive and word seemed to have seeped out about them but if he had his way, this weekend would seal the deal with them in more ways than one.

“Yo, Ty? Stop mentally groping your ‘best girl’ and focus.” Drake waved a hand in front of Ty’s face.

He growled, hating to pull his attention away from a woman he’d fallen head over heels for, and refocus on his best buds.

Roy smirked. “Get your mind out of the gutter and talk to us. We need details man.”

Ty grabbed a towel and began to wipe down the near spotless worn wooden counter.

“What’s up?” Out of the corner of his eye he watched her handle one of the regulars with ease.

              “First off, is the poker game on or not?” Drake sipped his beer.

              Ty shook his head. “Not this weekend. I’m going up to the ranch to check on how my manager is putting things together. Still got a lot of work to do on that place before we can see a return on our investment.”
And not to mention that I’ll be busy reminding Nessa what happens when she doesn’t let me know that’s she’s gonna be late for her shift.

              “Slow your roll, buddy. You’ll get your drink, so stop waving the cash in my face. It isn’t making me move any faster. ” Nessa’s growled warning drew his attention.

              He started over there, ready to interfere if he needed to, knowing she could handle herself. She stared down the offender who placed his hands and money on the counter, trying to look harmless.

              All thought came to a halt when she bent over. His brain dove right into the gutter, where it wanted to wallow in the filth. Right now it was doing the damn backstroke while serving up images of all the ways he could fuck her behind the bar. Right now it was focused on taking her from behind with his hands full of her tits. Maybe he’d be able to grab hold of the tiny ringlets that framed her diamond shaped face and hang on as he pounded into her until she screamed out her release. He swallowed as a single bead of sweat trailed down the side of his face from his temple to follow a path along his jaw.

              “Fuck.” Ty wiped it away with the back of his hand and turned his attention to his best friends.

              “Yeah, well, if you could stop staring at her ass—”

“Though she does have one of the best we’ve seen–” Drake was cut off by Roy.

              “Next to her best friend, Candice.” Roy nudged Drake, who nodded.

              “Candice is perfection, agreed. Okay, no go on the poker game. And then there’s the Loving Day party you’re putting on, not that we’re complaining; but, why? It’s not a national holiday.” Roy took a pull on his beer giving Ty time to think.

              Ty stroked the scruff that covered his jaw and tried to find the words. “It’s a celebration of love. You’ve read the info I sent you. I figure we need a little happiness, given all the racial tensions in other cities, police shootings and protests. So why not celebrate something so beautiful. Plus, I’d like to bring in new customers who may not think of holding their events here. With the renovations at the ranch I need all the extra cash I can get. ”

              Drake snorted which turned into a chuckle. “You’ve got it bad. Not sayin’ it’s the wrong reason. I like the idea and as long as Candice is going, we can have an excuse to finally speak to her. But I’ll say it again, this is just an excuse to please Vanessa.” Drake nodded toward the other end of the bar where she was making change for another customer. She glanced over at him and held up one finger.

              He peeked at the clock, she was right. They had an hour before they had to shut things down.

              “Maybe.” Ty hated being so transparent to his best friends but there was nothing he could hide from them.

              “Anyway, did Vanessa come in here with a bright pink bag?” Humor sparkled in Roy’s eyes.

              Ty remembered the shopping bag under the register stowed before she started her shift. “Yeah. What about it?”

              “You know where that’s from, right?” Drake scooted forward until the counter pressed into his torso.

              Ty frowned. He didn’t get what was so exciting about a bright pink bag.

              “We’ll take that as a no. Okay, it’s from that adult store called One Night Only on the highway going out of town before you hit farm country. They specialize in sales with special items for only one night and then they switch out the merchandise.” Roy beamed at him.

              Ty still didn’t get it. “Doesn’t that get expensive? And risky?”

              Roy rolled his eyes. “They have the usual merch but the sales draw the people because they lower prices on high ticket items and bring in novelty stuff or specific goods for specialized themes. So, what did she get? Candice was with her other friend so we couldn’t convince her to give us a peek.”

              “Is everything with the two of you always about sex?” Ty shook his head.

              “Well, you try living across the hall from a full figured goddess. Jesus.” Roy slumped in seat.

              A glance at Drake showed that his friend felt the same way. Both looked so glum Ty almost felt sorry for them. Almost. He stole a peek at Nessa. “Try working with one. So what you’re saying is, whatever she got should be premium, unique stuff?” Ideas of what they could do with that stuff over the weekend flooded his thoughts and his dick pressed against his jeans in an attempt to break free and find happiness.

              Drake nodded. “Pretty much, yeah. Even the silly stuff they sell on these nights is high end. I’ve been wanting to go to one of their events since it opened, but there’s no time.”

              For the first time, Ty noticed the bags under both his friends’ eyes. “All the arsons?”

              Roy grunted. “Yeah. After this, I want a weekend off. Can we use your ranch for some R&R? Promise no parties.” He gave Ty a bright smile.

              “Yeah, just not when I’m there. I’m heading up there this weekend. May try and convince Nessa to come with me to plan the viewing party and the Loving Day shindig. Gotta get ready for the Cup.” He turned too fast and winced as his hip twinged. It had been years since he’d retired from professional ice hockey but his hip still acted up from time to time. Didn’t stop him from getting on the ice and playing around with a few friends and ex-teammates, but he couldn’t stay on as long as he used to.

              Drake’s pager went off. “Crap, gotta go. Tons to do tomorrow. We’ll check in later, okay?” Drake held out his fist and Ty bumped it. He did the same to Roy and his best friends left.

              Nessa came back his way and his brain finally worked long enough to remind him of what he wanted to ask her. “Hey, I have some stuff I have to check at the ranch. Want to spend the weekend there? Just the two of us. I promise to make that Bananas Foster French toast you love.” He reached out and brushed away a few curls that had fallen across her temple. She shivered and moved closer but didn’t look into his eyes.

              “Yeah, sure. I have some stuff to show you, but since you want to punish me…” she peeked up at him through her thick dark lashes, a coy expression on her face.

              “Stuff?” He gave the tendril a gentle pull. “What kind of stuff?”

              “Sexy stuff, like, bacon lube,” she whispered before glancing around to be sure that no one was close enough to hear them. At least not yet.

              His errant cock jerked at the word lube. “Bacon lube?”

              Her head bobbed up and down. “Bacon flavored lube.” The pink tip of her tongue darted out, wetting her mouth and drawing attention to the plump bottom lip.

              “Oh really?” He ducked his head. Despite wanting to wrap an arm around her and drag her against him, he resisted, mindful that it was still bar hours. “Later, honey.”

              She nodded. “Later,” she whispered, her tone low and rough.

“Anyway, almost keys and cab time. Didn’t have a chance to ask during the crush, but did you grab some grub?” His inner protective streak manifested itself. He’d been happy for her when she’d asked for time off to attend a friend’s bachelorette party but he’d missed her like crazy.

              He doubted any strippers could tempt his girl but being around her friends made her less likely to make sure she ate something or just change her shoes to make herself more comfortable. Not that he minded those sexy stilettos she toddled on.

              “The girls and I went to a small diner but I didn’t eat much. Candi and I took a cab back into town since we used one car to get to the party and the other girls needed it for the continued debauchery. That’s why I was late, we had to drop off Candi first and then me. We need to stop by my place to get my stuff.”

              “Okay, honey, and bring those heels, if you can stand to walk around in them tomorrow.” He winked before turning to a few people who made their way up to the bar for some last minute drinks. “Last call boys and girls. Hand over your keys as you get your drinks.” He scanned the tables. Less than ten people still around. A peek over at Nessa showed her dealing with two guys who’d been playing pool all night.

              “Here’s your receipts. Be sure to come back when we have the Stanley Cup parties, okay?” She handed the guy his change and a receipt.

              “You gonna be working, sugar? If so, I may have to drop by.” He gave her a slow smile.

              She rolled her eyes. “Laying it on a bit thick there, aren’t you, John Kane? Are you trying to sweet talk me into slipping you another beer before you boys hit the road?”

              Kane pushed his cowboy hat back a bit, and Ty wanted to punch the rodeo Romeo’s lights out. He had to stop himself from going over there, but couldn’t resist balling up his fists, ready for a fight.

              “Nah, just trying to lighten your evening. Thanks for the hospitality. Come by the rodeo this weekend.  We’re having a buy two get one half off on beer and food.” Kane slid a flyer towards Nessa who took it.

              Ty began to move forward as tension ran through his body.

              “Sorry boys, I have a date this weekend.” She turned a bit toward him but didn’t nod in his direction.             

              Ty exhaled a bit of his stress and returned to handling the last call customers.

              “Well, whoever he is, he’s one lucky guy. See you next time. Come on, Jace, let’s go.” The duo walked past Ty. Kane paused to tip his hat at Ty, amusement in his eyes but he didn’t say anything.

              “You do realize that I can handle myself, right? That I don’t fall for every pretty face? Otherwise I wouldn’t be with your ugly mug.” She nudged him with her elbow.

              “Ugly, huh, I’ll show you ugly, later.” He grinned and returned to dealing with the stragglers. One-thirty came and he kicked out the last of their regulars who were arguing over whether or not the hit they saw during an old playoff game was legal or not. Ty shook his head and locked the front door. They went through the daily routine of clean up, washing the glasses and dishes, taking inventory, restocking the shelves. Ty handled counting out the cash, tallying up the receipts, doling out the tips and putting their earnings in a safe to be deposited later.

              He turned to her. “Ready to go beautiful?”

              “Sure.” She stifled a yawn. “Let me just grab my stuff.” She bent over, reaching for her bags. He did the same.

              “No, you’re exhausted. Let me help you.” He went for the shopping bag first, curious to see what she’d gotten at the bachelorette party. 

He grabbed the bag only to have her take hold of the other handle.

“No, no, you have to wait until we get to the ranch.” She pulled the bag toward her.

“Just a little peek, honey, is all I’m asking for.” He tugged it toward him and the contents rattled as something large and hard clashed with smaller objects. “What do you have in here, honey? What new toys can we play with?”

With a strong yank, the contents spilled out onto the worn cement flooring. Brightly colored tubes and containers along with plastic packages containing vibrators, furry handcuffs and a few other sex toys fell out.

              “Ty!” She dropped to her knees and tried to gather everything up.

              He joined her, not feeling the least bit scandalized or sorry for what he’d done. 

“Shit, I’m sorry—”

              He had no clue why she was apologizing and didn’t like it one bit. Without a thought, he grabbed one of her wrists and held it before turning and slipping a few fingers under her chin and turning her head toward him. “Don’t. Never say you’re sorry, baby, not with me. You have nothing to be sorry about, unless you’ve been naughty?”