Pressure Point (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 3) (11 page)

CHAPTER EIGHT

EM PLACED HER hand into Nash’s as he played the nobleman and helped her out of the truck. A part of her wondered if he wore his gentleman’s hat tonight to impress her or Katy?

Many of the guests had already arrived at the Rutherfords’ when they walked inside. A million thoughts rattled around inside of Em’s mind as she tucked her arm inside of Nash’s elbow, almost as if she claimed her cowboy. They walked together and it seemed, well, right.

Several people greeted her and she half-heartedly returned a smile and a hello. A few chitchatted about the weather and others asked how her father was doing. She knew all eyes were on her and Nash. People would talk, sure, but Em had to stay on track. Her goal was to get Nash the woman he wanted—Katy.

“Would you care for a drink?” Nash whispered in her ear, his hand on the bare skin of her back.

“I’d love one. A white wine, please.” She watched him maze his way through the crowd, all mascaraed eyes on him. Em had no doubt every single, and taken, woman in the house could imagine herself with him. He looked gorgeous tonight, no different than any other day, but this evening he seemed happier.

He returned and handed her the glass of wine.  Nash had gotten a beer for himself. She took a long sip, leaned forward and whispered near his ear, “What did I tell you? I can name at least three women who are staring at you like an expensive cut of juicy steak.”

She could have sworn he turned a pale shade of red. She liked to see he wasn’t always wearing an ego.

“Probably because they’ve heard how well business is these days.”

She liked that he spoke plainly. “You are getting the hang of how society works. Too bad you just don’t seem the type to play.”

“And you are?”

“I have.” She watched him closely.

“With Nazarene?” He stood so close and smelled so good. Between the wine and his scent, her legs were tingling.

“I made a beautiful adornment on his arm.” She had no reason to mince her words either.

“You don’t seem to like these crowds. Should we leave?” he asked

“I have a better idea.” She finished off her wine and placed the empty glass on the table. “Let’s dance.”

Nash blinked. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t dance,” he admitted.

“You danced with me at Pearl and DJ’s reception.”

“You were toasted. You would have thought a dog danced with rhythm.”

“I’ve seen you on the football field. Anyone with moves like that can certainly pick up the beat of dancing.” She wagged her brows.

“You’re talking years ago. I haven’t moved on a field of any sort besides one with hay in more years than I’d like to admit.”

“You’ll do just fine.” She reached for his hand and entwined her fingers with his. She wasn’t expecting the electric that passed between them.

He took a long drink of his beer then set it beside her glass. “I hope you’re right. I might embarrass you.”

“I have a feeling that no one will care how your feet move.” She laughed. She already led him toward an open room where string musicians played. Several other couples occupied the space and greeted them as they approached.

“That’s good. I hope those heels of yours are steel toed.”

“No worries. I’ll lead.”

“Sweetheart, there are many things I don’t mind a woman leading in, but dancing isn’t one of them. I’m a quick learner.” His eyes dazzled.

“Okay then. I’m not a control freak. I’m all yours.” She saw something flash in his eyes, but didn’t dissect it. Instead, she stepped into his arms. He rewarded her with wrapping his arms around her waist. She couldn’t be happier that he didn’t take the proper etiquette stance and hold her hands keeping two feet between them. She liked being this close to him, their bodies connected. In that moment, she forgot about everyone in the room but the two of them.

****

Nash couldn’t help himself, he wanted to touch every part of Em.

She was so freaking beautiful and smelled so good that he didn’t care about anyone or anything but her soft body nestled next to his.

He needed skin contact, and fast, He moved his hand upward, slowly, until his fingertips skimmed the warm skin of her back. He caressed the silken flesh, hearing the exhale of her breath. Her body leaned into him and he nuzzled his nose into her hair. Mm…nice.  He wasn’t sure how much he could get by with on a dance floor, but he’d enjoy this as far as she’d let him.

He moved his hand to her shoulder, confident in the fact that she enjoyed his touch as much as he enjoyed touching her bare skin. He scrolled his fingers along her arm, until he crossed her slight wrist, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips. As he kissed the back of her knuckles, his gaze met hers. Her eyes were the windows of her soul and there he thought he saw an unidentified emotion. Did more walls crumble?

He brushed his tongue across her fingers, almost losing it in her softness.

“You lied,” she whispered.

“About what?” He still held her gaze.

“You said you couldn’t dance. I knew you could and I wasn’t imagining what we shared at the wedding reception.” Her voice was quiet.

“Oh, is this dancing? I sort of considered this foreplay.” Blood rushed from his head straight into his cock. He’d only meant to tease her, but the joke fizzled and something else took precedence, making him a little woozy. He’d only had a few drinks of his beer so it wasn’t the alcohol. “God, Em. How is it that some lucky man hasn’t come along and swept you off your pretty feet?” His voice quavered.

She blinked. “Maybe it’s not meant to happen.”

Hell, why did he suddenly feel damned lucky that no man had realized what he was missing? He stared, soaking up the moment. Her dazzling eyes. Her vulnerable expression. The pouty fullness of her lips—lips that were molded for a kiss—his kiss.

She made him imagine the unthinkable. What it would be like to belong to someone, to have someone belong to him. To make a life together. He pressed his hand at the small of her back, tugging her closer. Her knee wedged in between his legs, brushing his solid cock.  Her eyes widened slightly. Oh yeah, she knew he had it bad.

“Foreplay, huh?” Her soft voice made the hair on his arms stand.

“What would you call it? Am I wrong?” he bravely asked.

“I won’t lie. I’m turned on. I have been since I saw you working in the barn.”

This excited him more than he could almost deal with standing in the middle of a crowd of people who watched.

“Is this your plan?”

“My plan?” he asked.

“To seduce me?”

He couldn’t seem grasp her words beyond the invisible grip on his dick. “No. Hell, maybe.” He traced her fingers, bringing one to his mouth and darting his tongue along the length. Her breath came out along with a low groan. Her shoulders slumped some.

He rolled the tip of his tongue to the tip of one well-manicured white nail. He wanted those nails ripping a territorial tattoo down his back. He pulled her even closer, so close that her thigh rubbed his balls through his jeans.

Would she push him away? Would she slap his face?

She didn’t make a move, just continued to watch him with gorgeous, expressive eyes.

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart.”

Her lashes lowered, brushing against the tops of her cheeks. Innocently, but he knew better.

“Why are you doing this?” she mumbled.

“You fully understand why.” His husky voice told of his inner turmoil.

Her lashes flew open. “No, I have no clue.”

“I haven’t thought of anything but you since the last time you and I had danced.” He nuzzled his nose against her cheek. “If you don’t know that, then you’re as empty headed as a chicken.”

“We came here to get Katy’s attention. We should see if she’s here.” She started to move but he didn’t release his hold.

“Are you changing the subject?”

“Yes—yes, I am.” She was breathless.

“Right now, Katy isn’t the reason for this.” He subtly skimmed his hips against her hip. Her breath swooshed from her lips. “Let’s get out of here, okay?”

“Yes.” She answered without hesitation. “Let me first run to the restroom, okay?”

“I’ll meet you by the front door.”

CHAPTER NINE

EM STEPPED OUT of the bathroom, dropping her lipstick back into her purse, when she bumped into someone. She brought her chin up, ready to apologize when she recognized the pretty blonde staring back at her. “Katy, right?”

The woman smiled. “Ah, you remember me. I see you’re here with Nash Walters.”

Em had never been at a loss of words, but right now, she couldn’t put two words together fast enough before awkward silence fell over them. She finally managed, “Yes.”

Katy smiled. “I thought you were seeing someone else. Was it Joe—”

“John Nazarene.”

“Ah, okay. What happened?”

Not knowing this chick enough to share the dirty details, Em shrugged. “You know how it is. Things fizzle.”

“And are you dating Nash?” Curiosity filled the woman’s gaze.

“No, I mean, yes, we’re here on a date, but it’s nothing serious.”

Relief brightened Katy’s eyes. “I hope this isn’t too forward, but if you two aren’t dating—”

“We aren’t.” Em quickly shook her head.

“I thought I might ask him if he’d like to have dinner one day next week. I just don’t want to overstep anything.”

“You won’t be. Trust me. I think you should ask him,” Em encouraged her.

“Okay then. I will.”

After Katy stepped into the bathroom, Em wanted to shove her head through the wall. She’d practically had an orgasm on the dance floor with Nash, and then turned around to fix him up with another woman. What the hell had happened to her?

She had no rights to Nash. She could have easily told Katy that Nash was taken, but she couldn’t lie.

This was what Nash wanted—Katy.

****

Nash got the message from DJ to be at the Rhinestone for dinner at six. Nash wanted to turn the invitation down and go back home. He had work to do and didn’t have time for socializing. Those were his thoughts as he rode his horse, Danger, to the north side of the property. He passed the largest cabin where DJ and Pearl were staying until the last minute projects were finished on their new house. Why couldn’t they have entertained him with ribs and potatoes here? The cabin had a nice view of the surrounding area. In fact, he wouldn’t mind taking up residence there himself when the couple moved out.

Point was, he couldn’t turn his brother and sister in law down. DJ probably wouldn’t take no for an answer either.

He had a suspicion the newlyweds would be announcing a baby before long. They both wanted children and they were in love.

Nash had a nagging pain in his gut. He wasn’t jealous of DJ’s happiness, but damn if he wasn’t a tad bit envious. Up until recently he’d been okay with his single status, but here lately his brain had changed a course of action. He suddenly had a hankering for settling down.

He needed more in his life than work. He needed a woman to share his life with. Seeing how happy DJ was made Nash realize what he’d been missing. To have someone to laugh with, to share the day’s troubles, to hold when the nights were cold…hell yeah, that’s what he wanted.

His mind drifted to Em. No surprise. Dang woman had taken up residence there. He wondered if she would be there also? Of course. It was her place.

He tightened his grip on the leather rein.

He hadn’t seen her in two days, since the night of the party when she’d come back from the bathroom with a cold shoulder and an attitude meant to bust his balls. He’d asked her what had happened, but she’d blown him off saying she didn’t feel well and needed to go home. Instead of digging for an answer, he had let it go.

They hadn’t spoken since.