Chapter Two

Grant realized too late that the redheaded she-devil was headed right for him. He scowled. He’d watched her with Teddy; the two couldn’t have been more perfect for one another. Why did she feel the need to come over and harass him?

He scowled as she got closer but, as usual, she ignored his obvious disinterest in her company.

“Hey, Doc,” she greeted.

“Hello.” He lifted his glass of beer and took a drink, hoping she’d get bored fast and leave him alone.

The problem was, he had to admit she was gorgeous. Stunning really. With her hair in some fancy updo, her eyes looked even bigger and bluer. Her gown clung to every curve and showcased that amazing cleavage to its finest. All in all, she was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he’d seen in a very long time. Unfortunately, that didn’t change the fact she was also a pain in the ass.

“No, I wouldn’t like a drink, but thanks for asking,” she quipped.

He deliberately took another swallow of his cold beer. “If you want something to drink, I’m sure Teddy would be happy to fetch it for you.”

“Oh, he would like to do more than fetch me a beer, that’s for sure.” She rolled her eyes.

Grant looked past her to where the other man was already surrounded by not one, not two, but three beautiful blondes. Charli brushed a stray hair out of her face and he had this odd thought about how silky her hair probably was.

“I told him tonight I was all yours.”

Grant’s mouth went dry and his pants immediately tightened even as panic rose in his chest. “What?” he choked out.

She moved in even closer and took his drink. “Beth paired us together. You know, Bridesmaid and Groomsman. I told Teddy it was tradition that I shouldn’t leave your side.” She turned the glass to the exact spot where his mouth had just been and took a long drink, finishing it off.

He watched her smooth golden neck as she swallowed the draft. He fought the insane urge to kiss her and taste the beer on her tongue.

The teasing glint in her eyes told him that once again she knew what he was thinking. He jerked his gaze away and took the glass from her hand. “Finished?”

She nodded. “I wonder how much longer we have to stay out here before we can move into the air-conditioning?” She fanned her face with her hands.

Grant noticed she didn’t look warm at all. No signs of perspiration. He’d already mopped his forehead twice with his handkerchief. It was brutal. “Only Beth and Tyler would decide they had to get married outdoors in June.”

Charli shrugged. “It’s the way her grandmother did it and she wanted the wedding to be like that one. Did you see the carriage? It’s gorgeous.”

Grant knew Beth had tried hard to replicate her grandmother’s wedding, not that he understood why. She hadn’t even known her grandparents. Then again, that was a woman for you, they got an idea in their head and that’s the way it was going to be. Practical or not.

“I don’t know why they had to have a carriage to drive them around the property. They’re going to end up right back here again for the reception.”

“It’s romantic. Come on, Doc, haven’t you ever done anything silly in the name of love?”

“No.” He set his empty glass down on a tray as a waiter passed by.

“Well, you should try it sometime. Maybe you wouldn’t be so grouchy.” Charli picked up a flute of champagne and took a sip.

“I’m not grouchy. I’m practical,” he pointed out. He wasn’t grouchy. Actually, he enjoyed today—except for the heat, and now the company. Beth and Tyler had waited a long time to be together. While he would never understand why she took the man back after he broke her heart, Beth was happy and that’s what mattered to him.

Charli shifted to his side and slid her hand through his arm. “Come on, you can tell me how you aren’t grouchy while we walk. The rest of the bridal party is heading for the tents. The bride and groom must be back.”

The last thing he wanted to do was walk with her this close to his side but there was no way out of it. As she gleefully explained earlier, he was her escort for the evening. His mother had raised a gentleman and that’s what he would be—even if it killed him. She stumbled and he grasped her elbow to steady her.

“Thanks, heels are murder when you’re walking on grass.”

Grant remembered seeing her the first morning in his office. She’d been barefoot with that toe ring. Why did the image turn him on? He had no idea, but found himself staring at her red tipped toes peeking out from the high heeled sandals.

“Why don’t you take them off?” he suggested.

“I will later on. Once we start dancing.” She scrunched up her nose. “I hate dancing in heels.”

Dancing? He forgot there would be dancing. And they’d have to dance together wouldn’t they? Grant sighed. The last thing he wanted, the very, very last thing he wanted, was to have to hold her in his arms. She’d never let him get away with keeping her at arm’s length. No, she’d have to press that long, lean, sexy body of hers right up against his. Then she’d find out the horrible truth. Being around her made him as hard as Texas dirt in August. She’d love to find that out. Memories of the dream he had of her, when she’d held him hostage, flashed back to mind and he scowled.

“Don’t tell me, you hate dancing too?” She shook her head as they reached the doorway to the tent. Before she went inside she turned. “I think it’s a good thing Beth paired us up, Doc. You really do need to lighten up.”

****

After a dinner that was by far the best food Grant had ever eaten, Teddy took to the stage with his band, The Scoundrels.

“Ladies and Gentleman, if I could have your attention?” The crowd quieted and he continued. “Please welcome my baby brother and his brand new bride, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Weston, to the dance floor.”

Grant clapped with everyone else but found himself glancing at the redhead next to him. For once, her attention was elsewhere as she watched the bride and groom dance. He followed her gaze to find Beth gazing up at Tyler with such love and admiration, he found himself envious. Would he ever be lucky enough to have a woman love him the way Beth loved Tyler? He was ready for that. Ready for the forever kind of relationship with the house and the dog and the kids. He had a vision of the type of woman who’d share his life, a pretty, girl next door type. Not flashy, but not homely either. She’d understand the demands of his job and would create a home that he’d be glad to return to at the end of a long day.

A slim hand slid to his thigh pulling him out of his thoughts with a jolt of electricity.

Charli laughed and patted his leg. “Were you sleeping, Doc? They’re calling the bridal party to the dance floor.” She stood and waited for him to join her.

Grant reluctantly followed her down the small steps to the dance floor. When they reached the parquet inlets, he felt her hand slip through his arm. He turned and she slid into his arms as if she’d been dancing with him for years. As he knew she would, she moved in as close as she could and wrapped one arm around his neck. She’d ditched her heels during dinner but even in her bare feet she was almost eye to eye with him.

The fabric of her gown was slippery and he had to grasp her waist firmly so he wouldn’t slip off and cup her hip. His other hand clasped hers tightly, keeping their upper bodies from touching.

He pretended to watch the other dancers so he wouldn’t have to look at his partner. Sara and Buck were wrapped in a slow embrace, hardly moving at all. Susan and Cord were actually waltzing and looked like they knew what they were doing. Grant was impressed. Along with everything else, the other man seemed to know his way around the dance floor. Was there anything that guy wasn’t good at?

He realized he wasn’t the only one watching Cord. He was amazed at the longing on Charli’s face as she watched the eldest Weston. Did the leggy redhead have a thing for the head of the ranch? She had to realize how insane that was, didn’t she?

Her hand in his loosened as if she forgot he was even there. He squeezed it. For whatever reason, it annoyed him that she drooled over someone else while in his arms.

Her gaze returned to his face, but not before she could hide what he’d seen in her eyes. Yet, in a split second, the teasing glint returned and she pulled her hand from his clasp to loop both arms around his neck. Her breasts crushed into his chest and her hips snuggled up to his.

The desire he’d tamped down sprang back to life. And he knew she could feel it, too.

The wedding photographer appeared and Charli pressed her cheek against his for the camera. Her perfume filled his senses, not flowery or sweet smelling, more spicy and deep, an odd scent he couldn’t quite figure out. Just like her. Her hips swayed and dipped with the music’s beat and every time she moved, his body skyrocketed with sensations he’d thought he’d learned to tamp down long ago.

Her fingers sifted through the hair at the back of his neck and a shiver coursed up his spine.

He jerked his head away from her touch. “Behave, Trouble.”

She laughed. “Trouble? Is that what you think I am?” She laughed again. “Oh, Doc, how can you say I’m trouble. I haven’t done anything even remotely bad.”

“That night at the LoneStar? You weren’t looking to cause trouble? The way you came on to me?” He pulled back as a sudden thought occurred to him. “You were only teasing that night weren’t you? You knew I would never take you up on what you were brazenly offering. You felt safe to throw yourself at me, didn’t you?”

She lifted her chin, her blue eyes full of confidence. “Doc, I never make a promise that I don’t intend to follow through with.”

His heart skipped in his chest. He’d been prepared for her to deny it. He swallowed. “Like I said, trouble—with a capital T.”

He had wondered if her breasts had been enhanced by surgery but the way they felt cushioned against his chest removed all doubts. They were one hundred percent real. His imagination tripped into overdrive again—unhooking the halter style neckline of her gown, watching it fall to her waist baring her to his view, reaching up to cup each perfect globe in his hand, the velvet softness and her sigh of pleasure as he stroked them.

With a start, he realized the song had ended and another began, and they were still dancing. His little fantasy made him miss his chance to escape. Now he had to endure yet another torturous slow dance. He’d never been one to indulge in fantasies. What was it about this temptress that sent his creative juices flowing? She was half-angel and half-devil. Her body promised untold pleasures while her sassy mouth promised even more than that. Was it a game she played with all men? Was she a true tease, or would she back up every one of those naughty promises just like she said she would?

Grant tried to put space between them but she shimmied right along with him. Desperate, he tried to find conversation, to focus on anything but the place where their bodies continued to rub. “Did you know who I was at the bar?”

Charli shrugged. “Beth had described you to me so I knew it was you when you walked in.” She traced his lower lip and slid a long red nail down his chin. “But she didn’t tell me about this dimple in your chin, or how your muscles bulged inside your T-shirt.” Her hands slid down until they wrapped around his waist and then lower. “Or the way your butt looked in jeans.”

Grant’s body jerked when her hands began to reach below his middle back. He quickly clasped one of her hands in his and set her other one on his shoulder. “I owe you an apology for that night.”

“For not taking me home?” She tipped her head to study him.

“No, for what I said about your father. I didn’t know who he was. I made a pretty crass remark.”

Her hair brushed his cheek and he almost tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. He couldn’t breathe as her lips moved closer to his neck.

“I know how you could make it up to me,” she whispered.

The urge to turn his head and capture her lips was powerful. He scanned the room, wondering how many people would see them if he did. Too many. She tangled her fingers into his hair. They were bumped from behind by another couple and she was pressed harder against his already throbbing groin. He held her gaze with his own.

She felt so good in his arms. He knew she’d feel even better in his bed, lying under him. That was not a good idea. One of them had to be smart. This woman would take a man straight to heaven right before she plunged him to hell. This had to stop before he did something stupid.

Grant forced space between them, ignoring her confused expression. He shook his head as she began to move in close again. “Look, Trouble. I’m flattered, really, but I’m not interested in someone like you. You are gorgeous, sexy, and fun to be around. But we need to work together for the next six weeks. So, no hard feelings, but I really want this cat and mouse game to stop. Okay?”

The smile on her lips froze and the look in her eyes went from blazing hot to ice cold. She stopped dancing. “What do you mean someone like me?”

“All I’m saying is you are wasting your time on me. I’m not interested.”

Her red lips opened but, as the music ended, she seemed to change her mind, turned and walked away.

As Grant watched, Teddy came off the stage from singing with his band and followed her. He slid a hand around her waist and bent to say something. Within seconds, the two danced to the fast paced music as if they’d choreographed their movements.

Grant shoved his hands in his pockets. That was more like it. Those two were made for each other. Their bodies moved in a sexy beat. Charli lifted her arms over her head. Her long body swayed and gyrated and Grant couldn’t look away. When her gaze met his, she lifted her chin as if to tell him to go to hell. He nodded. I’m already there.

When the other man pulled her into his arms and spun her around, Grant finally walked away. She was in good hands now, or at least someone else’s problem. Why did that make him feel so deflated?

Grant reached the other side of the room. Beth stood there for the moment by her self. She smiled as he approached and he hugged her tight. They’d been friends since their first day in college together and for the past three years in business together. As much as he might have thought himself in love with her off and on over the years, she’d only ever wanted Tyler. And, truth be told, he was at least glad she had finally reached her happy-ever-after.

He kissed her cheek and squeezed both her hands in his own. “You look beautiful.”

“What do you think?”

Grant frowned. “About the wedding? It’s great, everything you wanted, isn’t it?”

Beth smacked him on the arm. “Not the wedding, Charli. What do you think about her? Isn’t she absolutely gorgeous?”

Grant turned back to the dance floor where the topic of their discussion was still wrapped in Teddy’s arms. He shrugged, trying to pretend indifference, but inside, he wondered once again why it mattered to him that other men were drawn to her like flies to honey.

He turned back to Beth. “She’s very nice, but not my type.”

“Not your type? What are you talking about?” Beth tipped her head and regarded him as if he was a bug under a microscope. “What’s the matter with you? Look at her.”

“What are you talking about?”

Beth grinned. “I knew a time when you wouldn’t hesitate for a second to go after someone like her. When we were in college, you were the one who stayed out all night and stumbled in just in time for classes. You dated anyone in a skirt.” She quirked a brow. “When was the last time you went on a date for that matter?”

Grant stared at her. “Has it completely slipped your mind that we’ve been a bit busy the past few years?”

Beth grabbed his arm. “I know, and I promise you it’s going to get better. As soon as I get back from this trip, we’ll work it out. I just want you to have fun and thought maybe Charli could help with that a little.”

“My days of dating women like Charli Boyd are behind me. The next woman I date is going to be calm, maybe even someone a bit on the plain side. And definitely with no drama in her life.”

“So, you’re saying you want me to find you a boring, ugly girl?” Beth laughed.

Grant frowned. “That’s not what I mean. You don’t get it.”

He heard Charli’s shriek of laughter and turned his head. Teddy dipped her over his arm as close to the floor as he could get without dropping her. The redhead clung to his shoulders, her leg stuck out for balance. He didn’t want a flirting beauty. He wanted to meet someone who would be a true partner to him. Someone, well, like Beth. She was exactly what he wanted. He swallowed hard and looked down at her in her bridal gown. Not for the first time, he wondered what life would have been like if there’d been no Tyler in the picture.

Beth patted his shoulder and her sparkling diamond band caught the overhead lights. “Okay, I’ll help you with that as soon as I get back.”

Grant narrowed his eyes. “Don’t even think about it! I don’t need you to find me a date. And don’t get your sisters on this mission either. You focus all your attention on your new husband.”

Beth’s eyes glowed. “I’m going to concentrate on him so much he won’t be able to stand up straight.”

Grant put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her to his side. “I’m happy you’re happy. You know that don’t you? Someday Tyler and I might even get along.”

Beth leaned back to glance up. “I hope so. It would mean the world to me.”

It wasn’t easy for him to have any affection for her new husband. Tyler had broken Beth’s heart and had disappeared from her life for almost two years. When he came home and she took him back, Grant told her she was a fool. He was still struggling with having respect for the other man.

“With the two of you in Abilene and me here, we shouldn’t be crossing paths too much anyway.”

Beth tucked her hair behind her ear. “Maybe it’s good that you aren’t interested in Charli. She’ll run the office and you can focus on everything else. She’s really good.”

Grant couldn’t stop himself from glancing at the dance floor again. His body throbbed at the sight of her swaying hips gyrating with Teddy. He jerked his gaze away. “I’m sure she is.”

He’d become good at avoiding the office completely the past few days, but he knew they couldn’t work that way forever. Sooner or later he’d have to work alongside her. A fantasy of her chasing him around the examination room in a short white nurse’s uniform flicked through his mind.

He turned back in time to see Tyler appeared out of nowhere and slide his arms around Beth from behind.

Grant moved to leave the couple alone.

Tyler called him back. “Don’t go too far.”

Grant frowned and looked over his shoulder. “Why, what’s up?”

“I’m going to toss my bouquet soon and then Ty’s going to toss the garter. You need to be out there for that.” Beth picked up her bouquet off the stand near them.

“No way.” Grant held his hands up. “You go right ahead and throw it to some other sap.”

“You have to; you’re in the wedding party. It wouldn’t look right if you didn’t,” Beth protested.

“You have enough other men to catch it. Let me out of this.”

Beth shook her head and set her chin stubbornly. He sighed. Grant knew what that meant—she wasn’t budging on this stupid idea.

Her new husband shrugged his shoulders. “You know as well as I do, it’s easier to do what she wants.”

“Fine. Whatever. I’ll stand out there.” Didn’t mean he had to participate; he just had to be there.

He watched as the single ladies rushed to the dance floor and within seconds, Beth had tossed the bouquet. Charli, the tallest woman in the room, easily caught it one-handed.

Beth took a seat in a chair on the dance floor and Tyler knelt at her feet. After several catcalls and whistles, the groom removed the blue garter from his bride’s leg.

“We need all the single men on the dance floor now and believe me, this garter will be well worth catching,” Tyler quipped and pointed to Charli who waited patiently to see who would place the garter on her leg.

Grant reluctantly joined the pack for the foolish wedding ritual. Resolutely, he folded his arms across his chest and watched the other men vie for position. The fact that the woman who caught the bouquet was a knockout made it more than a friendly competition.

When the groom finally tossed the garter, Grant watched the other men shove and push to get to it. But the man who emerged the winner was none other than Chase Boyd. Holding it firmly in his hand he faced the younger men, daring them to take it from him.

Tyler wrapped his arm around the older man’s shoulder. “Good job, Chase.” Ty laughed. “But you don’t want to put that on your own daughter, it wouldn’t look right. I’ll tell you what; I have a nice, trustworthy man for the job.”

Before Grant knew what had happened, the garter was in his possession. His gaze slammed into Charli’s and his stomach flipped over. She looked like the proverbial cat who had just spied the canary. He closed his hand around the scrap of blue satin and swallowed hard.

Tyler approached her and held out his arm to escort her to the chair on the dance floor. Charli took her seat and neatly crossed her legs, sitting up as straight as any princess on her throne. The glint in her eyes as she watched him told Grant she was looking forward to this humiliating experience.

He narrowed his eyes. Fine. He’d had enough of her sassy mouth and laughing eyes. It was time this wild child got what was coming to her.