Blaine, Destiny - Roping in Forever [Forever 1] (Siren Publishing Allure) Read Free Page B

“But I admit that was a close call.”
    “I hope you’ll reconsider,” Benson said, refusing to take a no and go.
    “You ain’t out of the woods yet, Smokey,” Travis said, swinging his arm over the back of his seat so he could look on with direct interest.
    “This isn’t your typical club,” Benson explained. “I get VIP service since I know the owner. If you’re with me, you’ll be treated like a star from the moment we arrive there.”
    Corbin gripped the table with both hands. “What the hell is he doing?’
    Travis looked over Corbin’s shoulder. “Looks to me like he’s scheduling a date with your woman.”
    “Here,” she drawled. “Give me a call. We’ll talk about it.”
    “I’ll do it,” Benson said, rolling his tongue over his bottom lip and looking at Bella like she was the dessert he’d forgotten to eat.
    Corbin slumped in the booth, trying his dead-leveled best not to gawk at the slip of paper in Benson’s hand. About the time Bella headed their way again, Corbin grabbed his hat and took off for the exit.
    “Hey Corbin. I was just coming to wait—”
    “You can keep right on waiting, Bella. I’ve lost my appetite and I may never get it back.”

    * * * *

    Truth told, Corbin had never been hungrier. He stalked around the barn that afternoon madder than a caged bull waiting for his first rodeo. He’d been unable to think of anything other than Bella since he’d returned from San Antonio . Then as bad luck would have it, when he finally decided to approach her, what had she done?
    Humph! She’d hooked up with that damned-ass kink mongrel. Benson Leary was no proper match for a lady. He certainly wasn’t a good man for Bella.
    “There you are,” Travis said, entering the office. “Danny Carlton is outside. He’s here with that load of Holsteins you wanted brought back from the Wheeler feedlots.”
    “Put ’em in pin five. I’ll see to ’em tomorrow.”
    “What’s wrong with you?”
    Corbin slowly lifted his gaze and stared at Travis. “You have to ask?”
    Travis laughed. “No, but I’d love to hear the excuses you give for being as ornery as a hornet trapped under a woman’s skirt.”
    Corbin sneered. “It ain’t a woman’s skirt I’m worried about.”
    “The hell it ain’t,” Travis said, going for the door.
    “Wait,” Corbin said, standing. “I want to know something. How come you never told me exactly what Bella said when you saw her in San Antonio ?”
    “You never asked.”
    “You should’ve volunteered and told me what she allowed all the same.”
    Travis shrugged. “Some things a man is better off not knowing.”
    “Maybe so, but I’m askin’ and you’re gonna give me the straight of it.”
    Travis sat on the end of the worn leather sofa. “Corbin, the way I see this mess here is that you’ve got two choices. You can either leave Bella alone—and I do mean leave her be, don’t go near her, don’t think about her, nothin’—or you can start actin’ like the kind of fella that girl deserves. If you do that, you best take a warning before you pursue her.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Travis took a deep breath. Upon releasing the dramatic sigh, he rubbed his chin and said, “If you hook up with Bella, you’re done man. She’ll ruin you for other women. She’s gonna latch on and never let go.”
    “I ain’t lookin’ for a permanent relationship.”
    “Then like I said, you best be leavin’ her alone then. You may not be lookin’, Corbin, but what you’ll find if you get a hold of Bella is more than you’ve ever had in this lifetime. Take it from someone who’s been there.”
    “She’s too young.”
    “Yep.”
    “She’s barely a woman.”
    “Yep.”
    Corbin shrugged. “For the first time in your sorry life, you’re right. I best be leavin’ her alone.”
    “Yeah, buddy. That’s for sure. Besides, Benson is known to train ’em young. Let him break her in for ya. Then, if you’re still interested, go see