Trouble With a Cowboy Read Free Page B

charmer, Tucker," she said before she kissed him on the cheek. "I’ll
see you in a minute."
    He
tipped his hat as he headed for the bathroom. When she'd disappeared earlier,
he'd checked his wallet realizing he'd forgotten to stock it with a condom or
two, but he knew the bathrooms in these places usually had plenty.
    A
couple of bucks and a turn of the wrist gave them both the protection needed.
    With
a happy tune on his lips, he headed for the double doors leading outside. The cold
November air hit his face like tiny needles pricking his skin as a chill zipped
down his spine. Holy shit, it's still pretty
cool out here. He glanced around but didn't see Jacie. Well, where did she go?
    Raised
voices met his ear as he strained to hear over the loud music filtering from
inside the club.
    The
distinctively female tone had apprehension running down his back, urging him to
hurry in the direction of the side of the bar, especially when he heard,
"Get your fucking hands off me, Kyle, before your nuts end up in your
throat."
    "Get
your hands off her, buddy, before I break your damned neck," Tucker
growled as he slid to a stop behind the other man and wrapped one arm around
Kyle's throat.
    "Easy
man," Kyle said, grabbing Tucker's arm, trying to relieve the pressure on
his neck. "I only wanted to get acquainted with the lady."
    "She's
with me, asshole. She already told you inside, she knows a real cowboy when she
sees one and you ain't it. I suggest you find yourself one of those buckle
bunnies in the bar and leave Jacie alone," he said, pushing Kyle toward
the doors.
    "You'll
pay for this. Both of you," Kyle grumbled, but kept on moving.
    "Are
you all right?" Tucker asked, worried he hadn't been in time and Kyle had
actually hurt her.
    "I'm
okay," she said, her voice soft, almost unsure—not at all like the spunky
woman he'd spent the last few hours with. She picked at a torn spot on her
sleeve.
    Tucker
put one finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Why don't
you sit down on the steps there for a minute? I'm sure you're shaken up a
bit."
    "Thanks,"
she whispered.
    Her
whole body trembled from her ordeal. He tried to help calm her by running his
hands up and down her arms. "How about we get a cup of coffee, huh? I know
an all-night diner in town. They make some pretty good pie too."
    Her
palms ran down her arms. "I don't think so, Tucker. I'm sorry, but I
should be getting back to my room. I've got an early morning tomorrow. Being
accosted by a drunk, overbearing asshole, kind of ruined the mood."
    "I'm
sorry too. Is your car parked around here?"
    "I
walked."
    "Let
me at least escort you to your motel. I wouldn't put it past Joe Slugger there
to try something."
    Her
bottom lip disappeared between her teeth while she contemplated his offer. She could be thinking I'm just as big of an
asshole as Kyle. In an attempt to reassure her, he said, "Only a ride
to the motel, Jacie. I promise."
    "Okay.
Thanks. It's kind of cold out here."
    "It
is November. You never know about the weather this time of year."
    He
pulled out his cell to call a cab. It sucked being somewhere without
transportation, but right now he didn't have any himself after the disaster his
own situation had become. Tucker Marshall was always in control, always had his
finger on the pulse of the cattle business and always had the number one bull
on the PBR circuit. Sitting in Littleton, Oklahoma trying to find a big rig
driver to get his prize bull to the National Finals Rodeo didn't sit well with
him at all.
    Several
minutes later, the cab pulled up. He held open the door for her while she slid
inside and he took the seat next to her.
    "The
Little Motel, please," she said, giving the driver directions.
    "Sounds
like a charming place."
    "Yeah,
if you like dive motels, hard beds and thin curtains, it's just dandy, but it's
all I could afford for tonight. I needed to give my mare a break from the
road."
    "Been
driving for awhile?"
    Her
lips lifted in a small smile.