Stripped Down (3 page)

Violet crossed her arms over her chest. “I hope that’s not true because Wyn promised me a dance.”

“When did I promise you a dance?”

“It’s a figure of speech, Wyn, meaning I want to dance with you.”

“Ah. Well, I wouldn’t want you turnin’ down all the other fellas who’re eager to squire you around the dance floor on the off chance I’ll tear myself away from this lovely lady’s side tonight. Because I doubt that’s gonna happen.”

Violet didn’t know how to respond. She spun on her boot heel and stormed off.

“Recent conquest?” Melissa asked.

“Eight months ago or so.”

“She lousy in bed?”

“Not that I recall.”

“So why no repeat?”

Wyn watched Violet move to the back of the room. “That’d give her the false expectation there might be a three-peat. I’m not interested in settling down with her. Or anyone else.”

“That’s another thing we have in common. But there seems to be…a few haters, here, Super Man-Slut. So how many women in this place have you nailed and bailed?”

He scanned the tables. “Six?”

“You’re not
sure
how many women have slicked up your pole, grease monkey?”

“Funny, Kentucky. You say that like you didn’t admit, two short hours ago that you’re equally as slutty as me.”

“Fair point.”

“Lots of people from the world of rodeo here. How many guys have you mounted and discounted, Amazing Slut-Girl?”

“Mounted and discounted.” She snickered. “That’s a new one. I might have to steal that.” Melissa tried to discreetly crane her neck to scan the area. After several moments, she said, “Four. Five if I’m counting the same guy but two different times.”

“Nope. Still only counts as four. But I
am
interested on what he did that earned him a second go.”

“He was breathing.”

Wyn choked on his beer. “What the hell?”

Melissa shrugged. “All right, it was more boinking from boredom. We ended up at the same after party. Other people started hooking up so we were like...you’ll do. How close is your horse trailer?”

“Has he been eye-ballin’ you?”

“Some. But I’m not interested in ballin’ him, because that’d be a three-peat rule violation and like you, I don’t raise false hopes.” She cocked her head. “But I’d make an exception to that rule for you.”

“You know what I like about you so far, Kentucky? You don’t make excuses for bein’ a highly sexual woman.”

“And?”

“And you said you were gonna make me work for it. Since we’re bein’ open about everything else, explain how. Because I want a piece of you like you wouldn’t believe.” Wyn pushed to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

Chapter Two

Mel, you are in deep with this man and you’ve known him less than half a day.

She watched Wynton Grant amble off. And she couldn’t help but notice other women sizing up the rancher hottie too.

From the moment she’d set eyes on him she had that overwhelming punch of want—a feeling that happened to her so rarely lately. So seeing the identical look of lust sizzling in his eyes? The balls to the wall woman of action who’d been in hiding for the past six months had awakened with one thing on her mind.

Sex.

Lots of it.

Hot and dirty sex.

Fast sex.

Slow sex.

And it turned out the very sexy best man was more than happy to oblige.

This was turning out to be the best wedding ever.

The object of her lust stopped to speak to an older woman, giving Mel ample opportunity to study him. The man had it going on. His shoulders were so broad that he blocked the view of the woman entirely. Pity he hadn’t taken off his western cut suit coat so she could check out his ass; she’d bet his buns were grade A prime beef too. Not only did he have a big physical presence, he carried himself with confidence. He had an easy smile—which was a sexy-as-his wicked grin. From the back she noticed his dark hair brushed his collar and held more than a little curl. The groom and groomsmen had removed their cowboy hats as soon as the wedding pictures were done. As much as she appreciated a man in a hat, Wynton looked better without it.

Hands landed on the back of Mel’s chair and a soft rustle of fabric tickled her neck.

“Staring at him that intently won’t make his clothes disappear,” London murmured in her ear.

“That obvious?”

“Yes. But if it helps, my brother-in-law is staring back at you the same way.”

“Then maybe I’ll get lucky on your wedding night too, Mrs. Grant.”

London plopped down in Wynton’s chair. Her wedding dress was a stunning mix of ivory satin and chiffon. Intricate beadwork of rhinestones and pearls stretched across the bodice of the off-the-shoulder dress. Folds of satin were ruched below her breasts and then floaty, filmy panels of chiffon fell in a column to the floor. It was simple and elegant—exactly like London herself.

“So you’ll get a kick out of this, but you cannot tell anyone.” London leaned in close enough that a long tendril of her hair touched Mel’s cheek. “Earlier, when Sutton said the photographer wanted pictures of just us? Total lie. My husband insisted we have some alone time. And by alone time I mean us in the ready room, with my wedding dress pushed up to my hips, Sutton’s tux pants around his ankles as he proved how much he loved me by immediately consummating our marriage.”

Mel grinned. “Sounds like him.”

“He said he didn’t want to wait hours to finally claim what was legally his forever.”

“If I didn’t love you so much I’d hate you. That’s so freakin’ romantic.”

“I know. I’m so lucky. I am such a sucker for that man. He keeps trying to get me…” She sighed. “Look, I need you to do me a favor.”

“Anything.”

London tucked a key into Mel’s cleavage. “Keep this away from me. And definitely keep it away from Sutton.”

“What is it?”

“The key to the ready room where we already rocked the countertop. I have to tell him that I lost it because if he had his way we’d be in there right now. I understand this is a celebration for everyone else, so I can share him for a few more hours. But I promise we ain’t gonna be here all night.”

“Everyone will expect you to take off.”

“Speaking of expectations…You’ve been such a huge help to me throughout the wedding planning. Mom and I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Mel teared up. “My pleasure. But if you would’ve turned into Bridezilla at any point, I would’ve bitch-slapped you.”

“And that’s why I love you.” London hugged her. “But don’t think for one second that I’m not aware there’s been some serious shit going on with you the last six months. You can talk to me about anything. So I’m telling you that you
will
be spilling your guts to me as soon as I return from my honeymoon, got it?”

“Yes, bossy-pants.”

“That’s
Mrs
. Bossy-pants to you.” London whispered, “Thank you for being my maid of honor, Mel. Thank you especially for being the sister of my heart.”

The tears she tried to hold back fell freely. “Same goes.”

“You have your own special chair, my darlin’ sister-in-law, so get outta mine,” Wynton said behind them, “and quit hoggin’ my wedding partner.”

“I’m goin’, I’m goin’.”

After he sat, he noticed Mel’s damp cheeks and he looked at London sharply. “You made her cry?”

“They’re happy tears, I promise,” Mel said with a sniffle.

“So you weren’t here warning her off me?” Wynton asked London.

“I should, because you’re a serious pain in my ass. But I kinda like you, Wyn, so I’ll take the high road and not fill her in on your many conquests.” London winked. “His little black book rivals yours, Mel. So I’m thinking you two might be a match made in heaven.”

He laughed after London flounced off. “Love that girl.”

“Me too.”

A voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “Let’s kick off the festivities with the bride and groom’s first dance as a married couple. Sutton and London, take the floor please.”

Wynton scooted his chair closer. “Will you cry when you hear the song he chose?”

“Maybe. This part and the father/daughter dance always make me cry.” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait. What do you mean the song
he
chose?”

“Sutton asked London if she trusted him to pick a first dance song and surprise her.”

“So you know what it is?”

He nodded. “And trust me, Kentucky. You’re gonna need more tissues.”

Turned out, he was right.

* * * *

Ten minutes later, when she and Wynton were on the dance floor with Cres and Stirling, the newlyweds, and both sets of parents, Mel still had a lump in her throat thinking about the song Sutton had picked. Billy Joel’s “She’s Got A Way.”

“You all right?” Wynton murmured.

“No. I’m just so happy that London found the perfect man for her. Sutton...gets her. I never would’ve pegged him as the romantic type.”

“Yeah. Me neither. He told me she makes him a better man. I guess that’s something to aim for in a relationship.” Wynton smiled against her cheek. “I’m happy for him too.” He paused. “Maybe a little jealous.”

“Jealous? You? Mr. I’m-not-settling-down?”

“From a strictly competitive point of view,” he explained. “I’m the oldest. I should’ve gotten married first.”

Mel tilted her head back and stared into his eyes. “I call bullshit on that. Nut up and admit you want that.” She pointed at the happy couple.

“Fine. I want that. Someday. How about you?”

“Of course I want it. When I’m lucky enough to find the one.”

The DJ called for all the guests to join the wedding party on the dance floor. And although people crowded around them, it seemed as if they were the only ones in the room.

“What makes a man ‘the one’ Melissa?”

The husky way he rasped her name sent a slow curl of heat through her. “Not wanting anyone else. Everything you do, everything you are with that one person is enough.”

“I never thought of it that way.”

“It’s logical. The literature degree allows me to break anything down to its most basic component. Even love.”

“No, baby, that romantic notion of ‘one true love’ is all you, and logic won’t play into it at all when you find him.”

And...she melted. “I really want you to kiss me right now.”

“I really want to take that pretty mouth you’re offering, but not here.” He brushed his lips across her ear. “Dance with me. Let’s both of us take the time to enjoy the journey for a change. Since it sounds like we both jump to the good part first.”

Mel was beginning to believe being in Wynton’s arms
was
the good part.

The tempo changed to a fast tune and he eased them into a two-step. They danced four songs together. When it came time for the father/daughter dance, he draped his arm over her shoulder and wordlessly pulled a tissue out of his pocket when she started to sniffle.

He excused himself to dance with his mother, and Cres whisked her back onto the dance floor when he saw Breck approaching her. After that, Mel danced with London’s dad, London’s brother, Macon, the wild bulldogger Saxton Green, and Sutton’s boss.

By the time she returned to the head table for a drink, she realized the dizzy feeling wasn’t just from dancing and she needed a quick snack to keep her blood sugar in check. She cut to the bar and downed a glass of orange juice. She turned around and Wynton was right there.

“I saw you slam that.”

“I was thirsty.”

“So it appears.” He drained the contents of his lowball glass and set it on the tray. “I like dancing with you, Kentucky. Come on.” He clasped her hand in his and led her to the dance floor.

She nestled her face against his chest and murmured, “I like dancing with you too, cowboy.”

At the start of the second slow song, Wynton said, “Most dangerous place you’ve had sex, Amazing Slut-Girl.”

If it was anyone else, she’d be surprised by the question. “Against the pen that housed the bulls after a rodeo. I kept waiting to get rammed in the back by a horn. It didn’t last long, if I recall. How about you, Super Man-Slut?”

“In my high school girlfriend’s parent’s bed. We’d just finished when we heard the front door open. We had no choice but to dive into the closet. But her parents were in the mood and they ended up goin’ at it on the floor—on the other side of the bed so we didn’t get a floor show, thank God. But my girlfriend was horrified. She was even more horrified when her dad said if he caught us doin’ it, he’d cut off my cock and send her to a convent. We broke up the next day.”

Mel laughed. “The one time I remember getting caught I almost bit off the guy’s dick. He assured me that he and his girlfriend had called it quits. I’m in his camper, giving him a blowjob, and the ‘ex’ girlfriend walks through the door—turned out they weren’t broken up. She’s pissed, I’m pissed, the dude is about to piss himself, so of course he suggests he’s willing to share himself and maybe we both oughta blow him at the same time and then do each other.”

“While he watched.”

“Of course.”

“Jesus. Some men are idiots. What happened?”

“I apologized to her and she broke up with him on the spot. We went to the bar, ended up doing blowjob shots all night and became fast friends.”

“I call bullshit on that.” Wynton tipped her head back and gazed into her eyes. “Aw, hell. That’s how you met London, isn’t it?”

She smirked. “I’ll never tell.”

“So have you been in a threesome?”

“Yes. More than one. You?”

Wynton smirked back. “Yes. More than one.”

“Well, shoot. We
are
evenly matched in slutting around.” Mel decided it was time to kick up the competition. “Ever fucked a famous person?”

“Define famous.”

“If you said the name I’d know it.”

He shook his head. “How about you?”

“Yes, I have. But I will qualify that by saying he wasn’t famous when we fucked, and it lasted like thirty seconds.”

“Who was it?”

“Sorry, cowboy, I don’t kiss and tell details. But I have no problem giving a general overview of my sexual exploits.”