Boots and Bareback: Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 3 Read online

  Isabella chalked it up to desperation. Making love to even one of them didn’t mean she would have an orgasm. She hadn’t even given Gabe a chance to get her there. Too afraid of failing, she’d shut him down and run.

  The outcome would be the same as when she’d been with Daniel. Nothing she’d tried had given her satisfaction. She’d tossed her vibrator when even it didn’t leave her satisfied.

  What did she care whether or not she could achieve the big ‘O’? The party was a gig she couldn’t afford to turn down. She wouldn’t tempt herself into testing the waters with one of the O’Briens. She didn’t want to experiment with her female ability with them anyway. How embarrassing if she couldn’t get there or had to fake it. She was a terrible faker. It had been another reason Daniel had broken it off with her. No. Faking wasn’t an option.

  Face it. She was a horse girl, not a lover. She’d do the three dances, collect her money and go back to doing what came natural, taking care of horses and taking care of Sundance. In the meantime, she’d better come up with some moves to give them their money’s worth.

  Chapter Three

  Gabe leaned against the tailgate of his truck parked at the back of the Ugly Stick Saloon, waiting for Isabella to get off work. He’d gone home when the others had called it a night. But as soon as they dropped down out of the truck, he made up the excuse of forgetting his wallet at the bar and having to go back to find it. His brothers had offered to help him, but he’d refused, saying it was probably under the table they’d sat at.

  His wallet had been in his back pocket the entire time. He just wanted a shot at asking Isabella out before his brothers could get to her.

  At two forty-five in the morning, Audrey emerged from the back door. She crossed to her bright red pickup truck, a smile curling her lips, her head tipping upward toward a star-studded sky.

  To keep from startling her, Gabe called out, “Nice evening, isn’t it?”

  Audrey jumped, her eyes widening. “Gabe? Is that you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He removed his hat and let the moon shine down on his head, illuminating his face for her to identify.

  “Please.” She shook her head. “Don’t call me ma’am. I’m not any older than you are.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He grinned.

  “Whatcha hangin’ around here for? The saloon closed forty-five minutes ago.”

  “I know. I was hoping to catch Isabella.”

  “She’s inside, working on a project. I can let you in.” She held up her keys.

  “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”

  “Good. I don’t like leaving her here all by herself.” Audrey led the way to the back door and inserted the key into the lock, then paused when headlights shone around the corner of the building.

  A truck pulled into the rear parking area.

  Audrey’s brows pulled into a frown. “Expectin’ company?”

  “No, ma’am.” The truck turned and parked. When two men dropped down out of it, Gabe sighed. “Looks like my brothers found me.”

  Her lips quirking, Audrey looked past him to Sean and Tanner. “I didn’t realize you were lost.”

  “Wish they’d get lost.” Gabe tapped his hat against his leg. “I wanted to get Isabella alone and ask her out.”

  “Is that right?” Audrey’s brows rose. “Want me to stall them?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’d be mighty appreciative.”

  “You got it, cowboy. But I’ll eventually have to let them in.” She opened the door and hurried him inside. “Make it quick.”

  Gabe hustled through the backstage area, following the lights and music to the main room with the bar and dance floor. The scent of pine cleaner filled the air and most of the chairs had been stacked upside down on the tabletops.

  At first he didn’t see her. But then the repetitive sound of metal on metal reached his ears and his attention swung to the far side of the stage where the Gray Wolf brothers had moved the mechanical horse.

  Isabella, in her cutoffs, boots and tank top swayed with the rhythm of the music and the rocking motion of the horse. With her eyes squeezed shut and her head tipped backward, her long tresses flowed down her back, brushing across the top of her buttocks.

  Gabe’s heart squeezed hard behind his rib cage. He’d never seen such beauty in motion before. He could only imagine how she’d look riding bareback on a real horse. Drawn like a bee to honey, he crossed the floor, his boots barely making a whisper on the hardwood. The music volume, set for a full dancehall, drowned out any other noises.

  When he stood in front of the woman, he stopped, reluctant to pull her out of her trance, but aware of the short amount of time he had to ask her out.

  Eyes still closed, Isabella smiled, the glow on her face ethereal, stunning and completely relaxed.

  Gabe hated to interrupt whatever thought was giving her so much pleasure, at the same time a twinge of jealousy hit him in the gut. “What’s making you smile, pretty Isabella?”

  Isabella’s eyes popped open, she lost her balance and pitched forward, toppling from the mechanical horse.

  Gabe dove for her and caught her in his arms to steady her.

  She rested her hands on his chest, her breathing coming in short gasps. “Damn, you scared the fool out of me.”

  Gabe chuckled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to finish our conversation from earlier.”

  “You could have warned me.” The smile that had graced her face had disappeared. She glanced up, her eyes narrowing as she peered up into his face. “Do you always lurk around empty saloons in the earliest part of the morning?” Her hands still lay flat against his chest and she’d made no move to disengage from his embrace.

  His groin tightened at the feel of her hips moving against his. Heat flowed through his body, his fingers spreading across her lower back. “Not normally. But it was the only time I could get you alone.”

  “What is it you want?” she asked, her voice soft and breathy.

  “To ask you out.”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Why couldn’t you ask me when you were here earlier?”

  “I got a little…distracted, and then you were in a hurry to get back to work. With my brothers there…” He shook his head. “I wanted to catch you alone.”

  She nodded. “It’s a shame. I would have told you the same thing I’m going to tell you now, and you could have saved the trouble of coming back. I’m not interested.” She attempted to push away.

  Gabe’s gut clenched. “What about what happened backstage?”

  “It was a one-time thing.” She pressed against his chest. “Please, let me go.”

  His fingers tightened around her hips. “Not until you tell me what I did wrong.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was me.”

  “What?” He gripped her chin and urged her to look up at him. “What do you mean, it was you?”

  “Look, I enjoyed having sex with you.”

  “But it was all one-sided. I didn’t get a chance to make you happy.”

  She pushed his hands away. “What is it with men who think they have to make a woman orgasm? What happened to a man getting off and calling it done?”

  “You ran because you didn’t want an orgasm?”

  She hung her head. “Can’t.”

  “What do you mean ‘can’t’?” He turned her in his arms. “You’re not making any sense.”

  “I can’t have an orgasm, dammit!” Her chin lifted and she stared at him through watery eyes. “Are you happy now? You can’t turn me on, because I don’t have an On switch.”

  Gabe wanted to laugh, but the tears in her eyes made him hold back. “How do you know you can’t have an orgasm?”

  “Because I’ve tried.”

  His brows furrowed. “With your ex-boyfriend? Is he the reason you don’t think you have it in you?” That bastard. Gabe wanted to take the guy out for causing Isabella to believe she was defective.

  “This is silly. We don’t even know e
ach other that well and I’m spilling my guts. Just leave it, will you?”

  “Give me a chance. Let me show you that it’s not you.”

  “No. I’m done trying. I can’t handle any more humiliation.” She grabbed his shirt front and wadded her fist in it. “And don’t you dare tell a soul what I just said. Not even your brothers. I’m enough of a failure without everyone else reminding me.” She scrubbed her other hand over her eyes, wiping away any traces of tears.

  Gabe’s hand closed over her fist. “You’re not a failure, Isabella. Let me prove it. Just one date.”

  “No.”

  At that moment, Tanner and Sean strode into the barroom.

  “Lost your wallet, my ass,” Tanner grumbled, striding forward.

  “Only gonna be gone a minute…huh!” Sean closed in on Gabe and Isabella.

  His brothers stood with their arms crossed.

  “I found my wallet,” Gabe offered, refusing to let go of Isabella.

  “In your back pocket?” Tanner nodded toward Gabe’s backside.

  “No…really…”

  Sean waved a hand, dismissing Gabe’s excuse. “We figured you’d come back to talk to Isabella and we couldn’t let you get away with it.”

  “Someone want to tell me what’s going on?” Isabella pushed away from him and shoved the hair out of her face.

  Gabe was forced to let go, when he wanted to crush her in a bear hug and hold her until the hurt in her eyes went away. “Like I said, I wanted to ask you out.”

  “And so did we.” Tanner poked a thumb toward Sean.

  “I got here first.” Gabe frowned at his brothers.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Sean stepped forward. “Let the lady decide for herself.” His frown switched into a smile. “What do you say, Isabella? Which one of us would you like to go out with?”

  Isabella rolled her eyes. “Really? That’s what this is all about?” She shook her head and turned toward the stage, collecting her purse and keys, her hands shaking. “Sorry, fellas. Like I told Gabe, I’m not interested.” With that, she ducked past them, heading for the exit, shutting off the lights as she went.

  If Gabe hadn’t moved out of her way, he was sure she would have walked right over him without batting an eyelid.

  He and his brothers followed.

  Once outside, Isabella locked the back door, tested the lock and gave them all a pointed look. “Why are you still here?”

  Gabe frowned. “I had hoped you’d change your mind.”

  “Not likely.” She waved her hands at them. “Shoo! All of you. I’m not interested in going out with any of you, so don’t bother.” She left them standing there and climbed into a battered truck, pulling out of the parking lot, the tires kicking up gravel and dust.

  Gabe glared at his brothers. “See what you did?”

  “What we did?” Tanner’s fists clenched. “You weren’t making much headway by the looks of things.”

  “I was just getting started.” Gabe’s gaze followed Isabella’s retreat.

  “By the look of it…” Sean stood staring at the taillights disappearing down the gravel road leading to the highway, “we all struck out.”

  Tanner nodded. “Yeah, guess we did.”

  “Well, damn.” Sean shoved a hand through his hair. ”Wonder what it’s gonna take to get her to say yes?”

  “A lot more than we have to offer, that’s what.” Tanner gave Gabe a narrow-eyed glare. “No more tricks, brother.”

  “I don’t see anything wrong with my wanting to ask Isabella out. And if you two hadn’t come along, she eventually would have said yes.”

  “Yeah, right.” Sean grinned. “Keep tellin’ yourself that. You might believe it one day.”

  “I know exactly what she needs,” Gabe muttered half to himself.

  “Uh-huh. Right.” Tanner shook his head. “Our brother is delusional. The woman isn’t interested.”

  Gabe brushed past his brothers and climbed into his truck. They’d see. He’d get Isabella to go out with him if it was the last thing he did. And he’d prove to her that she wasn’t defective, that she could enjoy sex, despite her ex-boyfriend’s claim.

  Despite her vow to stay clear of the O’Briens except for her bachelor party commitment, Isabella ran into Tanner at the Sweet Temptations Diner two days later.

  “Please, have lunch with me.” He held the door open for her, sun glinting off his green eyes, his sensuous lips almost breaking a smile.

  Isabella sighed. “Okay, but it’s not a date.”

  “Fair enough.” He nodded. “Just lunch between two friends.”

  The waitress showed them to a table in the corner and Tanner held her chair for her. His mamma had taught him well how to behave around a woman.

  How nice. Daniel never held her chair. For that matter, he’d rarely taken her out to dinner or lunch or even for a friggin’ cup of coffee.

  Sitting across the table from the broad-shouldered Tanner, Isabella folded her hands in her lap, crossing her legs at the ankles, suddenly feeling more feminine than she had in a long time. More feminine than she had felt wearing the red bikini at the saloon the other night. And all that femininity made her body warm and excited.

  She forced herself to relax and smile when she’d rather strip his shirt off and see what all that muscle looked like beneath the fabric. Squashing the image, she asked, “Why are you in town today? I’d think you’d be out working with the horses or cattle.”

  He shifted in the chair, his tanned complexion taking on a ruddy tinge. “I had some…errands to run.” Tanner lifted his menu and studied it until the redness subsided.

  “Did you come to town just to have lunch with me?”

  His color deepened again and he sighed. “Was it that obvious?”

  Isabella chuckled. “No, but I’m touched. I’m sure you have more important things to do than lurk around town, waiting for me to get out of bed in time for lunch.”

  His brows dipped. “I wasn’t lurking. And how else was I going to get time alone with you?”

  Cute. A big, tough cowboy embarrassed?

  Isabella’s heart warmed. Not only was the man extremely drool-worthy, but a girl could fall for a guy like Tanner’s soft-spoken, quiet ways. He didn’t seem a bit egotistical or full of his own importance. He was just a good man. One worth loving, just like his brothers.

  They spent lunch discussing the best way to train horses and hauling hay in the summer. When the waitress brought the bill, Isabella insisted on paying her half. “It’s not a date, remember?”

  Tanner’s brows furrowed in a ready frown, giving him the appearance of a grouchy bear, making Isabella want to kiss away the lines on his forehead. Before she could act on her impulse, she slapped some money on the table and shoved out her hand. “Thanks for keeping me company, friend.”

  When he grasped her hand, electric shocks skittered up her arm, spreading throughout her body.

  “Would you consider going out with me?” he asked.

  Friend didn’t quite encompass the naughty thoughts Isabella had at that moment. She began to regret her self-imposed prohibition on the opposite sex. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. But thanks for asking.” She hustled out of the diner and headed for the little lingerie shop, Naughty Nothings, a couple doors down, ducking in before Tanner could follow.

  “Hi, Isabella, can I help you?” Molly O’Brien touched her arm.

  Isabella jerked upright, her cheeks burning. “I…uh…need…” She glanced around the store, realization sinking in that she was in a sexy shop, talking with the sister of the guys she’d been having crazy sexual fantasies about. “I’m just looking.”

  Molly glanced past Isabella. “Oh, there’s Tanner, and look, there’s Gabe and Sean.” She waved through the window. “Yoo-hoo!”

  Isabella ducked past Molly and hurried to the back of the store, glancing at the door through her peripheral vision.

  All three men ducked into the tiny shop, filling it with their wide shou
lders and utter maleness.

  “About time you came in to check out my day job.” Molly hugged each of her brothers and then waved her hands toward the interior. “What do you think about my store?”

  “Nice,” Sean said, his gaze going for Isabella. “Hi, Isabella.”

  “Yeah, some pretty things in here.” Gabe fingered a pair of sheer panties.

  Isabella waved from across the small room, heat suffusing every part of her body. Then she turned away and pretended to inspect the merchandise in front of her until she realized they were sexy teddies lined with faux fur, complete with fuzzy handcuffs to match.

  “You boys better get out of here. You’re blocking the doorway.” Molly shooed them through the door.

  Isabella let out the breath she’d been holding and took a really good look at the things she’d been pretending to study. “Holy crap, do women really wear this kinda stuff?”

  “Oh, yes. I sell a lot of the red teddy and cuffs. And you wouldn’t believe who buys them.” Molly winked at Isabella. “I hear you’re the entertainment at my brother’s bachelor party. Were you looking for anything in particular for the event?”

  “I…” Isabella stared around the shop, completely overwhelmed by all the pretty, sexy, naughty items. Her shoulders sagged. “I’m just a cowgirl. I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

  Molly’s eyes lit and she slipped an arm around Isabella’s waist. “Well, honey, let me help.”

  Out of her depth, Isabella let Molly take the lead. An hour later, she walked out of the store with a red-sequined bikini top and a matching vest and thong.

  The thong had Isabella the most worried. How in hell was she going to strip to a thong in front of all those men? If they had any doubts walking into the saloon that she didn’t have the ass to jiggle, by the time they left, they’d be certain.

  As she exited the store, she almost ran into Sean, leaning against the wall.

  “Need some help?” He reached for the bag she carried.

  Isabella jerked it back. “No. I don’t need help. What are you doing here?”

  “Thought I’d walk you home.”

  “What is it about you O’Brien men that you can’t take no for an answer?”