Wrong Side of Love [Wayback Texas] Read online

"Big city lights.” She smiled at the obvious answer. He shrugged, and she continued. “Film making, live music that's more diverse than Freddy and his fiddlers over at The Blue Bug. Should I go on?"

  "Go for it,” he challenged.

  "Art and museums, an airport, a lake—actual water that's used for more than cattle or horses to drink. And sports that don't include cows."

  "Got something against cattle, Lili?"

  "No, but I'd like to see a horizon where there's not a cow in sight."

  The crinkles on his forehead and around his eyes deepened. She could see he had no idea what she was talking about.

  "Come on.” Dropping her scissors unto the hairdressing trolley, she grabbed hold of his hand.

  He hopped from the chair, and she led him outside to the huge gazebo that sat in the center of town square. Both Luc's styling cape and the Lone Star flying from the flagpole flapped in the April afternoon breeze.

  She began climbing the latticework, working toward the top of the twenty-foot high gazebo. “You coming?” She glanced down, her eyes narrowing with her dare.

  All of the women followed them from the shop. Lyssa shed her cape, but Suzie still held her thinning scissors. Even Della woke from her nap. Rubbing her eyes against the daylight, she trailed them outside in her beer can sized, pink hair rollers.

  Lili heard Luc's boots clunk on the wood behind her as he started the climb. “Nice ass,” he teased, his head nearly butting her bottom.

  Soon Patti-Pie came out from her custom boot and hat shop to watch, and Bobby Lee stood in the doorway of Jackson Brothers Feed and Seed. The café emptied, and Lili made out Gina and Nash's faces in the crowd. Gina was Della's daughter and a childhood friend who'd gotten married last summer and was now pregnant and stuck in Wayback on a ranch. Not that Gina or Della saw it that way. Gina and Nash waved to her, and she one-handed a quick hello back at them.

  She reached the top of the gazebo with a boost from Luc, whose hand lingered a little too long on her butt. She swatted his hand away, with a hoot from the crowd below, and sat down, her ropers dangling over the edge.

  Luc joined her, maneuvering to sit down, his sore ribs from last week's debacle with Storm Trooper apparently slowing him down. But soon he was next to her, shoulder to shoulder, smiling. She had to give the man points for guts. Few men would risk looking foolish in front of half the town on the busiest day of the week, and especially a mayor.

  "What's the point, darlin'?” he murmured.

  "What do see over there to the East?"

  He shrugged, and she felt his muscles flex next to her upper arm. “Cow meadow."

  "North.” She pointed.

  "Cow camp up in the hills."

  "West."

  "Texas Glory's cattle herd."

  "To the South.” She didn't look behind her.

  Neither did he, apparently catching on. He looked into her eyes. “My bet would be cows."

  The moment stretched until he pecked a quick kiss onto her forehead.

  She closed her eyes, briefly, to savor the whisper soft touch of his lips on her skin.

  They climbed down to the cheers and applause of the crowd gathered around town square.

  "What's up, Luc?” Bobby Lee asked, but others edged in close to hear his reply.

  "Lili was pointing out the town's limits."

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  Chapter Two

  Luc paid for his haircut, dragging each bill across Lili's palm so that his fingers caressed her fingertips when he withdrew to peel off another. He threw in a substantial tip just for the thrill of her touch and to watch her sapphire blue eyes glaze over.

  She wanted him, he knew it. And yet she denied both of them the sexual satisfaction they craved. Hot tension had been building at a steady pace ever since he'd held her in his arms and two-stepped her around the dance floor at The Blue Bug nearly a year ago.

  The past few months their attraction had reached a boiling point.

  Her body was made for love and fit his like hand-made boots, her curves snuggling nicely into his hollows. The first night he'd danced with her, she had on a low-cut, satin blouse over her jeans, the same shade of blue as her eyes. Her blonde hair, bobbed ear-length and curly, smelled like sunshine after a rain. He'd been pole-axed by her from the start, and his need had grown in intensity ever since.

  "Going to the rodeo later?” he asked, his voice low and intimate.

  "I have to work late.” With a ding, she opened the cash register and put the bills into compartments. “Are you riding Storm Trooper again?” When she looked up at him, her eyes had softened in concern to an amazing shade of blue.

  "Yeah.” He nodded, mesmerized by her eyes.

  "Why?” She held her hands out in supplication.

  "I'm not a man who gives up easily.” He leaned toward her so that she knew he meant her as well.

  "I've noticed.” She glanced away.

  "Will I see you at The Blue Bug afterward?"

  "A girl's got to unwind after a hard week's work and the saloon's the only game in town.” Her voice sounded condemning.

  He wasn't going over that ground with her again. He'd gotten her point earlier on top of the gazebo. Wayback was too small a town for a woman like Lili who wanted diversity in her life.

  "Save a dance for me."

  "Sure thing.” She said it as if he were an afterthought.

  * * * *

  "That man's got it bad for you.” Suzie shut off the blow dryer she used to style Lyssa's hair as soon as the bell over the door jangled and Luc exited.

  Both women stared at Lili as she rounded the counter to unpin the rollers from Della's hair.

  "I don't want to get trapped by love,” she defended. “I'm moving to Austin in a few months and have enough baggage to pack."

  Lyssa shook her head. “Honey, you're only twenty-five. Love doesn't have to enter into it. You're too young to work so hard. You should balance things out by playing hard. And that hunk has a mighty nice playground."

  Suzie squealed, and both women laughed.

  Della studied her through the mirror. “Like I told my Gina before she married Nash, sex is all in the perspective. Sometimes it's a temporary adventure."

  "You're a little damp in the crown.” The ladies laughed, but Lili meant it literally and left three rollers across the top of Della's hair.

  Moving to Luc's now empty chair, she shook out his cape, grabbed the broom, and swept his hair clippings from the floor. When she finished all three women were still waiting for her to remark. Lyssa tapped her cowboy boot. Della her nails. Suzie stood still, which was a chore for the vivacious woman.

  "I'll admit, my libido's starving and I've entertained the notion of feeding it Lucas Fremont before I leave town."

  "Way to go, Lili.” Lyssa pumped her fist in the air. Suzie did a Snoopy dance. Della nodded her head, sagely, her oversized curls drooping around her head like Medusa.

  Lili crossed her fingers, hoping she could hold out that long. Luc was getting harder to resist each time she saw his sexy body, listened to his lulling voice, tasted his tempting lips, or felt the sizzle of his firm hands on her flesh.

  She laughed at the women's antics before turning serious. “We'd better get back to work.” She eyeballed the clock and Suzie. “We both have appointments in ten minutes."

  Lyssa shook out her silky, damp tresses and faced the mirror. “And I have an appointment on the dance floor with Hitch Lawrence tonight."

  The blower whooshed on while Lili took a teasing comb to Della's hair. The salon returned to business, as usual.

  * * * *

  "I heard you sat on top of the gazebo with Lili Marlene earlier, wearing a styling cape.” With five yapping dogs on her boot heels, Luc's sister, Gretchen, crossed her arms over the front of her denim work shirt. “You're the mayor for cripes sake.” Her scowl made her dark eyes look stormier than usual.

  His sister had turned somber over the past several months, and he missed her
smile and laughter.

  "Lighten up Gretch. No one was offended but you."

  "The preacher called, and he wasn't thrilled. It's unprofessional, Lucas.” She fisted her hands onto her hips. “It's a bad reflection on the proud name of Fremont."

  "Hell, what's a bad reflection is that outfit.” He pointed to her jeans, baggy shirt, scuffed boots, and her glorious red hair that hung in a ratty braid down her back. Not that you could see hair beneath the ten-gallon hat she wore, which had been their daddy's.

  "I'm working. You know my brood mare's the best in the state, and she deserves my best care.” She bent and petted the head of the smallest dog that tugged at the hem of her jeans with his sharp puppy teeth.

  His sister stabled a thoroughbred mare, Goldie, and kenneled a pair of pedigree blue heeler cattle dogs, Daisy and Duke, for breeding. She believed in quality over quantity.

  "You don't have to breed horses or dogs or care for them yourself. TruBlu Whiskey's the money maker around here.” His voice rose whenever they argued about her recent venture. “Put on a dress and perfume and go out dancing. Since you invested in these animals, you've become a recluse. Seriously, I'm worried about you."

  "This used to be a working ranch,” she accused.

  "Four generations ago.” He waved away her rationale.

  "Since Daddy—"

  "Don't go there.” His grief for his father lay heavy in his chest, making it hard to draw in enough air. He sighed, long and slow, before he spoke again. “Daddy's death was eight months ago and has nothing to do with this. It's only since the saddle tramp, Thad Lowry, set the barn fire at Mercy Creek and fingered Owen Grainger for hiring him that you've been hiding here at the homestead."

  Tears welled in her eyes. “How does it look when a Fremont doesn't have enough common sense but to fall for an arsonist who conspired to burn a friend and neighbor out?” She held up her hand. “I can't face anyone from town, except the preacher."

  "Who seems to be giving you bum advice. You can't live your life worrying about what others think.” With his thumb, he flicked away the tear running down her cheek. “I don't want you sad. You're my only living relative. I swear if you come into town, I won't let anyone ridicule you.” He fisted his other hand at his side.

  She rolled her eyes, swiped at her cheek. “Oh, that would be a big help, you drawing more attention to me by punching people out."

  He chuckled to cajole her. “Come on, Gretch. Get prettied up. After the bull riding at the rodeo, I'll take you to The Blue Bug and show you off."

  She shook her head. “Like there will be anything left of you after Storm Trooper throws you."

  "Thanks.” He feigned a scowl, hoping to guilt her into going into town with him.

  "I know you'll make the eight second buzzer sooner or later. You always persevere until you get what you want."

  "Which means you might as well say yes right now. Why prolong the inevitable?” He took her elbow and walked her toward the house. The five dogs scampered back toward the barn, yipping at one another, tails wagging.

  "You don't need me around.” She shrugged her arm loose from his hold. “You didn't sit on top of the gazebo unless you were hot to get into Lili's pants.” She nudged her elbow into his ribs.

  "Yipes.” He jumped away.

  "I'm sorry.” She covered her cheeks with her hands. “I forgot about your bruised ribs."

  "See, there's no reason for you not to go. I'm not in any shape to lift Lili's skirt."

  Yet.

  "I'll think about it. I'm not promising anything.” They climbed the porch steps together.

  He waved his hand in front of his nose. “Take a shower while you're thinking."

  "Brat.” With a snap, the screen door closed and Gretch disappeared. Her boots clumped, slowly, up the stairs to the second floor.

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  Chapter Three

  It wasn't Luc's night.

  Storm Trooper had let him down, none too lightly. He now had a bum knee to add to his already bruised ribs.

  Gretch had let him down. Despite his pleading, she'd locked herself in her bedroom and refused to come out. Gretch worried him, but he had no idea how to help her. She'd taken Lowry's public betrayal hard, and the scumbag had lit out before the sheriff's office could throw him in jail for safekeeping. To Luc's way of thinking, anywhere but Wayback was a good place for him.

  To boot, he didn't see Lili in the crowd at the honky-tonk. Couldn't drink because of the pain meds he'd taken for his knee. And was tired of explaining his reasons for gazebo-sitting to those who'd heard about the escapade.

  Leaning against the bar, he nursed a tonic water and listened to Faith Hill torture him about love. Love sucked. He wanted Lili more than his next breath, but all she wanted was out of Wayback and away from him. If only he could make love to her once and show her how much he wanted her, things might change between them. Maybe she'd stay.

  Just as the taped music stopped, the band tuned up, and Luc got ready to call it a night, Lili walked through the door, bathed in blue from the glowing neon bug overhead. She wore a white dress. Her pert breasts were accented by a low neckline. Tiny straps kissed her bare shoulders. The skirt hit her well above her knees and her naked legs gave him wrap-around-his-waist ideas. On her feet she had white cowboy boots with flat heels, the plain stitched leather tops hitting her right below her gorgeous, lickable calves.

  He moaned. The pain meds hadn't numbed all his sensations. The zipper on his jeans bit into his swelling groin. Instead of cutting across the dance floor to get to her, his rigid erection wasn't letting him go anywhere. He sloshed down some cold tonic and tossed her a nonchalant wave when she looked his way.

  * * * *

  Lili smiled and waved back. Even from across the huge dance hall, Luc appeared down. He was usually such an upbeat man, and her heart went out to him. She'd heard about his latest run in with Storm Trooper and his latest injury. How many defeats could one cowpoke take?

  She worked her way through the crowd toward him. With his hair still damp from his shower, he leaned against the bar on one hip, probably to keep the weight off his bad knee. If the man didn't stop soon, the bull was bound to do serious harm to him.

  When she reached Luc, she touched his hair to brush the damp strands from his eyes.

  "Does this service come with the weekly cuts?” He grinned, but the humor didn't quite reach his tired eyes.

  "You okay?” She sniffed his drink to gauge how much he'd had, and raised her eyebrows to find it non-alcoholic.

  "Nothing gets by you. I've taken a few pills for my knee."

  "One of my customers mentioned you got nicked by Storm Trooper's horns."

  "No blood. Ruined my lucky jeans,” he joked, waving to one of the busy bartenders while asking, “Can I buy you a drink?"

  "I'll have what you're having."

  "You don't have to pass up a good time for me."

  "I don't mind.” She didn't have the heart to drink, dance, and party with him in pain.

  He cupped her chin in his large, firm hand, gentle now in its touch. The sensation made her sigh and wonder if he was as gentle as a lover.

  "You're a sweetie, Lili. That's why I love you."

  Her cheeks grew hot. What was she supposed to say? I love you, too. Even if she said it in friendship, she was afraid of giving Luc false hope that things between them could turn into more, into romantic love, lasting love. She refused to put her plans on hold, even for Luc. She'd seen too many cowgirls end up just where they started, in Wayback, without having seen or done anything.

  She had ambitions. Sometimes love simply wasn't enough.

  "What are friends for?” She edged away from his touch. Was saved from replying when Rita Mae jostled over, her bust bouncing. “What'll it be? You got me stumped tonight.” She pointed to his glass of tonic instead of his usual shot of TruBlu.

  "A tonic for the lady.” He nodded toward Lili.

  While Rita Mae filled
a glass with ice and tonic and a slice of lime, she asked, “Busy over at the beauty shop?"

  "Not as busy as you are.” Lili had respect for the hard-working woman who earned her way on tips, same as Lili.

  "My hair's about due for highlights. I'll call you.” She plopped the drink in front of her and scooted off as a group of cowboys called her name from the other end of the bar.

  While Lili sipped her tonic, the liquid cold, its bitterness refreshing, Bobby Lee sauntered up to offer the mayor a few tips on riding Storm Trooper. Slapping Luc on the back afterward, he said, “I'm calling it a night. See you at the Rotary dinner tomorrow. Heard Hitch Lawrence is a guest."

  Before Luc could ask her to attend the Rotary dinner on her only day off, she changed the subject. “Want to leave, too? You look beat."

  "Sure. I'll walk you home.” He slugged down his drink, the ice clinking, his throat exposed and tempting.

  "Oh, yeah. It's time to go.” Before she got hung up on nibbling his throat.

  She covered her ears, briefly, as the band started up and the crowd hooted. The cash register dinged, people laughed and shouted. The noise level felt toxic tonight. She was exhausted, he was injured; both of them needed a quiet place to fall.

  After he paid his bar tab, they wove their way toward the nearest red-lighted exit sign.

  Outside, the inky sky winked with stars, and the evening air hugged her with its April warmth. They strolled up the street toward the town square. He limped a little, favoring his bad knee. She grabbed his arm and took on some of his weight.

  "Where did you park your truck?"

  He nudged his chin toward town hall and his office. “In the lot."

  "You sure you want to walk?"

  "Uh-huh.” He nodded.

  "Are you okay to drive? I don't mind driving you home.” But she knew the cowboy code of chivalry wouldn't permit it.

  His eyes rounded with shock. “I'm not dead yet, darlin'."

  She smiled at his predictability.

  When they reached the square and turned down the side street, they moseyed by a row of homes that mirrored each other. Fence, front porch, oak tree, swing.

  "Coming in for a sweet tea?” she asked as they reached the old wire and wood gate.