Seducing Texas (So not Prince Charming #2)(23)

I catch Aedan’s camera pointed solely on me, so I shake my butt extra hard. The song ends and Shane helps Cyn down, swinging her around and kissing her like there’s no tomorrow. From the moment I saw him at Mom’s funeral, I knew he was the perfect man for Cyn. It took her longer to realize that.

Once we’re off the bar, Cyn scrubs more glasses and fixes more drinks. Before I leave with the tray loaded with two buckets of beers, Aedan stops me.

“More coffee?” he asks. “Please. I look better drinking than wearing it.”

Mortified, I put the tray down to pick up a rag and daub at the stain on his shirt. Warmth pours through his shirt, and it’s hard not to touch him. He’s so close, so infectious; I want to catch whatever he has. Why do some men do it for you and others don’t? Puppy love, that’s what I have for this man.

“It’s a little late for that,” he says, smiling and melting me into a puddle. “Yer fellas will think yer flirting with me. Wouldn’t want that.”

“No sense flirting with a guy who can’t remember my kiss,” I mutter.

“Yer sore over that?” He’s poking fun at me and so not interested in me. He’d remember.

I certainly do. I touch my lips where he took a torch to them.

I go behind the bar and pour him a cup of fresh coffee. “Sorry about your shirt.”

“No bother. I look good all wet.” Nodding and winking, he hoists his coffee. “Thanks.”

Did he just flirt with me? No way.

Aedan looks good. His butt and broad back are to be admired and kissed.

He probably thinks I’m like his little sister. Besides we’re supposed to go out with the supplied bachelors. Ugh.

After I deliver my drinks, Cyn whispers into Shane’s ear, and he immediately takes my hand, leading me to the dance floor.

I should’ve known he could two-step. He twirls me around on the dance floor and just before the song ends, I see Niki and so does Cyn. Niki glides across the dance floor for Shane. My heart races, and I glance over at Cyn. What am I supposed to do? Cyn told me what the feds asked Shane to do, and that bites.

From the hurt flashing in her eyes, I want to rush over and console her. The feds are making Shane keep ties with Niki. It’s not his idea. Cyn doesn’t think she’s smart enough, but the feds must have some evidence against her.

Niki steps in between us, so I back away. “Why are you here?” she asks, obviously upset, poking Shane’s chest. “Cyn’s whole family is here. What’s up with that?” Her nose flares, and steam comes out of her narrowed eyes.

She is pissed. I glance between Cyn and Shane. She fixes more drinks, her eyes never leaving them.

I don’t wander too far because I know how much this hurts Cyn. Sonia folds her arms against her chest and glowers.

“I told my team I’d take them out, and tonight is the first taping of Riches to Rags. The guys wanted to go.” He’s so smooth, even I believe him.

Niki glances over at Cyn and then grabs Shane by the collar to press her lips against his. Her tongue flicks out like a lizard, and no one looks as shocked as Shane. He doesn’t quite push her away but stands straighter, so Niki no longer has access to his mouth. Red lipstick smears his lips.

He stares at Cyn, horror in his eyes. I know how much he loves Cyn, but that kiss ignites flames and hurt in her eyes, and Shane takes this all in. He wants to go to her, but Niki hangs onto him with her tentacles, like an octopus and its prey.

The good-sized dirty blond cowboy Travis spins me around, and without asking, pushes me along the dance floor. I give him a perturbed smile. He’s drunk and stumbles, a couple times catching my toes.

Seeing my distress, Fay pulls me away. “Excuse me, but the director wants us to try the mechanical bull. Cyn told me I should save you,” she says only to me.

“Thank you,” I breathe. I love my sisters, and the fact Cyn is trying to get along with Fay for the sake of the show and me is good.

“Thanks for the dance,” I say, hurrying away.

He’s caught in the sea of dancers, and I feel thankful for that. Aedan and the crew follow us. Only one camera is on Cyn while she tends the bar. I doubt they’ll give her much airtime, other than the obvious tension between Shane and her.

Fay gets on the mechanical bull first. While I was dancing with Shane, her bachelors introduced themselves and spun her around the dance floor. Unlike most of mine, hers seem okay.

She puts her left hand in the air instead of the hand she normally uses. I think she’s supposed to use the other hand. The bull starts out slow and gradually speeds up.

“Oh shit,” she cries out. She’s tossed around, barely hanging on and screaming.

The gorgeous, tumbleweed-mud-slinging cowboy who helped Fay onto the bar grins at her lame attempt at riding the bull. He’s one of the three bachelors meant for her.

The bull bucks hard and throws her onto the cushioned pit. The cowboy hops over the barrier and helps her up. He pulls off his hat and shades the kiss he gives her. Fay blushes, kissing him back.

She’s had several shots and has never been much of a drinker, and she’s not hiding her infatuation of this bowlegged man. He looks like an official cowboy with his bolo tie, bull-riding championship belt buckle, and tight jeans. He’s not her type at all, but she should have fun.

With a beaming smile, she strides over to me and introduces him. “This is Tanner. He owns a large ranch in Wyoming.”