A Calculated Seduction(34)

“You have to ask? First of all, your type is usually a big Texas blonde with even larger attributes. Gerry, you’re a flirt who will never settle down. You don’ t have a serious bone in your body.” She leaned forward, trying hard not to laugh at the mutinous look on his face. He looked like a three-year-old who had been denied a treat. “And office gossip has you lacking in stamina.”

His face flushed red, but a surprised laugh burst out of him. “What is it about you that makes me feel like a little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar?”

She threw her hands in the air and started to walk away. “I give up.”

“Hey.” He grabbed her arm and she turned to find him smiling at her. “I’m just kidding with ya. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“No, but I can shoot him.” He laughed and released her.

“I sure do like a woman with a little vinegar in her.”

“Really? Then your soulmate will probably be a woman with a temper the size of Texas.”

A little of his humor faded away. “You are probably right about that one, hun.”

It was the first honest statement she had ever heard pass his lips. She wanted to ask more, but something over her shoulder caught his attention. She turned and found Bill approaching. His eyes were narrowed and his gaze was focused Gerry.

“You having problems him, Dulcy?” he asked.

“No, Bill. Gerry was just being Gerry.” She smiled and he relaxed. She glanced around and noticed the room had started to fill up with guests, but it was one blonde-haired beauty who caught her eye.

Her sister had dressed in a short red dress, a tacky little matching cowboy hat on her head and her arm wrapped around a brown-haired man. They were making their way to her and she squinted, trying to discern who was her sister’s escort. When she realized who he was, they were too close for her to run the other direction. They stopped within a couple of feet of her.

“Dulcy, you look just cute as a bug.”

“Not the words I would have chosen,” her companion said. It had been years since Dulcy had seen him, but he looked almost exactly the same. The same understanding smile curved his lips when he broke off their engagement. “Hey, Dulcinea, how are you doing?”





Chapter Ten



“Hello, Jason.”

Jason’s facial muscles relaxed as if he’d been unsure of Dulcy’s reaction. Did the man not know her at all? She would never make a scene at a function that involved her work. Heck, she didn’t make a scene when he had dumped her, she definitely wasn’t going to do it now. It was one of the things that always bothered her about him. Whenever he felt unsure of himself, he picked a public forum.

“It’s great to see you, Dulcy. You look fabulous. ”

“I told you she looked different,” Tori said as she cuddled closer to Jason. He’d been the one boyfriend who didn’t pay attention to her stepsisters when Dulcy was in the room and he looked highly uncomfortable at the moment. There was a little part of her—okay a big part of her—that was really enjoying.

Gerry shifted beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders. “Miss Menendez, why don’t you introduce me to your friends here?”

“Gerry Dillon, this is Jason Fellows and my stepsister, Victoria Sanders. Jay and Tori, this is Gerald Dillon, bull rider extraordinaire. ”

Gerry squeezed her shoulders as he chuckled. “Nice to meet both of you, but Dulcy and I have some things to look into. We’ll catch up with y’all later.”

He pulled Dulcy away and steered them in the direction of the patio when a very angry Ethan MacMillan stepped into their path.

* * * *

“Where do the two of you think you’re going?” Ethan asked, his teeth clenched so tight, his jaw hurt. The bull rider had his hands all over her and was probably trying to sneak her into a darkened corner to find out if she was wearing pantyhose or stockings. Ethan knew, because that’s what he wanted to do.

“Why, I’m escorting Miss Menendez to the patio for some fresh air.” Gerry wore a mocking smile that had Ethan’s hand itching.

Dulcy rolled her eyes and batted Gerry’s arm away. “Gerry, behave. He was just...well...”

“I was saving you from a boring evening with your stepsister and that guy. What was with him anyway, drooling all over you like that?”

She was silent for a moment and then placed a hand on each rounded hip and turned on Gerry. “What do you mean ‘what was with him’? Am I not the type of woman to drool over? Jeez, you really know how to make a girl feel great.”