Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)(8)

Her sexy little ass shake turned him on more than if she’d have been buck-ass naked grinding her crotch on a brass stripper’s pole.


When she was alone at the bar Cord moseyed up behind her. “Evenin’ Amy Jo.”


She tossed him a quick grin and granted him a not so quick once over. “Surprised to see you in here, Cord. And it’s AJ now, not Amy Jo.”


“My mistake. Why the name change?”


“New attitude, new name.” She resumed drinking her beer.


Cord scooted close enough to catch a whiff of her sunshiny scent. He noticed sweat beading on the curve of her neck below her ear and had the strangest desire to place his mouth there and gently suck the salty droplets clean away.


A beat passed and she didn’t acknowledge him.


“I didn’t know you liked to dance.”


“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”


I’d like to learn. Every. Damn. Thing.


“Who are you here with?”


Amy Jo—AJ—faced him fully. “Who are you here with?”


“No one.”


“That why you came looking for me? Can’t find anyone better to hang out with?”


“No. Didn’t know you thought so highly of me.”


She shrugged.


The classic brush off—a pointed reminder on why he avoided the bar scene. He flashed her a fake smile. “Anyway. I came by to say hello. I’m headin’ home and I wondered if you needed a lift.”


AJ arched a slim brow. “You offering to give me a ride, cowboy?”


Cord curbed his response, you can ride me any time, any place, as long as you want, cowgirl, and cleared the lust from his throat. “Yeah.”


The band announced the next tune, Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” and AJ


shook her head at yet another eager, happy-handed cowboy approaching her for a dance.


“Thanks for the offer, but no.”


“You sure? You’ve been drinkin’ pretty heavily the last couple of hours. Probably shouldn’t be drivin’.”


“How would you know how much I’ve been drinking?”


“Because I’ve been watchin’ you. Closely. Every step and every sip, darlin’. I couldn’t take my eyes off you and you damn well know it.” Her confidence slipped; he moved in. “You like that I’ve been watchin’ you, sweet Amy Jo.”


“AJ,” she corrected softly.


“You like that I’ve been watchin’ you, sweet AJ.”


“So while you were watching, did you see anything you liked, McKay?”


“Oh yeah.” His gaze landed on her lush mouth.


“Right. Give me a break.”


Cord managed to drag his eyes back to hers. “You callin’ me a liar?”


“No. I’m calling your bluff.”


“Meaning?”


“Meaning, I know you’ll look your fill, burn my clothes away with your sexy eyes, but you’re too damn polite to do anything more than gawk at me.”


Cord nearly choked, “Polite?”


“Polite. Responsible. Chicken. Whatever.” She stared at his lips and ran her pink tongue over her teeth. “Tell me, Cord, don’t you ever just wanna say to hell with what’s expected of you and do what makes you feel good?”