Rules of Protection(66)

After two awkward dances in a row, Judd offered to get me a drink. I made my way over to Jake and Cowboy, who sat in a dark corner of the bar with their backs to me and away from everyone else. As I approached, I overheard my name and eavesdropped on their conversation.

“I know what you told me earlier,” Cowboy said, keeping his voice low. “But I still can’t believe she’s one of your cases. So the girlfriend bit was…”

“Me keeping up appearances until we figure out who’s releasing information,” Jake said coldly, as if he had the emotions of a popsicle.

“She’s a feisty little thing. You’ve got your hands full with that one,” Cowboy said, laughing.

Jake shook his head in agreement. “She’s an acquired taste.”

“Sounds like you two need to go ahead and bang it out,” Cowboy suggested. “That’ll let the air out of her sails and keep her on course.”

My heart wrenched in my chest, and I couldn’t stand to hear any more. I was pissed Jake told Cowboy the truth about our arrangement, but also confused by Jake’s callousness. I wound up inside a bathroom stall unable to swallow and sniffling so much snot that I was sure the lady in the stall next to me thought I was an addict. I blew my nose and wiped my wet cheeks, but not necessarily in that order. No doubt about it: men are jerks.

It was bad enough Jake fooled me into believing he actually cared, but I resented him for allowing me to fall in love with him. Oh God! I loved him. That’s why I was upset and sniveling like a wiener. I was in love with Jake.

He was mad I blindsided him by sneaking out, but he had fooled me in much the same way. Except, emotionally, he was never there to begin with. He just pretended to be. And, stupid me, I believed him when he said he cared about me. Damn him.

After straightening my face, I came out of the bathroom and looked for Jake. I picked him out of the crowd on the dance floor where he two-stepped with a pretty blonde with big boobs. Bobbie Jo. That sonofa—

Arms wrapped around my waist from behind and I turned around quickly. “I’ve been looking for you,” Cowboy said. “I requested a fast song. Want to dance?”

“Ask one of your groupies,” I told him, acid leeching into my voice.

His face twisted. “Something wrong?”

“If you have to ask, then you’re even more na?ve than I am.”

Cowboy gazed over at Jake dancing with Bobbie Jo. “That’s why you’re upset? Hell, sweetheart, Bobbie Jo is our friend. None of us are romantically involved with her, including Jake. Do you think he would’ve kissed you in front of everyone earlier if he had feelings for her?”

“Just a kiss,” I said, shrugging, minimizing how I felt.

“Just a kiss?” He blinked with surprise. “Both of you were on the verge of losing your clothes.”

“And you boys think I’m melodramatic?”

The song ended, and the music changed to a fast rock beat. “Why don’t we go out there and show them how it’s done?”

I considered it for a moment. Determined not to let Jake ruin my good time, I accepted. Cowboy pulled me out to the dance floor and started shaking his ass. I laughed, which made me feel better. Then I saw Jake and Bobbie Jo sitting together at the bar watching us intently. I wasn’t sure which of them I wanted to put on a show for, but the next thing I knew, I had one of Cowboy’s legs between mine as I ground my hips against his. Cowboy had less scruples than Ox and Judd. I wasn’t surprised when he grasped my hips and grinded back.

I shimmied and squirmed up and down his nether region, hoping Jake watched every suggestive move I made.

Cowboy’s eyes widened. “Damn, sweetheart, Jake’s done gone and got himself a live one.”

Turning around and shoving my ass against him, I threw my head back onto his shoulder and turned my face toward him. “I hope I’m not getting you into trouble.”

“Nah. Jake’s all bark, no bite.” Yeah, no kidding. That’s been the problem all along. “Is that what you’re doing? Trying to make him jealous?” Cowboy asked. I chose not to answer because I didn’t want to lie. “It won’t work,” Cowboy said, still moving against me. “Jake knows I’d never make a move on his woman.”

Surprised, I turned to face him. “But I’m not his…”

“I know. Jake told me already. But I know him better than anyone, and you’re definitely Jake’s woman. You two just don’t know it yet.”

“You’re wrong about—”

“Darlin’, I’m never wrong about women.”

After the dance ended, we headed over to Jake and Bobbie Jo. Cowboy ordered me a drink, but I didn’t plan on hovering. Last thing I wanted to do was schmooze with the two of them. It required everything I had to control the chaos raging inside me while we waited for the waitress to bring our beers.

“Your hour is almost up,” Jake said, checking his watch.

“What do you care? Don’t you have your hands full?” I said, blatantly staring at Bobbie Jo’s large breasts, barely covered by her white top. “Or are you bored with her…again?”

Bobbie Jo swung her head toward me. “Wow. You can be a bitter pill to swallow.”

Some of it may have been the booze, but her sheer presence grated my nerves. The model behavior I promised Cowboy flew right out the window. “Somehow I doubt that’s the only thing you’ve ever swallowed.”