Page 7 of Naughty List Cowboy

She almost looks panicked, and I tip her chin up to search her eyes. “Are you okay? I can go with you.”

She forces out a laugh. “I think I can go to the ladies’ room on my own. I’ll be right back.”

She pats me on the chest and pulls her hand from mine. I watch her walk away and am about to follow her when the mayor comes to talk to me. I know that look. She’s overwhelmed. I’ll give her five minutes and then I’m going to go find her. “So what’s been happening downtown?” I ask the man in front of me.

5

DAISY

I can’t stop smiling. I’m sure everyone I pass thinks I’m a lunatic, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop. He wants me. Cash Wyatt, the man I’ve dreamed about for the last five years, says he wants me. I had to walk away. It was either that or ask him to take me right there in the room full of people. No, I’m going to go splash some water on my face, cool myself down, and then try to make it through the rest of the night without throwing myself at the handsome cowboy.

I use the bathroom, wash my hands, and am just walking out when a woman stops in front of me. “Hello. You’re Daisy, right?”

The woman has grabbed my hand and isholding it between us in a tight grasp. “Yeah, I’m Daisy.”

She’s beautiful and polished-looking and I feel inadequate standing in front of her. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

She laughs, but it doesn’t sound as if it’s a friendly laugh. “Oh no, I’m sorry. I’m Wanda Johnson. Of the Johnson Ranch.”

At the confused look on my face, she goes on. “The big sprawling ranch next to this one.”

I nod my head and try to hide the displeased look. I’ve heard about her from Lucy. “Right, right. I’m sorry. Well, it was nice to meet you, Wanda, but I really must get back.”

“Actually, I wanted to meet you because I’m a friend of Cash’s.”

The way she saysfriendtells me what kind of friend she is with Cash. “Anyway, he told me that he had to entertain his little sister’s friend, so I thought I better say hello while I could. I’m sure he’ll be whisking me away after the party for a nightcap.”

The smile she’s giving me is trained and calculating. She’s staking her claim, and the thought makes me sick to my stomach. “Oh yeah, well, I’ll be sure to send him your way when I’m done with him, if you know what I mean.” I pull my handfrom hers. “Now I’d better get back before he comes looking for me.”

I walk away without waiting for her response. I get to the door that leads back inside, but already the tears are threatening to spill over. At the last minute, I turn and go out the other door, the one that leads outside. I slowly walk, nodding at people as I pass them. When I get to an opening, I am running to the house, all the way up the stairs, and to the safety of my bedroom. Damn him. Damn me for falling for it. I should have known this was all a joke. He probably thought it would be fun to see how far I’d go with him.

I throw myself on the bed and let the tears fall. I don’t think much time has passed, but I jerk up when I hear the slamming of the front door and then Cash bellowing my name. “Daisy!”

I stand up from the bed and look around the room like I’m a caged animal. I can’t face him right now. I can’t.

I lock the bedroom door and then sit on the bed, wrapping my arms around my pulled-up legs.

He tries the handle, and when he finds it locked, he knocks. “Daisy. Are you in there?”

I don’t say anything. Hell, I’m holding my breath to not give myself up.

“I know you’re in there. Someone said they saw you come this way. Open the door.”

“No,” I say softly.

I can hear the gasp on the other side, and I want to laugh because I’m sure not many people tell Cash Wyatt no. But I’m not done with him. “No, I won’t open the door. What was this, Cash? You wanted to see how much I liked you? You want to laugh at me when you break my heart… again!”

“What the fuck are you talking about, woman? Open this door. If we’re going to have an argument, I’m going to do it while holding you in my arms. You may be mad at me, but you can do it while I hold you.”

I can’t take it anymore. I can’t believe his audacity. I unlock the door and yank it open. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

He takes a step toward me and stops. His face is filled with anger. “You’ve been crying.”

I turn away from him, completely forgetting about my earlier tears. I know my face is red, eyes puffy and lips swollen. I’m sure I look like a hot mess, but I don’t care. “Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. I have been crying. Good call.”

He moves closer but doesn’t touch me. He’s practically vibrating with anger. “Who hurt you?”

I laugh and roll my eyes, but he asks me again. “Who? Hurt? You?” he asks, enunciating each word.

---