Page 23 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

“How many dresses do you have,” he asked as he ran his hand down over her hips.

“Just the one my granddaddy bought for me for the Johnson’s wedding

“Wear it to church tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at nine.” He nibbled at her bottom lip.

“You’re taking me to church?” She slid her hands under the front of his shirt and over his abs.

He liked the feel of her calloused hands over his bare skin, but if he didn’t stop her, they were going to move beyond light petting and head straight for the really good stuff. Pulling away from her, he said, “Yeah, I’m taking you to church.”

“Why?” Her voice was soft, breathless and sexy as hell.

“Because one of the best ways to gain another man’s undivided attention is to date someone else.”

“But I had two other dates this week...”

Jake lifted his brow. “Fred and Bubba are great guys, but not exactly stiff competition for a guy like Jay. The guys no slouch.”

“Are you telling me you’ve been checking out Jay?”

He scowled. “Not like that, but a man likes to size up the competition. Which is exactly what Jay’s going to do when you show up tomorrow with me.”

“You are so cocky,” she said, pursing her lips as she seemed to consider his idea. Suddenly, her mouth split into a wide grin and she shook him by his shoulders. “But I also think you might just be an evil genius!”

Actually, Jake felt more like the biggest idiot in the world as Rand threw her arms around him and the smell of peaches surrounded him. “Damn straight I am.”

She pulled back and said, “I owe you big.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Chapter Six

Rand stared at herself in the mirror and bit her lip. The floral dress was tea length and hugged her body, the little cap sleeves were very feminine. She’d pulled on nude panty hose she’d had in a drawer for years, which itched like crazy and a pair of black flats. She’d put a little gel in her hair and used a blow dryer on it, creating soft waves over her shoulder. She didn’t have any make up except for a tube of clear mascara and chap stick. Her dark lashes, already long, looked fuller after the clear coating, although she poked her eye in the process, causing it to water.

She finally stood in front of the full length mirror on the back of her door and studied the change. She looked like any other woman being escorted to church by a handsome man.

And yet, she felt like an impostor.

Her phone rang in the kitchen and she ran to answer, tripping over Scout, who hissed in protest. “Don’t you hiss at me, you’re the one laying in the hallway like a dork.”

The Calico meowed and rubbed against her legs, obviously knowing where her bread was buttered.

“Manipulative little fur-ball,” Rand muttered.

The cats golden eyes looked at her, releasing a loud, rumbling purr and Rand moved away from her. “I don’t have time to pet you. Besides, you’ll get fur all over me.”

The cat sniffed with indignation and ambled off towards her bedroom as she grabbed the phone off the counter. “Hello?”

“Hey, are you almost ready?” Jake’s voice only added to the anxiety she was already experiencing.

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Okay, I’m walking out the door. See you in a bit.” He hung up the phone and she put hers down, wiping her sweaty hands on her dress nervously. Grabbing her jacket off the back of the chair, she sat down on the couch and waited.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

“Since when do you knock,” she yelled as she jumped up to answer it.

“Since I’ve come a courtin’,” he yelled back through the door.

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