Page 59 of Breaking the Cowboy's Rules

“Excellent choice. Any chance your sudden thirst for all things rodeo has anything to do with a local, heartthrob rodeo cowboy?”

“Add psychic to your résumé,” Nico said good-naturedly. True, Shane had seen her with Bodhi the first night heading out with hot chocolate for some stargazing. Maybe it hadn’t been that big of a jump.

“Maybe I will.” Shane mixed the drink, her movements deft. “But I am merely an observer of life. You arrived yesterday early afternoon. Left mid evening but didn’t return until almost dawn, escorted by Bodhi Ballantyne—according to Bob at the front desk. You left this afternoon and when you returned, you hurried through the lobby and had a rope in your hand. Your car was very dusty—according to Joseph because he was going to wash it for you and wanted some bar towels. You’ve got a few sexy marks on your neck and collarbone, and you asked about a cowboy cocktail.”

Shane poured out two cocktails and put them on a server’s tray.

“I take it back.” Nico laughed, not in the least embarrassed. She’d always been a private person and she had a lot of secrets, and yet there was no way she could be embarrassed about Bodhi. He was an uber fine man who ticked all of the boxes she hadn’t known she’d had. “Perhaps add detective instead of psychic to your résumé.”

“That I could also get behind. I think bartenders would make excellent detectives.”

Shane lined up three squat glasses, ran a slice of ginger around each of the rims. and turned them upside down in what looked like craft sugar. Then she poured three fingers of whiskey and speared a slice of orange and candied ginger on a stick, poured a mysterious liquid on top and then with a garlic press, she squeezed a little fresh ginger into all three glasses.

“Voilà, my Cowboy Whiskey this year.”

“I hope you’re keeping recipe cards and are going to write a cocktail book someday,” Nico said, a little stunned by the graceful efficiency with which Shane worked and her casual creativity.

“I post recipes on the Graff website. It’s interactive and draws a lot of folks in.”

“I hope you get a cut of the profits.” Nico objected to Shane giving away something so personal that was clearly a moneymaker.

“I was filmed making a wedding cocktail for that lot.” She indicated the wedding party and film crew and rolled her eyes.

And then Nico looked back at the three drinks lined up. It was eerie. “I’m not that thirsty for a cowboy.”

“You are for that one.” Shane smiled. “And he’s thirsty for you and bringing in Ben for the stamp of approval. Congrats.”

“I met him…it’s a little premature for congrats,” Nico said drily, her tummy flipping to see Bodhi striding toward her.

Damn. Good genes ran in that family. Ben too had some of the cowboy swagger, only not as deadly as Bodhi’s. They moved in unison and turned a lot of heads, but Bodhi’s intent gaze was fixed on hers.

“Not that premature,” Shane mused, but Nico couldn’t look away from the sexiest, most beautiful, intriguing man in the world. Magazine and beer ads had it all wrong. They should be looking in Montana for their next most everything man.

“I hope you weren’t starting without me.” Bodhi lightly held her hands, and it was all she could do to not hold on tight. Every nerve in her body jumped up to dance.

“You look spectacular.” He kissed her cheek slowly, giving her plenty of time to feel his hard warmth and smell his dark green, earth scent. She breathed in deeply. Was that sandalwood? Cedar? She had to get that soap.

“Hi. You too.” Unable to resist, she tilted her head and kissed his lips. Then she rubbed at the nude lipstick. “Sorry, I forgot.”

“Never have to apologize for kissing me,” Bodhi said, his low voice rumbling through her with the power of a train. Then she noticed Ben watching both of them. She was very conscious of Bodhi’s arm around her waist. They were supposed to be pushing the relationship, but it felt so natural. So real. She was confused. And more than a little breathless.

Don’t block. Stick to the rules. You’ll be fine.

Only this felt so real. A date. Meeting a man’s family. That was important, and yet none of it was real.

Could it become real?

No. She couldn’t go there. Not now. Later she could worry. Another rule surfaced to save her.Don’t ask questions.Anathema to an attorney, but for an improv player, second nature.

“Shane’s trying out a new cocktail for the rodeo week.” Nico dug for her smile, and by Bodhi’s stillness and focus, she could tell he’d noticed her smile slip. She handed one to Ben and then Bodhi. She picked up hers.

“To the rodeo,” she said cheerfully and clinked glasses.

She drank, holding eye contract with Bodhi.

“To family,” Ben Ballantyne said firmly, and they raised their glasses again and sipped.

Guilt swirled in Nico’s tummy, warring with desire and regret. It was only Monday. Why was she struggling to remain in the spirit of the game?

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