Page 3 of Big Tex

I nod firmly, never letting go of the arm I have draped around her body. A quick glance at her gorgeous face confirms what I’d been suspecting. Layla is sending me daggers, and her eyes clearly state I better have a good explanation for my fib, because as soon as we’re alone, I’m getting it.

Carmichael’s gaze goes from Layla to me. And fan or not, he studies us closely, trying to assess my girl’s safety.Good man. Idon’t think I’ll break his stupid, square jaw after all for laying on the charm in front of my woman.

“Can you tell me what happened, exactly?” I enquire. “Is she okay now? Any meds she needs to take? Is it safe to take her home?”

He grins reassuringly. “Miss Wilson is fine. We were quite worried, ourselves. We usually don’t see her on this side of the health center.”

I turn a questioning gaze to Layla and she rolls her eyes before explaining, “the A.I. lab is in this building, on the same floor as the clinic. I was here all summer for my internship, And Dr Carmichael and I became good friends.”

That’s right, my girl’s a fucking genius enrolled in an Artificial Intelligence post graduate research program in one of the best universities in the world.

I alternate my squinting gaze between the two of them, and the plan to mess up Dr Pretty Boy’s face doesn’t seem so bad after all. If I’m reading things right, he wouldn’t have minded taking things further than friendship if Layla had been interested.Yeah, I’m seriously fucking done with this shit.

“Okay, you wanna catch me up?” I ask the blond.

He shakes his head, sobering, and the switch from eager fan and friendly colleague to stern doctor is arresting. “I’m sorry, Mr Garcia. I can’t discuss the details of my patients’ health with someone who’s not family. But I already gave Layla the rundown on her tests results. She can go home whenever she’s ready. What she needs now is rest, proper nutrition, to stay hydrated, and light exercise. Everything should be back to normal within a few days.” His megawatt smile returns when he grabs my hand for an energetic shake. “Again, it was a great honor meeting you. I hope you’ll stop by now that Layla and you…”

“Oookaaay, thank you, Ben. We’re out of here,” Layla interrupts him as she climbs off the bed, the white sheet slidingoff her sexy jeans-clad legs and revealing the rest of the fucking mouthwatering body I’ve been fantasizing about for months.

Yep, there’s no fucking way I’m not locking this shit down. My friendship with Zach be damned. Fuck, my spot on the team be damned. I know the man has the power to get me fired. I may be his main man, his WR. The two of us have a magic dynamic. But Zach Wilson is not a man you mess with. And there’s a solid reason he warned me off his baby sister. Zach saw me before I met Layla. He saw the partying, the girls. Fans, cheerleaders, jersey chasers… I had my fill of pussy before I met his sister. I can only hope he also noticed the ‘before’ aspect of things. Because God knows it’s been nothing but me and my hand since I met this girl. Even the thought of touching someone else, of sharing my body with anyone other than her, repulses me. I may have been too chicken-shit to face the magnitude of my feelings for Layla, but seeing her like this. Realizing she does need to be taken care of. There’s no doubt left in me. I fucking love this woman. She fucking owns me. And I’ll do everything in my power to convince her to let me love and cherish her till my last breath.

2

What Happened In Vegas…

THREE MONTHS BEFORE

LAYLA

I push my glasses up my nose and turn around to check myself in the full mirror of the ladies’ restroom.Not too shabby at all. My little black dress is a sexy, but classy, lacy number that hugs my curves and makes me feel fabulous.Thank you, Emma!

I’m so grateful I gained a big sister when my brother found the love of his life. Between our strict parents, my adorable jock of a brother, and my own nerdy ways, I need all the feminine support I can get. And Emma is just that girl. She took me under her wing and made everything just so easy. We talk, laugh, hang out, and built our own relationship outside of her being my sister-in-law. For a computer geek like me who’s used to being alone or with guys most of the time, having her has been life-changing.

So I don’t know who was more affected when Zach and Emma came close to splitting. Thank God they found their way back to each other! They even renewed their vows, and that’s what we’re here in Vegas celebrating with their closest friends. Their college buddies, Zach’s team members, and Emma’s girlfriends.

Everyone is super friendly, but I’m just more comfortable with my robots and computers than with people.

Letting out a sigh, I make my way back to the party. It’s a fucking great party. Delicious food and fancy drinks everywhere, a crowd dressed to the nines, and a fabulous venue. The bar of one of the best hotels on the Strip. I people-watched, I ate, sipped on some delicious virgin cocktails, and now I think I’m about ready for some rest. Zach and Emma are the only two people I’m close to here, and they’ve disappeared to their suite a while ago. Neither our parents, nor Emma’s, were part of the fun, so I don’t even have anyone to fuss over me. I let out a giggle, thinking how horrified my mother would be if she knew I’m thinking of her fussing over me. The woman is an entrepreneur and all around fierce businesswoman. She’s never fussed a day in her life, and I probably take my brisk ways after her.Well, maybe once she has grand kids…I laugh again.

And this time, a deep voice, laced with a strong southern drawl, resonates right above me. “I would love to know what’s so funny, doll.”

I whip my head around and come face to face with a wide chest encased in a crisp black button-down and a jacket that has to be tailored. Because the more my eyes climb up his titanic body, the more I realize the man is a fucking giant. Up, up, up a powerful torso, a solid pair of wide shoulders, a corded neck with a delicious deep tan, a fucking carved jaw, sexy, smirking mouth, straight, masculine nose, and mischievous, twinkling brown eyes that stare at me like I’m the main attraction of themenu and he’s ready to play… His rich brown hair is strayed with a few lighter strands, from sun exposure I guess. This man is absolutely magnificent. And he smells so goddamn fucking good! Of an unexpected blend of leathery scent, expensive cologne, cigar, and the types of pheromones that signal one has won the genetic lottery. Because there’s no way women aren’t throwing themselves at this guy left and right after catching a whiff of this dangerous drug. I stand glued in place, jaw slack, gawking at the giant sex-on-a-stick of a man.Who knew such creatures even existed?

“Uh… hi?” I try.

“Hi yourself, darlin’.”

And here comes that lazy drawl again.Ugh, don’t give up on me, panties!

I gather all the professionalism and male-handling skill set I’ve acquired over the years, readjust my fogged up glasses, and thrust out a hand for him to take.

“I’m Layla.”

He takes my hand. But of course, instead of simply shaking it, he has to do something even more rattling than his simple existence. Bombshell guy wraps his big, warm, calloused hand around mine and bows slightly.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Layla. I’m Colt. It’s Miss, right?”

I can’t hold back my laughter. And once it’s receded, I nod. “Yes, it’s Miss.”

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