Page 15 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

Snaking an arm around his neck, she pulled him in for a long, wet, open-mouth kiss. Her lips parted and he slipped his tongue to caress hers with longstrokes.

His heady scent intoxicated her as it had on the dance floor. He pulled her close, smashing her breasts against his chest with a hard tug. His hands found the naked flesh of her back in the low vee of her dress. He ran his fingers and palms across her skin, slipping fingers under the edges of the satinmaterial.

Her heart raced and jumped with each stroke of his tongue against hers, each touch of his fingers on her back. Overcome with all the sensations, she could barely take it all in, barely catch her breath. This reaction, this complete submission of her body was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She was out of her league, in waters much too deep for a simple cowgirllikeher.

She pulled away and dropped her forehead on his shoulder. She drew in a deep breath, willing her heart to slow, demanding the storm of emotions inside to cease. Nothing worked. A quiver rattled her and a shiver ran down herspine.

“Are you cold?” His deep, sensual voice did nothing to calm the emotional tempests inside her. If anything, his question fed fuel to herfires.

“No, no,” she said, her voice a tad breathless. “I’m fine.” More like she wasonfire.

They sat in the quiet for a moment while each gathered their thoughts, and their breaths. She wasn’t the only one with an elevatedbreathingrate.

“So, what happened to Theodore andScott?”

She put her head against his chest, was relieved to have a moment to collect herself. His heart pounded in her ear. It made her happy to know she caused his heart to racelikehers.

“I did love Theodore, maybe not in the way I should, but I did care for him. I wanted him to have a wonderful life. Marrying me would not do that. We called off the wedding. No specific reason was given, but the rumor around town was that I had been found in a bed with the best man.” She chuckled softly. “How ironic, huh? Theodore and Scott left Texas and moved to Vermont. I talk to them often. They’ve married and are veryhappy.”

She looked up at him. “Of course, his parents don’t know. And although I might gossip as much as the next woman, I don’t want Theodore and Scott’s personal life to be fodder for the gossip mill. I wouldn’t have told you, but I felt you deserved a sane explanation of that completely insane conversation you had to witness. Plus you don’t really care about the town gossip. My family knows, of course, as does my best friend. But they’ll never say anything. They all know what kind of person Teddy Roth is.” With a sigh, she put her head back on his chest. “The Roths know he has a great job there and is happy. But Teddy will never forgive me for driving his son away or that’s his version of the story. He tells everyone that Theodore was so distressed and mortified by my indiscretion, that he left not only Whispering Springs but Texas. Now, people in town just nod and let Teddy rant, but most pay him no mind. Maybe someday, Theodore can tell his parents about Scott but until then, it’s not myplace.”

“It’s not fair,”Elisaid.

“What isn’t? The Roths’ reaction to Theodoreleaving?”

“No. I mean, it’s not fair that you have to take all the heat while he gets off scott-free, no punintended.”

She sat up and chuckled. “I’m not worried about it. Life is good. I love where I am. I mostly feel sorry for Theodore. His mother is a wonderful lady. Sometimes, like tonight, I suspect she knows the truth and doesn’t tell her husband. How she puts up with Teddy is a good question.” Placing her hand on his chest she said, “So that’s my story. What’syours?”

“There you are,” said a femalevoice.

Marti looked up to find her friend Delene Younger walking toward them. “You disappeared when that horrible Teddy Roth said something to you. We were all worried. Do you need me to go kick his ass for you? I will,youknow.”

Marti laughed and stood. Eli rose with her. “Thanks, Delene but I’m good. Have you met Eli Boone? Eli, this is Delene Younger, one my bestest buddies. Delene, this is Dr. Eli Boone. He’s covering for Hank Kelley while he does some additionaltraining.”

Delene extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, doc. You friendswithHank?”

Eli shook her hand. “I am. Met him back in med school and then ended up in the same residencyprogram.”

Delene whistled. “So, you’re one of those fancy Harvarddoctors,huh?”

Eli laughed. “Harvard, yes. Fancy, notsomuch.”

“Where’s your date?” Marti asked. “And better yet, who’syourdate?”

Delene rolled her eyes. “I’m here with Zack, only because I couldn’t find anyone else withatux.”

“Right,” Marti said. “And you probably really lookedhard,huh?”

Delene gave Marti’s shoulder a gentle shove. “I did look. I swear. Besides, nobody fills out a tux like Zack.” She pumped her brows in an exaggeratedfashion.

Marti looked at Eli, who wore a puzzled expression. “Delene and Zack dated in high school. They were the ‘it’ couple. Now, none of us can figure out what is going onwiththem.”

Delene sighed. “Nothing. I needed a date. He has a tux. He wanted a free meal. Plus, he made me wash his truck today so we could bring ittonight.”

Marti rolled her eyes. Beside her Eli choked back alaugh.

Delene looked over her shoulder. “I’d better get back before Zack decides to head home. You know cowboys. He wanted to leave as soon as I’d taken my last bite of cheesecake. Said it was past his bedtime, and sadly, I don’t think he was kidding.” She hugged Marti and said, “Call me tomorrow and we can…” She looked at Eli and back to Marti. “Gossip.”

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