bump into one another. I feel a hard body pressing against my back. It’s one of the admirers, Scott, from earlier. He’s gorgeous. Hard tanned cowboy body, blonde hair, blue eyes. His hands lightly skim my sides then rest on my hips. He presses closer to me. My hands reach up around his neck. My body is responding to him but it’s JT on my mind. I close my eyes and let myself imagine Scott’s hands are JT’s. It’s his breathe blowing on my neck, making my nipples harden. I can feel his tongue, his lips. “Lily, you are so hot!”
His words jar me out of my dream. I let go of his neck and spin around, putting some distance between us. “Not so bad yourself Scott.” We dance a few more songs before I excuse myself to the ladies room.
My head is spinning from the music and alcohol.
I’m in the stall when I hear women’s voices.
“She’ll be out on her ass before she knows it.” The voices giggle. “He’ll never marry her. She’ll have to leave and then he’s all mine.”
“I heard he was supporting her.”
“He has to, it’s part of the deal. He’s a charitable kind of guy.” When the door shuts I come of the stall. So that’s what he thinks of me? I’m a charity case. My stubborn tears threaten to spill. He’ll never want me. He doesn’t need me. He doesn’t need the ranch. I know he has more money than he knows what to do with. In the morning I’ll see if Skye will let us stay at her place, just until I can make arrangements. Nick said I couldn’t keep anything, not even the horses. I’ll have to convince JT to let me at least visit Five.
I stave off the tears and take a deep breathe. I am here to have a good time. So, I make my way back to the dance floor where Scott is waiting for me with a fresh beer in his hand.
Eighteen
“Look all the ladies tonight! I’m getting my game face on.” Grayson is in town this weekend. He convinced me to come out tonight. Chase and I do this every week anyways but I let him think it’s because of him I came out. Truthfully, I wanted to take a look at this Kenny guy.
We’re standing at the bar, drinking bottled beer when I feel two arms circle my waist from behind me. For a fleeting moment I hoped it was Lily but my stomach goes sour when I smell her perfume. Blanche.
“Hey baby. I was hoping to run into you.” I ignore her but I know she won’t just go away. “Looks like someone is having a good time.” She’s looking at the dance floor. I follow her line of sight. “Isn’t that Scott Randall? Pro-Rodeo bull rider? I heard he was hanging out in town. On his way to Boulder for the Rodeo next weekend. They make a cute couple. Don’t you think?” She moves to the front of me, never taking her hands off me. I’ve still not moved. My eyes are fixed on Scott’s arms around Lily.
He bends down to whisper something in her ear. She giggles in response. She takes his beer from his hand drinks. I can see the perspiration on the bottle drip onto her chest where her sheer top is slightly open. Her beautiful mounds are barely on display but sexy as fuck. He reaches down and touches the wet drop with his finger. I can feel my chest tightening. My fist grips my bottle so hard I think it will shatter if I don’t let go.
As if she can hear me willing her to look at me she turns. At first her eyes soften. Then she sees Blanche. Scott looks over. He leads Lily over to us. She’s scowling at Blanche.
“Blanche, honey. Long time no see.” Scott’s jovial greeting makes me want to hurl.
“Oh Scott, you are such a gentleman, keeping little Lily company. Isn’t he sweet Lily?”
“Hmm. How do you two know each other?” Her eyes dart back and forth between Scott and Blanche. Blanche’s smile tells me all I need to know. She has a reputation and every cowboy with a stock portfolio is on her radar. Scott grins right back at her.
“Everybody knows Blanche, if you know what I mean?” Lily gives him a look of distain. “Her daddy’s a big time sponsor of the rodeo in Boulder. Blanche here come out and visits us.