True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,41
my teeth, so I shouldn’t—”
“It’s not you. It’s me. I’ve been sweating like crazy and I don’t want to offend you with the way I smell.” Or accidentally get you hot.
“Oh, that.” She waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t bother me.” She stepped forward again. “The thing is, I’m a little intimidated by this date with Leo. He’s so good-looking. Of course, all of you are. I didn’t mean it like the rest of the Brotherhood is average, but—”
“Compared to Leo, we’re average. We know it and he hates being reminded of it.”
“Why? Why does he have such a problem with looking amazing? I don’t get it. Most guys would—”
“Leo’s not most guys.” Evidently his manly aroma did nothing for her. What a relief.
She studied her tan loafers for a few seconds. Then she glanced up. “I would never ask you to reveal deep, dark Brotherhood secrets, but I don’t know the first thing about Leo and when I tried asking questions last night, he dodged them. I’m flying blind.”
“Believe it or not, so are we. I can tell you he comes from Southern California. Judging from the way he frowns when he mentions the area, he didn’t care for it. He loves Montana, horses and working at the Buckskin. He also loves Henri Fox and the Babes. If you’re searching for topics of interest, those are good ones.”
She nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“My guess is he’ll be interested in learning about you. He’d much rather talk about the person he’s with than himself.”
“My story’s not all that exciting.”
He smiled. “It will be after Leo drags out all the details. He’s a natural storyteller.”
“Unless it’s his story.”
“True.” Nick had met Fiona for the first time at the event last night and hadn’t learned much about her. Leo hadn’t been talkative this morning, either.
Nick liked what he was hearing now, though. Clearly Fiona viewed Leo as a person of value aside from his handsome face and toned body. Leo should be happy about that.
“I feel a little better knowing he protects his privacy around you guys, too. I don’t need his whole life story. It’s just a date. I’ll—”
“I’m here!” Eva scampered down the stairs barefoot. She wore a different pair of jeans and a green shirt that matched her eyes. “Fiona, gathering intel for tonight?”
“You know me too well.” She laughed. “But I didn’t come over just for that. I was hoping you’d managed to unlock the trunk and sure enough, you did!”
“Not me. Nick.”
Fiona glanced at him. “You can pick locks?”
“Some. Luckily this turned out to be one of them.” So much had happened since he’d managed that feat and yet it was only early afternoon.
“It was an exciting moment.” Eva’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. She was always animated—well, except when she’d recently been wiped out by a powerful orgasm—but in this moment, she was supercharged. “The suspense was killing me.”
“The suspense is still killing me,” Fiona said. “I asked Nick about the wedding dress and he said the story was yours to tell.”
Eva flashed him a look that said he’d made the right call. He’d take all the points he could get.
She turned back to Fiona. “I’d rather show you than tell you. It’ll be much more dramatic. But it’s a two-part drama—after the trunk, you need to see what’s in the cardboard box Nick found. Beth will go nuts.”
He sucked in a breath. “And that’s my cue. Time for me to head out back and dig up some stones.”
“Okay.” Eva’s expression was innocent, like she had no idea mentioning the box would agitate him.
She had a devilish streak. That turned him on, too. “You might need to put on some shoes and come out there to show me what you want.”
“I think it’s self-explanatory. I put in stakes to indicate where I’d like to plant some tulip and daffodil bulbs once the rocks are out of there. Feel free to dig up any others you find in the rest of the yard. If you’d like to scope out a good location for the water feature, that would be awesome.”
“Got it. I’ll fetch my pick and shovel out of the truck.”
“Do you want a bowl of chili before you get started?”
“No, thanks.”
She regarded him with a gleam in those beautiful eyes. “Just wondered if you’d worked up an appetite with all you’ve been doing.”
Really? Alrighty, then. Two could play that game. “I’m okay for now.” He held her gaze. “Think I’d better