Texas Pride. Gerry Bartlett

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СКАЧАТЬ him steer her around the dance floor, his contagious grin making her throw her head back and laugh with pure joy.

      It was almost enough to make her forget how controlling he was. Everyone around them was getting their buzz on. Most of the crowd favored beer. Anything would be better than yet another glass of the sweet iced tea that had already sent her trotting to the ladies’ room, twice. She saw that the waitress had refilled their glasses while they were on the dance floor. She took a sip and wrinkled her nose.

      “You ready to get out of here?” Billy threw some bills on the table. “I still want to talk.”

      “Might as well.” Shannon knew he was disappointed that she stalked out ahead of him. But her good mood was vanishing. She felt him close behind her, even before his hand landed on her shoulder.

      “Slow down.” He grabbed the door and held it open. “You’re marching out of here like you’re mad or something. I thought we were having a good time.”

      “We were.” Shannon stalked over to the huge motorcycle. “But it could have been better. What would have been the harm in having a few drinks, Billy? I don’t get it.” She snatched the helmet he carried and pulled it on. “I’m not addicted or anything, I just like to relax, enjoy myself.”

      “And you can’t do that without alcohol?” He frowned as he pushed on his own helmet. “Listen to yourself. You’re not making sense. I saw you out on that dance floor. You were having fun. And you didn’t have a thing to drink other than sweet tea. Are you going to deny that you were relaxed anyway? Seriously, Shannon?”

      “Fine. It was fun. You were fun. Until you start preaching at me again. Controlling me.” She threw her leg over the leather seat. “Let’s go. Take me home. We can talk there.”

      “I don’t think you’re in the mood to listen. What I want is an honest conversation. I don’t consider it preaching or controlling.” He got on the Harley and turned the key. “Hold on.”

      She wrapped her arms around him when he put the motorcycle in gear and they took off in a spate of gravel. She was disappointed. He’d claimed he had a plan for a great night and now he’d ruined it. She’d pulled her scarf out of her hair and let go on the dance floor, happy to see the Billy she’d loved all those years ago alive and well. Now, just because she wanted to relax with a cocktail, he was turning judgmental again. She couldn’t stand it.

      It wasn’t like he was Mr. Perfect either. What would he do if she asked him to stop working so hard? Lighten up? Yes, he’d taken tonight off, but she knew that was probably rare for him. He’d already told her he’d borrowed the bike they were riding. This night out was him making an effort, trying to be something he wasn’t. So he was pushing her to be different too, sober as a freaking judge. How realistic was that? This relationship was doomed. They should face facts.

      She looked around and noticed he wasn’t taking her home after all. Where were they going? She squeezed him a few times and tried to yell questions at him. But he ignored her. They rode over the Kemah bridge and she recognized Galveston Bay and the boardwalk where a local entrepreneur had created an area of carnival rides and restaurants. Not Billy’s usual scene. But then did she know what he liked anymore?

      He found a parking place where the bike wouldn’t be bothered and turned off the motor.

      “What are we doing here?” She pulled off the helmet when he reached out a hand to help her climb off.

      “You didn’t think we were done, did you?” Billy grinned at her.

      She knew she looked a sight with her hair blown wild and her cheeks wind-burned.

      “I thought you wanted to talk.” She pulled her scarf out of her purse and managed to tie her hair back again. “Yet here we are at another noisy place.”

      “You obviously aren’t in the mood to talk, so I decided to come here.” Billy waved toward the colorful area lining the waterway that connected Clear Lake with Galveston Bay.

      “And you say you’re not controlling.” She turned away from him.

      “Come on, Shan. I remember that your dad was big into the circus. Maybe you have just a little weakness for a carnival?” Billy pointed to the colorful and well-lit wharf. “Look, there’s a roller coaster, a bungee jump over the bay, and some other thrill rides.”

      Shannon couldn’t believe he’d thought of bringing her here. “Daddy took me with him to carnivals when I was little, before he got obsessed with work. We rode rides together. I do love them.” She shook her head. “How on earth did you know?”

      “I’m not entirely unobservant, Shannon. I think you and your daddy are more alike than you want to admit.”

      “How do you mean?” Her breath caught. Could she be like Daddy? Was he insulting her? Or complimenting her?

      “He had a crazy side to him. Collecting circus memorabilia, taking chances on oil well sites that others wouldn’t touch. He was a risk taker. For some reason, you keep that side of yourself under wraps. That fun, crazy Shannon Calhoun is buttoned up unless she’s had a few too many drinks.” Billy slid his hands around her waist.

      “You have no idea why I am the way I am.” Shannon resisted the pressure as he tried to pull her closer. She’d grown up tiptoeing around her mother with her volatile moods, her father gone most of the time making deals. She’d learned quickly it was better to be invisible or out of the house.

      “I’ll give you that. We never have taken the time to really get to know each other.” He just kept looking at her, pressing her gently with those big hands.

      He managed to get her closer anyway. Damn, the man was strong. Shannon had to admit he had a point. Because feeling his hard body against hers told her why they didn’t really know each other. There was this instant chemistry. The craving to sink into his touch and let go.

      “Billy.”

      “I’ll let this go for now. But you seem to think it’s okay to blame the fun Shannon on the alcohol. But she’s the real you, like you were tonight. Why not let her free without the booze?”

      “I’m not fun all the time?” She tilted her chin to look up at him, fighting a smile.

      “Honey, you used to work at being a pain in my ass. Trying to get me to fit in with your crowd, seeing how far you could push me with your wild behavior. And I let you get away with it.” Billy pulled her in tighter, right where she liked to be. Her breasts were against his chest, her hips cradled against what felt like a hard-on. “Tonight I want us to play with clear heads. Are you game?”

      “But I like being a pain in your ass.” She kissed his chin, then slid out of his arms and turned toward the rides. “Roller coaster first. I just love it when we get to the top and it slows to give you time to dread that rush downhill. Don’t you?”

      Billy groaned. She had him now and she knew it.

      “Honestly, sweetheart? I hate the fucking things. You have no idea what a sacrifice this is going to be.”

      That got her. She laughed and grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the colored lights trimming the enormous wooden Boardwalk Bullet. There was a line, of course, but it didn’t take long before they were strapped in and Billy was praying out loud for rescue. No such luck. He gripped the safety СКАЧАТЬ