Ty moved his thigh next to hers as he leaned closer to her ear. “I have a few ways I’d like to indulge you,” he whispered.
She pulled back to look at him, and the sleeve of her shirt grazed his hand. Her eyebrows were raised, but that didn’t disguise the interest beaming from her eyes. “I’d be happy to elaborate,” he said.
“Elaborate about what? That crazy will?” Sheila said from across the table. She’d taken another sip of her drink, and Ty wondered if she might not be feeling its effect. “You two do make a cute couple.”
“Mother.” Mandy’s tone held censure.
Ty grasped Mandy’s hand in his. It was soft and surprisingly warm. “I agree.” She tried to pull it away, but he held firm.
“So you’re not opposed to the idea?” Sheila asked. Her smile held satisfaction.
“Not if it’s for six months.” Ty patted Mandy’s arm. This time she tugged harder, and her hand slipped from his grasp as a slow tune wafted from the speakers. Sitting next to her, the desire to get closer reared inside of him.
“Care to dance?”
Mandy looked at him like she’d wanted to do anything but dance with him. Well, he had some other ideas in mind.
“I think it would be an interesting experiment, this marriage,” Sheila opined.
Mandy gave a shake of her head and turned to Ty. “Sure,” she said answering his question.
Ty downed the last of his scotch. Heat slithered down his throat. It wasn’t the smooth scotch he was used to, but it would do. Maybe it would take the edge off of his damn desire for her.
Rising, Ty moved out of the booth and held out his hand. This time, she took it willingly, and he led her to the dance floor. In her jeans, red boots, and white top she looked like a sexy advertisement for America. Two more couples had joined the dancing, and it almost seemed crowded on the small floor.
Ty wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Close enough he could feel her breasts rub against his chest. Close enough he could feel other things rub. Her hands rested on his shoulders, and she gazed up at him. A shot of lust barreled through him like a torpedo through waves. They fit damn well together. He began to sway to the music. Mandy followed.
He rubbed his cheek against her ear, and he breathed in the scent of roses. Her scent. “You haven’t even mentioned that kiss, Mandy,” he whispered. “Maybe we should talk about that.”
She pulled back and stared at him like he’d just waved a red flag in front of her face. “Why did you meet with Stan Lassiter this morning?”
Just like that the mood of the room shifted with the force of tectonic plates. How the hell had Mandy found out about his meeting with Stan? Judging by the why don’t you drop dead look on her face, she suspected the worst.
“Stan simply expressed his interest. An interest you are no doubt well aware of.” How had he suddenly been put on the defensive?
“Was he inviting you out tonight for a drink or to celebrate a deal?” she asked as her breasts rubbed the pockets of his shirt. Ten years ago, her breasts had been small but perky. Now they were firm, curvy, and sufficiently prominent without being so large as to seem unnatural. Ten years ago, her kisses had been shy and sweet. That kiss earlier had been demanding and consuming. He liked consuming.
He shifted his hand so his thumb slid under her shirt and rested against her warm skin. She was soft underneath her clothes. Soft and warm.
“Stan’s let me know he’s interested. And I’m bound by the trust your grandfather placed in me to explore all options. But JM also asked me to help you through this transition, if selling doesn’t turn out to be the best option. So I intend to do that too, whether you want me to or not.”
“I’ll fight you anyway I can if you try to sell. However little faith JM had in me, I’ll prove him wrong—all by myself.” Her eyes glistened in the low bar light, and he couldn’t be sure it wasn’t from tears.
Ty wished he could erase that pain rather than be the one causing it. But that wasn’t the hand dealt him.
“The way he bragged about you, I doubt it was a lack of faith in you, Mandy, as much as it was an understanding of the industry and what it could be like for an inexperienced woman.”
“I’m capable of running things. JM may not have been comfortable with the idea of a woman at the helm, but this is the twenty-first century. And I know more about Prescott, rodeo, and livestock than you’ll ever know.” She stomped her foot on the dance floor, causing a smack.
“I’ve no doubt you do. I hope selling will prove unnecessary.” He gathered her closer in his arms in the hope of coaxing her to continue dancing.
“Will you promise, in writing, not to sell before the end of six months if I marry you?” she whispered in his ear.