Cowboy Take Me Away by Lorelei James Read Free Book Online Page A

is.”
    “There what is?”
    “The Catholic school upbringing. Loosen up.”
    Her brother actually liked this creep? She managed a fake smile. “I’d be a lot looser if you quit holding me so tightly.”
    She was ready to escape after one dance with Randy, but he kept blathering on. When the third song started, she begged to take a break. He kept his hand in the small of her back as he escorted her off the dance floor, acting like they were together.
    “Would you like a drink?”
    “Another Coke would be good.”
    He wrinkled his nose. “So you don’t drink alcohol either?”
    Either? Was he about to make another crack about her being raised in a convent? “No.”
    “Fine. I’ll be back.”
    Randy situated himself so close to her she had to hold her drink in her left hand because she couldn’t move her right arm.
    She studied the crowd, hoping her brother or Beverly would rescue her from rambling Randy. When he said, “I like you, Caroline, you’re a good listener,” she’d had enough. The idiot didn’t even know her name. “Will you excuse me?”
    “The bathrooms are down the far hallway,” he said helpfully.
    But Carolyn left through the front door. Ignoring the lewd stares and drunken comments, she cut around the side of the building where it was dark and blessedly free of people.
    She paced, wishing she hadn’t come, wondering how long she’d be stuck with Randy while Thomas messed around with that Millie person, who he hadn’t even bothered to introduce her to.
    Maybe she should just go wait in the car.
    Unsure what to do, she continued to pace.
    “You’ll wear out them pretty shoes if you keep doin’ that, sugar.”
    Carolyn whirled around.
    Carson McKay leaned against the side of the building, his white shirt a beacon in the darkness. As she walked toward him, she noticed the red glow of a cigarette in his hand as he brought it to his mouth and puffed.
    “I didn’t know you smoked.”
    He exhaled and dropped the butt to the ground, extinguishing it with his boot. “There’s lots you don’t know about me. So did your family fill you in on what bastards the McKays are?”
    “No.”
    “Didja even tell them you were with me? Or did you keep that to yourself because you were embarrassed?”
    “Did you tell your family that you asked a West to marry you?” she volleyed back.
    Carson studied her. Or at least she thought he did; she couldn’t read his eyes beneath the brim of his hat. He pulled his flask out of his pocket and drank. But he didn’t say a word.
    As much as she didn’t like Randy’s constant chatter, Carson’s silence wasn’t any better. She backed up. “See you around, Carson.” She turned, intending to head back to the parking lot.
    “Your butt looks good in pants.”
    She froze. Then she faced him. “Excuse me?”
    “You heard me. So keep walkin’ away from me real slow like, so I can enjoy the view.”
    Carolyn erased the distance between them in six angry steps. “I oughta hit you again.”
    “I don’t recommend you try it.” He lifted his head and met her gaze—the heat in his eyes should’ve sent her running. “I thought maybe I’d exaggerated how beautiful you are, especially after I learned your last name. But I’m standin’ here, starin’ at you like a fool because your beauty struck me dumb for the second time.”
    The thing was? The man was completely sincere. He watched her with a sort of awe she found very appealing. “That makes up for the butt comment.”
    He smiled that full out dimpled grin and her belly fluttered. “Oh, I meant every word of that, too.”
    Being this close to him…didn’t seem close enough.
    Hold on, sister. You don’t know this man.
    But I want to know him.
    “Carson. What are we doing?”
    “I don’t know about you, but when I saw you talkin’ with that guy and dancin’ close with him, I wanted to break his face so I had to get the hell outta there.”
    That matter of fact, almost possessive tone sent a spike