The Roper (Rodeo Nights) by Fancy Moore Read Free Book Online Page A

then tossed and turned the bed too big. Without Casey curled into him, without his arms around her, sleep wouldn’t come. Damn he missed her.
      It was midnight when he pulled his jeans on, walked over to Jody’s room and knocked on the door.
    Dale answered, doing his jeans up a big smile on his face. Jody reached over turning the small lamp on, a sheet covering her legs.
    “Need a drink,” Bobby said. He poured one and leaned against the counter.
    The lock clicked, the door opened and Casey walked in.
      Bobby turned, panic gripping him when he saw the shock, the betrayal she felt on her face and in her eyes.  
    “It’s not what you think Casey,” he said reaching for her.
    “Sorry,” Casey said starting to back out.
    “You’re wrong Casey, I couldn’t sleep so I came for drink.”
    He saw the hurt in her eyes grow deeper then felt the stiffness of her body when he tried to hold her. She stepped back, dropping her bag. She left slamming the door behind her, Jody laughing when Bobby ran after her.
    “Casey stop,” he said. She stumbled grabbing the railing then turned brushing past him, going back in the room.
    “Get out,” she told Dale. “If you want to sleep with them you do it in their room,” she yelled at Jody.
    “You get out too,” she said turning to Bobby. “Right now,” she said tears in her eyes. She’d needed him, needed to tell him about Gracie but not anymore.
    “Casey.”
    “I said get out now Bobby.”
    All three of them left.  
    “Give her some time Bobby,” Jody said. “She’ll calm down and then you can explain to her.”
    “Gotta admit it looked damn bad,” Dale said. “Shit we both were standing there in nothing but our jeans. She thinks you were spending the night with us.”

      Sitting on the edge of the bed, tears running down her face. Jody had warned her but she hadn’t listened. She couldn’t catch her breath, her head hurt and her chest ached. All she wanted was to feel his arms around her telling her everything would be okay. He looked the same as he had when he’d pulled his jeans on to answer the door in their room the morning before they left.   He’d told her she was his but he didn’t tell her he loved her. Stupid. She was stupid, not worth his love. She thought about Gracie, knowing she had counted on Bobby to be there for her. She was truly alone now. Things would only get worse. She could almost feel his hands on her body, his gentleness. She loved him, knowing now that she always would.

CHAPTER NINE

  Bobby sat on his bed, leaning against the headboard, the sound of Jody giggling and Bobby moaning had him ready to hit something. He should have known better. He didn’t need a drink, and shouldn’t have gone to their room. He needed Casey. Picking up Jody’s key, he closed the door behind him and went back to Casey.
    He opened the door then closed it standing in the dark. “I’ll sleep in the chair,” he said. “I never slept with them and I’m not staying there listening to them screw either.”
    He poured another drink, sank into chair. “I know you’re awake Casey. Will you talk to me?”
    “Nothing to talk about. I’m not Lauren, the love of your life. I never would have hurt you Bobby. You can do whatever you want whenever you want with who ever catches your eye. You said one night remember? I was just stupid enough to think there was more.”
    “I meant it when I said you were mine, that I love you.”
    “Yeah for one night,” she sniffled.
    “No Casey, for always,” he said sliding in next to her.  
    “If you want to stay here for the night you go back to that chair or get in the other bed. Now Bobby. Just shut up and leave me alone.”
    He sat in the chair finishing the rest of the bottle.
    When the sun peaked in the window, he watched her in the little pink nighty as she picked clean clothes out of the duffle bag. He listened to the shower knowing his life was over if she didn’t listen to him, believe in him. It had