Читать книгу Texas Pride - Gerry Bartlett - Страница 10

Chapter 3

“Do you really want to bring that up now? When we were having such a good time?” She stared into his eyes—hers were big, blue and shiny with tears.

“When should I bring it up? After your fourth martini?” Billy hated to do this. Here, in a fucking parking lot. But it was the big thing that had come between them before and he couldn’t seem to let it go. He had his reasons. Maybe it was time to lay them out for her.

“You think I can’t quit drinking. That’s obvious.” She looked over her shoulder at the restaurant. “You always make a big deal out of this. What’s the matter with having a few drinks to relax?”

“I guess we’re really going to do this in the parking lot.” He wanted to touch her, needed to touch her. But maybe that wasn’t fair. Billy kept his hands fisted by his sides. The memories were always with him, nights when he’d poured his own mom into bed, sloppy drunk. There’d been a couple of those with Shannon too and it had made him sick to his stomach, bringing it all back.

“Let’s go inside. Get a table. I won’t order a drink yet. We can have tea with our meal.” She must have seen something in his face because she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Billy, I don’t want to ruin this night. I’m not a total bitch.”

“I never said you were.” He stopped and pulled her to him. “Drinking is my issue. I need to explain.”

“Inside.” She smiled and ran her hand over his cheek. “Seriously, this dust and car exhaust is getting to me.” She sneezed. “It’s allergy season. Ragweed. Come on.” She pulled him toward the door again. “We’ll get this talked out. Finally.”

Billy let her drag him inside. He should have picked a quieter place. This was one of those loud music, jumping joints, with the band about to tune up and a space for dancing. It had seemed like a good idea when he’d borrowed the hog. A wild night and his old persona would have loved it. And now he’d ruined the vibe by bringing up his own dark past and the big fat issue hanging between them.

He wanted Shannon. He had since their first go-round. She was beautiful, a fairy princess come to life. She had all the things he’d dreamed of when he’d been working his ass off to become rich and famous. She’d be the best partner a man on the rise could have by his side. Except she loved her drinks. Which pushed a hot button of his so hard he couldn’t keep his mouth shut about it.

He asked the hostess to find them a table as far away from the noise as possible, but it was still not easy to be heard over the roar of a happy crowd. They ordered spicy shrimp and hush puppies, iced tea, and a basket of the kind of greasy onion rings that Shannon usually refused to touch. This time she grabbed one immediately and dipped it into the spicy sauce the waitress brought with it.

“Mmm. Delicious. I’ve never been here before. It’s fun. Are we going to dance later?” She tapped her fingers on the table to the tune that the band started. “I have no idea how to dance to that stuff but I figure we can watch and learn.”

“You really are in a mood, aren’t you?” Billy was mesmerized. In a low-cut top that let him see just enough breast to make him want to slip a hand inside and tease her nipple, Shannon was breathtaking. He dropped a pile of paper napkins in his lap and picked up an onion ring. “Since when do you eat these things?”

“Fried food? Why not? My future is uncertain; the Calhoun billions may be disappearing so I figure I’d better live for the day.” She took a bite and closed her eyes in bliss. “And now I’m working for a living. I can take a diet lunch every day if I need to. Which I guess I will.” She frowned. “My current wardrobe is going to have to last me a long time.”

“Let’s hope we can salvage at least some millions for you after your year of working is up.” Billy took a sip of his tea. “About the drinking.”

“Can we put the talk off until after we eat? Here comes our shrimp. I’m hungry. Sushi never sticks with me.” She smiled at the waitress. “Thanks, hon.”

“The band will be playing for the next hour. You two should get up and dance after you finish eating.” The waitress smiled.

“What if we don’t know how?” Shannon picked up a shrimp by its tail.

“We’ll have Zydeco instructors on the floor in a little while. Jump up and join in as soon as you’re ready. You sure I can’t bring either of you a beer or a cocktail?” The waitress glanced at the tea glasses.

“No, we’re fine. On the wagon tonight.” Billy smiled at Shannon. “And my lady underestimates me. I spent a summer working in New Orleans. I can show her how to dance to this. As soon as we’re finished eating.”

“You’re kidding!” Shannon leaned across the table, kissed Billy on the mouth then sat back and dug into her dinner. “Hurry up and eat. I can’t wait to see your moves.”

Billy leaned across the table this time. He touched her chin, holding it still just as she was about to take a bite. “Baby, you’ve seen my moves, remember?” He brushed her hand aside and kissed her then, tasting the spicy Cajun sauce on her tongue and the unique Shannon flavor that he’d never been able to forget. Finally, he rubbed a dot of pepper from her bottom lip with his thumb before settling into his seat again.

“This looks good.” He grinned, satisfied with the way her eyes fixed on his face and her shrimp had drifted down to land on the plate again. “Shannon?”

“Hmm?” She licked her lips.

“Eat up. We’ve got some dancing to do and it’s pretty athletic. You’ll need your strength.” He popped a shrimp into his mouth.

She sighed and looked him over. “And maybe you’ll need yours, Billy boy. Think on that.” Then she slipped that shrimp into her mouth, her lips caressing it in a way that made Billy painfully hard.

“I’m thinking.” He ate with a grim determination. Dancing? He guessed he’d have to go through with it now, but he hoped there was a bigger surprise coming after that. She asked him about New Orleans and he told her about the case he’d helped with there. Laws were different in Louisiana and a client had gotten in trouble during Mardi Gras. It was a shame when good people got taken in by bad. It had been satisfying to help the New Orleans PD blow open a scam that targeted tourists.

“You did a good thing there, Billy. I love New Orleans and have been to Mardi Gras many times. It’s pretty wild.” She ate her last shrimp and drained her glass of tea.

Billy wiped his greasy fingers on a napkin. “You would love that. Which is why I’ve tried to forget you, Shan.”

“Now that’s not a nice thing to say.” She looked at him through her long lashes. “But I understand. We keep hurting each other. You said I’ve followed your career. It’s true. You’ve done really well, Billy. Because you were focused. Serious. Business was all you wanted to think about. Of course, wild didn’t suit you then.” She reached across the table. “Does it now?

“I’m willing to find out.” Billy got up then pulled her to her feet. He smiled at her. “You ready to dance?”

“If you’ll show me how.” She touched his chest. “You wore a blue shirt. To match your eyes. For me?”

“Everything I’ve done has been for you, Shannon.” Billy slid his arms around her. “You just didn’t know it.”

“That sounds like the smooth talk of a lawyer.” She laughed up at him. “I’m not buying that line for a minute.”

“Hey, it was worth a shot.” Billy pulled her to the dance floor. She thought he was kidding. Well, maybe he was and maybe he wasn’t. The Shannon Calhoun he’d known since college hadn’t been his dream girl. But he’d known that inside the wild party girl was a woman he could love forever.

“You can really dance!” Shannon laughed as they finally collapsed into their seats again. Billy looked so damned good to her. He’d left his leather jacket at the table, so she could enjoy the way his T-shirt hugged his broad chest. And those jeans! Well-worn, they’d lovingly cupped his taut butt. More than one woman had watched 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 rail until his knuckles were white. Shannon didn’t bother to hold on. When they got off, Billy fell to his knees and kissed the ground. She was ready to ride again.

Shannon hated to admit Billy might be on to something. They rode the roller coaster twice before she finally took pity on him. The bungee jump? Well, there was no way she was going to fall for that, she told him. Ha ha. Anyway, she was having fun. It impressed her that Billy had gone to so much trouble to get to know her, to please her. By the time he slung his arm around her and walked her toward the parking lot and that ridiculously loud motorcycle, she had to admit she was forgiving him for the booze ban. Then he stopped in his tracks and put her behind him.

“Stay here.”

“What is it?” She looked around him. There was a cluster of motorcycles parked next to theirs now and men, big men, standing next to them. A couple of women too.

“Trouble.” Billy turned to her. “Maybe you should duck into one of those restaurants, wait for me there.”

“Are you kidding? I’m not leaving you to face whatever this is alone. Come on.” She grabbed his hand. “I can call the police for you if nothing else.” She pulled her cell out of her cross-body bag.

“That’s a last resort. Keep the phone out of sight. Let me do the talking.” He frowned. “Hey, you can go to the bar in the restaurant, have a drink.”

“Damn, you’re really desperate to get rid of me.” Shannon kissed his frown. “Maybe I should go ahead and hit 911.”

“No.” He tucked her against his side. “Just follow my lead.” He grabbed her hand and stalked over to the motorcycle.

“This is Slash’s bike. Who the hell are you?” A huge man with a denim vest and sleeves of tattoos stepped forward from the group.

“I’m Billy Pagan, a friend of Slash. He loaned me his bike for the night. What business is it of yours?” Billy let go of Shannon’s hand and put her behind him again. He seemed to swell before her eyes, becoming bigger, mean.

“You sure you didn’t steal it? I never heard of him loanin’ his bike before.” The man looked it over, then raked Billy with a contemptuous gaze.

“You’re welcome to call him. Far as I know, he has no beef with the Skeleton Cruisers. So why are you looking into his business?” Billy didn’t seem worried that he was outnumbered four to one.

Shannon jumped when the two women with the group sidled over to inspect her. One had on the tightest jeans she’d ever seen and a tube top that was overflowing with breasts with a firm up-thrust that couldn’t be natural. Her dark skin was flawless and she had braids woven with colorful beads. She was beautiful. The other woman obviously was as fond of the tattoo parlor as the man talking to Billy. Her T-shirt advertised a popular motorcycle rally in Utah. The shirt was about two sizes too small and straining to contain her double Ds.

“Those are the ugliest fucking shoes I’ve ever seen,” T-shirt woman said. “Where’s your pride?”

“I worked all day in Prada heels. My feet fucking hurt.” Shannon whirled, ready to start something.

“Give her a break, Goldie.” Tube Top pushed her friend back. “Waitress? I feel your pain, sister.” She looked down at her own feet. “Get you some gel insoles, girl. Makes all the difference.” She grinned. “But men do like those high heels.”

“We’d better shut up, Stan’s staring a hole in us.” Goldie, whose hair was a rather startling shade of gold-blonde, waved them quiet.

“So what do you want?” Billy was getting to the point.

“Tell Slash that one of his crew, the guy who rides that vintage flat head, owes money. He’s been playing poker in our clubs and losing. He needs to clean up his debts or collection’s going to get ugly.” The man put his fist on the handlebar of the bike Billy had borrowed then shoved it over until it hit the ground. “Do I make myself clear?”

“What the fuck, man!” Billy moved toward the jerk, fists raised.

“Don’t even try it.” The big guy’s pals grabbed Billy’s arms. “Now pass on that message.”

“Messing with Slash’s bike was a mistake. This sounds like someone else’s problem.” Billy strained against the men holding him.

Shannon gasped and moved toward Billy or tried to, but Goldie and Tube Top suddenly grabbed her arms, holding her still.

“Slash knows how the clubs work. He needs to keep his men in line.” The man rested his boot on the fallen bike, pressing down hard on the tailpipe. “You’re on our turf. Next time, watch where you ride alone.”

“Watch it yourself, you dumb fuck. You trying to start a war?” Billy glanced back at Shannon. “I’ll pass on your message. Tell your women to leave mine alone.”

The leader laughed. “But it would be fun to watch a cat fight.”

Shannon stomped Goldie’s foot and sent an elbow into Tube Top’s soft stomach. They hadn’t been expecting it and she got free. “Billy!” She ran to him. “Let him go! I called 911 when we saw you waiting, assholes.”

“Shannon, get back.” Billy shot her a warning look. “The Cruisers were just leaving.”

“You called the cops?” The leader signaled his men who released Billy. “We’re out of here. Deliver the message, Pagan.” The big man pulled a card out of his vest. “Here’s where we can be reached. I wrote the amount of the debt on the back. That little shit is not welcome in our game rooms. He comes anywhere near one, he gets a beat down. Is that clear enough for you? Or do we need to make our point another way?” His hard eyes travelled over Billy then raked the bike. “I have a feeling Slash wouldn’t give a shit if we touched you, but when he sees his bike, he’s going to know we mean business.”

“I’ll carry the message. Now move along. My lady and I are leaving before the cops get here.” Billy smiled. “Of course, maybe you want to have a talk with them.”

Shannon looked back at the two women. “Thanks for the fashion advice.” She took her helmet from Billy, relieved that no one tried to stop them, and pulled it on. “Come on, let’s go.”

Billy had managed to get the bike up and was frowning at the bent tailpipe and a scrape along one fender. He gave the group around them hard looks.

“Get on the damned bike, Billy.” Shannon shoved his helmet at him and got on the back. To her relief, he did just that as the rest of the bikers backed out of the way to watch them leave the parking lot. They hadn’t gone far when Billy pulled into a convenience store parking lot and jumped off the motorcycle.

“Shit! Come here, Shannon.” He pulled her off the bike and into his arms. “Are you crazy? Taunting those bikers?”

Shannon pulled off her helmet and stared up at him. She let her lips tremble then couldn’t help herself, she laughed out loud. “Billy, I’ve never been so insulted in my life. Those women disrespected my fashion sense.”

“Laugh all you want, woman, but we could have been in real trouble.” He had pulled off his own helmet and kissed her hard. “I give up. I wanted to show you I still have a wild side but I’m too conventional now. All I could think about when I was talking to those assholes was that I never should have brought you where someone could hurt you.”

“Stop it. I’m fine. Nothing happened, except I may have a bruised wrist. Goldie is strong. I was going to run to your defense and she kept trying to hold me back.” Shannon held up her hand and Billy examined it in the light from the parking lot.

“You’re kidding. You were going to help me fight off the enforcer from the Skeleton Cruisers and his three thugs?” Billy kissed her wrist. “What a woman.”

“Hey, we were in a public parking lot. I didn’t think it could go too far. I saw a security guard cruising the area and figured he’d be around soon. You know I lied about calling the cops.” Shannon took a breath. Adrenaline still spiked through her. Danger, excitement from the rides, and Billy pressed against her body had her stirred up. She was tempted to make a reckless decision.

No, she needed to take her time with Billy. Rushing into something wasn’t smart. He might look like a hot, dangerous biker right now, but he still wanted to make decisions for her and she had to remember that.

“Take me home, Billy. We both have work tomorrow, you know.” She saw his mouth droop with disappointment that the evening was going to end.

“I do know.” He started to say something when his phone rang. When he saw the number, he frowned. “I’ve got to take this. Sorry.”

“No, I get it. You’re always on call for your clients.” She stepped away so he could have privacy. Good. She needed to cool down. Because she was so very tempted to kiss Billy and let their chemistry make her decision for her. Again.

“Shit. I’ve got to go.” He pulled on his helmet. “I’m sorry, Shan. I’ll take you home.”

“It’s okay. I had a good time.” She smiled and touched his cheek. “And, look, I’m stone-cold sober.” She shook her head and climbed on the back of the bike. He was solemn, not even cracking a smile as he started the engine. Whatever the call was about, it was serious. Of course, he was a criminal lawyer. Someone might have landed in jail.

Shannon sighed and leaned against him. She could think of a dozen reasons why starting things with Billy again was a bad idea. But holding him as they drove through the night, it was easy to forget them. He still wanted her, even after all the mess they’d been through. There was something very seductive about that. Very seductive.