Dustin's Gamble

Chapter 11

Shannon shot a glance over her shoulder, hoping no one had overheard him. None of the other riders paid them any attention. “You could have ignored your phone.”

He lifted a shoulder. “No one said you had to leave. Besides, you told me to answer the phone.”

Since when had he ever done what she‟d told him to do? “So, what? I should have just fucked you during your phone call?” She snorted a laugh, as if she hadn‟t just been thinking that. “If that were to happen, I would demand your full attention. I‟m greedy like that.”

“I remember.” He laughed, revealing white, straight teeth. The effect hit her in the pussy, tingling, arousing. God, he was beautiful when he smiled. “I think we should give it another shot.” He nodded toward the trees, as if indicating they should make a stop.

Shannon looked beyond his shoulder to the trees in front of him. “I think you should not get knocked off your horse.”

He turned around in time to avoid the tree branch aimed at his head.

“This conversation isn‟t over,” he called back.

Maybe not, but she had a slight reprieve for now and she intended to put it to good use.

****

The second they got back to the corral, Shannon headed to the cabin. Her cell phone rang, and she checked the display. Immediately she felt on edge.

“Hello, Mr. Green, what can I do for you?”

“Good morning, Shannon,” the attorney said. “I wanted to inform you that I was contacted by Carolyn‟s attorney this morning.”

“Wow, she isn‟t wasting any time, is she?” Why did it still surprise her that her mother would try to bring legal action against them?

“Don‟t worry. I‟ve handled the situation.”

“How? Did you pay her off? It‟s the only way to soothe that savage beast.”

Mr. Green chuckled. “I reminded them that if they contest the will, she forfeits any claim on her inheritance. She dropped her claim.”

I bet that went over well. “So what exactly does that mean?”

“It means you won‟t be bothered by your mother any further. The ranch and Rosemary‟s estate are yours free and clear.”

Shannon thanked the attorney and hung up. She tossed the phone on the dresser, flopped on the bed, and stared at the ceiling. It was a relief to have the Carolyn situation resolved—well, not that she totally believed her mother would never bother her again for money.

Now she had to figure out what to do about Dustin. One of the reasons they broke up was because he didn‟t want a woman who chose a career over him, and not only had she chosen her career, she had moved thousands of miles away and had never came back to see him. Based on the flirting and the making out and the tenderness when they touched, she believed Dustin had forgiven her for walking away. So, was it possible he could get over his career-woman issues?

A knock sounded at the door.

Her heart tha-thumped in her chest, hoping it was Dustin on the other side. “It‟s open.”

Instead, Bridgette walked in and folded her

arms over her chest. “All right, missy, you need to come clean. What‟s going on with you?”

Shannon ignored her cousin and continued counting ceiling planks.

The bed creaked and bounced as Bridgette plopped down beside her. “I‟m not a total idiot, or so self-absorbed that I can‟t see something is going on with you and Dustin.”

Really? Shannon hadn‟t thought they‟d shown anything to anyone. Hell, other than a few suggestive remarks from Dustin and that one kiss at the bonfire, there hadn’t been anything for anyone to see…unless someone had watched them at the Rocking P.

“There‟s nothing to tell.” She met Bridgette‟s disbelieving stare. “Honestly, well, unfortunately. Dustin and I have talked…”

“But no nookie?”

Shannon sat up. “Nookie? Seriously?” She flexed her shoulders and ran her fingers through her hair. “Look, I don‟t even know what to say. I came back to Bandera for your bachelorette weekend—”

“And to settle Gran‟s estate.” “To claim Gran‟s estate.”

Bridgette‟s mouth dropped open. “What? What about your job?”

Shannon stood and paced the room. “The design house I typically work with has a branch in San Antonio. Before I left Paris, I interviewed as Senior Stylist and got the job. Instead of dressing the models on the New York runways, I‟ll be styling for photo shoots. The pay is more and I only have to work during shoots, which means I can work as little as twelve hours a week. And the stress is less.”

Her cousin crossed her arms across her chest. “Uh-huh. So you‟re staying in Bandera for good.”

Shannon shrugged. She hadn‟t said anything to her family about the move because, honestly, she

hadn‟t been sure until the job offer that she would

return full time to Texas.

“You do realize that when you left, you broke his heart.”

Guilt assuaged her. What about her heart? Regardless of what everyone thought, leaving hadn‟t been an easy choice for her, either. “Yeah, I know.”

“And what about now?” “What do you mean?”

Bridgette frowned. “Are you here for the long haul, intending to get back with Dustin, pick up where you two left off?”

“I don‟t know, Bridge. He told me he wasn‟t a fling guy, but what if he‟s just saying it?” Carolyn‟s words echoed in her head, reminding her how men would say anything to get what they wanted. God, how she hated the doubt that crept in. Why couldn‟t she just take Dustin at face value? Because you are afraid to get hurt.

“Was this before or after you told him you were here for good?”

Had she actually told him she was moving back to Bandera permanently? She didn‟t think so. They hadn‟t really talked about the future, just the past. “Before.”

“Uh-huh.” Bridgette stood and put her hands on Shannon‟s shoulders. “Do you still love him?”

“Yes.”

“So what are you going to do about it?”

She shoved her fingers in her hair. “I don‟t know. Every time I get the opportunity—or even the possibility of an opportunity—I chicken out. What if we sleep together and it sucks? I mean when we were younger, it was great, but that could have been teen hormones. What if our adult hormones aren‟t so great?”

Bridgette gave her a sly grin. “Only one way to find out. You‟ve got to grab the bull by his…uh, horn

and take him for a ride.”

Shannon crinkled her nose and met her cousin‟s smiling gaze. “I hate it when you‟re right.”

****

That evening, Shannon roused from her cabin and walked to the main lodge. She stepped inside and her eyes grew wide. Someone had decorated the dining hall with pink and white condom-shaped balloons. She couldn‟t keep the grin off her face. At the bridal table, Bridgette sat in the seat of honor surrounded by Jessica, Sara and Charissa.

“I see you approve of the decorations,” Dustin said, appearing at her elbow.

Her tummy quivered at his nearness. “Yes, they are very…inventive.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Giving you any ideas?”

Yes. How fast can I get you into the bathroom so we can put those condoms to use? She screwed her lips to the side, pretending to think. “Nah. I prefer bareback.”

His eyes widened slightly, and then he gave a slow, sexy grin that made her breasts swell in anticipation. “Is that so? Interested in doing a little riding tonight?”