“Are you?” his friend challenged, his brows lifting.
“Fair enough,” Jack said as he poured one for himself, which he sipped slowly. “But
if I’m going to do this, I want your voice shouting out loud and clear behind me.”
George lifted his glass and touched the rim to Jack’s. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
44
Devil in Texas
Jack drew a deep breath. They were talking mutiny here. But goddamn, it was time
someone stirred things up. In this town, Wades were notorious for doing just that.
“All right, then,” he said. “Let’s draw the line in the sand and see who crosses it
with us.”
They took a big gulp of their drinks, set the glasses on the bar and clasped hands.
“City Council it is,” George said with a grin.
For Jack, it was a necessary evil. The only way his voice would be heard. Yet even
as he mentally catalogued his priority issues, he couldn’t help remembering how
detrimental going against the grain had been for his father. He’d stood up for his
personal convictions…and had lost everything he’d worked so hard to achieve.
A travesty, in Jack’s mind.
This town had once flourished, but with the struggling economy and the backward
thinking, it seemed only those in the good graces of the Reverend Bain were getting
ahead. Which made Jack wonder if his latest decision would invite as much trouble into his life as taking his own stand had done to his father’s.
But he’d made up his mind. And Jack Wade never reneged on his word.
His once-carefree existence was getting far more complex than he’d ever wanted—
especially with Manhattan’s arrival. Clearly he couldn’t keep her out of his head. And Lord, how he wanted her! Finger-fucking that tight pussy of hers had damn near put
him over the edge. He’d wanted to unbutton his fly, shove his briefs down to his hips and hammer his cock into her wet cunt, thrusting harder and deeper until they both
came.
It was almost impossible not to be distracted by how much his body craved hers.
But he needed to get a grip on his raging libido. George had made valid points, after all, and Jack needed to consider them. He was likely in the most advantageous position to
effect change in this town. Or try to, at any rate.
“So what’s city girl’s story anyway?” George changed the subject as he continued to
savor his cocktail.
Jack shrugged, not wanting to divulge anything Liza might consider confidential.
And doing his best not to let more wicked thoughts of her rattle around in his brain. He simply said, “High-tailed it out of New York for some fresh air and sunshine, I
suspect.”
George laughed. “She must have better taste than we all gave her credit for ‘cause
she didn’t have much use for you tonight.”
Jack took more of the same ribbing he’d experienced when he’d returned to the
saloon. “Maybe I was the one who said no.”
George nearly spewed Scotch from his mouth. “Oh right. I can see that happening,
Jack. I know you’re selective, but when you set your sights on a woman, she doesn’t
stand a chance.”
45
Calista Fox
“This one’s different,” he said, realizing he meant it. There was something
intriguing and alluring about Liza Brooks. Brains and mystery and sweet smiles all put together in a pretty little package he looked forward to unwrapping. When she was
sober and knew what the hell she was getting herself into.
“Gotta admit, for you to be back here within the hour was a bit startling,” George
continued on.
“I didn’t exactly tuck her into bed, but I got a good idea of how compatible we are,”
he said with a wink. Then added, “Hell, I wasn’t going to take advantage of her. You
know me better than that. Three shots of tequila and a beer in that short amount of time left her with impaired judgment.”
“She went home with you, didn’t she?”
Jack chuckled. “Keep harpin’ on it, George. I made my intentions clear, but I’m not
in any hurry. She’s sticking around for a while. We’ll see what’s what come morning.”
George seemed to take great interest in his glass for a few seconds as he stared
down at the amber liquid. Then he lifted his gaze and asked, “And what about the fact that she’s living in Wilder? Doesn’t that complicate things for you?”
“Of course.” The reverend and his disciples were publicly opposed to pre-marital
sex and had God on their side when it came to keeping most of the virgins in town
innocent until their wedding days. Jack didn’t begrudge anyone who fell for the divine guilt trip. He just avoided the whole issue by dating women in Austin or San Antonio.
But with the object of his immediate desire residing in Wilder—on his property, no
less—he’d have a lot of scowls and Hail Marys coming his way.
“Liza’s virtue isn’t anyone’s business but her own,” Jack told his friend.
“And what about her reputation?” George countered with a lift of a dark eyebrow.
“She walked into my bar thinking she was looking for a good time. Turns out, she
wasn’t quite ready to sin. I’m pretty sure that was obvious to the masses.”
“You chasing after her doesn’t help her plight.”
Jack shook his head, though he knew George had a point. He’d considered it
himself when he’d offered the ride home. But his empathy was clearly taking a backseat to his desire for her. “She’s a big girl from the city, George. I think she gets the gist of the rumor mill and the fact that people are going to draw whatever conclusion is most convenient for them. I’m sure she can handle it.” He hoped like hell he was right.
“Your call. I’m just saying that a woman who looks and dresses like that one…she’s
bound to be trouble.”
Grinning, Jack said, “You think I don’t already know that?”
Hell, from the moment she’d walked through the door of his saloon, she’d begun to
weave a sticky web he was instantly caught in. But he was more than capable of
extracting himself when the time came to move on. Besides, she’d only signed a four-
week lease. It wasn’t as if she was planning on staying.
46
Devil in Texas
“Well, best of luck to you on this one, my friend.” George finished his drink, then
said, “I’d better get home before Jess starts to wonder what I’m up to.”
“She’s sound asleep by now, happy for the break from your snoring.”