Spurs and Heels(Divine Creek Ranch 5)(55)
nodded and laid her head on his shoulder.
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Ethan placed his hand on Grace’s shoulder, caressing her. “Her
date is new in town. His name is Gil James, and he’s working out at
the Rockin’ C. He met her at O’Reilley’s when he was eating lunch
with Kendall and the boys. Kendall and his bosses, Chance and Clay
Carlisle, said he was a stand-up guy and vouched for him. I explained
to Gil what happened at the house and at Stigall’s, and you saw how
she played it. I told him she could stay as long as she was with him
and minded her manners. He seems like a nice guy.”
Grace didn’t look happy about it, but she seemed to accept what
Ethan said. This was Grace’s territory, and it was a hard situation.
Juliana shook her head, turning to Ethan. “I’m surprised she
returned, Ethan, after the public humiliation she received when Hank
escorted her out of the store in handcuffs the other day. I would’ve
thought she’d never show her face in Divine again.”
Ethan rubbed his shoulder and nodded thoughtfully. “After what
happened last June, I don’t trust innocent appearances like I used to.
Someone who is innocent proves it with their actions, not with coy,
well-placed words and looks. She’s back for a reason, and if that’s the
case, I’d rather have her where I can keep an eye on her. She played it
as a simple misunderstanding, but I don’t think he bought it.”
Grace looked up at Ethan and nodded silently, smiling as Ethan
drew her from Adam’s lap.
“Come on, Gracie, I need a dance with you.”
She let him lead her away to the dance floor. No one could look at
Grace when she was with her men and doubt that she was soul-deep
in love with them. She snuggled close to him and allowed him to lead
her into a dance.
Juliana watched Brenda as she seated herself at Kendall Warner’s
table. She flirted shamelessly with Gil, probably trying to make up
lost ground, but Juliana also observed Brenda watching Ethan on the
dance floor with Grace, a sharp, pinched look on her face that she hid
quickly. Then Brenda surveyed the crowd until she found Ash where
he stood talking with Jack and Adam. Juliana didn’t miss the
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venomous look Brenda shot her way when she recognized her. Juliana
gave her a smirk before turning away to talk with Rosemary and
Bernadette.
Juliana disregarded Brenda and her attitude once it was clear she
planned to behave herself and not cause any trouble. Juliana danced
with Ash until her feet ached and she begged to be set free from her
high heels.
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Chapter Fourteen
Juliana laughed when Ash lifted her in his arms and carried her to
her back door rather than let her walk. He used her sore feet and the
unlikely chance that she might slip on ice on the driveway as his
excuse to carry her.
“Far be it from me to deny my cowboy anything he wants.” She
inserted her key in the lock.
“All this cowboy wants, besides getting you in where it’s warm, is
to have you model what’s underneath that pretty little dress you have
on,” he said as he strode through the dim house with her still in his
arms.
“Give me a minute, and I’ll do that for you.”
He allowed her to slip away, and she went into the bathroom to
brush her teeth and her hair. When she returned to her bedroom, she
was impressed to find that he’d turned down the bed and lit the
candles. He was big and tough, but she loved the considerate,
romantic side of him, as well. She was coming to love an awful lot
about him.
He was reclining against her headboard, his hat off, his shirt
unbuttoned and untucked from his jeans. The golden candlelight
flickered, creating dancing shadows on the wall, softly illuminating
his chiseled features, chest, and abdomen. She stopped and took in the
sight of him. Watching him as his eyes roamed over her, she felt
warmed by his gaze.
He sat up and unzipped her dress for her then returned to his
position on the bed. She noticed as he reclined again that the bulge at
his groin had grown quite large. Stepping back with a seductive grin,
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she allowed the dress to slide slowly over her hips and legs and then
stepped out of it, watching the tension grow in his features as she did.
Juliana stood for a moment gazing at him, clad in heels, stockings,
garter and black lace push up bra and G-string. Ash twirled his finger
as he sat up on the side of the bed, and she slowly turned for him, her
breath catching when she felt his fingertips trace over her hip, gently
squeezing her derriere.
Ash drew her to stand between his spread knees. Her breath left