Leanne Banks: Flirting with Fortune

The knowing look in his eyes told her he wasn’t fooled. “Need any help mounting the...horse?”

Gabi’s throat went dry as dust. If he touched her now...

“Got it covered,” she managed to croak before pulling herself up onto the mare with the ease of an experienced rider.

In seconds Jude was on the stallion. He shifted a bit as if trying to find a comfortable position.

Though it wasn’t at all charitable, especially in light of how generous he’d been with her, Gabi stifled a snicker.

Instead of giving the horse a light tap of his heel, Jude stared with those enigmatic blue eyes, his gaze lingering on her mouth.

Gabi licked the lips that were now as dry as her throat.

As if satisfied, his molten gaze dropped to her chest. Her breasts had begun to tingle when his gaze lowered again.

One look was all it took. A river of heat rushed through her to settle at the apex of her thighs. She squirmed, trying to find a position that didn’t intensify the ache between her legs.

The smile Jude shot her stopped just short of a smirk. Then he pressed his lower legs against the horse and took off across the field toward the fence line.

Now he wasn’t the only one who wanted, the only one left with unrequited yearnings. As he disappeared over the ridge, Gabi realized with a pang that letting him ride away was exactly what she’d soon face.

But not today. Not yet.

She pressed her heels into Sweet Betsy’s sides and raced after him.

Chapter Seven

Gabi and Sweet Betsy reached the big red barn shortly before eleven. After the ranch hands took the horses, Jude invited Gabi into the house. He promised coffee to go with the slices of banana bread they had yet to eat.

A desire to stay warred with Gabi’s need to leave and make sense of what had happened today. She was relieved she could honestly say her father expected her to join him for both lunch and dinner.

Disappointment skittered across Jude’s face, but he walked her to the Buick like a gentleman, their interlocked fingers swinging easily between them.

The simple act only intensified the conflicting emotions battling inside her. She wanted to see Jude again, wanted to touch and be touched by him. But considering the intensity of the emotions and desires he engendered, being close didn’t seem wise.

She worried this was all a game to him. Yet, wasn’t that what she wanted? She felt dizzy as possibilities spun and swirled in her head. Could she do easy-breezy with no strings? Did she have a choice?

Thankfully she had the hour drive to Lubbock to think, to plan, to decide where they went from here.

But when she tried to slip behind the wheel of the LeSabre, Jude blocked her with his arm, a pleasant smile on his lips, a watchful look in his eyes. “I want to see you again.”

“I’m sure you will.” She lifted a shoulder, not wanting to commit to any course of action until she’d thought things through. “Horseback Hollow is a small town. Our paths can’t help but cross.”

Confusion blanketed his face. It was obviously not the response he’d expected. “Are you angry with me about something?”

“No.” She briefly rested a hand on his arm. “I like you, Jude. What woman wouldn’t? You’re a handsome, sexy cowboy.”

To her surprise, he didn’t appear particularly pleased by the compliment.

“That liking goes both ways.” He spoke cautiously as if feeling his way over unfamiliar terrain. “But I think there’s more between us than sexual attraction.”

A chill traveled up Gabi’s spine. “More?”

“Friendship for starters.”

He looked sincere, even sounded sincere. But her antennae were quivering. “Friendship is all there can be.”

Jude rocked back on his heels, shoved his hands into his pockets. After a moment, a boyish grin tipped his lips. “Would that friendship be served with or without benefits?”

When she didn’t immediately answer, he continued, the words coming fast. “I’m open to either possibility. If you want sex to be a part of the friendship, great. If you prefer to keep it at a good-night kiss, that’s fine, too. If you don’t want any physical contact—” a pained look crossed his face “—I’ll respect your wishes.”

“That seems a bit extreme.” Gabi laughed. Then, without a thought for the wisdom of her actions, she brought her mouth to his in a light kiss. “Thanks for a wonderful morning.”

As she slid behind the wheel, his eyes met hers. “Are you free tonight? After the dinner with your dad?”

Jude reminded her of a tenacious terrier. The voice of reason in her head urged her not to make any commitment to see him again until she’d had time to think.

Stall. That would be the smart thing to do. She’d tell him she had plans for later tonight. She’d—

“What do you have in mind?” The question slipped past her lips before she could stop it.

His slow smile did funny things to her insides. “Do you know how to play poker?”

“I’m proficient.” She quirked her lips in what her father called her Mona Lisa smile.

“Some guys and I get together once a month for Texas Hold ’Em,” she heard him say. “I’d like you to fill in. Ryan’s wife had a baby last week, so we’re a man short.”

“In case you haven’t noticed—” she gazed at him through lowered lashes “—I’m a girl.”

“Oh, darlin’—” Jude took off his hat and swiped his brow in an exaggerated move “—believe me, I’ve noticed.”

Gabi laughed, as pleased by the easy camaraderie as she was flattered by the sexual overtones.

“Do you play for money?” Even as she asked, she told herself this wasn’t a date they were discussing. It was simply cards. She’d been on a tight budget since coming to Horseback Hollow and could stand to pull in some extra cash.

“Fifty is the buy-in.” He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “I can front you the—”

“Not necessary.”

Hope flashed in those brilliant blue eyes. “Does this mean you’ll come?”

With poker on the agenda? Gabi grinned. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

* * *

Gabi’s car had barely disappeared down the lane when Jude’s mother appeared on the porch and invited him inside. Over thick slices of banana bread and strong black coffee, Jude mentioned Gabi would be filling in for Ryan tonight.

Jeanne Marie cocked her head. “I don’t recall you ever inviting a woman to play before.”

Jude paid close attention to the bread he was slathering with butter. “With Ryan sitting out, we’re one short.”

His mother topped off his coffee then resumed her seat across the table. “One of your brothers could have taken his place.”

Breaking off a piece of bread, Jude shook his head. “I look at their ugly faces enough during the day.”

“You like this young woman.” A smile blossomed on Jeanne Marie’s lips. “Really like her.”

Denying it would be pointless. Hadn’t he already declared his feelings to his family at the barbecue? He only hoped his friend Gabi didn’t hear he loved her from one of his relatives before she was ready to accept they were meant to be together forever. “I knew Gabi was The One from the first moment I saw her.”

Unlike Liam, Jeanne Marie didn’t scoff. Instead her eyes turned dreamy. “It was that way between your father and me. Forty years of marriage later, we’re more in love than ever.”

“Gabi just wants to be friends.” Jude decided he might as well lay it all out. But simply speaking the words brought back the confusion.

His mother cut her slice of banana bread precisely in half then picked up the small square, her blue eyes fixed firmly on him. “How do you feel about that?”