Unable to resist, Dominic pressed a soft kiss to the top of Cissyâs head as they danced.
âI spent the better part of the evening watching that cowboy follow you all over the damn field,â he said.
She lifted her head, her brows drawing down. âWho? This is a ranch, Dominic. Thereâs nothing but cowboys out here.â
Laughter escaped him. âNevertheless, I noticed one in particular that took a shine to you.â
âI hope so,â she returned softly.
His chest stilled on a deep breath. Those big, beautiful blues were on him again. Easing right through his skin, deep inside. They gazed up at him, soft and undemanding. Adoring, almost. So different from any other womanâs.
A heavy weight unfolded in his gut and seeped into his veins. Who did she see? Dom, the champion bull rider full of good times? Or Dominic, the sometimes dependable guy who came through in a pinch?
And, more daunting still, could he live up to either?
Chapter One
Trailer trash.
Cissy Henley cringed. Sheâd learned early on that living in a trailer had little to do with the label. Only poverty and desperation were prerequisites. And the foul-smelling man hovering behind her in the Peachy Keen Diner thought that was exactly what she was.
âAnybody home, baby?â He laughed. âI said, you reserving the place for me?â
Cissy straightened her shoulders and maintained her stance facing the restroom door. The flimsy sticker proclaiming MEN had a gash through the middle and sagged at the corners. She kept a firm eye on the faded wood, reminding herself that no one had entered it during the past few minutes. And she would ensure it remained that way.
âNo,â she said. âItâs out of service for the moment.â
âYeah?â His croon dropped a notch, his hot breath hitting the back of her neck. âWell, whatcha say I hang with you till itâs back in service?â
Cissy sighed. Chauvinistic redneck. Harassing a woman was probably the highlight of his Saturday night. He deserved a swift kick in the shins. Unfortunately, she couldnât afford to lose her temper.
Ignore him. Heâll go away.
A stained T-shirt and hairy arms obstructed her vision. The man wedged himself between her and the door, flashing a smile that was all dingy teeth. He rubbed a lanky hand over the grizzled stubble of his chin.
âNot right for a lady like yourself to be all alone this late at night.â The words slurred. He ran his bleary eyes over her face and down her chest, leaning back to survey her legs.
Trailer trash. Cheap. Easy. Her lip curled. She knew the words were flashing in his head.
Cissy ran her eyes over him, taking stock of his scrawny build and unstable frame. His hands trembled. Probably from too much liquor and too hard living. Harmless fool. But a fool nonetheless.
âIâm not alone.â She elbowed her way to the other side of him and refocused on the bathroom door.
âNo, not anymore.â He shoved his face in front of hers. Delight pooled in his eyes. He licked his lips and leaned forward.
âI wasnât alone before you joined me,â Cissy bit out. âNow, I suggest you take your ass on.â
His smile faded. It took a moment for his unfocused gaze to register the soft words as a rejection. He blinked hard. âWhatâs that?â
The bathroom door banged open. Two blond boys tumbled out, shoving at one another before barreling into them.
âAunt Cissy, they ainât got no paper towels in there,â Kayden, her six-year-old nephew, declared, dragging his palms over the other boyâs shirt. Frowning, he looked the drunk at her side over from head to toe. âWhoâs he?â
Cissy quickly gathered the boys against her legs, unable to contain the grin that spread across her face. She lifted an eyebrow at the manâs confusion.
His head swiveled, taking in the boys, then her and back again. It was clear rambunctious twin boys were not part of his agenda. He moved around them, limbs wobbling.
âYou bothering my aunt Cissy?â Kayden clenched his fists and pulled against her hold, attempting to follow the manâs stumbling steps into the bathroom.