Free Roses and Rodeo (Rough and Ready) by Cheyenne McCray

looking better. It was hard to compare his naked, muscular form to all that luscious skin being covered up.
    She mentally rolled her eyes at herself.
    “You look amazing.” Creed ran his thumb along her jawline and she shivered from his touch. “You’re so beautiful.”
    She glanced away and looked at the other dancers then returned her gaze to his. “Thank you.”
    He trailed his fingers to her ear in a slow, erotic motion and she felt desire stir inside her. Desire that she wanted to quench, but she couldn’t. It was too soon. She hadn’t known him long enough.
    She swallowed. “Don’t.”
    “Don’t touch you?” he murmured.
    “Not like that.” It was hard to get the words out. “It’s too…intimate.”
    “I can’t help but want to touch you.” He studied her eyes. “You’re so soft and warm in my arms.”
    She bit the inside of her lip before she said, “Then maybe I shouldn’t be in your arms.”
    He shook his head. “There’s no getting away from us, Danica.”
    She frowned. “Just because I came out to see you ride doesn’t mean there’s an us.”
    He gave her a grin that made butterflies swoop in her belly. “You’re not foolin’ me, sweetheart.”
    She tilted her head. “You’ve got quite the ego, Creed McBride.”
    “Just stating the truth.” He whirled her around on the dance floor as the song concluded then brought her close to him and they fell immediately into the next song, a country waltz.
    He was great at country-western dancing and she loved dancing with him. They went from the waltz to a two-step.
    They left the floor when a line dance started. He hooked her around the waist with his arm as they watched and she didn’t move away from him. She liked the feel of being in his embrace.
    She closed her eyes for a moment. Danica, you’ve got to stop this.
    But she didn’t want to stop it.
    Perspiration from dancing cooled on her skin as she relaxed with his arm around her and watched the people line dancing. She hadn’t line danced since she left for San Diego and she found herself tapping her toe to the sound of the music.
    A familiar face caught her eye—Darryl was on the opposite side of the dance floor. And the woman she’d seen him with earlier was in his arms.
    Danica’s whole body went tense and she gripped her hands into fists.
    “What’s wrong?” Creed put his hand on her shoulder and when she looked up at him he had a concerned expression.
    “Darryl is with another woman and he’s still dating my best friend, Kelsey.” Her words were tense as she looked from Creed to the place where Darryl and the woman had been standing, but they weren’t there anymore.
    When she looked back at Creed he was frowning. “To be honest, your friend would be better off with someone else. Darryl isn’t a good guy.”
    Danica returned his frown. “What do you mean?”
    Creed dragged his free hand down his face. “I do know that Darryl was arrested for domestic violence several years ago. He was never charged because his ex-wife never pressed charges. Rumor is he’s rough with the women, but that I don’t know for a fact.”
    Danica’s skin went cold. “I need to tell Kelsey right away. I swear if he touches her, I’ll kill him.”
    “Morning will be fine for that,” Creed said. “It’s late and Darryl isn’t going anywhere.”
    She nodded, realizing that he was right. It could wait ’til tomorrow. But first thing in the morning, she was calling Kelsey.
    Creed grasped Danica by her shoulders. “You and Kelsey both need to stay away from Darryl. He’s dangerous.”
    She nodded and he kissed her on the forehead.
    “There’s Ryan and Tate.” Creed took Danica by the hand and smiled at her. “They’ll love meeting you.”
    He led her through the crowd to a pair of handsome cowboys who were standing just behind the crowd at the edge of the dance floor. When Creed and Danica reached his brothers, Creed made the introductions.
    “What in the hell are you doing