Free Texas Outlaws: Billy by Kimberly Raye

burst.”
    “That’s not what I meant.” She fought for an extra breath to send a much-needed jolt of oxygen to her brain. “From what I’ve seen, there are dozens of women around here eager for a chance to help you out. Why don’t you go make your offer to someone who might actually be interested?”
    “Because they’ve all got one thing on the brain—a wedding ring. This is a small town, sugar. The local girls aren’t thinking about having a good time. They’re more worried about what time you’re going to call them tomorrow. And whether or not you’re going to ask them to the church picnic. And when you’re going to order the ring and pick out the crystal.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with a nice piece of Waterford.”
    “Except that I’m more a Dixie cup kind of guy.”
    “Meaning?”
    “I don’t want to lead anybody on. I’m busy and I’m not the least bit interested in an actual relationship.”
    “So make that clear up front.”
    “Been there and done that.”
    “And?”
    “It lasted one week. The day before I was set to leave for a rodeo up in Montana, her daddy showed up with a shotgun and a preacher. He wanted me to make an honest woman of her.”
    “What did you do?”
    “I told him no and now I can’t fly without a strip search. I took two buckshot fragments in the ass.”
    “You did not.”
    “It was easier just to leave it in than let a surgeon dig it out.” He shook his head. “One-night stands don’t happen well in a small town. And since I don’t have time to drive up to Austin, I’m stuck here.”
    “So you want to have sex with me again because I’m an outsider and I’m convenient.”
    “And damn sexy.” He touched her then, skin to skin, the tip of one finger at her collarbone, and her heart jumped at the contact. “You’re something when you get all worked up.”
    Before she could form a reply, he dipped his head and kissed her.
    Billy Chisholm tasted even better than she remembered. Hotter. More potent.
    His hand cupped her cheek, the other splayed along her rib cage just inches shy of her right breast, his fingers searing through the fabric of her blouse. His mouth nibbled at hers. His tongue slid wet and wicked along her bottom lip before dipping inside to stroke and tease and take her breath away.
    Now, this...this was the reason she’d walked away from him a few minutes ago. Because she’d been a heartbeat shy of crawling over the table and pressing herself into his arms and begging for another kiss.
    And Sabrina had no intention of begging any man for anything. Especially a too-big-for-his-britches cowboy with a sexy smile and purposeful lips. He was off-limits...
    The thought faded as his fingers crept an inch higher, closer to her aching nipple, which bolted to attention, eager for a touch, a stroke, something—anything.
    His fingers stopped, but his mouth kept moving, his tongue stroking, lips eating, hungry...so hungry. His intent was pure sin, and Sabrina couldn’t help herself; a moan vibrated up her throat.
    He caught the sound, deepening the kiss for a delicious moment that made her stomach jump and her thighs quiver, and left no doubt as to the power of the chemistry between them.
    “I’m sorry about your ass, but I really don’t think this is a good idea,” she murmured, dazed and trembling when he finally pulled away.
    He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Actually, sugar, I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a hell of a long time.” His words made her shake and quiver all the more.
    Shaking? Quivering? Over a cowboy?
    This cowboy, a voice whispered, that same voice that had warned her off him the minute she’d spotted him across the arena. The voice that had urged her to cut and run when he’d approached her table.
    Because no way was Sabrina going to fall head over heels for a Stetson-wearing, Wrangler-rocking cowboy.
    At the same time, it wasn’t as though Billy had moved in next door and she had to resist