Free Two Dude Ranchers for Dawn [Cowboy City 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Luxie Ryder Page B

Ruthweredancingwithagroupofgaymen.
    “Ooh!Moregorgeousdivas,”oneofthemsaid,turningtoshimmyhisshouldersatJen,sending herintofitsoflaughter.
    They guys were just what Dawn needed to lift her spirits. She’d always known that straight womenandgaymenweredrawntoeachotherlikemothstoaflame,butshe’dneverreallyexperienced ituntilnow.Dancingwiththemwasliberatingandexhilarating.Sheletherselfgo,relievedtodiscover shewasactuallyhavingfun.

ChapterTen
    GarrettwatchedfromtheshadowsattheedgeoftheroomasDawnleftthedancefloor,looking breathlessandhot,andhiscockthrobbedatthememoryofthelasttimehe’dseenherlookingthatway.
    Acoupleofhernewfriendsfollowedhertothebar,andheheardoneorderabottleofchampagneina loud voice intended to draw the attention of the people standing around him. She took the glass he offeredanddraineditdryandslammeditbackdownonthecounterandturnedasifreadytogoback andrejoinherfriendstodancealittlemore.
    He’d been staring at Dawn so hard that he didn’t realize Ben had moved until he saw the other manblockDawn’spath.Shewasn’tlookingwhereshewasgoingandbumpedintohischest,grabbing ontohisarmstosteadyherself.GarrettwalkedovertostandatBen’sside.
    She smiled, looking as if she was genuinely happy to see them, but the way she’d been flirting withthebunchofguysstandingbehindhermadeitclearthatwasn’ttrue.“Ididn’texpecttoseeyou both.I’dgivenupontheideayouwerecoming.”
    Garrettcastaglanceoverhershouldertowardthemenatthebar.“SoIsee.”
    Dawnflappedherhandintheirdirection.“Wewerejustdancing,thatwasall.I–I’mreallyglad you’rehere.”
    “Areyou?”
    Ben’stonemadehersmilefade.“OfcourseIam.OratleastIwas,untilyoustartedactingweird.”
    SomeoftheangerdrainedoutofBen’sface,andhetriedtosmilebackather.“Sorry,we’vehada roughday.”
    Oneoftheguys,theloudestofthemall,chosethatmomenttoapproachherandwrappedanarm around Dawn’s shoulder to drag her back to the dance floor. “Sorry boys, you can’t have her. She’s mine!”
    Garrettsteppedforward,almostknockingBenoutoftheway.“Getyourhandsoffher!”
    “Garrett, stop!” Dawn grabbed his forearm, forcing him to look down at her. “We were dancing andhavingfun,that’sall.Whythehellareyouactinglikethis?”
    Hernewfriendlookedterrifiedbut,tohiscredit,hedidn’tabandonherandleavehertofacethe pairofthemalone.Garrettrespectedhimforthat.Theyoutweighedhimbyabouttwentypoundseach, andbothtoweredoverhimbyacoupleofinches.“We’veonlyjustmet.Thislovelyladyandherfriends havebeendancingwithus.”
    Garrettgrimacedandrubbedhisbrow,thenheldhishandout,offeringittotheotherman.“I’m sorry.Ireadthesignswrong.Ishouldlearntokeepmybigmouthshut.”
    “Noharmdone.”Theguyacceptedhishandshakeandtookastepcloser,placinghisotherpalm overGarrett’sknucklesandleaningin,asiftowhisperaconfidence.“Tobehonest,she’snotreallymy type,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
    Garrettgrinned,noddingtoshowheunderstoodandmovingtoturnaway,buttheotherguydidn’t letgo.“You,ontheotherhand…you’reexactlymytype.”
    Thistime,Benwastheonetostepforward.“IfIwereyou,buddy,I’dquitwhileyou’reahead.”
    The man released Garrett and moved back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Message receivedandunderstood,”hesaid,turningandwalkingawaywithoutdaringtolookback.
    Dawncrossedherarmsandsentbothofthemajudgmentallook.“Thatwasaprettyjerkythingto dotoaniceguy.”
    “Maybehedeservedit.”Ben’swordsheldnoapology.
    “We got a little overprotective, that’s all.” Garrett placed his hand on Ben’s shoulder, trying to remindhimtocalmdown.“Aswesaid,we’vehadaroughday.Oneofthehorsesgotbadlyhurtthis afternoonandwe’vespentalleveningwiththevet.”
    Dawn’sexpressionsoftened.“Oh,that’sawful.Isitokaynow?”
    Garrettshookhishead.“No,butatleastshe’snotsufferinganymore.”
    “Ohno!I’msosorry.”Shelookedsostrickenbythenews,Garrettwishedhehadn’ttoldher.
    “Justoneofthosethings.Italwayshitsusprettyhardthough.”
    “Ibet.”DawnclosedthegapbetweenthemtohugGarrettfirstandthenBen.Benlockedhisarms