Champagne and Cowboys Read online

  Damn.

  “Just look at Lucas and Evie,” Nona continued. “They’d make some beautiful bambinos, don’t you think, Regina?”

  Ah, hell no.

  Something sucked all the air from the room…and his lungs. Shit. His chest hurt. And his snickering sister didn’t help. If he could talk, he’d set the smiling, older women straight. Hell. He was having difficulty learning how to be a brother. Last thing he needed right now was to be a father.

  Although, he certainly wasn’t opposed to the act of baby making, especially with Evie. The woman was gorgeous, and built for sex. At least, in his mind. She was his ultimate fantasy woman.

  Not that he’d ever say it out loud.

  “Nona!” His fantasy woman gasped. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “What? That you two would make beautiful bambinos? But you would. Just look at him. Jet black hair. Sky blue eyes.” Nona winked at him. “Are all the cowboys down in Harland County good looking?”

  Very aware all eyes were on him, Lucas shifted in his seat and resisted the urge to tug at the collar of the only decent flannel shirt he owned.

  “The ones that came up last year for Brandi’s wedding were hot.” The older woman grinned. “Why, if I was in my twenties, and they were single, I tell you, I’d take that tall one, and his handsome brother, and let them make a sandwich out of me.”

  “Mamma!” Now Mrs. Martelli gasped while he and Evie joined in on the snickering.

  Nona reeled back. “What? I’m eighty. Not dead.”

  Evie leaned closer, her gaze hovering between amused and mortified. “I’m sorry. Nona had a little too much wine with dinner.”

  He smiled. “No need to apologize, darlin’. I think she’s great. I like a woman who speaks her mind.”

  Her deepening blush revved his pulse, and he got the impression she had a mind that spoke often. The woman was playing havoc with his senses, though. In an attempt at self-preservation, he turned his attention back to his half-eaten dessert and dug in. If he didn’t get out of there soon, he was in deep trouble. It was tough enough fighting his unexpected attraction to the woman without her matchmaking family pushing them together, suggesting thoughts better left unsuggested.

  But…damn. Now, he was never going to get the thought of having sex with Evie Martelli out of his head.

  “Would you look at that, it’s time for our annual football game.” Nico rose from the table and clamped a hand around his shoulder. “You in?”

  Hell yeah! Anything to get away from the conversation.

  He stood. “Sure. To watch on TV, or play?”

  “Play,” Mason Wyne answered, also on his feet. “Every Thanksgiving we play in my dad’s front yard. He has a big yard,” he added.

  “And the girls make s’mores and drink hot chocolate around the fire pit. This year, Jill’s providing the chocolate.” Evie stood and faced his sister. “Are you interested?”

  Missy hesitated a moment before nodding. “Yeah.”

  Five minutes later, he and his sister were in his truck following Nico and his sister down the road. He hoped the game was full contact tackle because, for some reason, he had a lot of pent up energy to expel.

  Chapter Three

  Sitting in a chair on Mr. Wyne’s front lawn, watching a dozen of the Poconos’ handsome men playing football, Evie didn’t need the fire in the pit in front of her or the hot chocolate in the mug clasped between her hands to keep warm.

  Not by a long shot.

  After meeting Lucas Harper, she was definitely rethinking her going no male early New Year’s Resolution. The handsome, dark-haired, blue-eyed Texan with a sexy drawl and freakin’ five o’clock shadow was slightly reserved, but respectful, and so hot her body still sizzled where they’d brushed while he’d eaten her cannoli.

  Damn… She’d love for him to eat her cannoli.

  Mamma mia! What’s wrong with me?

  Her mind never went to the sex spot. Not even after a few dates. And yet, her whole body was aware of the gorgeous cowboy she just met, and the way he moved his strong, powerful body with a confidence that stole her breath.

  Heck, the low timbre of his voice and sexy southern drawl had her humming with a sexual buzz she had no idea how to stop.

  It was strange and exhilarating and making her think foolish thoughts.

  “You weren’t kidding, Evie,” Jenna said, dropping into the chair next to her, mug of hot chocolate in hand. “That cowboy is hot.”

  When had her friends arrived?

  “Shh…” She straightened and glanced to her right, but Missy was no longer there.

  “Relax, she’s inside helping Jill and Mr. Wyne make more of this delicious hot chocolate.”

  “Yeah.” Faith patted her shoulder and sat next to Jenna. “Your brother’s just going to have to do without one less fan drooling by the fire.”

  Cripes, she had been so entranced watching the play of muscles rippling as Lucas threw the football to Nico, she hadn’t even noticed the arrival of her friends.

  Metallica could’ve played a set behind her and she wouldn’t have noticed.

  She cleared her throat and tried to act all nonchalant. “I didn’t hear you two pull up.”

  “That’s because you’re too busy drooling over the cowboy.” Jenna smiled.

  Yeah, she totally was. “Sorry, he’s just…I don’t know. Different.”

  “I think the word you’re looking for is hot.”

  She laughed. “And sexy, just like the Wyne brothers.”

  Faith raised her mug. “And Nico and Jeremy.”

  “And Scott.” Jenna lifted her drink.

  Evie sipped her own hot chocolate and wondered if her friends realized just how telling their tones were. Jenna was in love with her brother’s sexy paramedic friend, Scott Holden. And Faith, per carita, no matter how much that woman denied it, she had a love/hate thing going on for Nico.

  Both men were too dense to notice.

  “So, what’s the scoop on Lucas?” Jenna nodded toward the cowboy whose Stetson sat on a chair on the other side of the fire pit. “My brother said he left Texas to come up and take care of Missy.”

  “Jeremy’s right.” She nodded. Her friend’s brother was a local cop, and in the guard, and best friends with Nico and Scott. “From what my brother said, Lucas’ dad apparently never told him about her.”

  Which struck her as odd. Mr. Williams had been very friendly and ready to lend a helping hand. Heck, she was living proof. He’d helped her out when she’d been at the side of the road with a flat tire and no spare. He also always supported fundraisers for the FSG—National Guard Family Support Group. He didn’t seem the type to hide the fact he had a son.

  And yet, she’d had no idea. No one did.

  “Well, I think it’s wonderful that he didn’t let her fall into the system,” Faith said.

  She and Jenna both mumbled in agreement while the three of them sipped hot cocoa and silently ogled three different men.

  “Headsup!”

  The warning filtered through her fogged brain two seconds before she caught sight of the football spiraling through the air at Mach ten speed…straight for her. She dropped her mug and shot her hands up just in time to grasp the torpedo. The momentum knocked her off her chair and onto the ground.

  “Are you all right, darlin’?” Lucas was kneeling at her side a second later, concern darkening those beautiful blue eyes.

  “I’m fine.” She nodded and hoped the smile made it to her lips, because whenever she stared at him too long, it felt as if she was swimming against a current…of quicksand. “But, you owe me a hot chocolate.”

  Stupid tongue. Why’d she say that?

  His lips twitched into a smile, and the concern lightened to amusement in his gaze. “Yes, ma’am. It’ll be my pleasure. Let me help you up.”

  Without waiting for her reply, he slid an arm under her waist and helped her to her feet as if she weighed a feather, then held her against his hot, hard
muscles a little longer than necessary. But, not nearly long enough.

  “Thank you,” she said. At least she thought she did. Her mouth was open, but his gaze had dropped to her lips and, mamma mia, he was staring at her as if he would die if he didn’t taste her.

  The butterflies bypassed her stomach and took up residence in her tight chest. No man had ever, ever looked at her like that before. Her whole body shook with the same need darkening his gaze.

  “Hey, Harper. Toss me the ball, then you can go back to ogling Evie,” Jeremy joked.

  She forced her attention to her friend’s handsome brother as he approached, hands out motioning for the football.

  Evie winked at the cowboy. “Allow me.” Then lobbed the ball at the off-duty cop.

  Air whooshed from the jokester. “Damn, Evie. That’s some arm. Hey, Nico, why didn’t you tell us your sister had game?”

  Santo cielo! The rest of the guys approached.

  “Never mind my sister. Let’s play ball.”

  Jeremy reeled back. “Seriously? You’re not going to do anything?”

  Her brother frowned. “About what?”

  “About the full contact foul Lucas had going on with your sister a moment ago.” The idiot glanced at Lucas and shrugged. “Sorry, man, but I’m confused. For years, this big, bad brother snarled at anyone who even smiled at his sister.”

  Scott nodded. “It’s true, Nic. You’ve decked recruits for whistling.”

  “I know.”

  Her brother shrugged, and she wished she could fade into the background to avoid the curious gazes.

  “He helped my sister to her feet. Big deal.”

  She chanced a glance at Lucas, absolutely mortified the guys were making such a stink; he was going to avoid her for sure now. But when she met his gaze, she found amusement instead of irritation.

  “Of course I did.” He turned to face the smiling pack of idiots. “You didn’t expect me to let her stay on the ground, did you? It was my fault she got knocked over.”

  “See? He has manners. Something you cavemen could learn,” Nico grumbled, right before swiping Faith’s mug from her hands and downing what was left of her hot chocolate.

  “Hey, you big Neanderthal! You’re one to talk. That was mine,” her friend huffed, hands on her hips, green gaze glaring.

  “Here, jeez.” He shoved the mug back at her disgruntled friend. “Don’t get your panties in a twist. I thought you were finished. The least you could’ve done was save me more than a mouthful.”

  Evie snorted and shook her head. Her brother was a jerk. Now, he was just pushing Faith’s buttons, and her poor friend was too aggravated to realize it.

  “Are you friggin’ kidding me?” The angry brunette rounded on him. “It was mine. Why should I save you any? Get your own da—”

  “You can have my mug, Nico,” Missy announced.

  The teen approached with Mr. Wyne and his grandson, Tyler, while Jill, Phoebe, and Lea, the fiancée, girlfriend, and wife of the older man’s sons remained on the porch. Whatever had gone on in the house had agreed with the young girl because her shoulders were no longer stiff, and the smile on her lips lit up her pretty blue eyes.

  Her brother turned to the approaching teen. “Thank you, Missy.”

  Poor girl blushed all the way to her roots.

  Evie glanced at Lucas, a little worried. He met her gaze and sighed, obviously aware of his sister’s crush.

  “You sure you’re okay?” he asked quietly in a slow, southern tone, glancing her over, a mixture of concern and heat visible when his blue gaze returned to her heated face.

  She tried to swallow, but failed. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  He cocked his head, and a lopsided grin twitched his lips. “Yes, you certainly are.”

  More heat rushed to her cheeks. The gorgeous, viral Texan just flirted with her. She was completely caught off guard. A guy she was strongly attracted to paid her a compliment. This had never happened before. Since she had no idea how to respond, she just smiled and resisted the urge to play with her hair.

  She was twenty-six, not sixteen.

  But that’s how she felt. Giddy and stupid and…santo cielo! He stepped closer.

  Her heart stopped when he lifted a hand to brush something off her shoulder, then pulled back with a piece of leaf between his fingers.

  “I owe you a hot chocolate, but I hope you don’t mind waiting.” He dropped the leaf and nodded toward the teenager gazing at her brother with adoration in her blue eyes.

  Oh boy. Could she ever relate. She felt just as ditzy and out of control.

  “I think I’d better take my sister home.”

  She nodded.

  He turned his attention to the girl. “Missy, we should probably get going.”

  The teen cocked her head at a defiant angle, and for a moment, Evie thought she was about to protest, but then she glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah, I want to be well-rested for my first day of work tomorrow.”

  Evie returned her smile. “Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Trust me. Your back will thank you at the end of the day.”

  “Okay. See you at noon.”

  With one last nod, Lucas thanked Mr. Wyne for his hospitality, the guys for a good game, then shoved the sexy Stetson on his head and ambled toward his truck with his sister.

  Evie stood and watched his retreat, every sweet, cowboy-booted, step of the way, uncaring who noticed, because…mamma mia, the guy could fill out a pair of Wranglers.

  “Better put your tongue back in your mouth, sis, or someone might step on it,” Nico joked, dropping an arm around her shoulders.

  “I can’t help it.” She laughed. “Santo cielo! He’s…” She paused, at a loss for words.

  “Hot.” Faith helped her out.

  “Yeah.” She pointed to her friend and nodded. “That.”

  But the cowboy wasn’t the only one who was hot. Her whole body simmered and tingled. A completely new experience. An exciting one. Never in a million years did she think she’d ever feel this way, especially about a soldier.

  Even more astonishing was her brother’s apparent approval.

  Just her luck Nico gave it the week she’d decided to go no male.

  Chapter Four

  Lucas slipped on his boots and stood, refusing to dwell on the reason his palms were sweaty and stomach felt as if he’d swallowed a damn bee hive. He was just taking his sister to work, then heading to work himself.

  No big deal.

  He walked down the hall and wrapped his knuckles off the bathroom door. “You about ready, Missy?”

  The door had been closed for nearly an hour. Surely, she’d come out of there soon. Good thing he’d grabbed a shower earlier. Man, what in the world can a sixteen-year-old be doing that takes so long?

  A second later, the door swung open.

  “Just need to put my sneaks on.”

  Emerging in jeans and a T-shirt, with her hair pulled back in a pony, she looked cute, but…Jesus, that required an hour? He’d hate to see how long it took her to get ready for prom.

  He stepped inside to check himself in the mirror, then scowled. What the hell was he doing? Pivoting around, he marched out of the room and down the stairs. He was losing sight of his priorities.

  His move up north wasn’t to find a woman. It was to make a home for his sister so she didn’t end up in foster care. She was the woman he needed to concentrate on.

  And yet, the pretty Italian, with caramel colored hair and eyes, continued to invade his thoughts. It didn’t help that she’d felt incredible in his arms when he’d helped her off the ground last night. Neither did the way she gazed at him like she wanted to eat him up.

  He was only human. Hell. He’d nearly lost control twice with her yesterday. And they’d only just met.

  “Okay. I’m ready,” his sister announced, meeting him by the front door with her coat on as he slipped into the winter coat Mason had encouraged him to buy.

  There was an actual sparkle in her
eyes today. He liked it.

  “You’re going to do great.”

  She shrugged, her expression closing up before she slipped out the door.

  He stared after her, cursing under his breath. What’d I say?

  Damned if he knew. He just didn’t get women.

  Jamming the Stetson on his head, he prayed for patience and strode out the door.

  This brother thing was new to him, so the sister thing was obviously new to her, too, he reasoned on their quiet drive to Martelli’s Pizza Bar and Grille. He’d love to know why she was so hot and cold toward him. Made no sense.

  He pulled into the busy parking lot, but got lucky with a spot near the front door.

  “Thanks,” she said and made to get out.

  “Hang on. I’m going in with you.” To make sure things got squared away. Yes. It had nothing to do with seeing Evie, again. Absolutely nothing.

  Missy’s shoulders slumped. “Fine.”

  Yep. Never figure them out.

  He held the door open for an elderly couple leaving with Styrofoam leftover containers in their hands.

  “Thank you, young man. Merry Christmas.” They smiled, and he returned the sentiment before following his frowning sister inside.

  The delicious aroma of marinara, garlic, and melted cheese filled the air. His stomach rumbled in appreciation, while his gaze took in a clean, spacious dining area already partially decorated for the holidays with a tree in the corner, garland looped around ceiling fans, and plastic snowflakes hanging from half the ceiling.

  Judging by the opened boxes of decorations in the corner, he gathered Evie was decorating between customers.

  The restaurant was bigger than he’d expected. It wasn’t a typical pizza joint, although red-checkered tablecloths covered the tables already filled with jovial customers, and a clock in the shape of Italy hung on the wall across from the bar where Nico stood bullshitting.

  “Hey, how’s it going?” His friend nodded at them.

  He nodded back, while his sister mumbled a greeting and blushed.

  “Missy, Lucas, hi,” Evie greeted, coming out from behind the pickup counter with a clipboard in her hand. “I’ve got some paperwork for you to fill out. Let’s take this booth over here.”