And suddenly, his legs were moving and his focus was solely on her. He couldn’t seem to get to her fast enough as he strode the distance to put him face-to-face with the Ruby of his fantasies.
“Ruby, you look incredible.” He hadn’t seen her since he’d visited his grandfather. “That dress on you...is a knockout.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a smile. “You do a pretty good version of a cowboy for a city dude.”
“I tried.”
“I love the tie on you.” She gave it a sharp tug. “And the hat.”
He removed it immediately. “Uh, sorry. I, uh...” Why was he tongue-tied?
“It’s cool, Brooks.” She took the hat from his hand and set it back on his head. “I like the look. Don’t take it off on my account.”
He ran his hands down his face. Tonight any guests with eyes in their heads would figure out that Brooks had it bad for Ruby, and he wasn’t about to hold back. No more pretending. No more hiding out. He was ready to make his claim on her. “Come with me for a second?”
“Sure, but where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He took her hand and tugged her through the festively decorated rooms until they reached the kitchen doorway, out of sight to all but a half-dozen caterers. Her knowing eyes glittered. “Look up.”
Mistletoe again, and this time she understood exactly where she was and what he was about to do.
He brought his mouth to hers. From the moment their lips met he was a goner, lost in the taste and pleasure and sweetness of her. It was too hot, too amazing to let up. He’d waited for her, craved her and now she was in his arms and he didn’t give a good goddamn who saw them or what they thought about it. He was consumed by Ruby. She was his anchor. He’d never had feelings this strong or powerful. The little throaty sounds she was making turned him inside out. She wasn’t immune to him. They worked. And he had to make her see that.
“Ruby,” he murmured near her ear, the desperation coming through clearly in his voice. “I miss you like hell.”
She lifted up on tiptoe and whispered, “If you’re talking about making love, I miss you, too.”
“Oh, yeah, I am,” he said, but he was talking about much more. And he had to bide his time until the end of the evening to show her just how he felt about her. “For starters.”
“Starters? Sounds promising, Galahad.” Her breath fanned over the side of his face, making his nerves go raw. This woman was a tease, but he didn’t mind as long as her teasing was aimed his way. At least she wasn’t refusing him. Had she made up her mind about Trace?
“Come back to the cabin with me. We can leave the party right now.”
Ruby set a hand on his chest and tilted her head to look into his eyes. “No, we can’t. Beau has waited too long to have you here with him.”
She had a penchant for being rational and right, and if Brooks wasn’t so damn head over heels for her, that would have annoyed the life out of him.
“Just enjoy the party, Brooks.”
“As long as you’re by my side, I can do that.” God, the truth in that was powerful.
“That’s where I want to be, too,” she whispered.
Brooks breathed a sigh of relief. He had to be respectful of his father and his new family. Wisely, Ruby had put him in his place. He was glad of it, but it was torture just the same.
Christmas music with a country twang streamed into the house, and it seemed everyone was beginning to make their way to the backyard to listen.
“It’s a local country band,” Ruby offered. “They’re pretty good. Beau’s hired them for the night.”
“Yeah, he told me about them. TLC or something?”
“It stands for Tender Loving Country,” she said.
“There’s a dance floor set up. Will you dance with me?” He offered her his hand.
“Of course.”
And they walked outside hand in hand and danced under the electric warmth of strategically placed heaters. The night was cool, but thankfully devoid of Texas breezes that could make your hair stand on end. Brooks didn’t need the artificial heat blasting from the heaters, though; he was already revved up enough inside just holding Ruby in his arms.
“They are pretty good,” he whispered, nuzzling her hair. She smelled of something tropical and exotic. He brought her as close as he possibly dared. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable—he’d gotten her message loud and clear—so he’d bide his time until he could get her alone in his cabin.
Where he would lay his heart on the line.
They danced every dance until the band took a break, and then Brooks led her off the dance floor. She began fanning herself. “That was fun, but I’m afraid I’ve got to go...powder my nose.”
Brooks chuckled. Ruby was something. He was about to suggest escorting her, but she was snatched away immediately by Eve and Serena. What was it about women going to the john in groups? He’d never understand that.
Toby walked up and caught him red-handed staring at Ruby’s shapely ass. “So, you’ve got the hots for Ruby, huh?”
Brooks gave his half brother a sideways glance, unsure how to answer that.
“It’s okay. We get it.”
“We?” Brooks turned to face him.
“My brothers and me. We’ve all had a crush on her at one point or another in our lives, but Dad put a halt to any of that. Let’s just say he didn’t nip it in the bud—he slashed it to the ground until it was crushed to a pulp. But that was years ago, when we were teens.”
Brooks swallowed hard. “That so?”
“Yeah, she’s just our little sis now.”
“Beau’s plenty protective,” Brooks said, his voice trailing off as he stated the obvious. He felt an ache in the pit of his stomach.
Toby noticed his change in demeanor and must’ve taken pity on him. “Actually, when Dad was out here watching the two of you dancing, he was smiling. Maybe he doesn’t think it’s so bad, you and Ruby. I’d say go for it.”
Clay walked up, looking distracted as his gaze scoured the guests milling about. “Have you guys seen Ruby?”
“Who wants to know?” Toby asked.
“Trace Evans is outside the house. He’s pretty liquored up, and he’s asking to see her.”
Brooks blinked. “He’s crashing the party?”
Clay shrugged. “I suppose. He wasn’t invited.”
Now the back of Brooks’s hair really did stand on
