Read Online Kickin' Up Dust: Operation Cowboy, Book 1 by Em Petrova - Free Book Online Page B

was a salute to his friends, all they’d lived through together, and to rebuilding new lives. The second drink was essential to suppress the vision of Danica with the teacher.
    While they whirled to Dolly’s feminine crooning, Brodie watched, trying to glimpse Danica’s face. If he could see her smile and know she was happy, that would be enough for him.
    “What the hell, Brodie?” Wydell asked, craning to see what Brodie was staring at.
    “Nothin’. Let’s drink.”
    “We already did. Welcome back to planet Earth,” Wydell quipped.
    “Looks like I still have a drink. I’d better remedy that.” He cupped the glass and raised it to his lips. At that moment the teacher spun Danica. Across the bar her gaze locked on Brodie. Panic crossed her lovely features.
    He tossed back the whiskey and while it burned a path straight to his stomach, he stood. Crossing the room to her was easy—people parted to let a big man through. What would take some work was controlling himself. The alcohol hit his bloodstream just as he tapped Wayne on the shoulder.
    “Can I cut in?”
    Oh God, Brodie. No.
    Danica could see the fight in the tension in his shoulders and the set of his square jaw. The jagged scar she barely noticed anymore stood out white against his tanned face.
    “It’s up to the lady.” Though Wayne’s words were smooth, his tone wasn’t.
    She ripped her attention from the pissed-off Marine to Wayne’s face. She patted his shoulder to soften her decision. “I won’t be long.”
    He released her. His hands had barely left her waist and hip when Brodie dragged her right up against his hard body. She sucked in a gasp.
    “You reek of whiskey already. I thought you were going to be sensible.”
    “Two drinks. Okay, three. But I’m not even buzzed.” His dark stare unnerved her as he pulled her hips against his—and into his bulging erection.
    “Brodie—”
    When he stared down into her eyes that way, she couldn’t formulate words. “I’m dancin’ with my business partner. No harm in that.” He shot a glare over her shoulder, and she didn’t need to whirl to know it was directed at Wayne.
    “Is that all I am to you? A business partner?” Her nipples ached painfully where they pressed against his searing chest.
    He lifted a hand to her hair and moved it off her shoulder. Was it her imagination or did she detect a shudder in him? He skimmed a fingertip over her bra strap before grabbing her waist again.
    The way he spread his fingers so low over her back made her instantly wet. She dragged in a deep breath to steady herself, but his scents flooded her mind and made her run hotter.
    Wetter.
    “Of course you’re more than a business partner to me. You’re Matt’s little sister.”
    The urge to knee him in the balls was hot and bright. Her muscles leaped.
    She had to get some distance between them, but the song wasn’t over and he wasn’t letting go. His grip was too hard, too perfect. She wanted him pinning her to the wall and fucking her slow and deep. Or dragging her up to meet his thrusts, his fist in her hair.
    Biting back a moan, she darted a look at Wayne. He was too nice a guy to act like a possessive jackass, but he wasn’t happy. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides and his face was shadowed with anger.
    “Brodie, I’d like to end this dance now.”
    “I didn’t get a whole song, though.” He walked his fingers lower, extending them over her ass. Heat ribboned through her.
    “I’m on a date. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    He stopped swaying, his gaze cutting her heart out. “You’re having a good time with that guy?”
    She hadn’t spent enough time with him to know yet. “He’s taking me riding after this.”
    “Riding?” He arched a dark brow, rendering her panties a completely soggy scrap. “I’ll take you ridin’, sweetheart. Even on a horse sometimes.”
    Oh God. His hot, dirty words spoken so low and close to her ear sent her reeling. She couldn’t draw breath