Wow, talk about jumping in with both feet. Her nipples tightened, her body swaying involuntarily toward him, silently begging for contact. “We‟re all going to the Winkin‟ Point Saloon tonight to celebrate the end of the party. I wouldn‟t say no if you wanted to buy me a drink.” And I wouldn’t say no if you wanted to feel me up on the dance floor, either. Hell, what about a good fuck right there on the bar? Sweat beaded her forehead and she fanned her face. “Man, is it hot in here?”
“Here, open your gift bag,” Bridgette interrupted, shoving a hot pink foil bag under her nose. “Might be something in there for Dustin as well.” She winked and disappeared back into the throng of giggling women.
Dustin cocked his head to the side. “Well, come on, open the bag. I want to see what I could possibly use in there.”
Shannon shrugged. Why not? She knew her cousin, and without a doubt, the bag would be filled with sex toys and props. Seated at one of the wooden tables, she undid the gold ribbon at the handle and eased the sides apart. Inside, nestled in gold tissue paper were an edible bra and thong set and a hot pink vibrator with silver flecks.
Laughing, she handed the vibrator to Dustin. “This must be for you.”
He examined the item, twisting and turning it in his hand. “Nice color.” He flicked the switch at the base of the mechanical cock, and it buzzed to life. He gave a wicked grin and touched the tip of the dildo to the curve of her neck, rubbing her from shoulder to ear and back down. “Imagine all the fun we could have with this thing, though I think I‟d prefer the thong.”
Shannon held it out for him. “If you wear that tonight, I‟m bringing my camera.”
“I‟m not opposed to picture taking if you aren‟t. I was hoping you‟d be willing to model it for me.” He leaned in closer and dropped the vibrator back in the bag, his hand casually brushing her nipples. “It‟s going to taste much sweeter as I eat it off you.” He pressed his lips to hers in a tantalizing whisper of a kiss and then stood. “See you at the bar.”
Her heart catapulted in her chest, her breath hitched. She wouldn‟t back out now. As Bridgette said, she needed to grab this particular bull by his horn and show him she was not just in it for the weekend. Maybe then she‟d have a chance at reclaiming what she‟d given up all those years ago.
The ranch cook made surf-n-turf at Bridgette‟s request, and during dinner, Shannon joked with her cousins and the other women. No matter what was said, it always got twisted to sound dirty. Shannon commented on how the melted butter only enhanced the flavor of the lobster tail.
“Honey, we already know you want to butter his tail. Why are you sitting with us?” Bridgette joked.
“Please,” Shannon shot back. “You‟re so hard up for sex right now, you had to buy your own blow-up doll and superglue Adam‟s face to it.” The other women oohed at the taunt. “No, seriously. My cousin decided she wanted to be a „virgin‟ on her honeymoon, so two months ago she told Adam they couldn‟t sleep together until then.”
Bridgette blushed but laughed with her friends. “It‟s true. Gotta say, though, I hope Adam can live up to Plastic Adam‟s talents. That doll is an awesome fuck.”
Shannon snorted. “Lovely. Can I quote you on that in my wedding video interview?”
A staff member came out of the kitchen, pushing a bakery cart. On it was the biggest penis Shannon had ever seen. Leave it to Bridgette to plan a party with a penis-shaped cake, complete with flesh- colored frosting. Hopefully, her wedding cake was in better taste or her parents would have Texas-sized fits. She chuckled.
“I‟d say that‟s too much of a mouthful even for you, babe,” Charissa called out.
Bridgette shot her a sly look. “Don‟t bet on it.” The other women snickered.
“She‟s in her element now,” Shannon said. Her heart felt lighter than it had in years. Her future was secure with Gran‟s ranch, she was surrounded by people who loved her unconditionally, and she was finally going to open her heart to Dustin.
“She certainly is,” Jessica said in amusement. Shannon blinked in surprised. That was the most she‟d actually heard the brunette say since she arrived.
“Y‟all going dancing after this?” Charissa asked. “You know it,” Shannon replied.
Charissa glanced at Jessica. “What about you?” She swallowed a sip of wine and smiled.
“Haven‟t made up my mind yet.”
“I heard Deacon‟s going,” Shannon put in with a suggestive wiggle of her brows. “With Dustin and maybe Dane, too.” Thank God she wasn‟t the only female getting her heart tormented by the Dumen brothers.
“Now that‟s what I call satisfying.” Bridgette clapped her hands together. “Let‟s dig in!”
****
Later that evening, Shannon opted to drive herself to town for the outing at the bar—Bridgette‟s driving scared her silly.
Tonight she was going to let go of her fears. She was going to stop worrying how much like Carolyn she could be and finally suck up the courage to show Dustin she was a take-charge kind of girl. She wanted him and was finally not afraid to let him know.
She pulled to a stop at the entrance gate and grinned. She had a tool kit in the back of the SUV. As kids, she and Dustin had unscrewed the N together, but she‟d never tried to do so alone. Dillon would be pissed when he saw the sabotage. Mwahahaha, cue the evil mustache-twirling villain. And he‟d never know it was her.
Digging out a wrench, she walked to the stone pillars and placed the tools on the ledge. She climbed the rough column and perched on the edge—not an easy feat in cowboy boots, but thank God she hadn‟t worn her stiletto heels.
Utilizing all her balancing skills, she muscled the wrench on the bolt holding the steel letter in place. Finally, keeping one arm anchored around the gate post, she put all her weight into turning. The bolt slipped free. The entrance gate now read DUME RANCH.
A self-satisfied grin enveloped her face, and she dropped the tools to the ground. God, that brought back her childhood. Dustin would be so proud of her.
Still chuckling, she climbed back in the vehicle and drove to town.
Main Street was lined with pickup trucks of varying ages, makes, and colors. Patrons visiting the bars overflowed onto the uneven sidewalks. She found a parking spot not too far from the Winkin‟ Point and made her way through the bustling crowd.
A live band filled the small stage at the back of the building, and the dance floor was brimming with couples two-stepping. The girls from the bachelorette weekend occupied a large table just off the dance floor, and from the looks of their stumbling and their askew clothing and hair, they were well on their way to drunken unconsciousness. She didn‟t plan to drink quite that much, though a few would go a long way to loosen her up for a night of seducing Dustin.
“Hey, beautiful, can I buy you a drink?” The low, familiar timbre of his voice brushed over her skin like a caress, making her wet. Strong fingers pulled her long hair away from her neck, and soft, warm lips pressed to the bare curve of her shoulder. His masculine scent enveloped her.
She leaned back against Dustin, squeezing her thighs together. Tingles danced down her spine, pooling in her pussy. “Keep kissing me like that and you can do anything you want to me.”