Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)(5)

A swish of fabric caught his attention. He turned when Amy Jo sidled up, wearing an ankle length dress the color of sunshine, which fit the fresh, clean, sunshiny scent flowing from her.


He managed a smile. “Amy Jo.”


“I thought that was you, hiding over here all by your lonesome.”


“Story of my life.”


Silence stretched as thorny as the rose bushes lining the walkway.


Cord shifted his stance. Lately, being around Amy Jo made him feel like a tongue-tied fool. He couldn’t tell her how pretty she looked without sounding like a total letch.


He couldn’t mention how goddamn good she smelled without coming across like a deranged bloodhound, or worse—some kind of hopeful horndog.


When in doubt…“Nice night,” he offered lamely.


“That it is.” She shivered discreetly. “If a bit chilly.”


Should he act gentlemanly and offer her his suit coat? Nah. She’d probably think he was an old coot.


Which he was.


Dammit. Say something. Anything.


“You havin’ fun?”


“Absolutely. Weddings are always fun, aren’t they?”


Cord bit back a smart retort and swigged his beer.


“Why aren’t you out there cutting a rug like the rest of your McKay brothers and cousins?”


With his beer bottle, Cord gestured to Ky and the kids. “Someone’s gotta keep an eye on them so they don’t dunk each other in the stock tank.”


“Are you always the responsible one?”


“Yep. I reckon it goes with the territory of bein’ the oldest.”


“Isn’t just the providence of the oldest child to be forced into responsibility.” She sighed. “Don’t you ever want to…”


He gave her a strange look. “What?”


A smile bloomed on her face before it faded. “Never mind. Ky did a great job as ring bearer today.”


“That he did, besides refusin’ to let go of Callie Morgan’s hand.”


“Can’t say as I blame him. A cute girl who can rope and ride as well as he can?”


Amy Jo’s trill of laughter was as sweet and fleeting as the evening breeze. “Poor boy is smitten.”


“Seems to be an epidemic in the McKay family of late.” He glanced over to see his brother Colby and his wife Channing slow dancing, as well as the newlywed couple Carter and Macie entwined together, lost to everything but each other. A feeling close to jealousy tightened his stomach.


Not jealousy. Just indigestion.


Get a grip, McKay. This happily-ever-after wedding bullshit is addling your brain.


During his silent bout of self-pity, Amy Jo glided in front of him. Right in front of him. Lord. She was nearly as tall as he was in those ridiculously sexy yellow high heels.


“Why aren’t you smitten, Cord McKay?”


Cord had nothing to say to that. He studied her, half-wary, half-curious about her intentions.


“You could be smitten with me.” Keeping their gazes locked, she slowly angled forward and kissed him. Just a feather-light press of her soft mouth to his. As his lips were getting with the program, she withdrew slightly, letting their heated breath mingle for a second before she sank her teeth into his bottom lip. She gave a playful tug, followed by a thorough flick of her wet tongue to soothe the sting. “Because I’m definitely smitten with you.” She sauntered toward the tent in a cloud of chiffon and pure temptation.