Reckless for Cowboy Read Online Free

of hard male body pressed up against mine, Denny steps out of my embrace and turns to the people hanging around the bar. “Okay, show’s over.”
    That’s when I notice Cooper. His hat’s pulled down low but I can still see the glow from his irises. When I pass him, he says just loud enough for me to hear, “If that was meant to deter me, Miss Hamilton, it didn’t work.”
    Why does the use of my surname make me instantly moist? And, who told him my whole name anyway? I scowl at Denny, the obvious culprit.
    He winks at me and says to Cooper, “The reason she won’t go out with you is because she had her heart stomped on by a poor excuse for a man.”
    “No kidding?”
    “Rodeo boy.”
    “Who?”
    “Hello?” I interrupt. “This is my personal life you’re talking about.” I flick a half-melted ice cube at Denny. “ Not to be divulged to perfect strangers.”
    “Strangers are the best people to divulge secrets to. I know. I’m a bartender.”
    I growl at him but I have no time to argue because my tray is loaded and people are thirsty. When I come back ten minutes later, Cooper’s looking at me weird.
    “Brandt Thompson?” he says, his voice higher than I’ve ever heard it. “ You were with Brandt Thompson the bull rider?”
    Oh to have a very sharp implement that I could impale Denny with. “You told him?”
    Denny ignores me and speaks directly to Cooper. “Yep. Fell for him hard. He charmed the boots right off of her and strung her along for six months. Inviting her on the road, talking marriage, kids, the whole nine-yards.”
    I am going to die. I swear. I am going to die. But not before I kill Denny first. How am I supposed to forget the biggest mistake of my life when Denny keeps bringing it up all the time?
    “Brandt Thompson is a dick.” Cooper removes his hat and swipes a hand through his dark hair.
    It is completely unfair that he should look even hotter with his hair all messed up and all I can do is picture him looking exactly as he looks now, except naked and in my bed.
    “No wonder she hates cowboys,” he says.
    “Yep. Won’t touch them. Well, except for Simon Billings, Cody Shelton….I think there was one other.”
    “Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” I hiss. I cannot believe he’s gone and mentioned those other two losers.
    “It’s not like she slept with them,” Denny adds, totally ignoring me. “The minute she said no, the guys tucked tail and ran. Assholes. But if you want to know what I think—”
    “No, we do not want to know what you think,” I interrupt through gritted teeth.
    “The girl needs to get back in the saddle, with a real man. You know what I’m talking about.” Denny waggles his brows and then fills a couple more drink orders.
    With an exasperated grunt, I pick up my tray and leave again. I’m furious, but I still have a job to do. I can’t concentrate, though, because I know the minute I return to the bar they’re going to pick up the conversation where they left off.
    The next time I’m up there, Denny calls over to Cooper, “How’s your arm?”
    “A little tender. But fine.”
    “I’m glad Brooke took care of you . Maybe, if you ask nice, she’ll take care of you again tonight.”
    I mouth the words, “Stop it,” to Denny. No luck.
    “I hope so,” Cooper says. “Hey Brooke, what are you doing after work tonight?” Even though my back is to him, I know he’s smiling because I can hear it in his voice.
    “Going home, taking a shower and going to bed.” I try to sound as off-hand as possible.
    “Sounds perfect. I’ll join you.”
    Instead of glaring at Cooper, I throw my irritation Denny’s way. “Would you please stop encouraging him?”
    “Well, he isn’t going for me—though I’ve tried—so I thought I’d do the next best thing. Then I can live vicariously through you.”
    Cooper leans on the bar. “How do you know I wouldn’t go for you?” He’s got a playful smile twitching at the corners of his lips