Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off Read online

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  Tease Publishing LLC

  www.teasepublishingllc.com

  Copyright ©2006 by Cara North

  First published in 2007, 2007

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  Praise for Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

  This was a truly great read! Cara North proves she has a captivating writing style with Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, spinning a contemporary tale of love between two people who thought they'd never find it and have resigned themselves to a business relationship.

  5 Clovers—Jennifer, reviewer for CK2S Kwips & Kritiques

  Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off is one of the most entertaining, sexy and witty books I have read in a long time. Absolutely amazing this story will mesmerize from the beginning. It seduces you with the handsome cowboy and entertains you with the dialogue titillates you with scorching love scenes and makes you laugh at the wit. Completely ensnared you will not want to put this book down. I loved this book.

  + Wateena, Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

  Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off is a delicious read with non-stop entertainment at its best. The dialogue is loaded in magnificent wit and the sex appeal transcends in the pages between the characters. I could almost picture Bethany and Jack making their first encounter all the way standing together at the chapel. Jack is one stunning, sexy, hot and tantalizing cowboy.

  -Linda, reviewer for Romance at Heart Magazine

  Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

  By

  Cara North

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  TEASE PUBLISHING

  www.teasepublishingllc.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Qff

  A Tease Publishing E book

  Copyright© 2007 Cara North

  ISBN: 978-1-934678-03-9

  Cover Artist: Stella Price

  Interior text design: Stacee Sierra

  Editor: Heather Spence

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Tease Publishing LLC

  www.teasepublishingllc.com

  PO BOX 234

  Swansboro, North Carolina 28584-0234

  Tease and the T logo is ã

  Tease Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

  This book is dedicated to my grandmother; Mary E. Miller. She would probably smack me with it before laughing and then hugging me. I miss you Grandma, rest in peace.

  I would like to thank my husband, Chris, for understanding that writing is a career not a hobby. In addition to my husband, I would like to thank the following people for their encouraging words regarding this book: Diane Osepchook, Diane Merlin, Laura Kitchell, and Nancy Naigle. I would like to say a special thank you to the editor Heather Spence, and the cover artist the awesome Stella Price you are both true friends and professionals.

  Chapter 1

  Hoochie mommas! Her girlfriends had left her at the slot machine, and now she could not find a single one of them. They were probably having a three way in an elevator right now.

  Bethany Dodson took one look around the bar and considered walking right back out. She tugged at the sweater-set and made her way to the bar. Bethany actually felt a little relieved she was alone. There was one thing she planned to do for herself this weekend, and none of her so-called friends were going to be involved. If they had any clue, she would not be let out of their sight, much less dumped at the slot machines.

  The only seat available was next to some long-legged cowboy, equipped with a cowboy hat and all. This really was not what she had in mind, but the only way to grab a guy and get married would be to get him drunk first. Bethany was not proud of this, but it seemed like the only way she would get what she needed. Her father had entirely too much influence back home. This could be her last shot at freedom.

  "Do you mind if I sit here?” Bethany indicated the seat as she placed a hand on it. She would have to tiptoe to reach the damn thing. Why do they make bar stools so tall in the first place?

  "Suit yourself.” He nodded and tipped his hat.

  Bethany smoothed her hands along the back of her skirt to keep it in place, turned facing away from the bar stool, and began the process of easing up onto the seat. She tried to mount it like a lady, only to trip, sending her sideways into the cowboy.

  "I'm so sorry.” Bethany realized she looked very unladylike as her arms flailed and grabbed onto his biceps for dear life. The last thing she needed was to fall on her ass. Making a fool of herself certainly would not get her anywhere.

  "You wanna sit at the table?” He motioned with his head as his hands settled on her shoulders.

  "I'm here alone.” Bethany thought about her statement and rephrased it. “I'm not here alone. I'm just at the bar alone."

  "Come on, now you're not at the bar alone either.” The mysterious cowboy led her to the table.

  "Manners. Wow! I thought those went out of style in the eighties.” Bethany fidgeted with her small Coach wristlet under the table. This was not the kind of guy she planned to con, but since he had made himself comfortable in the seat across form her, she really had no choice.

  "And I thought ladies only existed in the South. You don't have a southern accent.” He winked. “What brings you to Vegas?"

  "Bachelorette party, well weekend is more like it. My uh, friend Katie, yeah, Katie is getting married next week, and all of us came out here to send her off. My friends seem to think we're on spring break again.” Bethany hoped she did not sound as nervous as she felt.

  "So, they're all off gallivanting, and you're here by your lonesome?” He motioned for a waitress and sighed. “Well, I'm celebrating the end of a bad relationship. An old friend turned out to be someone I couldn't trust at all."

  Before she could say anything, the waitress approached. She propped her hip on the table and talked to him. “Hey cutie, what'll it be?"

  Bethany didn't know what made her bristle at the waitress’ flirting. Maybe it was because she was sitting right there, and for all the busty blonde knew, she was his girlfriend. Maybe it was because she thought his whiskey brown eyes were the most seductive eyes she had ever seen. Or maybe it was because all her life she had been labeled goodie-two-shoes and was fed up with it.

  "Tequila.” Bethany smacked the table, getting the waitress’ attention, and nodded. “We're celebrating here."

  The waitress eyed her and then nodded.

  "What's your name anyways?” Bethany asked.

  "Jack.” He smiled. “And you are?"

  "Bethany, Bethany Dodson from Louisville, Kentucky.” Bethany accepted the shot the waitress sat on the table. “Bring a bottle of Patron."

  She lifted her shot to Jack and smiled. “To new friends and past lovers."

  "Here, here.” He toasted and swallowed his shot.

  The waitress returned with the bottle, and Bethany poured another.

  "So, you plan on getting wasted?” Jack a
sked as he watched her fill his shot glass as well.

  "You got a problem with that, Cowboy?” Bethany decided the moment they sat down, the brochures were right all along. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. And she intended to make something happen tonight. Jack was not what she had pictured. He was everything she knew she could never have. Tall, dark, and handsome did not usually go for medium, plump, and sheltered. However, this was a desperate time and called for desperate measures.

  "No ma'am. Just wanted to know your intent.” He lifted his glass, and they swallowed another shot.

  "My intent is to have a good time. I have to tell you, I haven't had a good time outside a shopping mall in forever.” Bethany poured another round. “You know, you have the sexiest eyes. I mean, I don't normally go for the rough, rugged, tall type. But you have very nice eyes."

  Bethany took another hit of liquid courage.

  "Well thanks. I think.” He swallowed the next shot. “And so you know, I don't normally go for the brunette, short..."

  "Don't you dare say fat.” Bethany turned up her lip in a snarl.

  "Straight laced.” Jack tipped his hat. “I would never call a lady fat especially one who isn't. I would call her all buttoned down and closed up though."

  Bethany gasped as he winked. He thought she was a prude! “I'll have you know this is a cashmere sweater-set, and this skirt is from the new Ann Taylor collection. These shoes alone cost two hundred dollars."

  "So, you're a gold digger?” He set the shot glass down and looked around as if he were looking for an exit.

  "Did you not hear who I am? I'm Bethany Dodson. My daddy was in Time magazine as one of the richest men in the U.S.” She took another shot. Since she could drink her friends under the table in college, it was not much of a buzz, but she could feel it. Bethany knew she should stop, but if she did, she would not have the nerve to seduce a cowboy. “I don't need your money. I just want to have a nice time."

  "I see.” Jack settled down and smiled.

  "So, here's to new beginnings and forgetting bad assumptions."

  "One more and I'll lead you around the dance floor. What do you say?” he asked.

  "You're on, Cowboy.” Bethany chucked back the shot and did not bother with the lime anymore. She motioned for the waitress and handed her a Visa. Jack was still pulling his wallet out when the waitress walked off. “You gotta be quick on the draw there, Cowboy."

  "I see that, but don't worry. You'll appreciate my tendency to linger later on tonight.” Jack reached a hand across the table and grasped hers.

  "I'll count on it.” Bethany had a feeling he was not kidding, and her big talk might get her into trouble. The tall cowboy led her out to the dance floor. She had not danced in ages. His butt looked divine in the well-fitted Levi's he wore. A refreshing sight compared to the khaki's and business suits she had grown accustomed to seeing men in. She followed his ass right out to the center of the floor and caught an eyeful when he turned to face her, leaving her staring at his crotch.

  Jack cleared his throat.

  Bethany snapped her head up and looked at him. She could feel the heat creep up her neck and into her cheeks. He was smiling again. Two well placed dimples, one on each cheek, popped out each time he flashed his winning smile. Bethany inhaled the spicy scent of a light aftershave as he pulled her close. One hand slid to the small of her back while the other held on to her right hand. Her thighs straddled one of his, and she realized he was tall but not uncomfortably tall. His hand, rough and calloused, spoke of hard labor. It was another contrast to the hands of her father, and her ex-fiancé's, men who probably got a manicure as often as she did. “How tall are you?"

  "Six-foot even.” Jack looked down at her and took an estimated guess. “You're what five six, five seven?"

  "Five-foot five inches, the heels give me an inch or two I don't normally have.” Bethany realized they were not moving around anywhere. They were just swaying back and forth. Probably the only reason she was still standing as the tequila began to have its desired effect. Her body warmed, and her smile came easier. She did not feel like she was drunk, but she definitely felt different. “What's this song about?"

  "Well, it's about a guy who's doing something right. He doesn't know what it is, but his woman likes it.” Jack placed her right hand on his chest. Both of his hands then moved to her back, one pressed between her shoulder blades, the other in the small of her back. Her hands moved to his back. She hugged him closer as her cheek pressed against his chest and her hips moved against his as they swayed, making only the tiniest steps. She apparently had an affect on him. His erection pressed against his jeans and her abdomen.

  After what seemed like hours, he finally spoke. “You smell good."

  "So do you,” Bethany whispered. Somewhere between the tequila, the aftershave, and the heat of his body lined up against hers, she completely lost her mind. This was not the guy she was supposed to be seducing. Hell, he was out of her league, but apparently, he did not know that, so she would definitely take advantage.

  "The way you're rolling your hips is making me crazy,” he admitted.

  "I think I went crazy three minutes ago.” Bethany made a slight laugh. There was something about him. He was a stranger for crying out loud, but she found a sense of peace glowing inside the longer they danced. “So, do you have a room here?"

  "Yes.” Jack inhaled the sweet scent of her hair again. “Do you want to go?"

  "I think so, yes.” Bethany looked up into those whiskey brown eyes and licked her lips.

  Jack must have taken her tongue wetting her dry lips as a clear invitation because he bent down to kiss her. She kissed him as if she had not been kissed in ages, as if she could live the rest of her life off that kiss. Her tongue slipped past his lips and explored his mouth. He captured it, sucked on it until she moaned while rolling her hips against him, causing her abdomen to press harder into his erection. No one had ever sucked on her tongue before. No one had ever kissed her like that.

  He pulled back and gasped for air. “Let's go, woman, before I can't stop and take you right here."

  "Maybe in the elevator then?” Bethany licked her lips, tasting his kisses, and enjoyed his sense of shock. Of course, she looked all buttoned down and straight laced. She had been trained to act proper all her life, but she was not going to be proper tonight. Jack didn't know her from Eve. She would never see him again after tonight, and if she could get him a little drunk, maybe she could even get him to marry her, but having sex would do for now. If his kisses told her anything, they told her he was the right man to initiate her into a new life!

  Jack almost pulled her arm out of its socket he walked so fast to get out of there. She trotted behind him, smiling at the fact that she, little Miss Goodie Two-Shoes, had this hottie in such a frenzy he could not wait to get her naked. Of course, she could not wait either. She had been waiting thirty years to get naked. However, Jack did not need to know that.

  Once they left the bar, he headed toward the lobby. Bethany prayed none of her friends decided to come back looking for her. She told them she would turn in after she finished with the slot machines. If they saw her now, they would be attacking Jack and taking her to the hospital for an evaluation. In all their years, she had never been the wild one. Not like she could be. Her daddy's reputation was always at stake.

  Every boy who came near her was warned he'd live in poverty the rest of his life if he even dared touch her. Then, her daddy chose the man he wanted her to marry. She gave Douglas a chance, but he was just like her father. He only wanted a trophy wife, and Bethany had been a trophy child too long to even think about spending the rest of her life in another man's shadow.

  Jack didn't even blink when she told him her name and then affirmed who her daddy was. Maybe he didn't really know. On the other hand, maybe he didn't care. Either way, those were two bonuses for her cause. This weekend she was going to lose her virginity and get married, to anyone other than Douglas!

 
Once they stood in front of the large gold elevator doors, Bethany had a moment to look at them. She held back a giggle.

  Here he was tall, muscular, and enough eye-candy, women who did not realize she could see their reflections were ogling him, too. There she was beside him, probably weighing in around the same number, just compacted in a smaller frame, and definitely not muscle. She wondered what color his hair was since he still had his hat on. His hand held hers as he impatiently watched the number above the elevator door as it made a decent to their floor. His thumb brushed across her knuckles, and her nipples pebbled against the sweater-set. She could see the difference in her reflection.

  Focusing on him, she enjoyed his long neck and Adam's apple, bobbing as he swallowed, and then he looked at her, not directly, but in the reflection.

  "You are eating me up with those eyes.” Jack smiled. Bethany blushed as he tugged her closer to his side. Leaning over he whispered, “Will you eat me up with those sexy lips of yours?"

  Now, it was her turn to swallow. A wave of heat rolled through her and moisture surged onto her panties.

  "Yes,” she squeaked out.

  "Good,” he said as the elevator dinged.

  The doors opened, and they stepped on. Jack hit the close door button before anyone else could get on with them. He punched the twenty-second floor and then turned to Bethany.

  With a strong sense of urgency, Jack placed his hands on her ass, lifting her as he pushed her back to the elevator wall. His mouth covered hers, and his tongue dueled. She gripped his shoulders and moaned as his erection nuzzled against her aching sex through their clothes.

  "This isn't going to work.” He pulled back, looked at her eyes then kissed her again.

  "What's not going to work?” She hated how small and desperate her voice sounded, but it was a little late for him to get noble. He leaned in kissed her again, flexed each finger in turn on her ass, and then sighed.

  "I only have one condom. We'll have to get more."

  "Oh.” Bethany smiled. She opened her mouth to speak, but the elevator stopped and the doors opened. They were both startled and a little embarrassed as he gently released her back to her feet.