Page 9 of For Cowgirls and Kings (The Trauma Bonded #2)

“You should so go for him Faith! He’s super cute, and a nice kid! I absolutely approve,” I lean forward, and both Stetson and Faith lean in too, “and encourage. I mean, he could pick you up and use you like a rag doll.” I wink.

Faith snorts, liquid spurting from her nose making me cackle. She wipes the liquid from her nose and takes another sip. “I would be happy to let him use me as such, but unfortunately I don’t think he’s interested.”

“What’re you talking about? He’d be lucky to have you.”

She shrugs at that. “Maybe, but I think he likes his women a little older, wiser—” She taps the straw to her lips, as if she’s slightly embarrassed to say the words but the alcohol’s making it impossible for her to remember her manners. “More dominating…like you Dale.”

“Agreed, he’s had heart eyes for you since you brought me here in March. Probably before that but you didn’t have someone to call you out on it. Have you ever hooked up with him?” Stetson joins in, her eyes dancing with mischief.

She always wants to know about my life, and I understand why. I’m the nosiest bitch alive. But I’m still not comfortable sharing everything. No amount of alcohol makes me brave enough to ruin the sunshiny mask I’ve created.

Plus, no one likes the friend who brings the mood down. I’m well-liked because I’m always happy, and I plan to keep it that way.

“No, babes, he’s not exactly my type. Besides, I taught him like seven years ago. He was a senior my first year as a teacher.” Both Faith and Stetson’s eyes bug at that, and then their hollering with laughter, more than one set of eyes looking at us with annoyance.

Good, let them see us happy and healthy.

“You didn’t mention that before. Poor guy has probably been pining for you for years.” Stetson wipes a tear from her cheek, her smile wide and unrestrained. My own cheeks hurt from smiling and I welcome the ache.

Keeps out the darkness.

“Oh, now you have to go for him. Think of the,” Faith leans in, her voice dropping to a secretive whisper, “the porno potential here. This has Dale written all over it.”

I can’t argue with her logic. That’s exactly the kind of shit I’d get off to late at night when I hope god himself is asleep. Shame creeps up my neck in a warm wave, and Stetson laughs harder.

“You’re fucking blushing!”

“Shut up, he’s way too young for me. It’s too wrong, even for me.”

“He’s gotta be at least twenty-four, probably twenty-five Dale. He’s a grown man.” I scrunch my nose at Stetson’s logical mathematical skills. She’s right, but still. Something about it feels dirty.

I love dirty—but only on my terms and this isn’t that.

“I have to agree with Stetson on this one.” I jump with a yelp as Gus’s gravely voice filters over the booth behind us. Stetson smothers another laugh with the back of her hand, standing up to glare at the man still hidden by the tall backing of the booth.

Of course he would be here, even if we didn’t know it.

He’s always popping up in places where Stetson is, which now that they’re together is almost sweet. A little stalkerish, but sweet all the same. I know Stetson secretly loves having someone so obsessed with her, so who am I to judge? I’m jealous if anything.

“Did you know he was here?” Faith whisper shouts again, and I snort. Her innocence is one of my favorite things about her.

“No, and he’s not supposed to be here.” Stetson stomps her foot, plastering a scowl on her face, even though we all know she’s secretly thrilled.

“And he’s supposed to be on my side. First, because we’re best friends.

Second, because it’s my birthday.” I lean around the corner of the booth to find him twisted in the seat looking up at Stetson with a wicked grin.

Watching them bicker feels like peering into the beginning of my favorite smutty romance—so full of tension and promise.

It makes me hot; I can’t even imagine how many panties Stetson’s ruined since they’ve gotten together.

“Sorry bestie, I only want you to get laid so then you might stop watching us in hopes of getting action.” He turns then, grinning at me with a wink.

I push my bottom lip out, crossing my arms across my chest. “What’s the fun in that?” Faith chokes on her drink, and I’m unable to keep my scowl in place. It’s just too fun getting a rile out of her.

“Dale you’re going to have to start paying if you want to watch,” Stetson teases, her face still pinched in a frown I know is starting to slip. From the corner of my eye I see Faith’s face flush red, her eyes nearly bulging from her head.

“But I only have a teacher's salary.”

“Exactly why you should take advantage of the willing men, here.” Gus’s dry tone makes both Stetson and I erupt in laughter, and Faith giggles nervously. I turn back around, facing her completely once more.

I reach out, patting her arm. “We’re only teasing.”

“Speak for yourself,” Gus huffs, and then stands, coming around to loom over the front of our table. Stetson slumps back into the booth, sticking her tongue out at him and narrowing her eyes.

“Leave, this was supposed to be a girls night.”

“It has been. You didn’t even know I was here.” Stetson rolls her eyes and then turns to face Faith, a small apologetic look crossing her features .

“Sorry about him. He can be a little…obsessive.”

Gus and I both snort at that, and then I laugh harder, knowing our close friendship sometimes grates on Stetson’s nerves, even if she denies it. She’s just territorial, and I don’t mind in the slightest—just makes for even more fun poking the bear on nights like this.

“And a lot possessive,” I add.

“And sometimes aggressive.” We all turn to look at Gus then, his face perfectly flat.

“And the most suppressive,” Stetson snaps, but there’s hearts beating out of her eyes. “Now leave, so we can continue.”

“Or stay, and tell me how I might find a man like you.”

“Well, just pull your head out of your ass and let the guys panting after you have a chance.”

“Augustus, you apologize,”

“Like which one, mistro?” I silence Stetson with a smile, as I look back at Gus.

He stares at me, bored and annoyed, like I’m a dumb child. Which with anyone else would annoy me, but not with him. With him, I feel almost special because I know he’s allowing me to see past his nonchalant mask. “Blonde barbie boy.”

I scrunch my nose. Jared really is a cute kid, but even thinking about kissing him makes me want to gag.

Not because of the age—truly that’s a turn on.

But because he’s not ridiculously tall, covered in tattoos, dark hair and eyes, and dripping dominance and sex appeal like rain from an overflowing gutter.

There’s no way he can wear a suit, or pressed jeans like they were made for him and him alone, or command the attention of a room like a king. Jared’s hot, but he’s no papi.

And a papi is exactly what I’m looking for.

The question is, where do I find one?