Her Filthy Cowboy (Fit Mountain Cowboys #2)

3. Brody

Chapter Three

brODY

“Geez, this place is way more packed than I expected.” Melody steps into the bar, and Wyatt, Jace, and I trail behind her. “It’s like the whole city is in here.”

Wyatt chuckles. “Yeah, this bar is a local favorite. The owner used to play in the majors. Pretty much everyone in town comes to this place.”

Melody’s eyes get even wider as she scans the crowd. “Looks like it. It almost feels like a night out in New York City.”

“Except you don’t have to deal with New York prices.” Jace chimes in with a grin.

It’s Thursday night, and the four of us have just arrived at The Pitcher’s Brew, a local bar in Cooper Hills. I’m not usually much of a bar guy, but Wyatt insisted that all of us come out to celebrate Melody’s first official week living in Wyoming.

As we weave through the bustling crowd, I can’t help but notice a cluster of women across the room eyeing me.

Their gazes lock onto me, clearly trying to catch my eye and get me to come over. Buckle bunnies, no doubt. I give them a polite wave, making sure my gesture is friendly, but deliberately keep moving. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the attention, but tonight isn’t about that.

I’m also not interested.

There’s only one woman I want. And I’m counting down the minutes until I can see her again.

Finally, we find an empty corner booth in the back. Melody, Wyatt, and I slide in while Jace heads to the bar to grab us a round of IPAs.

Melody sighs dreamily as she shrugs off her jacket. “Yeah, I can see why people like this little town. It’s definitely got charm.” Then she beams up at Wyatt. “Not to mention the hottest cowboy I’ve ever seen.”

Wyatt growls possessively and kisses her on the lips. “And the hottest city girl I’ve ever seen.”

I roll my eyes at their PDA, but can’t help but smile.

The door to the bar swings open, and my other brother Luke strides in. “Look who finally decided to show up,” Wyatt calls out. “Thought you might’ve gotten lost on the way.”

“Sorry I’m late.” Luke slides in across from me. “Had to drop Maisey off. She’s going to her first sleepover with girls from ballet class.”

“Awww.” Melody’s eyes light up. “I remember my first sleepover. Was she nervous?”

Luke chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah. My baby girl is fearless. You should’ve seen her face. She practically bounced out of her seat the whole drive there.”

Melody grins. “Those parents don’t know what they’re in for. A whole pack of giggling ballerinas? I hope they have enough wine.”

We all laugh, and Jace returns with our drinks. Wyatt raises his bottle and looks down at Melody with a soft look in his eye. “To Melody’s first week in Wyoming. Cheers, baby. Welcome to the family.”

“Cheers!” we all echo before taking a sip.

I take another swig of my beer, trying to focus on the lively conversation around me. But it’s no use. My mind keeps drifting to Savannah.

I have no idea why she agreed to spend the night with me if she lost that damn horse race. Maybe it was the thrill of the competition. Or maybe she feels this electric pull between us too.

But honestly? I don’t really care why.

All I know is that Savannah Sullivan is mine.

She just doesn’t fully realize it yet.

The thought of having her all to myself, even just for one night, has been driving me crazy. I wonder what she’s doing right now. If she’s thinking about me the way I’m thinking about her.

I keep imagining how she’ll look tomorrow when I pick her up for our date. Will she wear her hair down or pulled back in a ponytail? A sexy dress that hugs her curves or tight jeans that make her ass pop? Part of me hopes for the dress, just so I can slowly peel it off her later.

My cock twitches in my jeans just picturing it. I shift in my seat, trying to adjust myself without drawing attention. I need to get my head on straight before I embarrass myself.

Just as I’m taking another sip of beer, a flash of chestnut hair catches my eye.

Savannah.

What the hell is she doing here?

I can’t tear my eyes away as she makes her way to the bar, hips swaying with each step. She leans against the polished wood, flagging down the bartender with a flirty smile. The way her ass and tits strain against her clothes has my pulse racing.

That’s when I notice the hungry, male gazes devouring her from every corner of the room.

A wave of possessiveness surges through me.

I clench my fists beneath the table, fighting the urge to march over there and rip their fucking eyes out for looking at her like that.

She’s not theirs to ogle.

She’s mine.

“Brody?” Melody’s voice snaps me out of my territorial haze.

“Huh?”

“You okay? You look like you’re about to Hulk out and flip the table.”

I blink and tear my gaze away from Savannah. “I’m fine.” I grit the words out, trying to keep my tone even.

But Melody isn’t buying it. Her eyes dart between me and where Savannah is standing. Understanding dawns on her face.

“Oh look, I think that’s Savannah standing over there.” She sits up straighter, craning her neck to get a better look. “Who’s that guy she’s with?”

My head snaps around just in time to see some wannabe cowboy hitting on my girl.

I’m out of my seat before I can even think. My brothers look up, startled at my sudden movement.

“Shit.” Jace follows my gaze to where the man is standing with Savannah. He turns to Wyatt. “Stay here with Melody. Luke and I got this one.”

I’m already halfway across the bar, my long strides eating up the distance. I can hear Jace and Luke behind me but I don’t slow down.

As I get closer, I can hear the man’s oily voice over the din of the bar.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let me buy you a drink. A pretty little thing like you shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

Savannah scowls and tries to shrug off his hand. “I told you, I’m not interested. Please leave me alone.”

But the man doesn’t budge. If anything, his grin gets even wider. “Don’t be like that. I’m just trying to show you a good time. I promise I can make it worth your while.”

I grab the guy’s shoulder. “There a problem here?”

The drunk man whips around to face me, his bleary eyes narrowing as he takes in my 6’4” frame. Recognition flickers across his face.

“Well, well, if it ain’t Brody Clayton.” He slurs his words, puffing out his chest in a pathetic attempt to look tough. “This ain’t none of your business, cowboy. Me and the lady were just having a friendly chat.”

“Really? Because from here it looked like she told you to fuck off and you weren’t listening.”

“Hey now, there’s no need to get hostile.” He holds up his hands in mock surrender, but I can see the flare of anger in his bloodshot eyes. “Savannah and I are old friends. Ain’t that right, darlin’?”

He reaches out to touch her arm again, but I intercept his hand in an iron grip. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” My voice comes out in a growl.

The man tries to yank his hand away, but I just tighten my hold until I feel his bones grinding together. He yelps in pain, his face turning an ugly shade of red.

“Listen closely, because I’m only going to say this once.” I lean in close so he can see the promise of violence in my eyes. “You’re going to turn around and walk out of this bar. And if I ever see you so much as look in her direction again, I’ll break every bone in your fucking body. We clear?”

His gaze darts to Savannah, then to where Jace and Luke are flanking me, their arms crossed and ready for a fight. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he weighs his options.

Finally, he seems to realize he’s outmatched. He nods jerkily, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. “Crystal.”

I release his hand and he staggers back, cradling it to his chest. With one last glare, he turns and pushes his way through the crowd, then disappears out the door.

I watch him go, the tension slowly draining from my shoulders. Behind me, I hear Jace snort. “What a fucking tool. You good, man?”

I nod, not taking my eyes off the door. “Yeah. Thanks for the backup.”

“Anytime.” Luke claps me on the back. “You coming back to the table?”

I hesitate, glancing over at Savannah. She’s watching me with an unreadable expression, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. I can’t tell if she’s pissed or grateful or both.

“You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute.”

They exchange a knowing look but don’t argue. As they head back to our booth, I turn to face Savannah fully.

She glares at me. “I had that handled, you know.”

I snort. “Didn’t look like it from where I was standing.”

“I don’t need you swooping in to save me like some damsel in distress.” She jabs a finger into my chest. “I’m not one of your buckle bunnies fawning for your attention.”

“Trust me, I’m very aware of that.” I catch her hand before she can pull away and hold it against my chest. “You’re far too stubborn to ever make things easy.”

“Then why get involved? I told you, I can take care of myself.” But despite her harsh tone, she doesn’t pull her hand from my grip.

“Because no one gets to touch what’s mine.”

Savannah’s eyes widen and she sucks in a sharp breath. For a moment, neither of us move. The air feels charged between us, thick with all the words we aren’t saying.

Her gaze drops to where my hand is holding hers against my chest. I know she can feel the pounding of my heart beneath her palm. It’s racing just from being this close to her.

“I’m not yours,” she whispers.

“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.” I brush my thumb over her knuckles. “But we both know the truth.”

I pluck my black Stetson cowboy hat off my head and set it on hers. The brim dips low over her eyes, but I can still see her biting her lip to hide a smile.

Something primal and possessive surges through me at the sight of her wearing something that means so much to me.

Savannah reaches up to touch the brim, her fingers brushing against mine. “Brody, I...” Conflict swims in her eyes. “I don’t know what this is between us. But I’m not... I can’t just...”

“Dance with me.”

Savannah blinks up at me. “What?”

I nod toward the small dance floor, where a few couples sway to a slow country song. “I asked you to dance, baby. Please. I’m sorry for making a scene earlier. Let me make it up to you. Dance with me.”

Savannah hesitates for just a moment, her eyes searching mine.

“Fine, one dance,” she says softly. “But that’s all you get.”

I grin. “Sweetheart, one dance is all I need.”