Read Stripped Naked (Naked Cowboys) for Free Online

go up in flames. The heat from his hard, muscular thigh pressing against hers singed every nerve in her body. She was sure he felt it too. The vibes were unmistakable. The conversation throughout the evening was light, mostly ranch talk. No one asked any personal questions, for which Jinx was eternally grateful.
    Dillon didn’t add much more to the table talk than she did. Mostly they listened to the others and pretended to ignore each other, but the sexual awareness was unmistakably there.
    Damn it.
    By midnight they’d finished their dinner and dessert, most of the beer and all of the margaritas. Jinx pushed her chair back and stood up.
    “Let me help you clear this stuff away, Amy. And then I need to get going.”
    Amy lifted her eyebrows. “So early? You always used to be such a night owl. Anyway, I thought people in New York stayed up really late.”
    “I’m not in New York anymore,” she reminded her friend. “And it’s been a busy few days.” She stacked the plates and silverware on a tray and headed back toward the house.
    “I’ll take that.” Amy easily relieved her of what she was carrying. “Reenie and I will finish. Go on. Go home. Sleep off those margaritas. And don’t forget tomorrow.”
    “Tomorrow?” Jinx frowned.
    “The auction? Helping Dillon pick out a horse?”
    Jinx nibbled her lower lip. “Listen, Amy, I don’t think—”
    “Right. Don’t think. You’ll have a good time. When was the last time you went to a horse or cattle auction?” When Jinx didn’t answer, she gloated, “Aha. See there? You need to get back in the ambience of the Hill Country. Get your mojo going again.”
    Jinx stared at her. “My mojo?”
    “Mm hmm. We’ll pick you up at eleven. The auction starts at noon and we can all go out for a late lunch afterwards. Don’t give me any lip because we’ll be there to fetch you and hunt you down if you’re not home.”
    “Okay, okay, okay.” At the moment she just wanted to get away and cool down her overheated body.
    She said her goodnights to everyone, politely nodding at Dillon, and headed toward her car. Wondering how she’d gotten herself dragged into this auction thing, she fastened her seat belt and turned the ignition key. And turned it. And turned it. But no matter how many times she tried it, the starter just made an irritating grinding noise while the engine itself remained silent.
    Shit!
    She rested her forehead on the steering wheel. How could this happen to her?
    She was about to try it once more when someone rapped on the driver’s side window. She looked out to see Matt staring in at her, motioning for her to open the door.
    Reluctantly, she depressed the handle and pushed the door open.
    “Pop the latch on the hood and let me take a look inside,” he told her.
    “Listen, I’m sure if I just give it a minute—”
    But he was already standing at the front of her car, waiting. She blew out a breath and leaned back while she waited for him to work some kind of magic.
    “Try it now,” he hollered.
    She turned the key, but again all she got was that irritating grinding sound. The macho contingent gathered to use their collective wisdom, pointing at some things, touching others. Finally, Matt closed the hood and shook his head.
    “It’s either the starter or the alternator. Buck says he can have one of the hands take a look at it in the morning.”
    She bolted upright, banging her knee on the steering column. “Did you say in the morning? ”
    “’Fraid so. Come on.” He walked over to her open door and held out his hand. “One of us will run you home.”
    “I take excellent care of my car,” she insisted. “I try to avoid situations just like this one.”
    “Shit happens.” Matt gestured for her to get out. “You know it. No biggie. Reenie and I will give you a ride.”
    “But…” But what? “I hate breaking up the party.”
    Now Dillon was standing beside her, holding out his hand. “I’m leaving now anyway. Come on. I’ll