Texas Pride. Gerry Bartlett

stared at her for a long moment. “We’re starting over. I hope you’ll let me do that. Start fresh with you.”

      “Billy.” Shannon held onto the leather seat. When they took off, she’d have to hold onto him. Hold his waist and maybe lean against his firm back. She’d be able to inhale his male scent, so familiar, making her remember… “I want to think that could happen, but…”

      “I know. We have history. I made mistakes.” He smiled sadly. “I hope you’ll admit that you did too.” He dragged his leg over the bike and settled into the seat. “Brace yourself. This hog is loud.” He turned the key.

      Mistakes? She wasn’t touching that one. And could they really start fresh when there were so many things she couldn’t forget? Shannon grabbed him when the roar felt like it was going to blow out her eardrums.

      He revved the motor then yelled at her to hold tight as he eased them down the driveway. The house where her inheritance forced her to live had been her late father’s dream home. It was in the middle of sedate River Oaks, the mansion-filled neighborhood where the rich in Houston lived. The loud motorcycle was no doubt drawing attention and frowns from everyone on the quiet street as Billy drove them toward one of Houston’s many freeways.

      Zipping down the highway once they hit an interstate was exhilarating. Billy seemed to know what he was doing and didn’t take chances. Yes, it was a little terrifying when large trucks zipped past them. But then many people in small cars honked and waved, some of them men with obvious Harley envy. By the time Billy pulled up in front of a popular Cajun restaurant and parked, Shannon was windblown and thirsty but hooked.

      “What did you think?” He was grinning as he helped her climb off.

      “I loved it. Now buy me a drink.” She handed him her helmet and glanced at the restaurant. “I hope they make a good martini here.”

      “Will you humor me? Remember why we keep breaking up?” He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

      “How could I forget?” Shannon had always enjoyed a party. Billy had been serious and had disapproved of her lifestyle. “What’s the deal, Billy?”

      He faced her and looked into her eyes, so serious she braced herself.

      “Billy?”

      “Would you mind not drinking? I would really love for us to make this date alcohol-free.”

      Shannon wanted to kick over that damned bike. Not that she could manage it. Now it started. He wanted to change her. Always had. Hated her drinking. Thought she was an alcoholic. She swallowed, licked dry

      lips. Suddenly the thought of a martini made her almost desperate. He just stared at her, waiting. Damn him. Why couldn’t he ever just accept her as she was?

      Chapter 3

      “Do you really want to bring that up now? When we were having such a good time?” She stared into his eyes—hers were big, blue and shiny with tears.

      “When should I bring it up? After your fourth martini?” Billy hated to do this. Here, in a fucking parking lot. But it was the big thing that had come between them before and he couldn’t seem to let it go. He had his reasons. Maybe it was time to lay them out for her.

      “You think I can’t quit drinking. That’s obvious.” She looked over her shoulder at the restaurant. “You always make a big deal out of this. What’s the matter with having a few drinks to relax?”

      “I guess we’re really going to do this in the parking lot.” He wanted to touch her, needed to touch her. But maybe that wasn’t fair. Billy kept his hands fisted by his sides. The memories were always with him, nights when he’d poured his own mom into bed, sloppy drunk. There’d been a couple of those with Shannon too and it had made him sick to his stomach, bringing it all back.

      “Let’s go inside. Get a table. I won’t order a drink yet. We can have tea with our meal.” She must have seen something in his face because she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Billy, I don’t want to ruin this night. I’m not a total bitch.”

      “I never said you were.” He stopped and pulled her to him. “Drinking is my issue. I need to explain.”

      “Inside.” She smiled and ran her hand over his cheek. “Seriously, this dust and car exhaust is getting to me.” She sneezed. “It’s allergy season. Ragweed. Come on.” She pulled him toward the door again. “We’ll get this talked out. Finally.”

      Billy let her drag him inside. He should have picked a quieter place. This was one of those loud music, jumping joints, with the band about to tune up and a space for dancing. It had seemed like a good idea when he’d borrowed the hog. A wild night and his old persona would have loved it. And now he’d ruined the vibe by bringing up his own dark past and the big fat issue hanging between them.

      He wanted Shannon. He had since their first go-round. She was beautiful, a fairy princess come to life. She had all the things he’d dreamed of when he’d been working his ass off to become rich and famous. She’d be the best partner a man on the rise could have by his side. Except she loved her drinks. Which pushed a hot button of his so hard he couldn’t keep his mouth shut about it.

      He asked the hostess to find them a table as far away from the noise as possible, but it was still not easy to be heard over the roar of a happy crowd. They ordered spicy shrimp and hush puppies, iced tea, and a basket of the kind of greasy onion rings that Shannon usually refused to touch. This time she grabbed one immediately and dipped it into the spicy sauce the waitress brought with it.

      “Mmm. Delicious. I’ve never been here before. It’s fun. Are we going to dance later?” She tapped her fingers on the table to the tune that the band started. “I have no idea how to dance to that stuff but I figure we can watch and learn.”

      “You really are in a mood, aren’t you?” Billy was mesmerized. In a low-cut top that let him see just enough breast to make him want to slip a hand inside and tease her nipple, Shannon was breathtaking. He dropped a pile of paper napkins in his lap and picked up an onion ring. “Since when do you eat these things?”

      “Fried food? Why not? My future is uncertain; the Calhoun billions may be disappearing so I figure I’d better live for the day.” She took a bite and closed her eyes in bliss. “And now I’m working for a living. I can take a diet lunch every day if I need to. Which I guess I will.” She frowned. “My current wardrobe is going to have to last me a long time.”

      “Let’s hope we can salvage at least some millions for you after your year of working is up.” Billy took a sip of his tea. “About the drinking.”

      “Can we put the talk off until after we eat? Here comes our shrimp. I’m hungry. Sushi never sticks with me.” She smiled at the waitress. “Thanks, hon.”

      “The band will be playing for the next hour. You two should get up and dance after you finish eating.” The waitress smiled.

      “What if we don’t know how?” Shannon picked up a shrimp by its tail.

      “We’ll have Zydeco instructors on the floor in a little while. Jump up and join in as soon as you’re ready. You sure I can’t bring either of you a beer or a cocktail?” The waitress glanced at the tea glasses.

      “No, we’re fine. On the wagon tonight.” Billy smiled at Shannon. “And my lady underestimates me. I spent a summer working in New Orleans. I can show her how to dance to this. As soon as we’re finished eating.”

      “You’re kidding!” Shannon leaned across the table, kissed Billy on the mouth then sat back and dug into her dinner. “Hurry up and eat. I can’t wait to see your moves.”

      Billy leaned across the table this time. He touched her chin, holding it still just as she was about to take a bite. “Baby, you’ve seen my moves, remember?” He brushed her hand aside and kissed her then, tasting the spicy Cajun sauce on her tongue and the unique Shannon flavor that he’d never been able