Travis reached out to steady Harley after she slammed the air right out of his chest when she ran into him full speed ahead. Inhaling, the rush of air filling his lungs was full of her sweet scent. Jasmine. The instant the smell registered, he forgot how to breathe. A crazy reaction, but one he was becoming accustomed to since the day he'd met the intoxicating little minx. Instantaneously, the blood pumping through his body surged south. A typical response every time he found her in his arms. Gazing down, his heart stuttered at the sparkle of her eyes and the way her sweet lips popped open in surprise. A sight he would never tire of seeing, and one he quickly took advantage of.

Before she could get her feet underneath her, Travis swooped in and wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her up firmly against his chest. Harley sucked in a shocked gasp, but it was the last draw of air he allowed as his lips descended to hers. Her lips were so delicate, so soft and perfectly shaped to fit his. He'd only meant to touch them in a light, teasing greeting of a kiss, but when he got the first taste of her, he couldn't resist flicking his tongue out to trace the smooth contours of her upper lip and feel that cute little dip in the middle. A shot of desire hit him hard in the chest as if she'd aimed it directly for his heart. It had only been a few hours since their little spat, but fuck...it might as well had been an eternity with how much he'd missed her in that short time.

He felt the velvety whimper of her surrender against his mouth. Burying his fingers in her hair, he deepened the kiss and poured his soul into it. Enfolding one of his arms around her shoulders, he hauled her closer to him. The silky shirt she wore snagged on the rough callouses of his hand, tugging it to reveal a patch of bared skin for his other hand lingering at her waist to glide over. The feel of her was smooth under Travis's palm, and warm against his fingertips.

She shifted in his arms, moving and wiggling closer, and he realized Harley's lips were seeking his as desperately as he sought hers. With a low growl in the back of his throat, he clenched her tightly and bent her body back into a sweet arch that pressed her crotch firmly against his aching erection. Dipping his tongue deep into her mouth, he savored the taste of chocolate and the way she shivered against his body. He slid his other hand to join its partner and stroked the perfect curve of her ass. Harley let out a sound that was feminine, yet rough and gloriously uncivilized. The resonance drove him closer to the brink. He wanted to take that slippery top off and shimmy her out of those jeans. He wanted to lift her up and wrap those legs around his waist while he thrust deep inside her and plunged them both over the edge.

Harley waggled temptingly against his cock, and he felt his lust start to spiral out of control as her heat seared him through his jeans. He was so hard. He thought he'd erupt in his pants if she squirmed one more time. With a hard shudder and a groan of reluctance, he released her lips. Pushing her hips gently but firmly away from his, he put some much-needed space between them before he did something that would end up with the both of them being arrested.

"Travis," she panted looking up at him. With her swollen pink lips and wide eyes, she looked like a sexy siren. An enchantress in tight blue jeans...tempting and sultry and sexy as hell. "Oh...sorry," she mumbled shyly.

"For what, sunshine?" Travis was having trouble thinking. His head was still spinning from that kiss, and he blamed the effect on all the blood having traveled to pool in his dick.

She flushed brightly and nodded at his midsection with a sheepish grin.

Glancing down, he frowned. When had his belt come undone? Jerking his dazed gaze at her, she gave him an unapologetic smile. "Hellcat," he murmured, quickly buckling his pants.

Harley let out a throaty laugh, twirling her hair in an effort to redo the ponytail he had tugged loose. Looking around the floor, he spotted the clip. Bending down, he plucked it up and offered it to her. "Looking for this?"

"Thanks." With a practiced hand, she clipped up her hair into place. Smoothing out her skirt, he caught the glance she sent his way out of the corner of her eye. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

Travis tore his stare away from how the silky material clung to her breasts long enough to cock an eyebrow. "Are you complaining?"

She snorted, shaking her head. "Hardly." Taking a step towards him, her fingers brushed his skin as she started fastening the buttons of his shirt. "I was just going to call you."

"You mean you were finally going to answer the twenty or so messages I left you?" Travis looked down to see his chest exposed nearly down to the waist. When the hell had she done that?

Her gaze flashed up to meet his before skittering away. Biting her lip, a little scowl marred her cute forehead as she concentrated on the buttons. Taking pity, he helped, which only slowed things down when their fingers became tangled together.

"I...uh...was not in the mood to talk." When she finished the last button, she let her fingers linger for a moment or two before she stepped away.

"And are you in the mood to talk now?" Travis asked, tucking his shirt into the waistband of his jeans, wincing as his hand accidentally brushed his still overly eager cock.

She turned to him, her eyes glittering with determination and her mouth set in a stubborn line. "Depends." Harley crossed her arms over her chest, a move that pushed her luscious breasts out towards him like a tempting treat, and he almost groaned. A blush still reddened her cheeks, and he didn't know if it was because of the passion they had just shared, the embarrassment of pawing each other in a packed bar, or if it was because she was still pissed. With a slight eye roll to himself, he guessed it was probably a combination of all three.

"Okay, I'll bite. Depends on what?" Travis kicked a boot up against the wall and leaned back watching her. Now that he was getting a better look, she appeared tense...and tired. Worry weaved its way through his gut. Gone was the woman he had kissed senseless a moment ago, and for the life of him, he couldn't think of a thing to say to her. On his way down to the Longhorn, he had rehearsed several different speeches, but now...he didn't have shit to say.

"Depends on if you are going to support my decision or not," she whispered.

"The rodeo," he bit out flatly. That event was becoming a real pain in his ass, charity or not.

"Yes."

He let out a long, frustrated sigh, scrubbing a palm over his face. "Come on, let me buy you a drink."

Harley opened her mouth to demand an answer, but she never got the chance to sputter a word before he grabbed her hand and started dragging her towards the table where Becca sat. Her blue eyes were popping wide, and her mouth gaped open as she watched them approach.

Woo-boy. Harley glanced around the crowded interior of the bar, seeing multiple pairs of eyes watching them. Some wore knowing smiles, while others leered with smug smirks and a few blew wolf whistles as they walked by. "Shit," she muttered under her breath, ducking her head as one cowboy gave Travis a thumbs up and slapped him on the back in congratulations.

What had she been thinking? Wasn't it bad enough she was already the talk of the town? Did she really need to feed the gossip grapevine like a shot of Miracle-Gro by acting like a hussy for everyone to see? Averting her gaze away from the crowd, they landed firmly on Travis's backside as he continued to drag her through the throng of people. A slow smile curved her lips at the way his Wranglers cupped his butt.

She couldn't help but admire the view. He was far more muscular than the normal rodeo cowboys she'd been accustomed to seeing over the years. Travis was built like a weight lifter, solid...powerful...and all hers. So what if she had practically molested him in public? She tilted her chin up a fraction as she sat in the chair Travis pulled out for her. If Cyndi was right, and the town was busy wagging their tongues about them having split up, then by God, they can just let everyone know they were definitely back together. It might not have been her finest moment, but it sent a clear message for Cyndi and the others. Travis Montgomery was her man, and officially off the market. For good...if things went her way tonight.

"What do you want?" Travis rumbled next to her. His eyes meeting hers with an intensity that shot straight to her core. Squeezing her legs together tight to ease the throb in her clit, she noticed the faint smile tweaking his lips. Leaning down, he breathed into her ear, "I meant to drink, sunshine." His lips were brushing lightly against her sensitive skin causing a shiver to skitter down her body.

"I'll take the usual," she managed to choke out while his devilish lips skirted the space behind her ear.

"Can I get you anything, Becca?" Travis asked politely.

"I'll have some of what she's having," Becca sighed, her wide eyes drooping dreamily while she stared at Travis.

"She'll have a pink squirrel." Harley gave her friend a slight push to wipe the look off her face. "Better make that a virgin pink squirrel," she corrected when Becca simply brushed her off and continued to make goo-goo eyes at Travis.

"I'll be right back," he said, chuckling as he sauntered off.

Both Becca and Harley watched the gentle swagger of his ass as he made his way towards the bar.

"Girl, you are one lucky son of a gun," Becca muttered, a wisp of jealousy tinging the edges of her words. Turning back to the table, she slugged the rest of her drink in one swallow.

Harley reached out and took her hand. "You could be too if you would step up and say something to Brady."

Becca's ears turned bright pink at the mention of the handsome cowboy's name. "He's not interested in me."

"That's not what Desi says. She seems to think he's pretty smitten with you."

"She only says that to embarrass me." Becca pulled her hand away and waved it dismissively in the air, giving Harley a smile she knew was forced. "Besides, he's never been anything other than friendly."

"Then take the initiative," Harley coaxed. "Ask him out for coffee or something."

An expression that alternated between embarrassment and horror crossed Becca's face. "I couldn't do that." Before Harley could argue, she held up her hand and shook her head. "Trust me; I am not his type."

"How do you know unless you put yourself out there?"

"I'm not like you and Desi. I don't have the same confidence you two do." Becca let out a heavy sigh that broke Harley's heart. "I've been on so many blind dates; I should get a free dog. They all end the same way. They take one look at me and either ignore me most of the evening or make their rescue call to one of their buddies to save them. Men all want runway models with perfect bodies, perky boobs, and shapely asses, not someone like me."

"You mean a curvy woman who is beautiful, vivacious, funny, charming and intelligent?"

"Sounds like my kind of woman," Travis said, swooping down to place a wet kiss on Harley's lips before setting their drinks on the table and taking a seat. "I'm a lucky man. I found all those qualities and so much more the day I met you, sunshine."

Becca shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I should go," she mumbled, gathering up her monstrous bag and fishing out her keys. "I forgot I needed to be at the rodeo grounds early tomorrow to help the 4-H kids set up their booth."

She started to go, and Harley stood up, grabbing her hand before she got far. "You don't have to leave. Stay, hang out with us."

"No, I really need to get going," Becca said, slinging her purse over her shoulder with a grunt. "Besides, you and lover boy have some talking to do so you can get things worked out." She gave Harley a wide smile and pulled her into a one-armed hug. "I'm fine. I just had a little too much to drink and got to feeling sorry for myself. You don't need a third wheel tonight."

"You're not a third wheel," Harley argued, giving her a scowl.

"I know you don't think so, and I love you all the more for it, but you two need time alone, and I really do need to be down at the fairgrounds early."

Suddenly, Harley didn't want to be alone with Travis. Worry nibbled at her thoughts. What if they weren't able to solve their differences? "You've had too much to drink to drive," she said, grasping at an excuse. "I'll give you a ride home. Just give me a minute to say goodbye to Travis and gather my things."

"Oh, you don't have to do that," Becca assured her. "I came with Desi. Either she or Max will give me a ride home."

"Are you sure?" Harley gave an anxious glance towards Travis. "It's no problem for me to give you a ride."

"Positive. I'll see you tomorrow at the rodeo." With one last hug, Becca turned and headed for the bar.

Harley watched as she leaned across the bar and spoke to Max who nodded his head. Together the two of them made their way towards the exit. Becca whirled and gave Harley a little thumbs up before following Max out to the parking lot.

"Was it something I said?" Travis asked, coming to stand beside her and wrapping an arm loosely around her waist.

Harley leaned her head on his solid chest, catching the clean laundry smell of his shirt and the masculine scent that was all Travis. A small lump formed in the back of her throat when she thought it might be a fragrance she would never smell again. "No, she said she had things to do in the morning before the rodeo starts," she said, pushing the negative thought from her mind. Things would work out between them...they had to.

"Speaking of the rodeo," Travis escorted her back to the table and helped her into a chair, "I think it's time we talked."

Harley felt as if the floor under her feet was about to open up and swallow her whole. "Yes...and?" She kept her voice steady, but inside she was quaking like a leaf.

His brows lowered until they almost came together and he looked like one of those angry bulls glaring at the world through the rails of the chute gate. "I don't suppose there's anything I can do to change your mind about participating?"

Travis watched as Harley shook her head no, and he felt his shoulders sag. He didn't think there would be, but it was worth a shot. Travis didn't necessarily want to win this argument as much as he just wanted to keep her safe. Picking up his beer, he took a slow, fortifying drink, assessing her carefully. He was trying to see past the hard shine of determination in hopes of seeing a smidgen of weakness, but, dammit, there wasn't a speck of it reflecting back at him. She was on the defensive, protecting her right to compete like a mother hen with a clutch of eggs. He needed to get them on some common ground, and fast.

"How about we compromise?" Travis suggested hopefully.

"What kind of compromise are you proposing, cowboy?" she asked, her eyes narrowing warily.

"We team up. Bring the ranches together and participate as one." He'd been tossing the idea around since their fight this afternoon in the barn. To him, it seemed like a perfect way to stay close to her side so he could keep a watchful eye on her and keep her safe. If he couldn't prevent her from partaking in the damn thing, then at least maybe he could sway her into letting him be with her.

She sat back in her chair, tossing her long ponytail over her shoulder in irritation, loosening a tempting tendril in the process that fell down the side of her face.

"I don't think so," she said, her brows shooting down into a frown. "Besides, it's too late to make those kinds of changes. I've already paid the dues for the Gypsy Rose, and everyone is signed up accordingly."

"We can always grease the wheels in our favor." He leaned towards her and rested one forearm on the table, while he reached out and brushed the lock of hair behind her ear. "Besides, I've won the rodeo enough times to have earned a few contingencies," he boasted. "If I ask them, they will allow a few last minute changes." He knew he was big enough to be intimidating to most women if need be, but Travis figured it was a waste of effort when it came to Harley. There wasn't a hint of fear in her entire being.

It's what made her so incredible in bed.

Travis wiped the errant thought out of his head and focused on the conversation. Winning an argument with the little minx took focus, and thinking about sex was a sure fire way to wreck his concentration.

She blew out a heavy breath of air. "Don't take this the wrong way, but the answer is still no. I don't want to team up with one of Wolf Springs's good-old-boys." Harley looked up at him with a cynical look in her eyes that was hard to miss and made him squirm a bit in his chair. "I need to do this on my own. I need to win this rodeo on my merits, not because Travis Montgomery and the Dusty Rose helped me win it." Her brows slanted down again, making a little crease appear between her eyes that Travis longed to kiss away. "I need to make my own name in this town, not live in the shadow of yours."

Now it was his turn to frown, her statement confusing him. "You have your own name, Harley. Just because we joined as a team doesn't change that."

She adamantly shook her head. "No, I don't. Not here. Here I'm the new girl who is dating one of the most eligible bachelors in Wolf Springs. Most people around here think I'm some kind of gold digger after your wealth and name...or that you are only with me as a sex experiment," she hissed out.

With his thumb, Travis stroked the top of her hand, trying to sooth her temper. "Forget them, sunshine. Let them talk, what do we care? You and I know the truth, and that's all that should matter."

She chewed her bottom lip, considering his words. "It's more than that, Travis. As much as I loved my dad, they still refer to the ranch as the Stewart place." She pulled her hand away from him and played with the glass of chocolate milk sitting in front of her. "I need to wipe away whatever stigma is attached to my home and make my own history. If I walk away, then it only proves I can be intimidated and bullied. I can't have that. I know you and the guys are worried about Rafferty, but it's something I feel I have to do. Not just for the ranch, but for myself. My success depends on securing a win at that rodeo, and it can't be because you helped me do it."

Travis bowed his head. What could he say to that? Not a damn thing, unless he was willing to tell her exactly what was going on. The temptation sat on the tip of his tongue, wanting to spill out, but one look at those violet eyes staring wide and pleading with him, and he swallowed it back. He wasn't blind. He could plainly see the weariness and tension highlighting her sweet face, and he couldn't bring himself to be responsible for adding more.

"Fine, have it your way." He gave a terse nod of his head. "But...on one condition."

"What's that?"

He scanned her face, noticing the smile behind her skepticism. The clever kitten thought she'd won, which in hindsight, she sort of did, but not to the extent she thought, but he would take a smile from her whenever he could get it. And right now, with everything that had been going on, that smile was more precious to him than gold.

"You have to dance with me." Travis stood up and offered his hand. He wasn't much of a dancer. In fact, it wasn't his style, but, for tonight, he was willing to make an exception. He just hoped she didn't notice his two left feet.

"Deal." Laughter bubbled up her throat as she stood and he led her to the crowded dance floor. Drawing her in his arms, the distance he'd been feeling between them closed as if they'd never been apart. Their bodies were melding against one another with a gentle swaying motion. Travis couldn't dance a lick to save his life, but here he was, dancing with his own personal Cinderella in his arms, hoping and praying midnight would never come.

Author's Note:

Hello everyone!

Sorry about the delay, my life has been in major upheaval lately. My son has decided move out. I know! My little boy is all grownup and is leaving the nest. (sucks back a sob)

Between house hunting and moving...I am such a mess. I thought I was ready for this, but nope...I keep blubbering every time I walk past his empty room. Sigh...

Anyway, I managed to finally finish this chapter. I tell ya, it took some serious effort on my part. LOL! I hope you enjoyed this latest installment of When Roses Collide, and if you liked it, you will consider giving it a vote.

I appreciate all of you who have and continue to hang in there with me. Pretty soon I hope to get my emotional issues together. I mean...it's not like he moved to another state! LOL! He's basically just a few miles down the road, but right now it feels like a million. But...I am going to pull myself out of this funk and trudge on. After all, we all need to know how this baby is going to end!

Sincerely,

K