Ropin' Eli — Shara Azod

Gilly is sick and tired of Eli Travis treating her like a damn boy. She's going to force him to recognize she's a fully grown woman, one way or another. Donning her skimpiest dress and highest heels, Gilly flounces her bountiful curves right in front of his face, then proceeds to ignore him. Let the hard-headed cowboy take that!

When the hell did Gilly grow up, and what the hell is she doing going out dressed to catch a man? As far as Eli is concerned, there will be only one man in Gilly's life, and damn it, that man is him.


Regardless of the bravado she had feasted on a few seconds earlier to build up her courage, Gilly had never done something like this before. Her entire twenty-five years had been spent in jeans around anyone who really knew her. Alone in her room at night she'd practiced walking and dancing in heels until she could spin on a needle-point heel like a pro, but she'd never done it in public. If it wasn't for the fact that Mya, her best friend in the whole world, was waiting for her in the driveway, there was no way in hell she could have pulled this off. Mya had called as soon as she'd driven up to the ranch. Gilly had told her to give her ten, and then come to the door. Only a few more minutes and she could safely escape without having to acknowledge her nemesis.

“Just came in to say 'bye, Daddy.” Bending down so Eli got a really good look at her behind, sans panty line thank you very much, she pecked her father's cheek before glancing in the general direction of his oldest friend. “Mr. Travis, it's nice to see you again. Y'all have a good night. Daddy, don't wait up.”

She didn't dare look behind at the man seated across from her father. If he was mocking her with those damn eyes she would wilt, right after she skewered him. As if the heavens decided to be kind, the doorbell rang. Right on time.

“That's my ride,” she sang with semi-false brightness. She executed a heel pivot she had practiced for so long and skipped toward the door, but not before she heard Eli's indignant response.

“You're gonna let her go out looking like that?” Well now, that was downright interesting. Eli sounded like he wanted to spit nails. Perfect. She slowed her step just a little.

“Gilly's a fully grown woman. Don't see that I can stop her.” Oh, she just wanted to kiss her dad. Although the laughter in his voice was carefully disguised, she heard it nonetheless. But then, that was her daddy. She had long since given up trying to put one over on him.

“I thought she looked right nice.” That was from Eli's dad. She couldn't be sure, but she could have sworn she heard a little laughter in his voice too.

“She's a child!” Eli exploded, obviously forgetting who the hell he was talking to. “She can't be let out looking like that.”

“What exactly are you trying to say about my daughter, Eli?” Her father wasn't laughing now. Eli had better tread carefully answering that one. Oh well, she'd heard what she wanted to hear. With a bounce in her step she went to meet her friend. Ha! Let him stew.