Maria downed that martini out of principle, but she regretted the decision almost instantly as the vodka sloshes around in her empty stomach. She didn’t get anything to eat before she left her mom’s house this morning and although she threw up all of the tequila in there her stomach is still a little queasy. Her plan had been to sit down at the bar and order a glass of ice water. Then hopefully there would be a small bar menu and she could get an appetizer or salad. Something light and not too heavy. The last thing she wants is a mass of food sitting in her stomach before hopping on a plane. No thank you. Instead, that major dickbag had to cause a scene and her plan went flying out the window.

After stalking through the airport for five minutes, she stops dead in her tracks. She was so set on making an epic departure that she didn’t even pay attention to where she was going. Way to go, Maria, you’re a real badass now. Her backpack slips down her arm as some chick bashes her way past. Her heels click-clack on the floor as she loudly yammers on her cell phone.

Maria catches the tail end of her high-pitched voice as she says, “…so rude. I don’t understand how people can be so dumb. You don’t just stop in the middle of the aisle in an airport. Not that I expect intelligence from someone wearing dirty raggy clothes.”

Did that seriously just happen?

What is with these people in this godforsaken airport? She hikes her backpack back up on her arm and takes off toward little miss socialite. Flight be damned. Her anger gets the best of her and Maria finds herself cursing in her native Spanish. She does take after her mother in that sense.

She takes one step toward the bitch on her phone but can’t go any further as someone wraps their large hand around her arm and holds her in place. “Are you fuc⎯” Her words get caught in her throat as her eyes trail over the smoking hot cowboy from the bar.

He’s a got a giant smirk on his face when he says, “I don’t know what to think about you, but you sure do like to get yourself into trouble don’t you?”

Forcefully pulling on her arm, she wiggles out of his grip and replies, “It’s not my fault this airport is full of a bunch of dickbags. I just need to get back home and as far away from this place as humanly possible. Not that you would understand what that’s like Cowboy.” She cringes slightly at her use of the word home but ignores the digging feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“What wouldn’t I understand?”

“Well, you’re probably used to assholes like this.” She motions around to the entire airport. “Not that I know for sure but just a wild guess from your get up, you’re from around here.”

“My get up?”

Nodding she points to him from his head to toes. “Yeah, your cowboy boots and hat.”

He glances down at his clothing like he forgot what he was wearing and back at Maria. “So only someone that lives in Texas can be dressed like this? That’s a little stereotypical don’t you think?”

“Hey, I’m not the one dressed like that in Texas, now am I?” She asks with a shrug.

“You have a point, but I could be heading back home, maybe I just came to visit some family and these were gifts.”

Shit, she didn’t think of that. Maria digs the toe of her threadbare Converse into the dirty airport carpet. Less than a few inches away from her is what can only be described as a giant vomit stain. Her cheeks redden at her slight embarrassment and she asks, “Is that true?”

He stares right into her eyes and a bolt of electricity shoots right through her. She allows herself to really look at him and she’s shocked she didn’t pay attention to his appearance until now. Where the hell is a cold shower when you need one? His eyes smolder and darken as his tongue slides out and he runs it along his bottom lip. Fuck. She can’t say she’s ever felt the urge to climb a man from a single look before, but shit that’s fucking hot.

But his looks? Ever watch that show Prison Break? Holy Michael Scofield in a cowboy hat. Maria can’t even count the number of naughty fantasies she’s had involving Wentworth Miller, but seeing his real-life doppelgänger up close and personal? Nothing can compare. The sinful things running through her mind involving this stranger are kind of ridiculous. But she’ll keep those thoughts to herself. It’s not like she’s going to hook up with this guy. One night stands were sworn off long ago. Now the only action she ever sees is with her trusty pal B.O.B.

Cowboy smiles, pulling her from her perverse musings. What were they talking about?

“Nope. I was born and in raised in East Texas,” he says as he tips his hat.

Oh right. He was giving her shit about assumptions. Which she might add, happen to be true. But what does he expect? They’re in the Dallas airport and he’s, well, dressed like a cowboy. Of course, she’s going to assume he’s from here. That’s not so far-fetched.

“You ran out so fast back there that I didn’t get your name,” he says with the biggest grin on his face.

Back there. She almost forgot about what happened in the little bar. “You know I should beat you up for what you pulled back there.” She points behind them in the direction they both came from.

A screaming child runs full force toward them and almost slams right into Maria. Thinking quick on his feet, the cowboy gently tugs on her elbow and pulls her near a drinking fountain on the wall.

Out of harm’s way he asks, “For what I pulled?”

“Yeah. I am fully capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need some random dude swooping in and trying to save the day. Again.” She adds that last bit with a pointed glare and says, “No damsels in distress here.”

“I apologize ma’am. My mama raised me to always do the right thing and when I see some dick treating a lady that way, I can’t just sit there and watch.”

“A lady?” She doesn’t know whether she should laugh, cry, or be angry. If there’s one thing that Maria has never been accused of, that’s of being a lady. “That’s really rich. You obviously don’t know me if you think I’m a fucking lady.”

“Do you think your cursing is going to shock me or something? If anything, it’s a major turn-off.”

“Good. I don’t want to give you the wrong idea here, buddy. I’m not the kind of woman you bring home to your mama. Never have been and never will be.”

“Not that I was asking, but I’m sure that’s not the truth.”

There’s really no point in arguing with him at this point. He’s already made up his mind it would seem. She shakes her head and turns away. “Well, it was…an experience…getting to know you, Cowboy. I hope you enjoy your flight and make it to wherever you’re headed, but I need to go find my gate before I miss mine. Have a nice life.”

“It’s Rhett,” he yells from behind her.

She doesn’t turn back around and instead heads further away from him. Yelling, “Who cares.” As she walks away. Fuck if she knows if she’s heading in the right way this time but she’d rather not let him catch up. She slides her crumpled boarding pass out of her front pocket and glances at the gate numbers up ahead. She’s got exactly five minutes until her flight starts boarding and fortunately she’s heading in the right way. That’s at least one right thing she’s done today.