Текст книги "Make Mine a Cowboy"

Автор книги: Sandy Sullivan

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 10 страниц)

Nina laughed. “Oh, if only it were so romantic. No. I hated him on sight. He was arrogant and self-riotous. But he kept coming back. We saw him several times over a two-year period. I came to realize he wanted to do what was best for us no matter what the government said we needed. He helped us in ways no one knew. I turned eighteen the last summer he came. We got to talking one day out by my parents barn. He reached over and kissed me. Shocked me somethin’ fierce. I didn’t know what to make of it. You see, I’d never been kissed before. I held onto my virginity like a sacred vow to the gods and I wasn’t going to give it up to just anyone. James swept me off my feet, but then he didn’t come back. I didn’t see him again for five years. He went back to Washington and left me in New Mexico without a word. He never wrote, never called, nothing.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was for the best. I wasn’t ready to be anything but a young girl when he was there during that summer, but when he returned I knew what I wanted. I wanted him and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I knew he liked me or he wouldn’t have kissed me.” She laughed. “I made him work for it though. No, I wasn’t easy to catch when he returned the bit older man. You see, he’s ten years my senior so at eighteen, I wasn’t old enough for him, but at twenty five, I knew what I wanted.” Nina took Mesa’s hand in hers. “All I’m saying is if you want Joel, don’t let him go. He might not be there when you’re ready for him.” Nina patted her hand and climbed to her feet. “I have a feeling there is more between you than either of you is willing to admit. Just don’t let it be too late. I got lucky.”

Nina moved off toward the house leaving Mesa to think things through on her own. Thinking wasn’t part of the plan though. Thinking meant she had to feel and she wasn’t sure she wanted to let her heart do the talking.

Chapter Eleven

The roar of the trucks sent tingles down her arms as they sat on the edge of the mud pit waiting for the signal. Joel sat in the driver’s seat with her buckled into the passenger seat. Her heart raced in excitement. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wondered if she really would get as muddy as Joel suggested. She kind of hoped so. This would be one hell of an experience to add to the authenticity of her cowboy romances.

“Ready?” he asked, flashing her a wide grin. His eyes sparkled like blue topaz in the dim light of the truck cab.

She could tell he was totally in his element here amongst his brothers and friends with their beer, trucks, mud to their elbows, and country music turned up so loud she could hardly understand the words.

“Yeah.” She gripped the oh shit handle so tight, her knuckles turned white.

The girl holding the flags on the other side of the pit threw her arms ups and they were off. Mud sprayed the sides of the trucks practically obliterating the view out the windows. They slipped and slid around in circles. Mesa laughed as Joel kept the truck upright. She never had so much fun in her life.

After they had their turn at the pit, they drank beer, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the open bonfire, told stories, and laughed until their stomachs hurt. Some of the trucks from town even came out when they heard the Young family was havin’ a muddin’ party.

Mesa had mud in her pants from when Joel tossed her in before diving in after her. Not to mention the muck in her hair, down her shirt and everywhere in between but she hated to see it end.

The mud had begun to dry on her skin, pulling it tight. She couldn’t wait to get back to her room and into a nice, warm shower. Her eyes began to droop as she snuggled up into the curve of Joel’s arms. He’d sat on the ground with his back against a rock, drawing her into the cocoon of his embrace.

“Ready for bed?”

“Hmm. Yeah, if you’re in it.”

“I hoped to be. I need a shower first though.”

“Me too.”

“How about we head back to my place, shower, make love, and sleep until noon tomorrow?”

“Yeah, right. You’ll be up with the chickens.”

“True, but one can dream, right? I wanna hold you tonight.”

“I need to stop by my room and get clean clothes then.”

“Okay.” He stood up, drawing her up with him. “We’re headin’ back to the house. See y’all in the mornin’.”

The good-natured ribbing brought a smile to her face. Not like anyone in the group knew for sure, but they had an idea what would happen when they made it to a bed.

“You got condoms, brother? I think you’re gonna need a few.”

“Don’t worry about me, Jeremiah. I’m prepared. Trust me.”

The group laughed as she blushed to the roots of her hair. Good thing they couldn’t see her face in the dark.

“We’re going to get the interior of your truck dirty.”

“It washes. I got leather interior for a reason. This is what we do around the Hill Country.”

“Tonight blew my mind, Joel. You guys were great. I can see why you love it here so much.”

“I do. It’s where I was born and raised. I can see bringing up my kids here.”

“You want kids?”

“Someday, yeah. A couple. Nothing like my parents. Wow. I couldn’t handle nine boys, I don’t think. I don’t know how they did it.”

“I can’t imagine it either. I mean I have a couple of siblings, but nine…”

They pulled up in front of the house. “I’ll just be a minute if you want to wait here.”

“I’ll walk with you. I’ve been walking this ground my whole life. I know every pot hole, rock, and nook in this yard, but there are still dangers of walking out here at night and I have a flashlight on my key ring for just this purpose.”

“Always prepared, huh?”

“I try to be, but you’ve thrown me for a loop more times than I can count.”

“Me?”

“Yes, ma’am. I wish I knew what to do with you.”

“Just love me.”

He tripped over a rock and she laughed.

“So much for knowin’ every rock.”

He grinned as he swatted her butt.

She took off at a run up the steps of the house and through the doorway. They laughed as he chased her up the stairs to her door. With a hand on either side of her head, he trapped her against the door.

“Now you’re mine.”

Her lips parted on a sigh. “I’ve been yours from the moment I rode behind you on your horse.”

“Are you, because I need to know.”

“Yes.”

He bent his head to take her lips in a soul-searing kiss meant to curl her toes, which it did. She tangled her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. His tongue tangled with hers, spreading warmth from her mouth to every part of her body. Her belly clenched in need. She needed this man with every breath in her body.

When he lifted his head, his eyes were darker blue and burning with lust. “We can shower here.”

“Let me get the door.”

“I want you, Mesa,” he whispered against her ear when she turned around to unlock the door. Shivers rolled down her back as goose bumps flittered across her arms.

They stumbled through the doorway.

“What the hell?” they said in unison.

Every drawer on all the future was open although nothing seemed disturbed in the drawers. She looked around the room, but nothing was missing.

“It had to be the ghosts.”

“Ghosts?”

“Yeah, they’ve been bugging me since I got here. Knocking on my door when there is no one there, voices, arguing, the cowboy who disappeared.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. You know about them, right?”

“Yes. They don’t usually bug people or do this kind of stuff though. They get a little noisy sometimes, but I’ve never had them open drawers like this.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re here. He won’t bug me tonight.”

“He?”

“Yeah, the cowboy or the guy who argues with the women next door. I think it’s her knocking on my door sometimes, but I’m not sure. There isn’t anyone there when I answer.”

“You’re okay with all this?”

She shrugged as she removed his cowboy hat and threw it on the bed. “I have to be, Joel. They are part of this house. If they leave me alone, I’m fine with sharing their space.”

“You’re an amazing woman, Mesa.”

“Thank you, now get naked.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned, unzipping and stepping out of his jeans after he pushed them to the floor.

His full length made her mouth water to taste, but she burst out laughing.

* * * *

“What the hell is so funny?” he asked indignation rushing through him while he watched Mesa double over in a fit of giggles.

“You…mud…on…your…”

He smiled when he looked down and saw mud caked on his cock. Well, it wasn’t a good muddin’ trip if there wasn’t mud everywhere. “Shower now, woman.”

She continued to laugh as she removed her clothes and left them in a pile on the wood floor so they wouldn’t get the carpet dirty with the mud. Too late. It seemed to be everywhere.

He followed her into the bathroom and began rubbing his hard cock between her butt cheeks while she adjusted the temperature on the shower until the water seemed warm enough. “Easy, big boy.”

“Hell no. I’m fuckin’ you in the shower against the tile wall.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep.”

“Let’s get the mud and crud out of my hair before we do the nasty.”

“The nasty, huh?”

“Of course. Haven’t you heard the term before?”

He laughed. “Not put like that, I haven’t.” Her butt looked delectable when she turned around to wash her face. He squeezed a cheek as a moan escaped his mouth. What he wouldn’t give to bury his cock in between those hot little cheeks. Would she let him eventually? Interesting thought.

After she spun around to wash her hair, he grabbed the soap to lather up her breasts. Man, she has pretty tits, too. “I love your tits.”

“Breasts, Joel,” she said rising her hair while he enjoyed himself with the soap. “Women don’t like them called tits. It’s vulgar.”

“What about this?” he asked, sliding his hand down between her legs.

“Pussy is fine by me, but I don’t like cunt.”

“Fine. I want your pussy squeezing me.”

“I want that too.”

“Are you wet for me?”

“Fuck yes.” She moaned, tossing her head back as he worked her pussy with his fingers.

Her hard little clit poked out for his touch. He wanted to eat her until she creamed all over his face, but for now, he was going to fuck her against the wall.

He twirled her around so he could wash himself real quick. He wanted to get down to the good stuff in short order. She laughed when he washed his hair and body in record time.

“Anxious are we?”

“Horny would be a better word for it,” he said, rinsing the last of the soap from his chest. He leaned down and kissed her as he wrapped her in his arms. God, I love kissing her, touching her…loving her. Where the hell did that thought come from? I don’t love her. I can’t. She’s leaving in a couple of days.

“What’s wrong?” she asked when he cut the kiss short.

Joel shook his head and leaned back down to kiss her again as he whispered, “Nothin’.” He slid his tongue past her lips to tangle with hers. With his fingers, he pinched her nipples into hard little points like he knew she enjoyed. His little city girl liked a little pain with her sex. A soft moan escaped her mouth around their kiss. He lifted her with both hands on her butt cheeks until she wrapped her legs around his hips and pushed her against the wall of the shower. “Give me everythin’, darlin’.”

“You have everything, Joel.”

I want your heart.

He nudged his cock against her opening and slowly slid as deep as he could possibly get. “Aw, fuck.”

“Do it. Fuck me.”

He braced his feet wide apart so they didn’t slip in the shower and fucked her until she screamed his name on a prayer.

His balls drew up against his groin and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. She needed to come again before he let go.

“Play with your clit.”

“What?” she asked in a panting whisper.

“Play with your clit. Make yourself come again.”

“But…”

“Do it now.”

She snaked her hand down between their joined bodies until she reached her clit. With her head back against the shower stall, she completely lost herself in the pleasure she built with her fingers while he slowly guided his cock in and out. God, she’s beautiful. “Come for me, darlin’.”

A high scream echoed off the stall doors when she climaxed the second time, drawing his own from deep inside his body to explode inside her with gushing spurts. His legs shook as he tried desperately to draw air into his starving lungs.

“Oh my God.”

“Yeah, you can say that again.” He slowly let her legs down and helped her stand on her own two feet. “You’re fabulous.”

“You are pretty good yourself.”

They quickly washed the cum from their bodies before they climbed out and dried off. “Do you want to stay here instead of going to your place?”

“I can make you scream more at my place. No neighbors.”

“True. I’m not quite done with you yet, cowboy.”

“Good. I ain’t nearly done with you yet, city girl.”

They got dressed and then snuck down the stairs, listening for any noise from the family to know whether they’d come back from the muddin’ party. She giggled like a child as they sprinted toward the door on tiptoes, trying to be quiet even though he didn’t think anyone had come home yet.

He pulled the door open to come face to face with Jeff.

“Where the hell are you goin’?”

“Back to my place. Later, brother.”

Jeff just shook his head as they went around him laughing as they took off running hand in hand toward his truck.

“We can’t take this, Joel. It’s full of mud on the seats.”

“Let’s take your car then.”

“Let’s just stay here.”

“Fine by me, babe. I just didn’t think you wanted everyone in the house to know how loud you get when you come.”

“Let’s take my car.” She pulled the keys from her purse and unlocked her car that sat two spots down from his truck.

It only took a few minutes for them to reach his cabin, get inside and strip down to skin. He loved having her close. There’s that word again. I am not in love with Mesa.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothin’, why?”

“You’re frowning as you look at me. It’s kind of hard on the ego, you know.”

“Sorry. I just had a thought.”

“What?”

“It’s nothin’, really. I’m sad you’re leavin’ in a couple of days.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Let’s not think about it right now. Okay? I wanna love you all night long.”

“An all-nighter, huh?”

“Oh yeah.” He drew her down in front of the fireplace.

“Too bad it’s too warm for a fire. I’ve always wanted to make love in front of a fire.”

He held up one finger. “Wait right there.” He walked to the thermostat and cranked up the air conditioning. “Now, it’ll get cold in here so we can have a fire.” The fireplace was gas logs so he just hit the switch and ignited the thing. “How’s that?” he asked, snuggling down on the rug and pulling her into the crook of his arm. Nothing like a willing female to appreciate in front of a roaring fire.

“Perfect. Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Me too. I love the way the firelight bounces color off your skin.”

“My pale skin, you mean.”

“No.” He kissed her shoulder and run his tongue along the curve until he reached her neck. “You have fabulous skin. All soft beneath my tongue. I love your taste.”

“I didn’t realize I had a taste.”

“You do. Sweet with a little tang. It’s addicting.”

“Is it?”

“Yep.”

She turned around in his arms until she rose up on her knees between his legs. “I like your taste, too.” Her tongue danced along his jaw until she reached his ear. “I could fall in love with you so easily.”

He pushed her back and looked into her eyes. Sincerity and insecurity shone bright in her gaze. Did she really mean what she said? Was she in love with him? What about his feelings for her? Did he feel love for this enigma of a woman who’d turned his life upside down since he found her on the side of the road?

“Don’t freak, Joel. I just meant if we had more time.”

He exhaled on a rush.

“Make love to me.”

He pushed her back on the rug and kissed her from the tip of her nose, over her shoulder, across her breasts, down her abdomen, settling between her legs. “I’m gonna eat you until you cream for me.”

She moaned softly and closed her eyes.

Her pussy glistened with her juices in the firelight as he looked at all the pink flesh. She wasn’t a waxer, but she obviously kept it well clipped. No stray hairs anywhere. Funny he hadn’t really noticed before.

“What are you doing?”

“Lookin’ my fill. You are so gorgeous, you take my breath away.”

“It’s bit disconcerting to have a man between your legs just so he can look.”

“We like to look.” He licked from pussy to clit in one long stroke.

Her head fell back on the carpeted floor as she growled deep in her throat.

He loved the way she tasted, too. He loved everything about her. God, I’m so screwed.

Not willing to give into the feelings surging through him at the moment, he loved her until she came twice by his tongue and his fingers. He moved up between her thighs. With one skillful snap of his hips, he buried his cock so deep inside her, he knew he’d come home.

* * * *

 

Two days later Mesa stood at the side of her car as Joel loaded her suitcases. Nina hugged her with tears in her eyes. “You know you can come back anytime, honey. You’ll always be welcome.”

“Thanks, Nina, but I’m not sure I can.”

“He loves you, you know.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“He’s just bein’ stubborn. He’s a man after all.”

“I know, but I don’t think things would work out between us even if I were here permanently. We’re too different.”

“Wait and see.”

“Everythin’ is in the trunk, Mesa.”

“Thanks, Joel.”

“I’ll leave you two to your goodbyes. You take care, honey. Call and let us know you got home all right. I’ll worry until you do.”

Nina hugged her again. “Thank you for everything,” she whispered in the older woman’s ear.

“You’re welcome.”

Joel stood off to the side with his hands in his pockets until his mother walked back to the house. “Come ’ere.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she hugged him close to her heart. She loved him. She knew she did, but she couldn’t give up her life in Los Angeles to move to a small town in Texas and she couldn’t ask him to leave the only life he knew to do what? He would be so out of place in Los Angeles, it would be comical.

He moved back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Don’t cry, darlin’.”

“I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’m gonna miss you too.” He glanced at his watch. “You better get goin’ or you’ll miss your flight.”

She closed her eyes and sniffed, holding back the tears without success. “Bye, Joel.”

“Bye, darlin’.”

Chapter Twelve

“You’re being an asshole, Joel. Go fuckin’ get laid or something!” Jonathan yelled as the two of them stood toe-to-toe in the barn.

He knew his brother was right. He’d been a total dick the last few weeks, but he didn’t know what to do to fix it. “Fuck you.”

“Go find some chick to fuck and get it over with. Mesa left. You didn’t stop her. It’s your own damn fault you let her get away and now you’re miserable. You’re totally in love with her.”

“I’m not in love with her, damn it!”

“The hell you aren’t. Look at yourself. You barely eat, you aren’t sleepin’, and I bet you haven’t been able to fuck another woman since she left.”

“What difference does that make?”

“You couldn’t could you? You tried and you couldn’t get it up.”

“Get the hell away from me before I kick your ass.”

“Try it!” Jonathan put up his fists and backed up. “I’m waiting.”

“You aren’t worth the bruise on my knuckles.” He stomped off, heading for the peace and quiet of the main lodge. Guests were few this week, so he should be able to sulk in private. He hoped.

A few moments later, he stood by the window of the main lodge looking out over the front of the house. He hadn’t talked to Mesa in a month, not since she walked out of his life. Miserable would describe his state of mind since she left. His life had come down to this, up at dawn, ride the fences, help his brother break horses, feed the animals, and mope the evening away with a bottle of beer and his television. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep and certainly couldn’t even think about being with another woman. He’d tried that. The weekend after she left, he’d gotten drunk at the bar in town, took someone home and then couldn’t preform. The woman had left pissed.

“Son, why don’t you call her?”

“Because I can’t, Ma. She doesn’t love me.”

“I think you’re wrong.”

“Why wouldn’t she say it then?” he asked, turning to face her.

“She’s just as stubborn as you are.” Nina jammed her hands on her hips to take up her I’m-the-mother-so-listen-to-what-I’m-telling-you look. “Did you tell her you love her?”

“No.”

“Then why would she say it first? Why do you think it’s up to her to tell you, but you couldn’t tell her?”

“I’m not in love with her, Ma.”

“You really believe that, son? You’ve been miserable since she left. I’ve seen the way you mope around here like someone killed your dog. Give it up. I don’t know if you think to convince me or yourself with that statement, but it won’t work on me.” She hugged him and stepped back. “You love her, Joel. It’s written all over your face. You were happy when she was here. Go after her. Convince her you love her and bring her back home where she belongs. If you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “I love you, son, but you’re drivin’ us all nuts with this.”

* * * *

Four weeks. It had been four damned weeks since she left Bandera and Joel. Mesa buried her faced in the pillow on her couch. She hadn’t been able to eat, couldn’t sleep, didn’t want to do anything but dream of Joel where he visited every night. She was miserable. “This is fuckin’ crazy!”

Her phone rang, but she didn’t feel like answering it. Every time it rang the one person she wanted to talk to wasn’t there. She’d made sure he had her phone number when she left, but so far, he hadn’t used it. Obviously, he’d moved on without her. She needed to do the same. She just couldn’t seem to breathe without thinking about him.

Her answering machine picked up and she heard the voice of her agent. “Mesa, darling. I need to talk to you about this book you sent me. Please pick up.”

“All right, Mesa. I hate to say this, honey, but we can’t publish this. We write romance. This doesn’t have a happily ever after, honey. The heroine is miserable and we can’t sell this to anyone. You are a talented woman beyond words, but this won’t sell. You need to rewrite the ending. I’ll call you this afternoon.”

“I wish I fucking could!” she screamed at the answering machine, bursting into tears. “God, I wish it had a happy ending. I want my happy ending.”

“Never mind. I’m at your door. We need to talk now.”

The phone clicked indicating the woman had hung up just as the doorbell rang.

“Just fucking great.” She buried her head in the pillow. “Maybe if I don’t answer it, she’ll leave.”

“I know you’re in there, Mesa. Your car is in the driveway. Open the door, honey.”

Mesa sighed and climbed to her feet. She was just going to have to get this meeting over with so she could wallow in peace. “I’m coming!” she yelled as the doorbell rang again. “What do you want, Madeline?”

“You look like shit, darling. What the hell happened to you?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, something definitely. I’ve never seen you like this,” Madeline said, shoving past her to enter her hallway. “Like I said on the phone, we can’t sell this piece with this ending, Mesa. It won’t do.”

“I’m sorry, but it is what it is.”

“You need to rewrite it. The hero and heroine have to come together somehow. Make him show up on her doorstep begging for her forgiveness and confessing his love. It’s romantic. It’s fun. It’s what it needs.”

Mesa closed her eyes as she exhaled a deep sigh. “I just can’t right now, Madeline. Maybe in a few weeks I’ll get over this melancholy me and be able to give them their happy ending.”

“Honey, what happened in Texas?”

“Nothing.”

“You look like someone died, darling.”

“No. No one died. I’ll get over it. I’ll be back on track in no time. You’ll see.”

“A man?”

Her eyes widened. Surely Madeline couldn’t tell she had a man on the brain, could she?

“I’m fine really. Thanks for stopping by.” She pushed Madeline toward the door. “I’ll call you next week. We can do lunch.”

“All right. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure. Thank you for being worried about me.”

“Call me if you need anything. All right?”

“I will.” She shut the door behind her agent and pressed her back against the wood panel. She really needed to get over Joel, now. “Enough. I can’t keep doing this.” She swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. “He obviously didn’t love me. It was nothing more than a quick fling like he said from the beginning. I should never have let my heart get involved. Big mistake from the get go.”

The doorbell rang, echoing the sound throughout her apartment until she wanted to scream. Bong. Bong. Whoever was out there wasn’t going away until she answered the damn door.

“What?” she yelled as she opened the door to find a deliveryman.

“Ms. Arraguso?”

“Yes?”

He handed her the clipboard. “Sign here.”

She signed her name and he handed her a single red rose. “That’s it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He walked away while she looked at the flower. How weird. Maybe it’s from a fan. She closed the door and walked into her kitchen to set the beautiful blood red bud down. She needed a drink. Something strong. Lots of alcohol to drown her breaking heart in.

She poured whiskey straight from the bottle into a glass and then looked at the flower again. Something odd caught her attention, and she frowned as peered closer at the flower. “What the hell? There’s writing on the petals.”

She slowly peeled the silky layers back.

I can’t eat.

I can’t sleep.

I miss you.

I’m miserable without you.

The last one said…I love you.

A soft knock sounded on the front door as she stood there in shocked silence. Not even aware of what she was doing, she moved to the door and opened it to find Joel standing there in all his cowboy glory with eleven more blood red roses clutched in his hands. She let her gaze roam over him from the top of his black Stetson to the tips of the dirty cowboy boots. He looked good enough to eat.

“Do the tears mean you missed me, too?” he asked, his blue eyes hopeful.

“God, did I miss you!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the pent up passion and love she held in her heart for this crazy man. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” She punctuated each phrase with a kiss.

She heard the rest of the bouquet crunch to the carpet as he pulled her arms from around his neck and dropped to one knee. “Mesa, baby. Will you marry me?”

Mesa covered her mouth as more tears streamed down her cheeks. “Yes. I’ll marry you. When? Where? Right now? Let’s go to Vegas. We can be married today. It’s only a four hour drive.”

“Slow down, baby. I’d marry you today, but my family would kill me.”

She stuck out her lip in a small pout, hoping he would give in. They could be married before the end of the day.

“I love you, Mesa.”

“I love you too, Joel.”

“We have to wait.”

“Why?”

“Because, I want to marry you in front of everyone. All my brothers, your family. Everyone.” He grinned his heart-stopping grin. “But we can start the honeymoon now.”

“Really?”

“Oh hell yeah!”

He swept her up in his arms before he kicked the door shut with his boot. “Where’s your bedroom?”

“Down the hall, cowboy.”

“I’m gonna make you scream, city girl.”

“Promise?”

“Promise with all my heart and soul.”