Cowboy Bargain (The Dalton Boys Book 2) (6 page)

Momma descended the stairs swiftly, having regained her girl-like agility after being laid up with a broken ankle. “Charlotte’s inside and Hank’s with the horses. Witt’s with him.”

“And Manny?”

Pa glanced in the other direction, and Manny suddenly appeared, his face burning with happiness.

Maya tore from Cash’s hold and rushed across the yard into his outstretched arms. He caught her, lifting her off her feet. They exchanged a volley of words in Spanish, but it was evident to all of them how elated they were to be reunited.

Cash’s chest was tight as he watched. Manny set her on her feet and clasped her face in his hands, staring at her for what seemed like a minute. Very slowly he kissed her forehead. When he released her, she turned to look at Cash.

They shared a private smile.

Out of the corner of his eye, Cash caught Momma’s radars go up. She turned to the screen door and called to Charlotte before crossing the yard to Maya.

“Welcome to the Paradise Valley Ranch, dear. I hope you’ll be comfortable here,” Momma said.

She’ll be comfortable—in my bed.
Cash walked to the back of the truck and retrieved Maya’s suitcase.

“Where the hell’d you get that ugly thing? Did you make a stop at Aunt Diane’s?” Hank drawled from behind.

“Har-har,” Cash said flatly, though he agreed the damn ugly thing could have been found in one of Aunt Diane’s closets.

Hank slapped him on the shoulder as Witt flanked his other side. No one seemed surprised to see Maya standing in the middle of the yard, though Witt perked up and straightened his hat.

Charlotte came out with a smile and wave for her husband.

Cash set down Maya’s luggage and strode to her side. Without considering what he was about to do, he grabbed Maya, bent her over his arm and kissed her.

As he crushed her lips under his, she issued a moan that was barely audible even to him. He angled his head and made a shallow swipe of her mouth with his tongue. Enough to show his brothers who the gorgeous little woman belonged to.

When he stood Maya on her feet again, she was flushed and Momma was grinning.

“Got an introduction and an announcement.” Cash looked from one family member to the next. “This is Maya. Manny’s daughter, which you all can see. And soon to be my wife.”

* * *

Maya felt like a bug pinned under the gazes of so many Daltons. She clenched her hands into fists, ready to beat her new fiancé for being high-handed once again.

When he pinched her bottom, she squealed.

“Oh Cash, the poor girl doesn’t need you being frisky. Now let me at my future daughter-in-law.” Mrs. Dalton enveloped Maya in her arms. As her face was pressed against starched cotton, emotion bubbled in her chest. She’d been alone for so long that human touch was foreign.

Except Cash’s. He was right—the chemistry between them was unusual. Maya would never have allowed him such liberties if she hadn’t felt the same attraction.

Too bad he wasn’t going to live long enough to know how good they could be together. Maya was going to smother him with a pillow first chance she got. She sent him a glare, and he grinned in return.

Every fine Dalton man came forward to hug her or plant a kiss on her cheek, surprising her. Finally a small woman with curly hair and shining eyes took her hands.

“I’m Charlotte, Hank’s wife. Don’t let them scare you. They’re a wonderful family.”

Maya smiled and nodded, but inside she was seething. Now they all believed she was eager to marry Cash. Shouldn’t she have the right to say?

Papa was next, lifting her off her feet and making her feel like a child again. She shook off the feeling, needing to take charge of her own life. She was going to grab her insolent cowboy
fiancé
and set him straight.

“Thank you all on behalf of my daughter and myself. She’ll make a fine addition to your family.” Pride oozed from Papa’s tone, choking her up.

When he snaked an arm around her shoulders and led her away from the yard, she was grateful to be out of the spotlight. Her face felt hot and her heartbeat drummed in her temples.

She was also glad to be away from Cash’s yearning stare. Every muscle in his body spoke of how bad he wanted to finish what they’d started that morning. While her hormones were yelling like a cheerleader on drugs, she’d do things her way.

Her father turned her into his arms. Under her cheek, his shirt felt rough, as if he’d left it in the sun to dry. “I’m so happy to have you with me, Maya.”

“Me too, Papa.”

“Cash is a good man.”

A good man who is also insufferable and bossy.

And a fabulous kisser.

Could she break her father’s heart by telling him she hadn’t yet agreed to marry Cash? No, she’d set things straight with Cash first.

She nodded. Then her father walked with her, showing her around the grounds and where he slept. She wondered if Cash intended to plant her in his bed tonight.

Before she had a chance to ask him, Mrs. Dalton swooped in and commanded her attention, giving her a tour of the house and seating her at the long kitchen counter for a glass of juice and an apple muffin. Charlotte plied her with stories about the house she and Hank were building.

Maya’s head spun. By the time Cash and his brothers stampeded into the kitchen for lunch, Maya felt too wrung out to give him the tongue-lashing he deserved.

Besides, he was looking at her that way again.

Chapter Five

Cash threw himself into ranch work. He made the circuit to the pastures and refilled water tanks through a hose and tank system in the back of an old truck, then he helped Witt with one of the horses they’d been breaking. Finally, he headed up to the new construction with Hank, tool belt slung on his hips, glad for a spell of peace with his quieter brother.

Confiding in Witt would result in that brother trying to fix every problem for him. He was known for trying to get the job done himself. Kade was the soft-hearted one of the bunch, and would see Maya’s view. But that wouldn’t exactly help Cash make things right for her. And Beck was too busy haunting Vixen—and a certain young woman there.

“Maya’s pretty,” Hank said right off.

“Yeah.” More than pretty. She set him on fire.

“Is she better than the girl you tried to woo in the hotel?”

Cash’s brows drew together? “Who?”

A knowing look crossed Hank’s face. “Ah, so it’s that way.”

“What way?” Cash shoved a bunch of nails between his teeth to keep from having to speak. He bent over some boards and began arranging them into the right shape to build a bathroom wall.

“I felt the same about Charlotte, you know.”

Cash’s ears paid attention, but he didn’t respond with more than a few hammer blows.

Hank went on. “It’s crazy to think I fell in love with Charlotte when I put her in my truck after her car broke down, but I think I did. She mesmerized me.”

Cash couldn’t grind his teeth the way he wanted because he’d break off all his front teeth on the nails. Maya didn’t just mesmerize him—she was in his damn blood. He needed more, more, more. He wanted her eyes shining as she came apart in his arms. And he wanted her to actually say yes to his proposal, dammit. He was beginning to feel a little humiliated that she hadn’t said the words yet.

Now she was boiling mad at him. At lunch, the flash of her dark eyes had said it all. He gave her credit, though—she hadn’t told him off in front of his family. Later, he could look forward to coaxing moans from her instead of harsh words.

“Didn’t know a man could smile with nails in his mouth,” Hank remarked.

Cash removed them one by one and sank them into the wood. When his mouth was clear, he said, “She’s damn feisty.”

“I can see that.”

Cash wished he had the nails back. He didn’t want his brothers admiring Maya’s spirit, even his married brother. “She’s already giving me a rough ride.”

“Why’s that?”

“She didn’t actually agree to marry me.”

Hank gaped at him, open-mouthed for a second. Then he threw his head back and laughed until his hat fell off. Cash positioned a few more two-by-fours in the wall before he sat back and said, “You about done laughin’ at me?”

“Hell no. You didn’t ask her to marry you?”

“I asked. Several times.”

“You were only gone a day, bro.”

“Yeah, and if she were a horse, I’d have her saddle-broke by now.”

Hank snorted. “You think a woman’s like a horse? No wonder she said no to your proposal.”

“She didn’t exactly say no. She just didn’t answer.”

“Well, she’s wearing your ring. Isn’t that as good as a yes?”

“Sure, but a man would like to have the satisfaction of knowing the woman he desires wants him back.”

“She wants you.”

Cash stared at his brother. Fat clouds floated by in the dark azure sky behind him. “How do you know?”

“I know how a woman looks when she wants a man.”

Yeah, Hank would. Charlotte didn’t do well at keeping her emotions off her face. Half the time Cash couldn’t look at her because he didn’t want to become a voyeur to her lovesickness.

“Maya looks at me that way?”

“She did in the yard. And anyone could tell she liked when you kissed her. Now let’s stand this wall up against the other and make sure they fit nice.”

The next few hours were spent busting their asses on the construction. Cash was driven to finish. The sooner Hank and Charlotte were in their own place, the faster they could build Cash a home. Besides, he shared a room with Witt. He couldn’t exactly bring a bride into the bedroom with his stinky brother snoring feet away.

By the time he reached the house, he was dragging. His clothes were damp with sweat and hung off his body. Exhaustion plagued him—he hadn’t slept well last night with Maya’s round rump pressed against him.

In the kitchen, he found a clean glass and a pitcher of cold sweet tea. As he was pouring, Maya entered the kitchen. Cash’s heart constricted at the sight of his pretty little fiancée, hair silken on her shoulders. Electricity snapped between them.

Then his mother entered, throwing them each knowing looks.

“How was your day?” he asked his soon-to-be bride, bringing the glass to his lips. If Momma weren’t standing there, he would have forgotten about his dry throat and kissed the living hell out of Maya.

“It was fine.”

Sensing she was a third wheel, Momma picked up a basket of beans. “I’ll just be outside snapping these for supper.” She retreated, leaving him alone with Maya.

She set her hands on her hips and glared. Cash threw a look at the door, wishing his mother back. There was no hope for it, though. He’d stoked a fire, and now he was going to get burned.

Hell yeah, I’m ready and eager.

He set aside his glass and took a step toward her. “You’re lookin’ mighty pretty, darlin’.”

“Don’t try to use your sweet tongue on me.”

“What a good idea.” He reached for her, but she sidestepped.

“You didn’t even wait for me to say I’ll marry you before you told your family!”

He lifted his shoulder in a deliberate shrug. “Was that a problem?”

She threw a punch, her knuckles glancing off his biceps. He’d felt flies stronger than her, but saying so would only earn him more fury.

“You know it’s a problem! Now if I back out of this deal, I look like a terrible person.”

“Why do you care what my family thinks?”

She froze, some internal battle playing over her delicate features. Cash was busy trying to make out each emotion and somehow missed what she’d said.

“You aren’t even listening to me! What kind of marriage is this going to be if you don’t even care what I’m saying?”

That got him. He snagged her around the waist and pressed her against the refrigerator, blocking her escape with the length of his body. Fire flared low in his gut as he stared into her angry eyes.

“I’ll tell you what kind of marriage this will be.” He pinioned her wrists under his hands, rendering her helpless. The way her body swayed toward him spoke of how much she enjoyed the feeling.

“Let go of me!”

“You don’t really want that, darlin’. You want to hear about how I’m going to come in from the morning fields and kiss you. Then I’m going to come in from the afternoon barn chores and trap you against the refrigerator in our own house and let you feel just how damn much I want you.” To emphasize his words, he rocked his hips into hers.

Her eyes widened as his erection met the searing hot space between her legs.

He let his lips tease the corner of her mouth. “Then after supper, I’ll come in from taking our kids on tractor rides and playing catch with them, and toss you into our bed. Where I’ll keep you begging. All. Night. Long.”

Releasing her hands, he splayed his fingers over her jaw, holding her captive for his kiss. When his mouth lowered, she met him. Their lips crashed together, lightning and thunder. Working together, violent in their own ways. He forced her lips apart with his tongue, and she bit him.

Growling, he chased her tongue around her mouth until she surrendered. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he knew he’d won this fight. What a beautiful victory it was too, having Maya’s curves melded to his.

He wanted to whoop and toss his hat into the air.

She twisted her fingers in his hair, tugging, rough, just the way he liked it. He sagged at the knees and bucked his hips upward, knowing right where to seat himself. She cried out, and he swallowed the noise.

“Don’t want anyone to hear us. Maybe we should take this outside.”

She yanked his hair, and several strands broke free, tickling his neck. He leaned his forehead against hers, grinning, aware of the erratic pulse in her throat.

“I listen to you plenty, Maya. You haven’t said the words I want to hear yet, but your body sure has a way of talkin’.”

She smacked her small hands off his chest, pushing him back enough to shimmy out from between him and the fridge. “I have beans to snap.”

“Sounds fine. I like beans. I’ll just get cleaned up for dinner. If you want to join me, the shower’s up there.” He pointed toward the second floor bathroom that had never been big enough for five brothers and their parents let alone a romp with a gorgeous woman.

She spun away, a half-scream escaping her kiss-swollen lips.

“Maya.”

She stopped but didn’t turn to look at him.

“Better smooth your hair. Momma will know what you’ve been up to.”

Over her shoulder, she shot him the evil eye. From anyone else, his balls would have shriveled into two raisins in the Texas sun. But from Maya, his pulse hammered louder. Chuckling, he went upstairs to get cleaned up for another round.

She didn’t know how hell-bent he was on winning.

* * *

Maya could barely keep up with Cash’s long strides as he led the way across the yard. The scents of farmland filled her head, so much better than the odor of poverty she’d come from.

And Cash’s personal musk still claimed her thoughts. His kiss in the kitchen was unforgettable, especially when she’d responded with every cell of her being.

She shook herself. “Where are we going?”

“I’m showing you to your quarters.” His jaw was rough with several days’ worth of beard, and at some point he’d taken off his T-shirt and unbuttoned his plaid shirt—all the way. It hung open to his belt buckle that she now knew had the ranch’s name engraved above the steer. That line of tanned, muscular flesh made her burn, low in her belly.

She jogged ahead of him and turned to face him. From beneath the brim of his brown hat, his eyes smoldered. His arms swung free, sleeves pulling tight against his biceps. “What quarters?”

“You can’t sleep in the house.”

What? Why not?

He stopped in front of her, close enough to grab. And she wanted to hold on tight. His strong arms had grounded her several times in the short hours she’d been on American soil, and somehow she was confusing him with a feeling of comfort. She folded her arms and waited for him to tell her why she wasn’t welcomed into the house.

“I can see what you’re thinking, Maya, and it’s not the case.”

“What am I thinking?” She raised her jaw a notch.

“That you don’t belong there. That your birth has somehow banned you from being under our roof. That ain’t how we Daltons operate.”

“Oh. Then why?”

He pushed a breath out through his nose. Even the slight flare of his nostrils was a turn-on.

“I share a room with Witt, okay?”

“Oh.” Saying the same word a second time made her feel stupider than not realizing so many brothers lived in a house that wasn’t very large.

Cash reached out and caught a twist of her hair lying across her collarbone. His rough fingers raised a shiver. “It’s not about you, darlin’. But we can’t sleep together yet, as we’re not married. That is a big no-no in my parents’ eyes, even if I’d love to have your sultry ass snug against me again.”

His words spiked the already hot temperatures. She had to keep her mind on task. With Cash around, she was too easily distracted. She’d taken care of herself for so long that she wasn’t about to give up control to him. And her father couldn’t intervene on her behalf. He’d dragged his weary bones to his bunk hours ago.

Cash’s lips turned up in a tempting crooked smile. “C’mon.”

Her traitorous body kept a quick pace at his side. They walked past a chicken coop, where fat hens dozed beyond the chicken wire. As they rounded one of the barns, a couple horses whickered.

Cash snorted. “They hear footsteps and think they’re getting a bedtime snack.”

“What do you give them?”

“Hot mash or an apple. Sometimes a few vegetable scraps from the kitchen.”

“You don’t have anything for them tonight?”

“Not for them.” His slow drawl and sidelong look sent her body into a frenzy.

By the time they reached the horse trailer, she was more smitten with him. Was there any point in resisting her desires? They’d only known each other a few hours, but already they’d shared several moments of intimacy. And she
was
wearing his ring.

He waved a hand. “This is your personal space for the next few days.”

“And then?”

“I’ll be joinin’ you.”

An invisible string tugged between her legs, making her throb.