Cowboy Candy (9 page)

Instinctively, she flicked her tongue around his thumb and slowly
sucked it into her mouth. That was all the invitation Dusty needed. His
mouth covered her own in a fiery kiss. She felt as if he were going to
consume her. To his surprise, she began to kiss him back. Deeply. More
deeply than a woman had ever kissed him. He reached down to cup her
voluptuous bottom and could hear her breathe in deeply. The perfection of
the moment was intoxicating.

He rolled over and pulled her body on top of his. He wasn’t so gentle
with her this time, making her ache with desire for him. His hands were on
either side of her face as he pulled her hungry mouth down to his. She
began to swirl her tongue inside of his mouth. He responded by crushing
her tightly against his body, wanting to feel her voluptuous breasts pressed
against him.

His hands moved down to pull up her robe and he began to cup and
knead her bottom. The pressure rubbed her up and down against his rock
hard erection. She groaned against his mouth and clutched her fingers in
his hair. Dusty reached down and smacked her bottom. She was startled at
first, but was soon begging him for more.

He pushed her body up from his and she let out a gasp. He ran a finger
down her taut stomach and back up again. He pushed the robe back from
her shoulders.

“Let me look at you, sweetheart,” he said in a husky voice.
“Dusty . . .wake up! Dusty!”
He was being jostled awake and finally squinted his eyes open a slit.

Maddy was shaking him, and someone was banging on the door.
“What in the hell..”
He scrambled to his feet in an instant, ran to the door, and ripped it

open.
“This had better be damn good!. . .”
He flipped on the porch light and Walt was standing there with one

eyebrow raised.
“Dad . . .shoot, I didn’t realize it was you.”
“Never mind that, we have a problem on our hands. Someone has cut

some fence at mile marker 88 on the highway. It needs to be fixed pronto.
The Sheriff is sittin’ down there waiting on us ... fortunately, only a few
head got out. Good thing it’s so late at night, no traffic. I’ll meet ya down
there.”

Dusty glanced at the clock, three a.m.
The kitchen light came on and Maddy was pouring him some coffee.
“Hey cowboy, thought you could use a really strong cup of strong and

sweet.”
He walked up behind her and gave her a squeeze.
“Bless you.”
She had already pulled his clothes out of the dryer and in his half-awake

Maddy had a good mind to turn away
and give him his privacy, but
after the window incident, didn’t really see the point. She simply stood
there in the kitchen with an elbow on the counter and took it all in.

He turned around and realized that he was standing buck naked in the
middle of her living room. He quickly tried to reach for his flannel to cover
himself.

“Maddy, I am so sorry . . .”
“No need to apologize handsome, I was starting to enjoy the view.”
He quickly dressed and ran out to the porch to pull on his boots.
She stood in the doorway, nursing her ankle.
“Do you need any help?”
He stood up, towering above her.
“You’ve got a bum ankle right now Mad. The only thing I want you to

He kissed the top of her head.
“Thanks for everything darlin’ . . .I’ll see you later on, okay?”
She practically beamed at him.
He turned around at the hitching post.
“If you’re up to it, why don’t we go for dinner and a drive-in movie

Friday night?”
“That’s sounds like a date,” she smiled.
“I’ll make us a picnic basket . . .”
He gave her one of his patented dazzling smiles.“Perfect . . .”
She closed the door and swooned. “Hot Damn, he’s fine.”

Something had changed between Maddy and Dusty.
His parents
noticed that he was smiling more and seemed like his old self. Of course,
they knew that Maddy was the reason why.

Since her arrival, she had lit the ranch up like a Christmas tree. Her
impeccable manners, determination, and strength were as attractive as
gorgeous as her long flowing chestnut mane of hair and big brown eyes.

She had endeared herself to everyone in town, as well.
Miss Mabel
couldn’t brag enough about the young woman. She had even managed to
bring the family together at the supper table each night, which was no small
feat.

Yes, they were positive that she was “the one.” Their son deserved a
strong and humorous woman who wouldn’t put up with any shenanigans.
“I think our son has finally met his match,” Walt mused.
“I think you’re absolutely right,” Grace smiled.
“You should have seen his face when I knocked on Maddy’s door at
three a.m. He was as protective of her as a stallion is of his mares.”
“Do you think anything has happened between them?”
Walt shook his head, no.
“Hard to say, but I think not. Looked like I just woke them up is all.
Let’s just keep our fingers crossed. I can’t think of a finer woman for that
boy.”
Grace laughed.
“It reminds me of when you used to court me, Walt.”
“Oh? How so?” he laughed.
“You had that same gleam in your eye and if you remember correctly,
you kept a watchful eye out for any man who dared try to ask me out.”
He looked down at her and gave her a lingering kiss.
“That’s because you’re a gem. A diamond in the rough . . .and I didn’t
want to lose the best girl in all of Grand Valley.”
She nestled close against his chest and he held her gently.
“Walt . . .I love you,” she cooed.
He pulled her close and tipped her chin.
“I love you darlin’. . .why don’t we go for a nice long walk?”
She pulled away and walked towards the French doors that led to her
sanctuary.
He was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t seen an amorous look in
Grace’s eyes for years.
The click of the deadbolt echoed down the hall. She turned to look at
him and slyly grinned.
“Not tonight cowboy, I’ve got other plans.”

Maddy checked her image in the full length mirror that hung in her
bedroom.
“I can barely recognize myself,” she giggled.
She had decided to wear the red bra and panty set that Peg had
recommended. The thong panties accentuated every curve and the bra left
little to the imagination. She felt sexy in all that lace and skimpy fabric.
“I feel positively wicked,” she grinned.
She pulled on a tiered floral dress, sandals, and applied a thin coat of
mascara, blush, and her signature red lip gloss.
A dab or two of musk oil,
and she was ready for their first official “date.”
Humming to herself, she went downstairs to the kitchen and began to
pack their supper inside. Tonight, everything had to be perfect.
“I’ve kept him waiting long enough . . . Mr. Cash, prepare to have your
world rocked upside down.”
The aroma wafting from the basket was heavenly. She had packed it
with fried chicken, corn on the cob, and buttermilk biscuits. There was
fruit, and some chips. She’d
also made some sun tea and of course a
thermos of coffee.
She found herself waiting quite impatiently for Dusty’s Jeep to pull up.
Normally, she didn’t really pace the floor unless she was worried about
something, but that was then . . . suddenly, she heard the familiar roar of
the Jeep coming up the hill.
She grabbed her denim jacket and checked the pockets. Dusty’s white
bandanna was always in one or the other, and she ensured it was still there.
From time to time she would pull it out and inhale the lingering masculine
scent that was all his own. He’d probably tease her about it if he knew, but
she didn’t care. She finally realized something the other night. She loved
him. Every part of him. Tonight, she planned on telling him all about it, in
more ways than one.
When she stepped out on the porch her heart skipped a beat. He was in
a striped western shirt with a white tee shirt underneath. He was a sight for
sore eyes. He grinned and tipped his hat.
The butterflies in her tummy and the warm feeling she had between her
legs were a reminder of how attracted to him she really was.
He whistled.
“Mademoiselle, you sure do clean up nice.”
“Same goes for you cowboy.”
There eyes caught and held.
Was she looking at him flirtatiously or was it all in his imagination.
Nope, she was definitely flirting when she walked up and fixed his collar.
He felt chills go up and down his spine as her fingernails gently caressed the
nape of his neck.
“I’ll give you forever to cut that out,” he grinned.
Feigning surprise, she bent over to pick up the picnic basket, giving him
a birds eye view of the most spectacular cleavage he’d ever laid eyes on.
He cleared his throat.
“Ready?”
“Cowboy, you can’t possibly imagine just how ready I am,” she grinned.
He helped her get into the jeep, leaning his body against her behind.
His hands lingered around her tiny waist. If he could, he’d take her right
here on the spot. Man, she was really something.
He hopped into the drivers seat and gave her a wicked grin.
“Let’s go get my truck, I don’t want you to get cold tonight.”
She put her hand on his muscular arm.
“Dusty, I’d rather not. I love the Jeep. We have blankets and when all
else fails, we do have body heat.” she smiled sweetly.
He looked deeply into her eyes and cupped her chin with his giant hand.
“The lady will get whatever she wants, and that’s a fact.”
As they drove past the house, they waved to Walt and Grace who were
standing outside on the porch, hand in hand...dressed only in their robes.
Dusty was incredulous.
“Did you just see what I did?”
“Yep I sure did, it must be the full moon tonight.”
They both laughed as the wind whipped through their hair. They were
heading down to Miss Mabel’s first to pick up a few pieces of pie. Maddy
smiled.
It was his suggestion.
She supposed that he wanted God and
everybody to see them together as a couple. She felt honored to be by his
side, and wouldn’t mind letting the gals in town know what’s what, either.
The jeep approached Mabel’s and they coasted to a stop. Dusty hopped
out and helped her out of the passenger seat. She slipped her arm through
his and held her breath as he opened the the door for her.
Maddy had been coming to Mabel’s for over a year now, but this time it
was different.
This time she was on the arm of the most handsome,
charming, and eligible
bachelor
in
town.
Everyone
in
the
diner
momentarily stopped their chatter and smiled.
It felt surreal to Maddy, for
she suspected that those knowing glances could only mean one thing. All
of Grand Valley considered them an item.
Miss Mabel wiped her hands on a towel and came up to the counter.
She was grinning from ear to ear.
“Well, I’ll be. . .ain’t you two a sight for sore eyes.”
They smiled and sat down at the counter.
“Thanks beautiful,” Dusty grinned.
She giggled like a young schoolgirl.
“Oh stop, you’re gonna make me blush . . . So, what are you two doing
out at this time of night?”
“We thought we’d stop in and pick up some of your world famous apple
pie. Two slices, to go. We’re off to the drive-in and couldn’t really have a
picnic without your pie, Miss Mabel.”
“Well, isn’t that nice? Two apple pies to go . . .comin’ right up.”
Maddy and Dusty were staring into each other’s eyes like two lovesick
teenagers. Mabel couldn’t be happier.
She brought out a jar, placed it on the counter, and flashed Maddy a
mischevious grin.
“Maddy, you sure you don’t want to bring some Cowboy Candy along?”
Maddy blushed, aware that Dusty was staring at them both with
amusement.
“Nope, but thank you Miss Mabel. I think I’ve got that covered.”
Mabel winked and stepped back to the kitchen.
They were aware that everyone in the place began to speak in hushed
tones. Maddy gathered that they approved of this arrangement.
However; there was one person who definitely was not pleased with the
arrangement. He wasn’t happy about it, at all.
Jack Carter had left his room and was heading over to the diner to get
his supper. Lucky for him, he spotted the Jeep. He stood back in the
shadows and could view his Maddy sitting with some muscular cowboy that
looked like he had just stepped out of the pages of G.Q. Magazine.
He was furious. Even though he knew she was in Calfornia and living
at the Mountain Rose Ranch; he never in his wildest dreams thought she’d
stoop so low as to be sleazing around with the hired help, or anyone for
that matter.
Jack Carter was fuming mad. He observed them laughing and talking.
The cowpoke had the nerve to place his hand upon her thigh. They were
carrying on . . .laughing and talking without a care in the world. He had to
stand there and witness his girl acting like a whore. Well, that was gonna’
change real quick. He had no choice but to carry out his plans sooner than
he had anticipated.
Quietly, he stepped backwards into the shadows and went straight to his
room for a shot of whiskey to calm his nerves.
“Who in the hell do you think you are? Miss high and mighty, leaves me
with the short end of the stick and goes runnin’ off with some wrangler.
Trust me Maddy, you’d better sleep with one eye open.
Surprise, surprise.
Loverboy ain’t gonna’ know what hit him.”

The Jeep was parked in the very last row at the Grand Valley drive-in.
Maddy and Dusty sat on the tailgate, enjoying their picnic and each other’s
company. The drive-in had always been a fascinating place to people watch.
Children
were
playing
on
the
swings.
Fathers
were
carrying
large
quantitities of snacks to their cars, and mothers were carrying their babies
on their hips.

She sighed.
“I love this time of year, don’t you?”
He grinned.
“Sure do, always have.”
“Dusty, have you always been this nice?”
He stopped eating his pie for a moment, and wiped his mouth.
“Nice? Hardly, I used to be quite the hot head in my younger days. A