Cowboy Redemption (Down Under Cowboy Book 6) (6 page)

Knock, knock.

I groan.  “What time is it?” I mumble to myself.  Cracking one eye open, I see the time is six am.

Shit.

Scrambling out of bed, I throw on a thin robe as I race to the door.

Knock. Knock.

“Coming!”

I swing the door open and my eyes bulge as I see Kye standing there.

Double shit.

“Uh, hey, Kye,” I say, hugging my robe tighter.  Underneath, I am only wearing my thin summer nightgown.  His eyes travel slowly down my body, taking in the abundant amount of leg I am showing.

“Mornin’, darlin’.”  He gives me a sexy lopsided grin.

“I slept in,” I explain lamely, internally dying at the thought of what my hair must look like.

“Bed hair suits you,” he says, his voice all husky.

I swallow.

What do I say to that? 

Thank you?

Come inside and mess it up more?

“I came to escort you to breakfast,” he says, mercifully breaking the silence, his lopsided grin still in place.

“Oh, okay, I’ll have to just get dressed and um, presentable,” I stumble.

“I’ll wait.  Or, I could come give you a hand.”

Is he flirting with me?  Damn he’s so good at this.

“I won’t be a minute,” I whisper.

I dart off into my room and quickly throw on a pair of short shorts and a tank top.  I run a comb through my hair and throw it up into a band before brushing my teeth and splashing some cool water on my face.

“Ready,” I announce, finding him still waiting outside my hut.

“You look beautiful.”

My cheeks heat.  “Thank you.”

He takes my hand and together we walk over to the communal hall for breakfast.  I feel as if everyone’s eyes are on us as we walk into the room, but as I glance around, I see no one is particularly interested in us.  They all have their heads down and are eating or they are chatting to their table companions. 

After loading our plates, we choose a table.

“Do you ever miss home?” I ask Kye as we eat our food.

“I miss my family and friends, but that’s about it.”

“That’s understandable.  Do you think your family will come and visit you here?”

“Hope so.  I’m trying to get them up here within the next few months.  Dad would love the Barramundi fishing.”

“You should ask Jeremy to take you out in the helicopter.  You can get to great spots that way.”

“Yeah, good idea.”

We finish off our food and meet everyone outside once again.

“I need you to split up into the same groups as yesterday.  Group one, you’re with me first up.  Let’s go,” I address the residents.

We walk down to the waterhole and immediately slip into the water to begin the lessons.

~*~

“Lookie who’s here!  Good to see you again, love,” Skip says, giving me a kiss on the cheek.  His prickly whiskers scrape against my skin and his breath smells like beer. 
Pure Skip.
  I hug him tight and peck his cheek back before pulling back.

“Good to see you, too, Skip.”

“I’ve been hoping I’d run into you.  Rhonda and the kids are organizing a birthday party for me.  Be honoured if you could come.  Bring along that Kye, too.  He seems like a good young fella.  I’m happy for you, love.”  He says the last part softer, sincerely, his eyes shining.

“I’d love to come!  When is it?”

“Next Saturday night.  It’s just a small get-together, here at the pub.”

“That sounds great. Thank you for inviting me.  I’ll pass the invitation on to Kye and let you or Rhonda know.”

“Glad to hear it, love.”

“I better get going.  I just popped in to get a bottle of wine.  It’s been a long week.”  I sigh.

“You look like you need a good sleep.”

“I do.”  I laugh and take my purchase from the bar before waving goodbye and heading back out to the Retreat.  I wasn’t lying when I said it had been a long week. 
Long, but extremely successful.
The residents benefitted so much from both the swimming and cooking lessons that I hope Maria will let me run them more often, especially for the new residents we have come in.

On top of running two effective programs, we also said goodbye to a lot of our residents.  In fact, by yesterday thirteen of them had left.  Six were from the adults group and the remainder was from the kids.  It is always hard to see them go, but I just pray they will apply the lessons we have taught them and stay on the right track to becoming better human beings.  Our success rate is good, but occasionally we receive word that a former resident has re-offended and been sent to jail.  It always makes me a little sad when that happens, almost as if we failed.  On the other hand, though, I know we have also succeeded more times than not.  The good outweighs the bad.

Kye and I have grown closer as well.  We’ve spent so much time together this week, with the swimming lessons, that I find myself falling harder and faster every day.  It is becoming a chore to remind myself constantly to take things slow and not fall back into bad habits.  I am determined, though. 

Tonight, I’m cooking dinner for him at my hut.  I don’t have much in the way of a kitchen, so I placed a casserole in the camp oven this morning and I’m hoping it will be delicious by the time I pull it off the coals when I get back.  I’ve also got a damper I made up and I just have to place it on the fire for about twenty minutes when I return and we will have fresh, hot bread to eat with our casserole. 

Arriving back at the Retreat, I put the bottle of wine in my fridge and then make my way over to the fire to check the food.  I can smell it as I get closer and my mouth waters.  The scent of vegetables, chicken and stock fills the air.

I lift the heavy lid of the cast iron pot.  Steam billows out.  Taking a fork, I test the vegetables and see they are tender, so I decide to pull the pot off the coals completely and cook the damper.

Heading inside, I shower and change before applying a little bit of lip gloss and a sweep of mascara.  I pull on my boots and pour myself a glass of wine before heading back out to take the damper off the heat, just as Kye arrives.

“Good timing.”  I smile.

“Could smell the food a mile away, thought it must be dinnertime.”  I laugh at his joke and take him in.  He’s wearing a pair of tattered black jeans with black cowboy boots and a tight, white tee that shows of his generous forearms.

Damn, why must he always look so good?

He’s fresh shaven, too, and his hair is still damp from his shower.

Suddenly I’m picturing him naked…and wet.

“Would you like a drink?” I croak.

He nods.  “I’ll get it.  You need a refill?”

“I’m good,” I say, shaking my head, partially to answer his question but mostly to clear my perverted thoughts.  “Uh, in the fridge, inside.  There’s drinks, uh, water, wine, some soft drink,” I stumble and ramble.

God, I’m making a right fool of myself.  Calm the fuck down.

He gives me a knowing grin and turns to walk inside.  With his back to me, I quickly wipe off the beads of sweat forming on my forehead, and then busy myself checking the damper.

Kye returns a few minutes later with a Diet Coke and comes up beside me.

“What are you making me?”

“I hope you like chicken.” I grimace, kicking myself for not asking beforehand.

“I’ll eat anything,” he assures me.

“Good.  In that case it’s a chicken dish with fresh damper.”

“Sound good, smells even better.”

I dish up our food and we decide to sit outside since it is a nice night. 

“Tell me something about you that no one else would know,” he says, mopping up the sauce from his dinner with a chunk of bread.

“Okay,” I draw out the word while thinking.

“I’ve always been an insecure person, and I previously used to try to overcome that in the wrong ways.  I used to believe putting others down, being a bitch and the attention of guys would make me feel what I was lacking.  Needless to say, it took me a long time to learn I was wrong.”

“But you learned in the end.”

“I did.”

“That’s the main thing, then,” he says.

“Your turn.”  I nudge him with my shoulder.

He thinks for a moment, staring at the grass.  Then he closes his eyes and reopens them before speaking. 

“When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was play football.  I spent every spare hour practicing passing and tackling with my mates, and when they couldn’t join me, I practiced my kicking technique by myself.  I couldn’t wait to grow up and live the awesome lifestyle the footy players I obsessed over on television lived.  I imagined the adrenalin rush they got when they played a match in front of thousands of screaming fans. I collected all the memorabilia I could find and I conned my parents to take me to matches for my birthday and Christmas presents.

“When I finally got signed by the Raiders and started playing first grade, I got so caught up in living the lifestyle I had dreamed of, I didn’t realise I wasn’t happy anymore.  Until I came here.  Until I met you.  That’s when I realised what it feels like to be really happy.”

Oh my god!

My heart literally stutters in my chest.  Tears spring to my eyes as I try to control my emotions.  That is
by far
the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. 
Ever.

“I’m at a loss for words,” I admit on a whisper.

He takes my chin in his hand and gently turns my face so I look into his eyes.  He looks so genuine.  So sincere.  My heart melts.

“It’s the truth,” he says softly.

“It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” I admit quietly.

“Then you haven’t been hanging out with the right people.”

Silently we stare into each other’s eyes, taking each other in.  Enjoying the moment getting lost in our connection.

“I’m going to kiss you now, Kennedy,” he rasps.

“Okay,” I breathe.

He brings his head down as I tilt my chin up further.  As our noses touch, our eyes flutter closed.  Then his lips are on mine.  Soft, yet controlling.  When his tongue traces along the seam of my lips, I open my mouth and he sweeps inside.  My own tongue duals with his on its own accord.  My fingers reach up to thread through his short hair, holding him close, not wanting him to pull away too quickly. 

One of his hands goes to my hair, tilting my head to the side, while the other wraps tight around my waist.  We make out for what seems like forever.  The kiss moves from soft and gentle to heated and full of passion, before slowing back down again.  By the time he pulls back slightly and nibbles the side of my mouth, I know I’m going to have a major case of stubble rash in the morning.  The best part is, I don’t even care!

“I better go, otherwise I might get carried away,” he warns with a chuckle.

“Good idea.”  I walk him over to his vehicle and he bends down to tenderly kiss me again.  It is short and closed mouthed, but oh-so sweet.

“Thanks for dinner, Kennedy.”

“Thanks for coming over,” I reply.  “Oh!  Skip invited you to his birthday celebration next Saturday at the Pub in Pine Creek.”

“Sounds good.  You going?”

I nod my head.

“I’ll pick you up then.”  He kisses me once more then climbs into his car and starts the ignition.  With his window down, he reaches out and strokes my face before giving me a wink and a grin.  “Night, Kennedy.”

“Night, Kye.”

Then he drives off into the night and I float on Cloud Nine back into my home.  When I climb into bed an hour later, the smile he left on my face is still planted firmly there.  I suspect it will be staying around for a while.  I kinda like it.

Paperwork is my least favourite part of my job.  Each night, I sit down and write progress notes on the residents I have dealt with that day.  The notes are sometimes looked over by a judge after the resident has completed their time here, and other times the files stay in storage in case they are called upon by the government or a counsellor or judge in the future.  I try my best to keep my notes as thorough as possible.  I take the time to list the residents’ strengths and weaknesses in any given activity and I also like to make comments about things like their self-confidence. 

At the end of their stay, a copy of the notes is also sent home with the residents – kind of like a report card from school.  It is their choice to read through and take on board our comments, or to toss the paper in the first bin they come across.  I certainly hope each of them choose the former, but I’m also not naive. 

Nicholas is a very strong, self-assured character who displays a kind nature to his peers and sponsors.  At times, he can be short-tempered and become frustrated easily, often expelling his emotions in the wrong way.  Nicholas needs to remember to take a moment to think before he acts, and he will achieve the desired results in any circumstance.

Putting down my pen, I close the files and set them aside.  I take a much needed sip of my wine and close my eyes, dropping my head back. 

I’m so tired.
  I yawn loudly and stretch out.  It is only early in the evening, but I’m knackered.

A knock on the door startles me, and my brows crinkle. 
Who could that be?
  Glancing at my watch as I move to the door, I see it is just after eight. 

“Hey, Kye,” I say with a weary smile, opening the door.

“Hey, darlin’.  Hope I’m not interrupting you?”

“No, of course not.  Come on in.”  I step out of the way and let him in before closing the door again.

“Thought you might wanna watch a movie with me.”  He holds up a DVD in one hand and a bag of snack food in the other.

“Sounds good to me.  What movie?”  I ask, taking the DVD from him to read the back.  “Pitch Perfect?”  I grin, my brows climbing.

“The boys told me it was a good laugh,” he explains.

“Never pegged you for a chick flick lover,” I tease.

“It’s not a chick flick,” he rebuffs.  “It’s a comedy.”

I burst out laughing and he chuckles along. 

“Come on then.  Let’s put it on.”  I insert the disc and then turn to catch him out perving on my arse.

“What?”  He shrugs, giving me an easy grin.

I sigh, shaking my head, but smiling.  “Want a drink?”

“Sounds good.” 

I move into the kitchen and grab two cans of Diet Coke from the fridge before returning.  On my small round coffee table, he has arranged the food.  A bag of Peanut M&M’s, a packet of chips and a block of chocolate all sit opened and ready for consumption.

“Here you go,” I say, handing him his drink.  I take a few M&M’s before sitting down next to him and hitting play on the remote.

I curl my feet under me and settle in to watch the movie.  Before I even realize it, my eyelids begin to flutter shut and during my state of unconsciousness, my head somehow manages to droop down to rest on Kye’s shoulder.  Of course, I don’t know any of this until he wakes me by accident as he is trying to slide out from under me.

“Oh god,” I mutter, my cheeks heating in mortification.

“Sorry, darlin’.  Didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I fell asleep,” I groan.  “On your shoulder.” 
I hope I didn’t drool. 
“I’m the one who should be apologising.”

“Nah, I should be thanking you.”  He gives me a cheeky grin.  “Loved having you cuddled up beside me, nestling in and making those husky sex noises.”

“I do
not
make sex noises!”

“You so do,” he says through a laugh.

“A gentleman would never speak about it,” I chide.

“Aww, darlin’.”  His face softens and he moves over to me, wrapping me in his arms.  Kissing my temple tenderly, he whispers in my ear.  “Just joking… but I sure wouldn’t be mad if I ever heard those sounds coming from your sweet lips.”

My breath hitches and I smile into his chest. 
He smells so good.
His lips make contact with my face again, this time just below the spot he last kissed.  My head tilts up, ever so slightly.  The next comes a little lower.  My heart thuds in my chest with anticipation.  He pecks the apple of my cheek.  I lift my chin again.  His lips meet the corner of my mouth and I exhale roughly.  The aroma of seduction intoxicates me. 

Finally.

Finally.

His lips touch mine.  Soft, yet firm, he controls my body with a simple touch.  He tastes sweet from the M&M’s, yet salty from the chips.  The perfect combination.  I can’t get enough. 

My hands make their way around his waist and up his muscled back until I reach his solid shoulders.  I hold on, never wanting to let go, but wishing my arms were longer so I could reach up and thread my fingers through his hair.  He holds me tight, crushing my body against his as he tenderly owns my mouth.  His hands rest just above my arse and I find myself wishing he would let them travel down further to grip the flesh of my backside.  He doesn’t though.  Maintaining complete composure and total control, his fingers never wander lower.  Occasionally they dig into my waist as our kiss intensifies, but he never takes it further.

When he pulls back, I am panting.  My nipples are hard, my blood is heated and I’m so incredibly turned on.  The bulge in his pants suggests I am not alone.  I smile, unable to help myself.

“I better go,” he says, his voice rough.

“Yeah.  Good idea.”  As much as I would love to drag him into my room, I won’t. 
Just stay
.  The words are on the tip of my tongue, but my resolve is stronger.  I am going to do things right this time.

Slow.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.  Sweet dreams, angel.”  He kisses my forehead and sweeps his thumb across my chin.

“See you,” I whisper.

He pulls on his boots and walks out the door.  Stopping before he disappears into the humid night, he turns and throws me a wink and smirk.  Then, he is gone.  I close the door and rest my back against it.  Closing my eyes, I silently will myself to keep it together.  To not race out the door, screaming out to him to come back and relieve the incessant ache that is pulsing between my legs.

Be strong.

Go slow.

You can do this.

“I need a cold shower,” I mutter. 

Sighing, I push off the door and make my way into the bathroom.

An orgasm would be so much better than a shower…