Her Midnight Cowboy (4 page)

“Played many parlor games, McGuire?” Emerald asked.

Frowning, Rowdy glanced at Angel. She looked about as thrilled to hear about a parlor game as he was.

Tanna moved forward, grabbing Angel’s arm. “Emerald, you tell Rowdy the rules while Angel and I hide.” Tanna pulled her down the steps.

“I have to put my dress to soaking.” Angel stopped at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes settled on Rowdy. “Before it stains.”

He stepped forward, ready to rescue her from Tanna’s grip, but the other woman wrenched the dress from Angel and plopped it into the rain barrel sitting below the eves of the porch roof. “There. It’s soaking. Come on.” She tugged Angel away so fast Rowdy couldn’t hear what she said, and Emerald grabbed his arm, stopping him from following.

“Give them a minute to hide,” he said. “The women hide and the men find them. And then…” Emerald shrugged. “You can figure out the rest.”

Rowdy lifted a brow.

Emerald, an odd name for a man with blond hair and blue eyes, laughed. “Hide and seek isn’t just for kids, McGuire.” He slapped Rowdy’s back. “Come on, I think they headed for the barn.”

Rowdy shook his legs, trying to make more room in his britches. He couldn’t take much more. The little escapade upstairs had brought him close to his breaking point. He’d been hard and throbbing since first seeing Angel’s breasts threatening to escape the yellow gown. Timothy Milner had seen them, too. The man had been drooling from the moment he walked into the house.

Seeing Milner sneaking up the front steps right after Angel had gone up the back made Rowdy feud with himself. Part of him said leave them be, that the two were suited for each other. The other part, which had him barreling up the stairs, had said… Well, he really didn’t know what it said, other than he wasn’t about to leave Milner and Angel alone.

The sky was blacker than the inside of a pot with the lid on, and Rowdy, walking beside Emerald, stumbled on something in the yard. He caught himself before the other man noticed.

Milner was an ass. Angel should refuse to marry him. She deserved a whole lot better than the likes of him. The man had no idea how to treat a lady.

Rowdy stopped walking, since the barn door stood open before him. Emerald had disappeared, but Rowdy hadn’t noticed until now. Nor had he detected the sounds of night all around—cattle mooing, the hoot of an owl, the far-off call of a coyote, the faint screech of the windmill churning in the breeze.

His back stiffened. Other sounds filtered to his ears as well. An excited but faint hoot, followed by hushed giggles. Evidently Emerald had found Tanna. Rowdy swallowed a lump the size of a coal train and walked into the barn.

What would he do when he found Angel? He sure as hell couldn’t kiss her—not with the way his loins throbbed, screaming for release. Dragging his hand through his hair, he let out a growl. The devil was probably chipping ice right now—hell had to have frozen over. Nothing was different. He was still Rowdy McGuire and she was still Angel Clayton. But the moment he’d seen Milner trying to kiss her, he’d accepted the inevitable. He was in love. And there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. Nothing changed the fact that he’d never be the refined gentleman she deserved, but right now, he would trade his soul to be such a man.

He moved into the barn and stopped near Templeton’s stall, instinctively knowing that Angel was hiding beside her horse. Rubbing the animal’s nose, Rowdy all of sudden felt as childish as the game, and whispered, “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

Her giggle was so soft, so sweet, that he cracked a genuine smile. Without making a sound, he lifted the latch and shouldered past the animal. Templeton swung his head around and pushed Rowdy farther into the stall.

The space was empty, but draped on the top board was a clump of material. He picked it up. Recognizing the blue dress, he glanced over the rail. “Angel?”

The hay rustled.

Rowdy sucked in his stomach at the way his loins bucked. In a swift bound, he climbed over the wall and lowered himself onto the pile of sweet smelling hay.

“Now that you’ve found me,” she whispered, “what are you going to do with me?”

He really had no choice. Right now he had about as much control over his body as he did over a tornado. He knelt down and ran a finger along the curve of her smile. “Kiss you.”

“Mmmm. Please do,” she whispered.

The moment they connected, his lips to hers, the world exploded. The muted darkness heightened his desire, and the way her charming body responded to his touch made his hands go wild, stoking the curves of her breasts and the flatness of her stomach.

Even though they’d been separated for only a few minutes, it was like he’d been gone for a lifetime and just found his way home. Her body seemed so familiar. He knew every spot that wanted his touch. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers thrust into his hair. She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss, craving the taste of her.

His body quivered as Angel’s response mirrored his. The kiss went on and on. It was as if he’d dived into a deep, rapid river and couldn’t quit swimming until he reached the other bank.

When he lifted his head, gasping for air, she arched her spine. “I can’t breathe, Rowdy. Please loosen my stays.”

He had no choice but to do what she asked. With his gentle tug, the bow came loose, and he worked his way through the crisscrossing pattern the little string made up her back.

Angel stretched, sighing. The movement forced the material to slip downward, revealing the loveliest breasts ever created. He stroked one, amazed by how his touch brought the nub to life. He kissed it, then the other one, valuing each one with deep down gratitude. His hands slid down her back, into the waistband of her pantaloons. Unexplainable pleasure seared his fingertips as they met the silky skin of her bottom.

She tugged his shirt out of his waistband. “I want you, Rowdy, more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

Her whispered confession was like fuel on a fire. Heat swirled in his veins, and he stretched out on the hay, easing her flat on her back beside him. She ran her fingers under his shirt, teasing his skin with the ends of her fingernails.

He ran kisses along her shoulder, and licked her with the tip of his tongue. “Aw, Angel girl,” he whispered against her skin. “What am I going to do with you?”

She undid the last button and pushed his shirt wide. Her soft, warm lips skipped across his chest. “I told you earlier.” She suckled his skin for a moment before whispering, “Love me.”

His shaft jolted, and so did his heart. He did love her. Always would. Holding in his confession and focused on pleasing her, he trailed kisses down her neck, along the edges of the glorious mounds he’d been admiring all night, and slid a hand to her hip, then downward. Powerful pleasure shot up his arm as his palm cupped the juncture between her legs, and her hips thrust forward. Gently, his fingers swirled beneath the material of her pantaloons, teasing her.

Her body was so perfect, made for loving, and he continued to kiss and explore her breasts while his hand fondled her. When he sensed the pinnacle of her awaking desire, he entered her with one finger.

The moist heat of the connection had his entire body throbbing. She arched, encouraging his finger to go deeper. A storm of spiraling sensations overtook him. It was an excitement he’d never experienced.

Angel kissed him deeply, digging her fingernails into his chest. It was a heavenly torture. Her hips swayed with his hand, creating a steady motion that led the way to higher delights. One of her roaming hands paused near his waistband, and when it cupped his crotch, his hips bucked. She massaged him through his britches. The pleasure and sweet torment of touching and being touched continued, showering him with thrills and gratification he’d never known existed.

Her body tensed and she tightened her thighs, holding his fingers deep inside her. “Rowdy!” she gasped.

“Shh.” He kissed her deeply while stroking her core as she quaked and shuddered. His body responded, reeling with her release.

When her tremors lessened, she sank into the hay, sighing heavily. “Good Lord, Rowdy, what on earth was that?”

A pleasant mist surrounded them. The smile on his lips couldn’t begin to express the happiness dancing inside his chest. He folded both arms around her and nipped her earlobe. “That’s being loved, my Angel.”

After the air around them grew mellow and still, she whispered, “Can we do it again?”

“Not right now.”

She snuggled closer. “Why?”

“Listen,” he whispered in her ear. Laughter and conversations floated through the darkness from the yard.

Angel sighed and ran a finger along the side of his face. “Maybe they’ll all go home now.”

He pulled her to her feet and, after brushing the hay out of her hair, helped her put on the blue dress. The outside voices made repercussion of his actions pour into his mind. “Angel,” he began.

She pressed her finger to his lips. “Don’t say a word, Rowdy McGuire. Don’t you dare say a word.”

He bit his tongue and took her hand, leading her out of the barn. People mingled and talked, mainly couples walking arm in arm. He squeezed her fingers.

She stopped near the rain barrel. “I have to get my dress.”

He looked at the barrel, wondering if a good dowsing would help him. It wasn’t regret filling his system, but he wasn’t too proud of how he’d lost control.

She flashed a grin and pushed him toward the house. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Understanding her wish to be alone for a moment, since she probably regretted what had just happened, he moved to the back steps. The brightness of the kitchen lamps almost blinded him, but he blinked and strode to the table, where he promptly threw back two glasses of punch.

It was the third glass he actually tasted. Sugary-sweet, it hit the back of throat and all but made him gag. It certainly had been spiked. He set the glass down and paced the floor. What the hell was he going to do now? He’d compromised her. The one thing he’d sworn he would never do.

Angel grabbed the sopping dress. The material, heavy with water, resisted her attemps to lift it out of the rain barrel, and still teetering from Rowdy’s glorious caresses, she released it, letting it sink again.. If it was just up to her, she’d leave the dress, but Tanna never would, and Angel wanted the guests gone as soon as possible.

Her gaze went to the house. Through the open doorway, she saw Rowdy standing near the punch bowl. A smile pulled on her lips and unfathomable joy pump through her veins with every beat of her heart.

Someone hollered her name.

She flipped around, instant ire racing up her spine. Why couldn’t they all just leave?

“Where have you been?” Timothy Milner demanded.

Turning back to the rain barrel, Angel snatched the dress out with one swift movement and went to drape it over the porch rail.

“You were with him, weren’t you?”

Her backbone went stiff. “Don’t say another word, Timothy. Trust me, you’ll regret it.”

“I’m the only one who can provide you with the lifestyle you’re used to.” He grabbed her arm. “He’s a drifter, Angel, a nobody.”

Fury fueled her reaction. The smack of her hand hitting his cheek echoed through the night. People rushed toward them from all directions.

Timothy pressed a palm to his cheek. “Half the territory has asked to court you, and you’re gonna settle for him?”

“Settle for him?” She shoved Timothy backward with both hands. “Rowdy McGuire is ten times the man you’ll ever be. He’s not focused on how large my father’s bank account is. He cares about this land. He cares about the cattle.” Irritated to no end, she stepped forward and poked a finger in Timothy’s chest. “He cares about me.”

A great force overtook her, made her turn and look over her shoulder. Rowdy stood in front of the crowd. His silver eyes transfixed her. She couldn’t have looked away if she’d wanted to. The air sizzled as if a lightning storm brewed around them. Rowdy didn’t move, not even a blink of an eyelid. Neither did she. “And I love him,” she declared.

Rowdy’s expression changed. He didn’t look stunned, but he didn’t look exactly thrilled, either.

The crowd dispersed, whispering as they went. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Angel wrung her trembling fingers together as she stepped forward. “Rowdy—”

He held up a hand, stopping her from moving any closer.

“I—” she started again.

“Go in the house, Angel.” He turned and walked toward the barn.

She wanted to scream, beg him to come back, but a glimmer of sense made her stop. Now she’d done it. Liza had said Rowdy needed some nudging, but Angel had just pushed him over the edge—and watched him tumble into a deep ravine.

She clenched her jaw, forcing the tears behind her eyes to stay where they were, and twirled around. Grabbing the dress from the railing, she climbed the stairs into the house.

After she’d said goodbye to the last guest, she leaned heavily against the door, wishing there was a way to turn back time. Rowdy hadn’t returned to the house, and she didn’t expect him to. The man had pride.

Pushing away from the door, she dowsed the lamps, except for one to light the way as she trudged up the stairs to her solitary room. The wherewithal to straighten the place couldn’t be found and she plopped onto the bed.

She loved Rowdy, of that she had no doubt, and wasn’t ashamed of it, but she’d lived around men her entire life. If there was one thing they didn’t like, it was being embarrassed by a woman. A deep sigh of despair forced its way out of her lungs.

It could have been minutes or hours later when a sense of being watched made Angel turn her head toward the open doorway. Rowdy stood there, arms folded across his chest and leaning a shoulder against the door frame.

Her heart went from hanging in her chest to pounding in her throat.

“We need to talk, Angel girl.”

She leaped to her feet, plucking discarded garments off the floor. A glance over her shoulder found him standing near her dressing table, running a finger over the small container of rouge powder.

His gaze met hers. “Liza and I have never—”

“I know.” That had become the least of her worries even before Liza mentioned it. Angel tossed her armload onto the chair in the corner. “If you’ve come for an apology, you might as well leave right now.”

He frowned. “Apology?”

She let out a long sigh. It was time to lay all her cards on the table. If it was meant to be, it would be. If it wasn’t… She squared her shoulders. “I’ve hunted you. I’ve ignored you. I’ve tried to make you jealous. I’ve all but thrown myself at your feet.” Exasperated, she tossed her arms in the air. “I don’t know what else to do, Rowdy. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you tonight, but I won’t apologize for loving you.”

His silver eyes searched her face, and it happened again, the communication between their bodies. She understood it better now. Knew why her insides grew warm and excited, and her skin tingled. Her body lived for his touch as surely as her heart beat for his love.

“You could never embarrass me.” He gave his head a little shake. “You’re so beautiful, Angel girl. There’s not a man around who isn’t smitten with you.” He stepped closer and ran a knuckle across her cheek. “Are you sure you want the cowpoke under this hat?”

She nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“You’re Angel Clayton, you des—”

“I deserve you. The man I love. I’ve watched you for months, and you’re much, much more than a cowpoke. You’re a good, hardworking, honest man. You care, and you respect how treacherous life can be out here. How it all could be gone in a heartbeat.” She reached up and tugged on the brim of his hat. “Under this hat is the most handsome, amazing man I’ve ever met.” The love flowing from her heart made her throat tighten. “A man who doesn’t let anyone rule him, but he’s gentle and kind, and lets a girl have her way once in a while.”

He grinned. “Once in a while?”

She stretched up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips over his. “Yes,” she whispered, “once in a while.”

The kiss was a precious give-and-take that had her toes curling and her heart singing. When she lifted her face, she met his gaze boldly. “I love you, Rowdy McGuire, and I want the world to know it.”