Lone Star Burn: Broncos & Bouquets (Kindle Worlds Novella) (5 page)

Chapter 8

Laney woke Thursday morning, her day off from the coffee shop, after sleeping in. Or trying to. She hadn’t slept well at all the last couple of nights. Not after her disaster date with Sawyer. Her shift at the coffee shop had been spent in a fog and even a double espresso had done nothing to help her.

Sawyer hadn’t stopped in. Part of her had hoped he would, but this was for the best. That night had been a dramatic reminder of why she didn’t want to get involved with him to begin with. She needed to stay focused. If she allowed her emotions to take over, let herself get swept away…it would all set her up to fail.

Laney got out of bed. She had work to do. She was determined to blow this bride away and make up for her mistakes. She had to. She needed this bride to be happy and refer all her friends.

She showered and dressed and checked the tracking on her flower shipment. There were no local floral wholesalers like there had been when she’d worked in Dallas, so Laney’s only option was online fresh floral companies who shipped their flowers direct to the customer. It worked well and the quality was good. When she entered her tracking number, she saw the flowers had already been delivered. Two hours ago. Shit! Were her boxes sitting outside in the Texas sun?

Laney dashed out her door and ran down the stairs. She looked around. Nothing. Fuck! Had someone stolen them? She needed to think rationally. The hardware store. She stepped inside and tried to remain calm as she asked about her flowers. Nope. They didn’t have them. Heart already racing, she ran back upstairs and grabbed her phone to call UPS and find out where they were. She happened to glance at her computer screen and the shipping address. It was listed as 859 Main Street instead of 589. There’s the damn problem!

Laney got in her car and drove down the street. She didn’t know how far three hundred numbers was and she wouldn’t be able to carry her boxes several blocks. She found number 859, the barbershop. Black and white checkered floor, chairs that looked like they were a century old, the place was more of a hang-out for the 70 plus crowd.

“Can I help you, darlin’?” A man in a white coat asked.

“I think my flower shipment was delivered here by mistake.”

“That must be what those boxes are in back. Let me get ‘em for ya.” A moment later he returned with one long, narrow box. “There’s five more back there.”

“Thank you so much!” Laney followed him and a few of the men helped her load them into her trunk and back seat of her car. Finally Laney’s heart returned to a normal beating pattern.

“Oh, wait. There’s one more little one.”

She followed the men back inside, got her last box, and headed for the exit.

Crash!

Laney pushed on the door and panic filled her. Her body went numb and she thought she might faint. The box of orchids slipped from her hands and landed at her feet. A big rusty truck was now lodged in the rear end of her car. The trunk was completely smashed in, the back seat pushed up to the front.

This isn’t happening.

There were sirens in the distance, but all Laney could do was stare at the mess in front of her, envision her destroyed flowers.

“What’s going on?” a voice asked. It was familiar and comforting.

She turned to find Sawyer behind her, and she lost it. Sobs overtook her body. He pulled her into his embrace, smoothing her hair, rubbing her back, whispering words she didn’t believe but needed to hear.

“We’ll fix it. Everything will be okay. It will all work out.”

He stayed by her side while she gave the sheriff the information he needed. When the tow trucks had taken away both wrecked vehicles and the gawkers had dispersed, the town went back to its normal day, but Laney was left with a huge mess.

“So what’s the plan?” Sawyer asked.

She looked up at him, still numb. “I don’t know.”

“Is there another flower place nearby where you can get stuff?”

She breathed deep and closed her eyes, an attempt to clear her head and get her brain to work. “The closest one I know of is outside Dallas.”

“Let’s go.” He started to walk away.

“But it’s a two hour drive.”

“And?”
              “I can’t ask you to do that.” Not after what had happened the other night. The way she’d pushed him out of her life.

“You’re not askin’. I’m offerin.’”

Laney was out of options. “Thank you,” she managed, more tears finding her eyes.

He took her into his arms again, a kiss to her forehead. “It will be okay.”

And she truly believed him.

The drive flew by with brief moments that felt as if nothing had changed. They talked, even laughed a few times. He pulled the truck into the parking lot for the flower market and she expected him to stay there while she shopped, but he got out.

“You don’t need to come in with me.”

“Maybe I want to. I’m curious to see what a flower market looks like.” He flashed the grin that made her knees weak.

He followed her around, asking questions, pointing out things he thought were interesting. When it was time to leave, he helped her load it into the bed of the truck and covered it with a tarp to keep the sun off them. Once they were back at her apartment, he brought the boxes in and helped her put the flowers in buckets of water in the spare bedroom.

“So what happens now?” he asked.

“I blast the window air conditioner and this portable one I picked up and close the door.”

“Is that all they need?”

“Not really. Hopefully someday soon I can afford to get a shop and actually buy a floral cooler.”

“I have complete faith that you will.”

This day had been such a mix of emotions and most of what she felt in that moment was gratitude. And remorse. She was so thankful for everything Sawyer had done, but she also realized she had been wrong. Being with him would not be a distraction from her dreams. Being with him might even help her get there.

“Can we talk for a second?” she asked.

“Sure.”

Laney led him to the couch. “I need to explain about the other night.”

Sawyer shook his head. “It’s not necessary.”

“It is. I need you to know this.”

“Okay.”

He sat back and gave her his full attention. Her nerves sizzled.

“I got myself into some trouble a while back. Remember that shop I told you I worked for? It was one of the biggest in Dallas. I worked hard and my boss adored me. She groomed me to be her head wedding designer. I had the best job ever. And then I met this wonderful guy who totally swept me off my feet. I fell hard and fast and I had everything I’d ever dreamed of. My life was perfect. But then one day I was in bed with him at his apartment and a woman burst in, screaming at us. Turned out he was engaged, and to one of my brides.”

Laney paused to let it sink in, but Sawyer appeared un-phased. “It’s not your fault he lied to you.”

“I should have known. The name should have rang a bell. It was my job to know my clients.”

“It was an honest mistake.”

“The bride didn’t see it that way. And she sure as hell recognized me, since we’d spent countless hours together planning thousands and thousands of dollars worth of wedding flowers. She went straight to my boss before I had a chance to and demanded I be fired. My boss was livid. And my mother, being the socialite she loved to be, was ashamed of me and the scandal I brought to our name. She was sure she’d lose all her clients because of it. So I emptied my savings account and left. I drove until I needed gas and landed in Fort Mavis. I liked it, so I stayed.”

He reached for her hand and she let him take it. “I’m so sorry that all happened to you.”

“I lived and learned, and that’s why I was so hesitant to hook up with you. I remembered how easy it was to be sucked into the romance and obsession. It made me stupid. And I couldn’t let it happen again. The other night was a perfectly timed reminder, with all the missed calls, and I thought I had to push you away.”

“I understand.”

“But today…” She squeezed his hand. “Today you were there for me when I needed you most. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”

“I’ll always show up for you.”

Laney moved closer to him, needing to feel him in her arms. She curled around him, snuggling into the crook of his arm, and he kissed the top of her head. Maybe him being around wasn’t a distraction after all. Maybe he was just what she needed.

*   *   *

Sawyer knew he’d catch hell for blowing off his chores for the day, but he’d make it up to David, the ranch manager. He’d sent him a quick text before heading to Dallas and again when he got back. He hadn’t seemed too mad.

Sawyer spent the rest of the day with Laney. They talked, had some dinner, watched a little TV. He kissed her before he left and didn’t push for more. She’d had a hell of a day and he liked being there. He liked helping her. He hadn’t grown up with any examples of what a healthy relationship looked like, but he had to guess this was it. Respect, support, just being there for each other.

She’d opened up to him about her past and he was glad she felt comfortable enough to do that. He admired her for having the courage to lay it all out there. He sure as hell didn’t.

He knew a thing or two about mistakes and trying to move on from them. It was a hard thing, building a new life with the constant fear that you’d repeat your sins. He felt a little guilty for not confessing his, but his were a little more complicated than a mistaken identity and being fired.

Chapter 9

Laney worked the morning shift at the coffee shop, the entire day feeling as if she were riding on a cloud. Sawyer had been wonderful and she hated that she’d pushed him away like she had. Hated that she’d thought he would be a distraction. But she was determined to make it up to him.

She left at one and headed home to start her wedding work. She finished the bridesmaid’s bouquets in no time, even with the extra being added. Hand-tied bouquets with all roses were so easy to do. The bride’s was a little more complicated, with adding in orchids, stephanotis, and mini calla lilies, and of course, the fancy crystals and rhinestones that she wanted.

The doorbell rang while she was in the middle of securing a few stephanotis into the bouquet with floral tape. She opened her door at the top of the stairs and yelled, “Come on up.”

“Wow,” Sawyer said when he stepped inside. “That’s really nice.”

“Thanks.”

“Nowhere near as pretty as you, though.” He leaned and kissed her cheek. “What can I do to help?”

“You don’t have to help.”

“Then why am I here?”

Laney finished her tape job and set the bouquet in a vase of water. “You’re here to keep me company.” She pulled him in for a proper hello kiss.

“There’s gotta be something I can do.”

She thought for a minute. “Okay. I have something.” She handed him a pair of wire cutters and a handful of eighteen-inch pieces of wire. “I need these cut in half.” When he finished that, she showed him how to wire spray roses for a flower girl halo. He picked it up pretty fast. “I’m impressed.”

“So am I.”

Laney’s heart swelled. Here was this big macho ranch guy wiring delicate rosebuds and he didn’t seem to want to be anywhere else.
He’s a keeper!
He watched her tape the wired blooms into a crown then add the organza ribbon to the back.

“I can’t believe you took all those little flowers and turned them into that.”

“Eh.” She shrugged. “It’s easy.”

“It’s amazing.” He stood and stepped to her. “And so are you.”

One hand went to her waist and pulled her in, while the other cradled her neck. His lips brushed hers gently at first, then pressed for more. Laney loved the more part, was looking forward to going even further. The last thing she wanted to do was finish her work, but she had to. If she was going to make this thing with Sawyer work, she had to keep her priorities straight. Kissing and stuff could wait until later.

She pulled away. “I need to get back to work, but I promise it will be worth the wait.”

“It definitely will be.”

It had been hard as hell to do it, but Laney was proud of herself. She’d done the mature thing—unlike in her past—and made sure her priorities were in the right order. Work first, play later. And the anticipation would just make it all that much better when they finally could play.

*   *   *

Sawyer sat on a wooden kitchen chair in the corner of Laney’s spare bedroom, which had been turned into her design room. He admired her. She had a goal, a dream, and was determined to fulfill it. He really enjoyed watching her. Such meticulous work that she seemed to do with great ease. It was impressive, inspiring even. And he certainly didn’t want to get in the way.

“Maybe I should go,” he said.

“No. Please don’t. I’m going to make dinner in a little while. I don’t have too much more to do. I thought we could have a stay-in date tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Definitely. If you’re bored, you can go watch TV in the living room. I don’t have cable, but I have lots of DVDs.”

He shook his head. “I’d rather watch you.”

So he did. She took some tall vases and added even taller flowers and some ferny stuff. Then she took more flowers and shoved them into green foam to make a long arrangement with flowers and ferns hanging in the front. He didn’t know what any of it was for, but it all looked pretty.

“Last thing,” she said and started another vase arrangement.

He watched but his mind wandered, once again, to their conversation yesterday. Her confession. And he thought about his own. He’d been so careful to keep his secrets hidden from the world, scared of what people would think. And Laney was no exception. If anything, he wanted to keep it from her most of all. But now, knowing her secret, if felt like he was lying to her. Maybe he should tell her.

No. It was the past. A past he was desperately trying to forget. He couldn’t move on with a new life if he kept thinking about the old one. He wasn’t that stupid kid anymore. He didn’t want Laney to know that stupid kid had existed. He didn’t want her to think less of him, or worry that he couldn’t be the man she needed.

“Finished!” she sang then plopped onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you hungry?”

He wasn’t sure if she was referring to hunger for food, or for her. Either way, the answer was the same. “Starving.”

“Good. As soon as I wash my hands I’ll start the stir-fry. You wanna help?”

“I don’t know what a stir-fry is, but sure.”

He followed her into the tiny kitchen and was given instructions. He cut a pepper and an onion, a task he’d never done before, while she cut up raw chicken.

“Put them in that pan and pour a little olive oil in.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was good at taking orders, and liked taking orders from her. “What do I do now?”

“Turn on the burner and stir it around.”

He did and within minutes, the vegetables were sizzling. “Look at me. I’m cookin’!”

He loved the sound of her laugh, and in that moment, the simplicity of preparing dinner, of normal life, he knew he wanted to hear it forever.

*   *   *

Laney never knew dinner at home could be so enjoyable. Sawyer had been completely adorable in the kitchen. How could someone have literally zero cooking experience? But it had been fun to teach him. And even better to see the look on his face when he’d tasted it.

“I can’t believe I helped make this. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.”

He helped with dishes and clean up and by that time, it was getting late. Laney was ready for bed, not that she was tired or anything.

She dried her hands and hung the towel on a hook. “I have an early morning, so I’m gonna take a shower and head to bed.”

“Oh. Okay.” He stepped to her, his arms snaking around her body, pulling her in. “Call me tomorrow when you’re done?”

It was so cute that he thought he was leaving. “You look a little dirty. I think you could use a shower, too.”

His eyebrows rose. “Yeah?”

“Definitely.”

She took him by the hand and led him to the bathroom. She pulled the hem of her tee shirt over her head then pushed her yoga pants to the floor. When she turned, he was standing there, still completely clothed.

“It might be helpful if you take your clothes off before getting in the shower.”

The damn sexy smile curved his lips and instantly made her panties wet. “Just wanted to make sure this is really what you want.”

“It’s just a shower. Is there something else going on that I don’t know about?”

“No, ma’am.”

Sawyer pulled his tee up and over his head.
Holy hotness.
That body put works of art to shame. Laney turned and bent to start the shower, making sure it was nice and warm, though she doubted they’d need the water to warm them up. When she turned back, he was in nothing but black boxer briefs.

She found it hard to form words. “Nice…underwear.”

“I was about to say the same thing.” He stepped to her, hands to her ass, and tugged her close. The length of his cock pressed into her, sending waves of lust through her body. He slid his hands inside her panties and pushed them down. They puddled at her feet. “But I’d rather see them on the floor.”

“Me, too.” She did the same with his, making no attempt to hide the fact that she was checking out his equipment.
Nice.

Her bra joined the pile of fabric and she stepped into the shower. Sawyer followed. She tilted her head back, letting the water rush over her head and body. His lips sizzled against her skin as he placed a kiss on her exposed neck then moved lower, sucking her nipple between his teeth. She reached between them to wrap her hand around his manhood. His throat vibrated with a groan, his mouth still on her breast.

Sawyer spun her out of the spray, her hands in his above her head as he pinned her to the frigid tile. The combination of heat from his body mixed with the chill of the wall made it one of the most erotic moments of her life. But then he sunk to his knees, placing one of her feet on the edge of the tub. Hands on her ass, he dove in, his tongue hot and slick against her folds, her clit. And then he sucked on it.

Forget that earlier thought. This was now the most erotic moment of her life.

Laney searched the wall for something to grab onto, finding nothing but tile. The shower curtain rod was her only option and she prayed it was screwed in tight. His fingers pressed into her flesh as he devoured her, his tongue and lips bringing her closer and closer to ecstasy.

His finger traced the edge of her heat and she wanted to beg him to put it in, to touch her where she so desperately wanted to be touched. But she didn’t have to beg. He just knew. His fingers plunged deep within her, a wave of pleasure vibrating through her body, again and again as he withdrew and pushed into her, his lips sucking her clit into his mouth. Her body erupted in orgasm and she quivered in his hands. Her legs shook and threatened to give out beneath her, weakened from complete pleasure.

“I got ya,” he said, a chuckle in his throat, as he stood and took her into his strong arms, pulling her to his chest.

She clung to him as her heart rate returned to normal then stood on tiptoes to kiss him.

“We’re clean enough,” she said and almost ripped the curtain off its rings as she dragged it aside.

He followed her, but just as they reached her bed, he pulled her to him, her back to his chest, his teeth nipping at her neck. “You’re so beautiful,” he said, just before sucking on her earlobe.

His hands explored her wet and naked body. Her breasts and nipples, her waist, belly, and thighs. It was easy to get lost in his touch. But she wanted to lose herself in him, wanted him to lose himself in her. She wanted to show him the same pleasures he’d already shown her.

Laney spun in his arms and took his hands in hers. She stepped backward to the bed, sat, and tried to pull him down with her.

He bent down, a kiss to her nose. “I’ll be right back.”

Sawyer turned and she admired the firm muscles of his ass as he retreated from the room. She scooted back to her pillows, anticipation swirling through her. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him, taste his skin, feel him inside her.

He was back a moment later, condom on that statuesque cock of his, and crawled to her. She wrapped her arms around him, her legs too, tilted her pelvis to him as an invitation. Why wouldn’t he just put it in already?

“Are you waiting for me to beg for it?” she asked, giggling, as she took two handfuls of ass and tugged him toward her.

“No. I just want to take my time. Is that okay with you?”

He smiled at her, but not the sexy one that made her want to jump his bones. She looked in his eyes and found something she didn’t expect, something she didn’t want to think about.

He kissed her, slow and sensual, took his time exploring her body, fingertips leaving tingles in their wake, his lips and tongue caressing her skin. It made her yearn for him, and not just in the physical sense. She wanted to be connected with him.

He slid deep within her, a moan in his throat, his gaze never leaving hers, and she released one of her own. He moved slowly and she let her hands wander, the tips of her fingernails drawing circles on his back, his behind. He kissed her, his tongue dancing with hers in slow sultry movements.

Sawyer wrapped his arms around her and rose to his knees, never breaking their connection. He sat back with her on his lap and she took over with slow deliberate thrusts. She held him close as his mouth once again explored her breasts, jolts of pleasure as he nibbled each nipple, giving equal attention to both. His tongue slowly circled, then he blew on them, the chill of his breath adding to the eroticism of the moment.

His hands tightened on her ass as he helped her move, deep groans in his throat, and Laney knew he was close. She pushed him to the bed, flat on his back, and sat tall for a moment, his cock reaching deep within her. He fulfilled her in more ways than one and she took in the beauty of him laying there beneath her. God, he was so fucking gorgeous.

Hands to his muscular pectorals, she anchored herself to him and began to move again. Her thrusts were slow at first as she watched him, watched his face, the way his ecstasy built within him. She felt his labored breaths beneath her fingers, the rapid beat of his heart. She wanted to see his face when she brought him to the edge.

But then he licked his thumb and pressed it to her clit, rubbing circles over it. She stopped moving as a surge of pleasure wracked her body for a second time.