My Billionaire Cowboy: A BWWM Western Romance (5 page)

“Thank you. I will do that, Carl.”

Carl and his wife held up their glasses in a toast before walking
away from Kate and Bruce.

“I knew you would be making some connections this evening.
Everyone raved over your talent. And I did not hold back on sharing
your information. There are several galas coming up this fall and I’m
sure you will get a few calls from new clients.”

Kate was not sure what to say. Bruce seemed to be everything she was
looking for in a man. He was intelligent, made his own way, and was
supportive of her career as well.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Let’s toast to a good night and take it from there.”

“To a wonderful night, with wonderful company.”

“Cheers. I’ll drink to that.”

Kate and Bruce toasted, glasses clinking.

“I hope you know I have more planned for you this evening,
Kate.”

“I planned on it.”

She was sure it was the start to a beautiful evening.

The gala went on all night, but Kate and Bruce decided it was best to
leave after a few hours of socializing.

“I have an idea. Are you hungry?” Bruce asked.

“Actually, I am. There was no way I could fill up on the finger
foods there.”

“Perfect. Why don’t we go back to my place? I would love
to cook for you.”

Kate shook her head and laughed.

“What’s so funny? You don’t think I can cook?”

“No. That’s not it. I just,” she paused. “It’s
just that you seem too good to be true.”

“Kate, you said that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Trust me. It’s not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all.
Just having so much so soon from you. It’s been a definite
whirlwind type romance. Like the kind you see on the soap operas.”

Bruce laughed a hearty laugh that came from somewhere deep.

“Like the soap operas, huh?”

“As a kid, I grew up watching those with my mother. There is
love and passion, money and status.”

“All of that is true. But those people on there also hop from
bed to bed.”

“So, you watch the soap operas?” she teased.

“Not hardly. But I know my mother watched a lot as well. She
fell in love with them for the same reasons. But this is real life,
Kate. And in real life, you can have the love, the passion, and the
romance as long as you know that there will be times when things
don’t seem so easy.”

Kate let the words sink in before she spoke. “Do you want to
know something?

“Shoot.”

“The fact that love is not all fairy tales can be pretty
scary.”

Bruce turned to her. “Nothing worth having comes without risk.”

“Agreed. It’s just that love can be so unpredictable.”

Bruce squeezed her hand as they pulled up to his condo.

“That’s what makes life fun. Come on. I’m hungry.”

He held her hand the entire time they exited the limo, in the
elevator, and right up to his door.

As soon as they were inside, Kate kicked off her shoes, wanting to
feel more comfortable.

Bruce began to come out of his tuxedo jacket. “Why don’t
we get a bit more comfortable? Feel free to use the room across the
hall to change.”

Kate was happy she brought a bag of extra clothing. She had learned
to always be prepared with Bruce.

She slipped out of her dress into a pair of comfortable jeans and a
tank top. She padded across to the kitchen, taking a seat on one of
the bar stools. A bottle of wine sat there, waiting to be opened.
Popping the cork, she searched the kitchen cabinets for two glasses.

When she found them, she poured a glass for herself and one for
Bruce. The liquid was delightful, but her stomach was growling.

“I see you found the glasses and the wine. Perfect. Are you
ready to eat?”

“You really don’t know how much. I’m starving.”

Bruce looked comfortable in the kitchen. Pulling out a pan and a few
things from the pantry and the refrigerator, he started cooking.

“I hope you like shrimp. I have a little dish that I like to
make.”

“Whatever you make is fine by me.” She swirled the wine
around in her glass and continued sipping as she watched him cook
risotto, chop fresh parsley, and then toss the fresh shrimp around in
the heated pan.

“Everything smells so delicious.”

Bruce seasoned the food, and then served them each a plate. He took a
seat next to her at the counter.

“So I can add chef to your list of awesome qualities I see.”

“If that’s what you want to call it. I can make a few
things, enough dishes to save my life and not starve to death. But
it’s nothing to write home about.”

Their playful banter over dinner was in a steady groove. Bruce
suggested that they take their wine over to the living room.

She sat and watched as he lit a fire, which quickly came to a
crackling roar.

“Why don’t you come and sit with me over here?” he
beckoned.

Kate joined him on the plush rug in front of the hearth. “This
is actually quite cozy.” She took a seat next to him.

“I had a good time this evening, Bruce. Thank you for inviting
me.”

“I see you had fun as well as a productive evening. Passing out
business cards and networking. You made me proud.”

She regarded him, sitting there with her. The moment was special and
comfortable.

“Thank you. I appreciate that. I really work hard at what I do
and I love what I do.”

Bruce sipped his wine. “There is something to be said for
living life like that.”

He poured them both another glass of wine.

“If I did not know any better, I would think that you were
trying to get me a little tipsy.”

He shook his head. “Not at all. Nothing wrong with wine to have
a good time.”

“Once again, I agree.”

When they sipped, they held each other’s gaze.

“Tell me how the kiss made you feel.”

Kate was not sure if it was all of the wine or the thought of the
kiss that made her feel warm and tingly.

“As with what I have come to learn from you, it was unexpected,
but I loved it.” She could feel herself blushing again.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I like you Kate. A lot. And
I’m not sure where we are going with this, but I’m okay
with that.”

“I like you too. And for once, I’m okay with not having
every second of what I’m doing mapped out.”

That realization surprised her. It felt good for once to throw
caution to the wind and just go with the flow.

Bruce’s lips touched hers. And in that moment, Kate did not
have to question what was next. She just went with it when Bruce
slipped her top over her head and began to unbuckle her jeans. His
body on top of hers was a perfect fit. She slid his sweater off and
in a rush, they made sure that each other was completely naked in
matter of seconds.

His body was hard, lean, but muscular. Blue eyes begged her for
passion and pleasure. She would do just that. Wrapping her legs
around his waist, Kate gave Bruce the signal that she was ready to
lay with him.

Kisses trailed from her earlobes to the nape of her neck. He kissed
her shoulders, leaving a tingling everywhere his lips went. She gave
in, feeling her body warm up to his touch.

She did not miss the whispers of “I want you” and the way
his hands so expertly massaged her nipples. The heat from the fire
and the heat they were creating made the room feel like a sauna. And
when he entered her, it was simply bliss.

The stroke was rhythmic, creating a song all their own. She tightened
her legs around his waist, begging him not to stop.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right,”
he paused. “Here,” he said as he gave her a thrust that
made her grit her teeth and call out his name.

That sent her body in a frenzied orgasm, leaving her wanting more.

“Come to me,” Bruce commanded, desire in his eyes.

He lay back, and Kate became a tigress. She crawled over him, as he
placed a pillow beneath his head.

She returned the favor, kissing him, aggressively wanting more as she
stroked his member, making it harder for what she needed.

He held her by the hips as he guided his penis inside of her. It was
as if they were hand in glove. She began to twist her waist, a
grinding motion that made him moan deeply. Once Kate knew she had
him, she started to put him under her spell. His face contorted and
she could tell he was lost in lust. When he bit his lip, she worked
harder to bring him pleasure. His hands explored every inch of her
and when it seemed he could not take any more of that action, Bruce
sat up and grabbed her.

He was feverish, his kisses rushed, needing her. It was as if he was
trying to absorb every fiber of her being. Holding her there,
straddling his hardness, balancing herself there in pleasure, she
felt the tempest rising.

All she wanted was to ride the wave, give in to the orgasm that was
coming. It was almost impossible to hold back and holding back was
not what she wanted to do. She wanted every inch of him. Kate wanted
all he would give her. She wanted to know what he would do to her,
how much pleasure he could offer her.

She was sure he could read her body’s signals because as her
muscles started to spasm, underneath her, he pushed his hips and gave
her a thrust that went deep into her core.

Ecstasy filtered through her veins and traveled to her fingertips and
toes.

“We’re not done yet,” he warned her.

She was breathless and when he kissed her again, she thought it would
take the last bit she had left. He picked her up, holding her in the
air.

She begged him not to stop. He promised that he would not as he
carried her off to his bedroom to continue making music together.

Bruce did his best to make sure he explored and ignited each part of
her body. Kate continued to give in and let him have what he wanted.
Every time she called out his name, he responded by giving her
intense pleasure. He gave her everything she asked him for and then
some. Just when she thought she would be unable to take anymore, he
dove in a little deeper and she was unable to hold out any longer.

Kate had to grip the sheets so that she would not scratch him. Her
first instinct was to dig her claws in to his skin, try to grasp him
for dear life to make sense of the intensity that filled her body.
Bodies shuddering with pleasure, dripping with satisfaction as they
lay there together.

“What just happened?” Kate asked.

Bruce turned around toward her as they lay in his silk sheets. “If
you have to ask that, I must have done something wrong.”

Kate kissed him on the lips. “Really, you did everything
right.”

“That’s good to know.” He sighed and pulled her
closer to him. The way his arms held her tightly, it felt so natural.
So right.

The silence between them was peaceful. Just laying there listening to
each other’s breathing, all seemed right with the world.

*****

Kate was awakened by the scent of freshly brewed coffee and
breakfast. She suddenly jumped up out of the bed when she realized
where she was.

“Whoa, leaving so soon?” Bruce was coming into the room
carrying a tray when Kate leaped out of the bed, scrambling around
holding the sheet wrapped around her body.

“I am so late for work.”

“Relax. It’s only seven in the morning.”

Kate stopped, breathing a sigh of relief. “Oh thank goodness.”

“Maybe we went a little overboard on the wine last night.”

She laughed. “I’m pretty sure it was a combination of the
champagne, and the drinks at the gala, polished off by the wine.”

“Duly noted.”

He sat the breakfast tray on the bed. “I thought a little
breakfast in bed is in order. Something to get our strength up after,
well.”

He raised his coffee mug in a mock toast, and then sipped the java.

“This looks wonderful. Thank you.” There was fresh fruit,
croissants, sausage, and scrambled eggs.

“Just a little more of my culinary skills. Don’t get too
used to that.”

“The cooking or the spending the night?” she asked.

“Cheeky, I see.”

Kate was still waiting for an answer. “Well?”

He kissed her on the cheek. “I want you to get used to a lot of
things.”

She smiled, ready to pull the conversation out of him.

“Tell me more.” Kate sipped on her coffee while she
waited for him to tell her what he wanted.

“Woman, you are going to drive me crazy already.”

She raised an eyebrow and stayed quiet until he answered.

Putting his fork down, he began to speak. “Since the day I
walked into the boutique, I have been interested in you. Since the
day we went out to dinner, I have desired you. Every time I am near
you, I want you more and more. And now that we have been intimate,
I’m not sure I can let you go.”

Kate could not believe the words she heard. He wanted her. He longed
for her.

He clasped his hands together. “There. Now you have it. I’ve
confessed. What now?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I had not
thought that far.”

“Really? You didn’t think that far ahead. The one woman
who plans out everything had no visions on what she would like to
become of what is happening between us?”

Those blue eyes were staring straight through her again, making it
hard to focus on anything else.

“I just did not want to make this into something it was not.
Like you know, if you were not looking to be serious, then no need
for me to put too much in to it. As you see, I’m trying to take
a page out of your book and take things as they come and not over
analyze things.”

“We could all be so lucky as to find a perfect balance. It’s
something I work at.”

Kate set the tray aside and snuggled back under the covers. The
boutique opened at eleven, so she had an hour or so that she could
stay. Laying there on his chest, Kate felt like she was right at
home. She lightly ran her hands back and forth across his pecs.