My Billionaire Cowboy: A BWWM Western Romance (7 page)

“Well, I was thinking of how much things have changed for me.
To go from living in this neighborhood which I thought was the
biggest thing in the world, to figuring out how large the world
really is. To know that there is so much more out there that I can
have in life, it just makes me so appreciative.”

“As well it should. I completely understand where you are
coming from with that. The world is pretty big and there is a lot out
there that you should go and get.”

It was nice to know that the two of them had the same frame of mind.

“Come on inside.”

Ever the gentleman, he walked around to her passenger side door,
opened it for her, and let her out.

He followed her to the front door and then in to the house. As Bruce
entered, he took off his hat and looked around.

“This is home sweet home.”

Kate watched as he looked around.

“It’s not what I thought it would be. You know. For the
kind of place where a stylist lives.”

Kate sat her keys down. “Really?”

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s lovely. Very homey. But I
somehow thought that there would be a lot of contemporary styles.
Instead, it looks like someone could live here and not like artwork.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

A look of distress shown on Bruce’s face.

Kate laughed, trying to calm the situation. “Seriously, it’s
okay. I get what you were saying. I’m very into fashion but I
feel like home should be, well… Home should feel lived in and
peaceful. That’s why I decorate with blues and soft colors. It
should feel like you can come in and relax. And well, maybe remind
you of what’s it’s like to go home and find comfort with
your parents or in your childhood home.”

“My kind of girl. It’s the way I like things.
Comfortable. Easy. Lived in. The kind of place you like to come home
to everyday.”

She stared at him, taking in the entire man. He was more than just
the fashionably challenged man with the deep blue eyes. He was so
much more than that. Bruce was this complex individual that was kind
and calm. She loved the fact that he was self assured and confident.
He seemed to have everything in line and never feel out of sorts
about anything at all. The exact opposite of where she was in her
life. It was refreshing to know that at some point in time she could
be like that and possibly in that same place.

“I’m going to change. Are we going somewhere casual or
somewhere semi-formal?”

Bruce clasped his hands together. “I have an idea.”

Kate shook her head. “As usual.”

“No. No. This one I think you will like. Dress casual and
comfortable. Very comfortable. No heels or dressy girlie stuff.”

Kate turned on her heels and headed to the bedroom. “Duly
noted. No heels and no dressy girlie stuff.”

She quickly changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and casual purple
top with a pair of ballet flats. She stuffed a pair of sneakers into
her over sized purse and for good measure, threw some hygiene
products in as well. Life with Bruce was pretty unpredictable and she
never knew where the two of them would end up.

Kate walked out into the living room to find Bruce browsing around,
looking at the pictures of her and her family. There were pictures
from her childhood, from graduation, and random shots of her parents
through the years. The one she was most proud of was of her standing
in front of her boutique for the ribbon cutting.

“I’m ready.”

The soft look on Bruce’s face was endearing. “It looks
like you are pretty close with your family.”

The thought of her parents and her happy childhood made her happy. “I
am. We’re pretty normal. We disagree and make up just like any
other family. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Are they from Los Angeles as well?”

“My mom is. My dad was born in Texas and moved here when he was
in high school. The two of them were high school sweethearts and have
been together ever since.”

“Ah, the old high school sweethearts thing.”

“What? You don’t believe in that?”

“Actually, I have always wondered about a person’s
ability to meet one person and stay together indefinitely for so
long.”

“Wait, the person that says to take a chance and take a risk
and go for love does not believe that people can meet that one person
and click and that be it for life?”

She was intrigued by his thought process and wanted to know why he
felt the way that he did.

“It’s not that, Kate. I just wonder if you could meet
someone when you are nothing more than a child and make a decision
about your adult life.”

She shrugged. “It works for some people. I mean, how about your
parents?”

“They were from a different time. A time when you did not
necessarily marry for love first. The two of them lived near each
other growing up, knew each other, but never really had much contact.
My dad went away to war, and when he came back, he and my mom got
together. They crossed paths and at that time figured out that they
wanted to be together. They had time to decide what they wanted. And
they chose to be together based on that. And I think that worked for
them.”

“It makes perfect sense. I get it.”

Bruce turned her around to face him. “As far as you and I are
concerned, we are both where we choose to be. And that is what works
for me.”

His kisses were always right on time.

“And that kiss works for me. We had better get going before we
end up staying here all night and miss dinner.”

“Good idea,” he replied with a smirk.

She locked the door behind them and he escorted her to the car.

*****

They traveled outside of the city, toward the mountains. She laid her
head back, listening to the smooth jazz music that was playing in the
car.

It was nice to relax and feel the vibe and the positive energy. From
time to time, glancing over at him filled Kate with a giddy
happiness.

“Spending the day with you has been fun.”

Bruce looked at her from the corner of his eye. “I have had a
good time too.”

She resisted the urge to ask him where they were going. It would be
more fun if she just went for the ride.

He turned off of the highway onto a dark road. The exit off of the
highway was so far out it seemed like it was the last exit to
nowhere.

“I’m amazed that you aren’t going to ask me where
we are going,” Bruce commented.

“Well, I figured that I’ve been safe thus far with
everywhere we’ve gone. So I think this time will be no
different.”

He gently patted her on the knee. “I think you will like this.”

They eventually ended up on a dirt road. The gravel crunching under
the tires of his truck and the high beams on, they made their way
down the road until they reached a large iron gate. Bruce rolled down
the window and punched in a few numbers at the gate code. The gate
opened slowly, gaining them access.

Bruce drove up the driveway that led to a huge house. The home was
well lit with a crescent shaped driveway.

“This is my parents’ home. The home that I pretty much
grew up in.”

“Seriously?” she asked. “Wow.”

“It’s not too much too fast is it?”

Kate reached over and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you
kidding? Today seems to be a good day to share.”

“Great. My mother always has dessert out by now. She makes the
best fruit cobbler around.”

They held hands as they walked to the door.

“Bruce, good to see you son!” A tiny lady with the same
steel blue eyes answered the door.

“Mom.” He hugged the woman and kissed her on the cheek.

“And I see that you’ve brought a guest this evening.
Hello dear, I’m Bruce’s mother. You can call me Hilary.”

“Hi Hilary,” Kate extended her hand. “I’m
Kate.”

“She’s very cute, Bruce. What on earth is she doing out
with you?”

“Mother,” he replied, sounding slightly irritated.

“Oh nevermind. You two come on in. I just finished taking the
peach cobbler out of the oven. There is ice cream and some fresh
brewed tea. Your father and I were about to have some dessert. But I
suspect you know that.” She winked as she stood back and let
them in.

“Hey Pop.”

“Bruce, ole boy. Glad you made it by.” They pat each
other on the arm and then hugged.

The older man peeked over his shoulder and looked in Kate’s
direction. “Well now, we are always up for a bit of company.
Hello there, sweetheart. I’m Cal.”

Kate nodded. “I’m Kate. Good to meet you both.”

“Welcome. It’s not often that Bruce brings someone here
to meet us,” Cal replied.

Kate glanced at Bruce, trying to follow his lead. He shrugged.

“Cal, stop embarrassing both of them. Bruce is not some high
school boy bringing home a date for the prom.”

“Ah, well. Where’s that pie you made, Hil?”

“Coming right up, dear. Kate, you make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Hilary. I’m looking forward to this cobbler.
I’ve heard you make an amazing dessert.”

In a flash, Hilary was back out with a tray filled with dessert and
hot tea. “Here we are. A little dessert here for everyone.”

Their eyes were large, stomachs even larger, waiting for the dessert.
Hilary served them each a plate and she poured the tea.

“Thank you, Hilary. This is delicious,” Kate commented.

“Do you cook, dear?”

“I do. From time to time. I have not a lot lately.”

The first part of the evening was asking and answering all of the
preliminary questions:

Where are you from?

What do your parents do?

Do you have any siblings?

What do you do for a living?

Is styling a real job?

Kate answered every question with class and poise. Cal and Hilary
were rapid fire, but Bruce sat back for a moment and let them ask as
many questions as they desired.

The first round of pie was almost finished just as they ended their
inquisition.

“I assume you and Dad have asked Kate all the questions that
you could possibly ask a guest in one night?” Bruce asked,
eyebrow raised.

Cal raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, hey. We get the point.
Just a little friendly conversation here.”

“Kate, it was lovely to meet you,” Hilary said kindly
with a smile. “I think Cal and I will retire for the night.”

Hilary took her husband by the hand. He was a bit apprehensive, but
followed his wife’s lead.

“Mom, leave everything here. Kate and I will clean up.”

“Thank you, dear. We’ll see you later this weekend for
dinner.”

Hilary gave a sly grin and slowly walked off, holding her husband by
the hand.

“Your parents are wonderful.”

“Really? So you’re going to stay and hang out? I thought
for sure you would feel run off by the Spanish Inquisition.”

They both laughed.

“I’m not so easily run off. They are sweet, and I know
they mean well. It was probably exciting to have their son finally
bring someone home for once.”

Bruce became quiet at what was supposed to be a joke.

“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t say anything wrong.”

He shook his head. “No. You didn’t. But you are right
about one thing. I have not brought a woman home in, well. I can’t
remember how long.”

As they walked the dishes to the kitchen, she asked him something
else. “Who was the last person that you brought for your
parents to meet?”

The dishes clinked in the sink. The sound of running water. Then
Bruce responded.

“I was in my early twenties. I fell for this woman that totally
blew my mind and sent me for a loop. She was everything I never
thought I would look for in a woman. But I was too involved in
building a career, so I let it all go. Let it all slip right through
my fingertips. She moved on. And by the time I figured it all out, it
was too late.”

Kate just listened, taken aback by Bruce’s confession.

“That’s intense. Now your philosophies on life and love
make perfect sense.”

“I hope that they make sense to you because sometimes I don’t
get love and feelings and relationships as much as it may seem.”

In that moment, Bruce seemed so vulnerable. He dried his hands on a
towel and sat there rubbing his temples, jaw clenched as his mind
churned on a memory.

“Love is not so easy. It has been difficult for me as well. I
watched my parents in this great love affair and as a child, I loved
the soap operas. So now I struggle to find something or someone that
measures up to what I thought I saw growing up. Now I understand that
what I have to know is that love is different for everyone. And that
what may be for me may be completely different than what my parents
have and that is okay.”

Bruce’s fingertips on the side of her face were comforting. Her
body tingled at his touch. His kiss was exactly what she wanted right
then and there was nothing else that she was focused on. Living in
the moment was all that was necessary.

When they returned home to Kate’s house, Bruce shifted the car
in park and sat idle in the driveway.

“I want you to come in for a minute.”

Bruce turned off the ignition and followed her to the front door. As
soon as she opened the door, she wrapped her arms around Bruce’s
neck and the kiss was all consuming. He pushed the door closed,
careful not to let go of her body.

His hands knew exactly where to go. He touched her in all of the
right places and kisses were full of heat. She was in such a daze,
she could barely think, taking her clothes off and trying to take off
his.

“Are you sure only want me to stay for a minute?” he
teased.

“Shut up and kiss me.”

He did exactly what she told him to as she pulled him into the
bedroom. She wanted him more than ever as she fell into his arms.
Bruce laid her gently on the bed, but that was the only time he would
be gentle. That night, he ravaged her body, taken care to make sure
she found pleasure in everything he did.