Spurs (Bad Boy Burnetts Book 1) (2 page)

Growling and frustrated, Cord switched off the water and reached for a towel. He stared angrily at his treacherous cock and warned it to behave. He had taken the edge off with that jerkoff session. Hopefully it would be enough to tide him over through dinner and the rest of the evening without Kate and Derek as a buffer. He didn't know how he'd make it until Monday. He'd have to just get through it, he supposed.

But Daphne was just so goddamn gorgeous and alluring he accepted it was probably futile.

It killed him to be rude to her but avoiding her and acting as if he couldn't stand her was the only way to maintain his sanity. He couldn't have Daphne, not in this lifetime. She was the kind of girl meant for a specific kind of man, namely a CEO with piles of cash and a bloodline to rival his best bull, but definitely not some rough and tumble rancher with a bachelor's degree from a state university. He couldn't compare to the men who moved in her privileged circles. To entertain any hopes outside the realm of reality was simply masochistic.

So he would steel his jaw and get through the weekend. If being near her proved too tempting, he would drive into town and visit one of his standbys. There were a handful of women willing to let him spend the night.

Or he could always stop by the Rocking R for a drink. Meeting a woman there wouldn't be difficult. Maybe that was exactly what he needed: a wild night with a nameless woman to clear his head. Daphne wasn't the only sexy woman in existence.

He'd done just fine without her all these years.

This was all just a passing infatuation. Wasn't it?

Cord caught sight of his reflection in the foggy mirror.
You lying ass bastard. This ain’t no passing infatuation.

With a sigh, he gripped the counter and leaned forward, dropping his head and shoulders with resignation. There were no two ways about it. He was right and truly fucked.

You can’t have this girl.
He couldn’t. He just couldn’t. She was going to be his sister-in-law by Christmas. Daphne’s brother was in love with Cord’s baby sister. They were going to get married, buy a mansion in Houston and live happily ever after.

If he messed around with Daphne, he would be putting Kate’s future happiness at risk. He cringed just thinking about the awkwardness that would ensue if a tumble with Daphne turned into a messy situation of hurt feelings or worse.

Kate had suffered enough in her young life. She deserved her dream wedding to this man who loved and respected her. Cord couldn’t be the cause of friction and pain that would mar her big day.

Gritting his teeth, Cord decided he would do what he had always done. He would put his siblings first and his needs and desires last. It was the right thing to do.

Even if it felt like a knife to the gut…

Chapter Three

Daphne held her breath as Cord took the first tentative bite of the pasta dish she had prepared. She hadn't been joking about her cooking skills. She had grown up in fully staffed households with a personal chef. Learning to whip up a home cooked meal hadn't even crossed her mind until her first semester at college.

Thankfully Kate had taught her some of the more important skills she had failed to develop over the years. Things like cooking, cleaning, ironing. Basic skills she really needed but had never been taught. They had actually become friends over their shared microwave and contraband hot plate.

“It's good,” Cord declared, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.

Daphne smiled, her stomach trembling happily at his compliment. “Thanks.”

They sat on opposite ends of the dining table. Despite the distance, Daphne could smell the brisk cedar scent that always seemed to cling to him. She yearned to bury her nose against his neck and inhale the smell deep into her lungs. She wanted to press close to him, press her breasts against his hard, masculine chest and lick at the curve of his throat.

They had been eating in silence for a few minutes when Cord finally spoke. "I was thinking of driving into town later."

Hope swelled inside her. She grinned at him. "Really? Well, maybe we could see a movie or something."

Cord's face tightened. "I meant alone."

"Oh." Embarrassment burned her face. The brief happiness she had experienced at his compliment earlier collapsed. "Sorry,” she apologized hastily with a bashful smile. “I should have let you finish before I interrupted.”

"No, I should have been clear." He paused before reluctantly adding, "You can come, I guess."

"No, thanks." She faked a disinterested smile. "I should probably catch up on some reading and return emails."

"If you're sure…"

"I'm sure." Having murderous thoughts, she stabbed her fork into the pasta. The last thing she needed was a pity date. She had never begged a man to take her out and she wasn’t to start with this cantankerous cowboy. A little worried about being alone out here in the middle of nowhere with only the ranch hands who lived a mile away in the bunkhouse for protection, she asked, "Will you be gone long?"

He looked uncomfortable. "Well,” he drawled out in that utterly Texan way of his, “I was thinking of having a drink at the Rockin' R so I may not be home tonight."

A drink? No. A fuck. That’s what he meant. He was going into town to find a one-night stand. Pain lanced her gut at the thought of him with another woman. Prettier. Thinner. Taller. Someone with a sweet country smile and a gentle heart.

He ran his tongue alone the inside of his bottom lip. "I don't think it would be appropriate for me to bring someone home."

For once, all those etiquette lessons and the finishing school her mother had forced her to attend the summer after high school proved useful. Daphne didn’t let her emotions show. She smiled warmly at him even though she was dying inside. “I think this is your home, and you should do whatever makes you comfortable.”

Feeling embarrassed for putting him in an awkward position, she lowered her fork to the table. "You know what? Kate left me the keys to her car. I'll just take off after dinner and find a room at one of the B&B's in town."

Cord leaned forward in his chair. “I didn't mean—I just thought—”

Daphne waved her hand dismissively. She plastered a smile on her face. “Don't worry about it. You've been really patient hosting us for the last two weeks. I'm sure you're used to your privacy. I'll make myself scarce this weekend.”

No longer hungry, she gathered up her plate and glass and stood. She paused in the doorway to the kitchen. “There are brownies on the counter and ice cream in the freezer, if you want dessert.”

Her eyes prickled with heat as she cleaned off her plate and stowed it in the dishwasher. She had to get away from Cord. Humiliation left her cheeks blazing. She had been so naive to think cooking the man dinner and engaging him in conversation might have led to something else.

God, he couldn't even be bothered to pretend he enjoyed her company. All he wanted was a piece of local ass to make his weekend better. Stupid didn't even come close to describing how she felt. For a woman with a genius level IQ, she was an utter fool when it came to men. Apparently her book smarts didn't translate so well to real life.

Practically suffocating with humiliation and crushed dreams, Daphne left out the back door. She skipped down the steps of the back porch and walked aimlessly across the back lawn. She skirted the edge of a small pond and found an inviting patch of grass beneath a shady tree.

Plopping down, Daphne rearranged the long skirt of her burgundy maxi-dress. The Indian inspired gold print was among her favorites. She leaned back against the trunk and closed her eyes. Sitting alone and feeling foolish wasn't exactly how she had imagined spending her Friday night. Instead of riding that cowboy back in the house, she would have to content herself with TV and maybe a glass of wine at whatever bed and breakfast she ended up at later.

Never one to waste time, Daphne pulled her cell phone from the hidden pocket of her skirt and used the touch screen to surf the internet for bed and breakfast listings. As she looked at the available rooms in the touristy center of Fredericksburg, Daphne noticed storm clouds building in the distance. Thunderstorms had been exploding in the evenings due to the extreme daytime heating. Cord had been worried about the lightning igniting the dry grass that stretched as far as the eye could see. The drought conditions had yet to ease in the area. Daphne didn't know much about ranching but she knew a grass fire was a terrible and threatening event.

The wind kicked up and a heavy gust slammed against her. The scent of rain hung ripe in the air. Daphne cast a wary glance at the darkening skyline. Deep grey clouds blocked the setting sun. She could feel the temperature shift on her bare skin. The sky would open up soon and drench the parched ground.

“You'd best get in the house.”

The unexpected sound of Cord's voice startled her. She whipped her head in his direction, shocked to see him standing just a few feet from her. How the hell had he snuck up on her like that?

“I'm perfectly capable of deciding when to seek shelter. I'm not a child,” Daphne said, a bit more defensively than necessary.

Cord fixed her with a long, hard look. “No, you're not. All the same,” he tilted his head, “I'd rather you not get zapped by lightning. I don't think your parents would take very kindly to that. I'd hate to get sued. Might make things tricky with Derek and Katie.”

She fought the urge to roll her eyes at the stereotype that people like her parents had nothing better to do than waste money suing over frivolous things. “Shouldn't you be heading out? I'm sure you'll want to hit the bar early so you can scope out the scene and stake a claim."

"Oh, I've already got my eyes on someone."

"Really?" Daphne tried to ignore the punch of anguish that struck her belly. She should have known. A man like Cord probably had his pick of the beautiful faces in town. "Well, I won't keep you." She flicked her fingers. "Go on. I've got to pack my bag and pick one of these rooms. I'll lock up when I leave."

"Maybe I won't go into town tonight."

Daphne's gaze snapped to his. Something flashed in his eyes, something so primal and real she shuddered under its power.

Cord took a step closer. “Are you cold?”

Daphne shook her head and slipped her phone back into her pocket. Before she could stand, Cord offered his hands. She stared at them a moment, not trusting herself to let go when the time came. His warm, dry fingers wrapped around hers. Rather gently, Cord pulled Daphne to her feet. The bottom dropped from her stomach as she came into contact briefly with his hard chest. Cord stepped back immediately and let go of her hands. He seemed to be fighting some battle within his mind.

Daphne started to speak but the oddest sensation overcame her. The hairs on her arms and the back of her neck rose suddenly. The very air she breathed seemed electrified. A split-second later, a bolt of lightning struck nearby—too close for comfort—and rattled the ground beneath her feet. Screaming, Daphne flung her hands over her head.

And then the strongest arms were wrapped around her shoulders and under her knees. In one swift movement, Cord lifted her from the ground and hustled her back to the porch lining the rear of the house. She clung to him like a terrified child. Thunder rumbled around them, threatened to shatter her ear drums. Fat raindrops gushed from the saturated clouds and soaked through their clothing.

When they reached the safety of the covered porch, Cord carefully set her down. He gently pulled her arms from his neck and swept a searching gaze over her body. “Are you all right?”

Gulping, she nodded. Her limbs shook wildly and teeth chattered. “I can't stop shaking.”

Cord gathered her close, his heat and strength soothing her overexcited nerves. He tenderly touched her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. Daphne's eyelids lowered at the sensation of his callused hand on her face. She had imagined this moment so many times. Fantasy didn't come close to the real thing.

A tiny whimper escaped her throat when Cord's lips finally brushed against hers. She fisted the damp fabric of his shirt and lifted on tiptoes to encourage his kiss. She wanted him to kiss her, to
really
kiss her. He didn't disappoint.

Like a seasoned lover, Cord kissed her so deeply her knees threatened to buckle. His tongue darted between her lips and flicked against hers. Daphne opened wide and surrendered completely to his passionate kiss.

Cord broke away from their kiss and stepped back. His shoulders lifted and fell as he breathed heavily. He ran a hand through his now wet hair. “I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry.”

Fire coursed through her veins. She didn't know whether to scream or faint. “What?”

“You and me.” He gestured between them. “This. It can't happen.”

She was at a loss to understand what was happening. “Why not?”

“You're not the woman for me, Daphne. I can't offer you anything more than this.” He spread his arms wide and indicated his ranch.

Regret tinged his voice. She suddenly realized why he had been so aloof.
He thinks he isn’t good enough for me, the proud, stupid, sexy man…

Not wanting to lose this chance, Daphne reached out and cupped his cheek. His stubble rasped her palm. “Maybe this is exactly what I want.”

Cord went rigid. He stared at her intently, his gaze searing her skin. Finally he spoke. “Daphne, you're not the kind of girl I could love and leave. You better be damned sure you want me because once you're in my bed and in my arms, I'm not letting you go.”

Daphne couldn't breathe. Hot and cold torrents rippled through her body. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Vaguely Daphne understood this was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. If she didn't act now, she would lose him forever.

Boldly, Daphne wound her arms around his waist. She pressed her lips to his. “Take me to bed.”

Chapter Four

Cord growled and lifted her into his arms. His resolve crumbed. There was no denying the attraction between them a moment longer. Daphne wasn't the type of girl to toy with him. She wanted exactly what he did—something more than a one night stand.