The Discreet Cowboy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 6) (13 page)

Her gaze was on his profile. “I’d cause Chase a lot of grey hair.”

He shrugged. “Then where would you like to go?”

“I don’t have to answer that right now, do I?”

“Nope. Nothin’ is of urgency here at Nirvana,” he said with a wave of his hand. “But I do need to ask, am I a tool you’re using to make your brother angry?”

“Really?” she snapped.

“Hey, don’t get angry. It’s only a question. You talk the talk of wanting him to back off, but you keep doing everything to make him mad.”

“That’s unfair.”

“No, it’s not. Just like heading into town yesterday, you did it to be rebellious. You could have just told him you were going.”

There was a long hesitation and he looked at her. “I guess I do have my own special way of doing things, but this is who I am—the real Felicia. I’m stubborn, independent, ready to take on the world. As a kid I wished I’d been born with a penis because I hated how Chase was allowed to do anything he wanted—wear what he wanted, play with the boys, pee out on the land with so much freedom.”

“You still feel that way?” He lifted a brow, a chuckle in his tone.

“Not even in the slightest. I’ve grown out of wearing dirty ball caps, oversized clothes and having broken nails. I’m all woman now. I like feminine smells. I wear pink often, and the lacier my bras and panties are, the better. That doesn’t mean, though, that I don’t know how to get my hands dirty, I just like to protect my manicure. You see, I know a girl can have the best of both worlds. She can be tough and feminine too.”

“You just explained every man’s perfect woman.”

“Do you know what else I think?” she said.

“What’s that?”

“I’d really like to have sex with you. And I know that you want me too. What we shared in the saddle only made me want things more. If I’m pressuring you, now is the time to tell me.”

The breath left his lungs in one fell swoosh. “It’s a bit risky, but some things are worth it.”

“I know there’s a chance you could fall hard for me, but you’d see that I’m not the perfect woman.”

He blinked. “I meant, it’d be risky for our necks. I’m surprised I didn’t get mine wrung yet.” However, he probably could fall too.

“Sure, I knew what you meant.” Her cheeks turned a pretty pink. “Are you really afraid of getting your neck wrung?”

She certainly liked to ask the hard hitting questions. “I’d like to keep my position here.”

“So, you see yourself staying here long term.”

“Yeah, I do.”

Her mouth opened, but closed several times. She must have decided not to speak her thoughts. She turned her head and stared out into the scenery. Comfortable silence surrounded them and they sat there for the longest time. On occasion, he’d catch her scent on the breeze and his stomach would twist. Here was this beautiful woman who’d invaded his life like a train wreck. He’d never really been too sure what he’d wanted until she’d barreled into his world. He wanted her—more than his next breath. Never in his life had he ever felt like his cock was his only source of logic. He’d made a promise to Chase that he wouldn’t make things complicated where Felicia was concerned. A buddy pack that left a sour taste in Dade’s throat. He respected his boss, understood his concern for his sister, but when Dade had a lovely, willing woman like Felicia telling him at every turn that she wanted him, well, how was a man to resist the need buried in his balls? Hell, he’d done a pretty good job at resisting the need for the last twenty-five years, but damn, he was about to crack. None of the women who’d been a guest here at Nirvana had come close to enticing him like Felicia.

Truth of the matter, Dade realized when he started at Nirvana he was the ‘kid’ around all of the rough and tough cowboys that got all of the attention from the ladies. Sure, on occasion, he’d have a woman tell him that he was handsome or adorable. Compared to the other cowboys, he was younger and hadn’t found himself yet. But after the accident, he’d thought a lot about who he was, what he wanted. He’d had nothing but time on his hands. He still wasn’t one hundred percent sure where he was heading at this point, but he knew he’d prosper. He could overcome about anything thrown his way, but resisting Felicia, well, he wasn’t sure that was possible.

Rightly so, he should tell her they could be friends, but that wouldn’t be following his heart. He faced the biggest challenge of his life, he’d come to a fork in his world and he’d have to make a decision.

The ride back to the barn was ridden in silence with glances at her profile. She seemed as neck deep in thought as he was.

CHAPTER EIGHT

FELICIA SLID OUT of the saddle just as a tall, burly cowboy rounded the barn door and stopped in his worn boots. Several expressions flitted across his bearded face before recognition settled. “Well, well, I heard you were visiting. I just got back from a short trip.”

“Good to see you, Jace. I was wondering where you were hiding.”

He shrugged. “I had to take care of business back home, but I’m back.”

Dade stepped up beside her and she noticed the curiosity in his expression. She wondered if he’d heard the rumors that she and Jace had been more than friends? Although she didn’t owe Dade an explanation, she suddenly had an urgency to make sure he knew the rumors were far from the truth of the situation.

“Hey, buddy. It’s good to see you out and about.” Jace gave Dade a buddy slap on the shoulder.

“And it’s good to be out.” Dade smiled.

“Chase get those other hands hired?”

“I think they’re starting this week. Five more.” Dade shifted in his boots as if his leg was bothering him.

As the men discussed the ranch and the changes, Felicia compared them, and a few years ago she would have thought Jace was one of the sexiest cowboys she’d laid her eyes on, but looking at them now, Dade won, hands down. He was a few inches taller, had coils of muscle and wide shoulders like a linebacker. Dade’s eyes were an amazing color and changed with his mood. Although Jace could hold his own, there was just something about Dade that nestled deep into her core and made her want to find out what his moves were like in all areas. She’d never wanted a man this much, not just sexually, but to talk to him for lengthy times, share her thoughts, learn more about the things that made him tick.  She could easily climb back into the saddle with him and ride, on and on, nowhere in particular.

“Hey, Felicia, how’s that arm?” Jace’s question drew her out of her thoughts.

It took her a long second to gain her track of thought. “My arm?”

“Any better at getting the target?”

“I’m not sure,” she said.

Dade took a step back and grabbed his cane from where it was propped against the wall. “I’ve got to get going. I’ll see you both later,” Dade said, dipped his hat and was already heading toward his Gator before Felicia could gather her voice to answer Jace.

“I haven’t even tried archery since I was here.” She kept her gaze on Dade who was pulling away.

“I can show you the technique again if you need me too,” Jace offered.

Dade disappeared in a cloud of dust and she again turned her attention on Jace. “That’d be great.” Yet she wasn’t even sure what she was agreeing to.

CHAPTER NINE

DADE WAS RELAXING in bed when he heard the faint sound of footsteps coming up to the porch. He brought his beer to his lips and took a long swig, then placed the bottle on the table. He wasn’t in the mood to see anyone, but there weren’t very many people who’d be sneaking around his place after dark—and this person, well, they were sneaking. By now they should have been knocking on the door.

Quietly, and thankful that he was barefoot and that the light was turned off, he crossed the room, careful not to lose his balance, although he was a little wobbly. Keeping his head low and listening for any sounds, he didn’t hear a peep.

The knob shook and he pressed his body against the wall so that he could see who was coming in before they saw him.

The door slowly came open and, in the blink of an eye, he was taking the shadow by the shoulders and pushing them up against the wall, pretty darn fast when his leg threatened to give out.

“Shit, Dade. What are you doing?”

He withdrew his hands from the petite body and flipped on the light. Felicia was looking at him, wide-eyed and pale. “Damn, woman. What are you doing sneaking around here?”

“I didn’t see any lights on so I assumed you weren’t home.”

“And you decided to come on in?”

She slid her tongue along her bottom lip. “I planned to wait on you.”

He took a step back and sat down on the edge of the bed. He didn’t want to push his luck with his leg. Sometimes when he thought he was stable, his knee would fold and he’d be down on his ass. “Does Chase know you’re here?”

“I’m over the age of eighteen. I can go where I want.”

He’d let her keep thinking her words were accurate. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”

“After you took off and left me at the barn, I really shouldn’t speak to you again. That was inconsiderate and rude.”

“Really? How so?” He stretched his leg and rubbed a kink in his muscle. He’d overdid it today and was feeling the effects.

“You were my ride, remember?”

“I’m sure Jace was more than happy to give you a lift.”

“Are you jealous?” She wrapped her arms around her waist.

“No.”

“Yeah, and that’s why your attitude changed and you booked it.”

He sighed. He was kidding himself if he thought she’d let it rest. “Just as you said, you’re over eighteen. You can talk to whomever you want.”

“Now if that didn’t sound the least bit defensive.”

Her eyes sparkled, her lips called for a kiss, and her body that was draped in a short dress begged to be touched, but damn, he’d thought a lot about her, his feelings and the complications she could cause him, and he was fucking confused. “Okay, maybe I’m a bit jealous After all, I think everyone here on the ranch has heard that you and Jace were an item until Chase sent you packing.”

Her gaze narrowed and he felt the heat from her glare. She threw up her hands in irritation. “And you believed them?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t think about it one way or another, but not really.”

“And where does the jealousy come from then?”

“Probably because a man like Jace is whole and I’m not, at least not yet.” Her expression softened. “Damn, Felicia, don’t look at me like you feel sorry for me. I don’t want anyone’s pity, lastly not yours.”

Her gaze went to the beer on the stand, to his leg that he was still rubbing, and back to his face. “Why did you walk away?” Her gentle voice made it impossible not to admit the truth.

“I overdid it, nothing that won’t be better in the morning.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’re in pain.” She blew a long breath out of the corner of her mouth. “I’m really sorry.”

“There you go again, giving me that pathetic look.” He hated seeing her pity, hated knowing that he wasn’t back to health. Hated even more that he had felt a twinge of jealousy when he’d noticed how Jace looked at her. The man was Dade’s buddy, and he was a good man, but for the first time, Dade realized that he had feelings for Felicia—the deep kind that took over a man’s every thought. They’d practically come out of nowhere. And this wasn’t how he’d felt for his ex-girlfriend, and he’d been engaged to marry her. There was something very different about the emotions swirling around inside of his chest. He didn’t like it and wished he could open his chest up and drag out those sensations that would only be his downfall.

Felicia walked across the room, grabbed the pillow from the middle of the bed and tossed it against the headboard. “Take your pants off,” she demanded.

He blinked. “Wow, that was fast.”

“Slow down there, Suave. I’m going to help with your leg. After all, I’m half the cause for the pain.”

“No, you’re not. This happens a lot.”

“Don’t make me take the jeans off myself, mister.” She planted her palms on her tilted hips and he realized there was no use in quarreling. And really, when a beautiful woman requested that a man take his pants off, why would he argue?

“Warning, I’m not wearing any boxers.”

One corner of her lips curled. “Don’t worry, I’ve seen it before. Remember?”

Slipping off his jeans, he rounded the bed and slid between the sheets, pushing his wounded leg out from the cover. The softness of the cotton felt good against his warm and rigid cock that ached for a massage too.

****

What Felicia noticed was his lack of clothing. The sheet draped over his hips was nothing more than the ribbon on a Christmas gift. From his wide shoulders, broad chest, and the tapering of slender hips…she became hungry. Her gaze recoiled back to his wide chest, and the tenting of the sheet made her smile. “Nice.”

“Can’t promise my body will behave.”

“Not sure I’d be happy if it did,” she admitted and sat down next to his hip. Suddenly, she was engulfed by his warmth and craved crawling into bed with him, but first things first…

She laid her hands on his muscular leg, the crisp, unruly hair tickled her palms as she rubbed the tight skin and muscle. Sliding her hands over his taut skin, burrowing her fingers deep into the scars, he moaned and she looked up, meeting his tawdry gaze. “Does it hurt?”

“More than you could ever know.”

There was more to his words than met the eye. She continued massaging his leg, moving her fingers along his knee and inner thigh, the sheet brushing against her knuckles and feeling the heat radiating from his body. She smoothed her tongue over her trembling lips. “Better?’

“Much.”

“I’m going to have to turn my attention to other parts of your body.”

He blew out a long breath and he rubbed his hand down his cheek. “Damn. Stop teasing me. You can’t realize how much turmoil I’m containing on the inside.”

“I have a confession.” She stood up. “I didn’t come here to talk.” She lifted her fingers to the neckline of the dress and with a twist of her wrist, the material slid from her shoulders, down her legs, and puddled at her ankles. His eyes turned three different shades of colors. Standing there naked, her nipples bunching and her inner thighs quaking, she waited, allowing him to get a good look, loving how his jaw tightened and his hands clenched.

“Come here,” he said in a throaty voice.

She didn’t think, but just took a step to the edge of the bed and bent over him, keeping their gazes connected. “Can you keep secrets, Dade?”

He shrugged. “I’m not one to kiss and tell either, angel.”

“That’s good enough for me.” She lowered her mouth to his and the sizzle of the kiss made her toes tingle. He pressed the seam of her lips, as if asking if he could sample her mouth. She opened to his urgency and groaned as his tongue slipped deep inside. His arms came up to wrap around her waist as he dragged her down upon his body. She felt every hard coiled muscle, the sinewy plane of his chest. His hands traveled down her bare back before pressing his fingers into the flesh of her hips. The feel of his erection pressing against her stomach almost sent her spiraling out of control. The desire she had for this man was far deeper than imaginable, and scared her to death. She should jump from his bed and run the hell away, far, without looking back, but she was caught in a cloudlike web, and there was nothing she could do but enjoy the ride.

His lips brushed her cheek, leaving a scorching heat that burrowed into her blood. He left a trail of kisses until he reached her ear, licking and nibbling the nub. Tingles cascaded through her, pooling between her thighs.

“Tonight I tried to resist coming here. I wanted to deny myself this pleasure, but it’s no use. I crave your touch. I yearn for our bodies to connect, to become one,” she whispered.

“I’m glad you came.” He lowered his head to kiss her neck, her shoulder, the dip between her collarbones.

He tugged her over his body, bringing her to the bed. He pulled away just enough so that he could draw an invisible heated line down her body. Her nerve endings awakened under his stare, goosebumps marring her skin. She shivered, but not from the cold. She saw something so primal, so needful in his gaze that all doubt drifted from her.  “I wondered if you would send me away.”

He chuckled and his sexy smile made her clit throb. “Are you crazy? There are some things in life that a man can’t turn away. You, sweetheart, are at the top of my list.” He ran one finger down her cheek, to her mouth, and tapping his finger on her lips. His hands drifted lower, to her breasts where her nipples ached for attention. He brushed his callused palm over one mound and a delicious sensation filled her blood. “You’re a beautiful woman, Felicia. A rare beauty that deserves to be worshiped.”

“I wouldn’t choose any other man.”

He pushed his fingers through her hair, capturing her in his palm. “Those lips—those freaking delectable lips. I could kiss you all night and still not get enough of your taste.”

“I’m up for testing that theory.” She walked her fingers down his cheek, along his hard jawline, and swept them down his lean neck.

A warm chuckle escaped his lips and his eyes lit up like the stars she’d seen on her way to his cabin. He pressed his body against hers and her nipples blossomed into a cluster of nerve endings. She wanted to touch him, all over, learn him like the curves and lines on a map. Scooting her fingers down his chest, she came to his bulging cock and wrapped her fingers around his large girth. He was satin smooth and warm. She began to move her fingers, slowly, deliberately.

“Damn, woman. You’re going to be the death of me.” His husky voice vibrated her breasts.

“Don’t say those words. I have my mind set on having multiple orgasms, so I need you alive and well.”

He laughed and she gently squeezed him. “No worries, sweetheart. Tonight I’ll bring you pleasure.”

His promise sent wave after wave of sweet shock to her core. “I have had something on my mind since we were in the hotel room.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

She placed her hand on his shoulder and pushed him back against the bed. “I like to give as well as receive.” She winked as she licked her way down his abs and stopped at his navel to give it a playful nip. A deep moan drifted from his chest.

“I like the sound of that.”

“Mmm…If you’re as smooth in other activities as you are at talking, I bet I’m going to love what you can do.”

She left his flat stomach and followed the trail of dark hair to his pubic bone, then brought her mouth to the head of his cock. A pearl of pre-cum glistened on the slit, tempting her with the musky scent of sex and the deliciousness of a virile cowboy. Darting her tongue out she lapped up the salty goodness and her mouth watered. She swirled her tongue along his head until finally diving her mouth over him, taking him deep against her throat. He moaned and lifted his hips, all ten of his fingers digging into her hair, massaging her scalp. With each gliding of her mouth, each suckling of her taut lips, his body grew harder and his breathing became ragged. There was nothing sexier than knowing a man’s moans were because of her, and that he wanted her too.

Without warning, he pulled his cock from her mouth and with urgency, he flipped her onto her back and she bounced, but came to an immediate stop when he pressed his brawny body against hers. She started to touch him, but he caught her by surprise when he grabbed her by the wrists and dragged her arms high above her head. Holding her captive with one hand.

“I want to touch you,” she whimpered.

“Yeah, and I want to burst, but not so fast. Just relax and let me show you what I’m
really
good at.”

“Oh. My….” She squirmed when he licked her lips, her chin, her neck, and suckled each breast before continuing on the path to a part of her that was pounding with need. Her skin was scattered with goosebumps, and her core became the focus of her every thought and every emotion. She needed the fire extinguished and fast. She parted her thighs wide, inviting him to hurry, but he paused at her stomach and gently nibbled the skin before continuing downward. She’d never wanted a man more. Never knew it was possible to be willing to plead for his touch.

“I…need…you!”

“Yes, sweetheart,” he murmured against her pubic bone. “We have all night and I plan to use every single second of time to take you to heaven, not once, not twice, but more times than you’ll know.” He stared at her core. “I love how you have a line of hair here.” He tapped his finger against the thin stripe.