To Marry a Texas Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  Moving against him, she groaned. His finger found her, and she nearly collapsed from her pleasure. “Please.”

  He helped her out of her dress and tossed it somewhere. Then she cupped him through his slacks. Not satisfied, she massaged her palm against his heated flesh. Desire taking control, they grew frantic as they removed the remainder of their clothes and tossed them aside. He threw his wallet on the nightstand, and they tumbled to the bed. Her pulse soared, her body ached, and heat tore through McKenna, but not merely because of Zane’s physical beauty.

  After what he’d shared tonight, she admired him, his courage, his resilience. He hadn’t let his parents’ hate destroy him. The man she’d glimpsed tonight could easily captivate her. Could steal her heart.

  Are you sure he hasn’t already?

  *

  Zane couldn’t get close enough to McKenna. His urgency driving him, his mouth covered hers, trying to be tender, but when she nipped his lower lip, he deepened the kiss as he caressed her breast. She grabbed his shoulders, trying to pull him on top of her. Her movements frantic, she whimpered. Her body strained against him.

  He reached between them to stroke her heated flesh, finding her wet and warm. His heart rate soared as his desire and his frenzied need took control. As she writhed beneath him, he marveled at her passionate nature. The one hinted at when she sang. But it was more than passion. He’d felt that before, but not like this. As if they were connecting on a new level. “I suspected you’d be full of fire, but you’re so much more.”

  His mouth covered her breast and she moved against his hand. Her body straining. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

  “I need you. Now,” she pleaded.

  He grabbed his wallet off the nightstand, dug inside, and withdrew a foil packet. After slipping on the condom, he returned to McKenna. He stared into her open, expressive eyes. How could he have thought her plain? Stroking, kissing her everywhere, he explored her body. Her head flung back, her hair wildly tousled, her eyes blazing with passion for him, he slipped inside her.

  As they moved together, his body stretched tight, seeking to please her. Needing to. She pressed against him, matching his frantic pace, her arms wrapped around his back. Her mouth covered his, teasing and yet demanding. He felt the tension building in her, escalating, soaring, until she reached fulfillment, calling out his name. Her throaty, honeyed gravel voice uttering his name shattered his control. He thrust deeply as pleasure rocked through him. His release overwhelming and complete in a way he’d never experienced.

  *

  When Zane woke the next morning, his body spooned around McKenna’s warm one, he lay motionless for a few moments trying to sort out how he felt. Confused? Definitely. Concerned? Not as much as he would’ve suspected. Surprised? More than he’d been in his life.

  Memories of his night with McKenna rushed over him, shocking him with their intensity. Never had he experienced anything close to the connection he’d felt with McKenna. What they’d shared had been more than physical pleasure. While the chemistry between them had been damn near earth-shattering, there had been an emotional bond he hadn’t expected, and frankly, scared him.

  Not accustomed to spending the night with a woman, he wasn’t sure what to do. Sleeping with a woman, holding her through the night, and waking with her the next morning felt more intimate than lovemaking. That was why he never brought a woman home. Until now. Instead, he’d went to her house, allowing him to go home afterward.

  As he lay beside McKenna, he waited for the uncomfortable feeling to come. The one where his chest tightened, and he couldn’t breathe because he’d felt smothered or backed into a corner. Instead, he felt comfortable.

  Careful not to wake McKenna, he slid out of bed, found his slacks from the clothes they tossed every which way in their frenzy last night, and slipped them on. He smiled. He’d been right. The passion he’d heard in McKenna’s voice ran deep and hot enough that if someone stuck a fork in him, they’d find him well done.

  He walked to the desk and turned on his computer. While he’d been upfront, making sure she understood his intentions and didn’t expect a commitment, would McKenna still think that this morning and how would this affect them working together?

  Quit borrowing trouble and deal with the mountain of texts and emails from Cody.

  He opened the email containing the focus group’s comments and stared at the screen. The Cowboys and Zombies 2 project felt distant, as if it wasn’t his anymore. He couldn’t go on like this, hating what he did most days and longing to be a simple designer. When he returned to California, he and Cody would need to talk. Why wait? If he told Cody he wanted out, they could both start looking for someone to buy him out and the sooner that happened, the better.

  Once out from under Big Stake Games, he could start a tiny company alone, or design games that interested him to sell. He’d been itching to work on the zombie wedding idea he’d gotten at Ty’s wedding. The concept had potential for expansion, zombie date, zombie baby, who knew where else he could take it. Confident of his decision and excited about his career for the first time in years, he composed an email.

  After thanking Cody for taking the risk with him to start Big Stake Games and helping make Cowboys and Zombies a reality, Zane dove into the reason for the email.

  I have to be honest. My heart isn’t in this company anymore. I’m not giving it or you my best. That’s not fair to you or our employees, and eventually, the company will suffer. The lessons I’ve learned from Big Stake Games are invaluable. Unfortunately, one I’ve discovered is we have different visions for the company, and I miss being more involved in design. As I don’t want to hold you back and we can’t return to the time when Big Stake Games was simply you and me, I plan to sell my share of the company.

  He continued, saying if Cody could raise the capital to buy him out, that was fine with him. If not, he suggested they find someone with a business background, capable of acting as a CFO to buy him out. He insisted he wouldn’t leave Cody high and dry regarding the focus group issues on Cowboys and Zombies 2: The Next Wave. Then he finished the email with again thanking Cody and wishing him luck.

  Zane leaned back in his chair, reread the email, and corrected the mistakes. He sat for a moment, making sure he had no doubts. Then he hit send. A weight lifted off his chest. He could pursue his dreams again in his way.

  As he returned to the focus group email, sheets rustled behind him. He started to turn, his chair squeaking with his movement.

  “Don’t turn around. Let me get dressed.”

  “Isn’t it a little late for modesty?”

  “Pretend you’re Nike and just do it,” McKenna snapped.

  He laughed. “That’s a good one.”

  The bed creaked and then bare feet slapped against the old wooden floor. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “That’s not the only thing I enjoyed. Turns out you have all kinds of hidden talents.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Her husky voice reached out to him, sending a fresh surge of desire shooting through him. “After last night, I’ve got a few.”

  A minute later, she joined him at the desk. Her dress wrinkled from being in a crumpled ball, her hair wild and tousled flowed around her shoulders. She looked amazing. “Good morning.” He cupped her face and pulled her down for a quick kiss.

  Should he ask if they were okay? If she had any regrets? He decided if she had concerns, she could bring them up. Then she glanced at the computer. “Your other job? Is there a problem?”

  He nodded and minimized the screen.

  “Does it have to do with why the release date for The Next Wave was pushed back?”

  “How did you know about that?”

  “I received a notice because I’ve preordered. Can I help?”

  She was offering to help? Most women he’d dated pretended to listen about his work, but they only humored him, but McKenna appeared sincere. What the hell? Being a fan and player of the original game, s
he could have helpful insight. Plus, what did he have to lose? He clicked on the email again and pointed to the screen. “We’ve got creative issues. You can read them for yourself.”

  She scanned the email. “What do your designers say about the focus group comments?”

  “Mainly that we don’t have time to design an entire town, new characters, and increase the game difficulty.”

  “You based the ranch on Lucky Stars, right?” He nodded, and she continued. “What if you based the town on Wishing? Would that save time?”

  Hope mixed with the high of having a possible solution pumped through his veins. “That would eliminate the planning/concept work. I could knock out a sketch quick. We could include the wishing well.”

  “That could add new challenges, too. Players could earn coins to make wishes.” She scanned the email again. “For characters, think about people you know and what skills you could give them.” She giggled and poked his shoulder. “It’s a silly example, but Ginny said I make the best pumpkin bread. What if a character experiments with baking ingredients and discovers something that explodes zombies?”

  “But the gamer has to conduct trials to determine what works.” He opened a new document and started typing. “This has potential. Expand on the idea.”

  “If the ingredients must be gathered and the gamer has to fight zombies to obtain them, that increases the difficulty. Then create other folks who have a skill needed to build something the town needs to survive, for example.”

  “Once we have the characters, I’ll assign each to a designer to complete. Your ideas are great. Want to keep going?”

  “Will you list my name in the credits?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Cool. I’d have helped without it, but it’s nice to be acknowledged.”

  Zane moved the armchair from the corner to beside his desk chair. For a while they brainstormed characters and challenges. At one point the ideas flowed so fast, McKenna elbowed him from the keyboard for typing too slow and she took over.

  The longer they worked, the more he admired McKenna’s intelligence and creativity. She cared about solving the issues as much, maybe more than he did. Finally, unable to ignore his desire and unable to hide it from McKenna if she glanced his way, he said, “Enough work. It’s Sunday. I say we go back to bed.”

  “I’m not tired. I’m too excited.”

  He cupped her hands in her face and kissed her long and hard. “I didn’t say we’d sleep.”

  *

  As McKenna drove home from the Lucky Stars, she couldn’t keep from smiling. Not only had she experienced the most mind-blowing lovemaking of her life, she’d brainstormed ideas for the sequel to her favorite video game.

  No one could say life was passing her by now, and she didn’t regret a moment of the last day. Maybe she could have a personal life and work goals. Other women juggled both. Why couldn’t she?

  While she had no misgivings, her feelings for Zane weren’t as easy to sort out. But what if she didn’t try? What if she simply enjoyed his company, didn’t overthink, and focused on one day? If she stuck to that rule for the next few weeks, she’d be fine.

  When she turned on her street, she spotted a car parked in front of her house. A few houses away, she groaned recognizing her sister’s dented, rusty Corolla. Bracing herself for whatever drama Erin would dump on her doorstep this time, McKenna parked in her driveway and greeted her sister.

  “McKenna. Finally. I got here last night, but there wasn’t a key under a plant like usual. I had to sleep in my car,” Erin said when she stood on the sidewalk beside McKenna.

  Excuse me for having a life and not being here. I notice you weren’t worried where I was, only ticked you couldn’t get into my house.

  “Hello to you, too.” Her voice tight and tinged with frustration and sarcasm, McKenna inhaled deeply, held her breath for a couple counts before exhaling. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “My phone broke, and I haven’t replaced it.”

  Meaning Erin lacked money.

  “You look like you slept in your dress.”

  I didn’t. I slept naked in Zane’s arms. That is those few minutes we slept.

  Erin’s comments bristled, because she didn’t owe her baby sister an explanation. How weird was this role reversal? McKenna suppressed her giggle. She usually was the interrogator. Was this how Erin felt when McKenna asked about her finances or her current boyfriend?

  Despite not being accountable to Erin, McKenna said, “I worked a late wedding reception. Rather than drive back to town, I stayed in the Lucky Stars’ guest house.”

  That was true. In fact, she’d done so before when she’d been too tired to drive home. As to the rest, it was none of Erin’s business.

  “I need your help,” Erin said.

  “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

  “Can we go inside?”

  McKenna nodded. “Don’t worry. Whatever it is, we’ll sort it out.”

  When Erin reached in the back seat and pulled out two large suitcases, McKenna swallowed another groan. Weekend bags meant a short visit. Two good-sized suitcases meant a long stay.

  McKenna grabbed one and led the way to the front door. Once inside her living room, she dumped the suitcase and froze, unable to think. Why did Erin have to arrive when she finally had a life?

  “The seas may be rough, but I am the captain!” Captain Jack Parrot blurted out.

  Erin flopped onto the couch. “I can’t believe you still have that bird. Doesn’t his jabbering drive you crazy?”

  “I enjoy his company.” McKenna bit her lip. Sometimes he said exactly what she needed to hear. Like now. Captain Jack was right. She captained her ship, and Erin’s problems wouldn’t capsize her.

  McKenna strolled across the room to retrieve a piece of diced papaya from the treat bag. As she handed Jack the reward, she said, “Thanks, pal, I needed that.”

  Then she turned to Erin. “It was a long night.” One filled with more passion than she dreamed possible and connecting her with Zane in a deep-seated level. How would she prepare for when he returned to California?

  Deal with that when it happens. Remember? Enjoy now. Well, not now, because dealing with Erin is a pain, but rather the time you have with Zane.

  “I need fresh clothes and caffeine. Do you want coffee?”

  “No, but I’d love something to eat. What do you have?”

  “You’re welcome to see for yourself,” McKenna said, knowing what her sister really meant was make her something.

  “Never mind.”

  Yup, nailed it.

  Once dressed in lounge pants and an oversized T-shirt, McKenna headed to the kitchen. After preparing coffee, she took a minute to compose herself. Did Erin realize how lucky she was? McKenna never had someone older and wiser to count on or run to when she hit a rough patch. She’d handled problems herself.

  Back in the living room, she settled into the overstuffed chair beside the couch and sipped her coffee. The warm liquid flowed through her, jolting her brain into gear. “What’s going on?”

  “Lance came to work. When he wouldn’t leave, Darby called the police, and they hauled him off to jail.”

  “Good. That’ll keep him from violating the protective order again.” McKenna waited. If Lance was in jail, why was Erin here? A minute passed while she studied her sister over her cup’s rim. Fidgety. Avoiding her gaze. Not good. “What else happened?”

  “Darby was really ticked.”

  Uh, yeah. No one wants a girlfriend beater at her business. Least of all wedding planners whose clients are among Houston’s elite. “She had a right to be. Don’t you think?”

  “Well, sure, but she got all mad at me. She said I should’ve warned her about the situation with him so she could protect her business. The next thing I knew she threw all this poor work performance stuff and bad attitude garbage at me.”

  “The problem is your attitude,” Captain Jack Parrot said.

  “Shut up! Taking
it from Darby was bad enough, but I won’t take it from a bird,” Erin snapped.

  “Don’t yell at him.” Apprehension tightened every muscle in McKenna’s body. She had a bad feeling where this explanation was headed.

  “Then the bird better keep quiet.”

  “I regret nothing ever,” came the parrot’s quick retort.

  “That’s it. Shut him up, McKenna.”

  Wanting to pacify her sister to discover what brought Erin here, McKenna walked to the cage. Captain Jack hopped over to greet her. “I can let you drown…”

  She smiled, realizing he was right. All her life, she’d been forced to sink or swim. No one helped her at Erin’s age. She’d solved her own problems, but she’d always been there for Erin. Had she done too much for her? While McKenna wouldn’t let her sister drown, maybe it was time for Erin to toss off the water wings and swim solo.

  After giving Jack another treat, McKenna covered his cage and returned to her chair. “How did you respond to Darby’s comments about your work performance and attitude?”

  Her sister’s eyes widened in surprise over McKenna’s less sympathetic, more confrontational question and tone.

  “I told her I didn’t have to take her talking to me that way, and I quit.”

  McKenna pinched her eyes closed as the ramifications ripped through her. No. Erin couldn’t quit. Not after what she’d sacrificed. Heart pounding, McKenna’s eyes sprang open and her gaze zeroed in on Erin. “You cannot quit. Not after all I did for you to keep the job.”

  “You said you wouldn’t hold that over my head, but here you are throwing it in my face.”

  There’s a discrepancy in the accounts. Mr. Jenkins paid his deposit in cash, but there’s no record of the payment.

  Darby’s words tore through McKenna’s mind. Every detail of those two days remained etched in her memory.

  When her appointment with Camille Jenkins and her parents ran long and her next client arrived early, Erin offered to finish the paperwork before clocking out. A while later, Darby discovered the cash discrepancy and confronted McKenna. That night she’d asked if Erin knew what could’ve caused the inconsistency, and the story poured out.