Smell was the oldest sense, and arguably the most important, because the nose was capable of driving a person to romantic distraction. True story. It did it by sensing complex mechanisms like sexual compatibility even when the conscious mind was unaware of it.
“You’re pretty deep in thought there,” Maverick said, breaking into her runaway train of thoughts.
She jumped up off the front steps of the inn, ready for him to whisk her away. He looked ruggedly handsome in faded, well-worn jeans and a dark blue long-sleeved ribbed shirt. Clean-shaven jaw. Hair neatly styled.
“Nope. Not thinking about anything.” But you.
“You ready to go?”
“Yes.” She walked beside him to the barn, where he saddled up Magnolia.
“We’re riding to the campsite?”
“We are. I’ve got it set up already, and it’s only about a five-minute ride. Is that sweater all you have?” At her nod, he pulled a denim jacket off a hook and handed it to her. “Bring this just in case.”
Wanting her hands free when she rode with him on Magnolia, she slipped the jacket on. It was super soft and…she couldn’t help but sniff it. I’m doomed. Now I’m wearing Maverick’s smell, too.
They rode toward the setting sun with her arms wrapped around his waist. The measured cadence of Magnolia’s steps had Kennedy’s front rubbing against Maverick’s back, a wonderful friction she’d gladly endure anytime.
Tandem horseback riding definitely had its perks.
“Are we headed to a special camping spot?” she asked.
He didn’t answer right away, and she wondered if he’d heard her. “It’s a spot on the property I really like.”
“You mean there’s spots you don’t like?” she asked playfully.
“No, there’s spots I just like more than others, Miss Nitpicker.”
“So I’m not getting the spot you love.” She huffed out a dramatic sigh. “Seems unfair, since I’m here for only three more nights, and one of those is the wedding.”
“I can turn this horse around if you want, Shortcake.” He did something with the reins to make Magnolia begin to circle.
“No! Don’t be silly.”
Maverick made a clicking sound and Magnolia resumed course. “Good, because we’re here.”
She leaned out to the side to see around Maverick’s broad shoulders, and the sight before her nearly took her breath away. His setup had layer upon layer of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
“Mav, this is amazing.”
The grassy area included two Adirondack chairs, a blow-up mattress with a sleeping bag and pillow on top, an unlit campfire inside a medium-size brass bin, a red-checked blanket and picnic basket, and several battery-operated tiki torches lit up in a circle around the site.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it,” she corrected. She did. It looked like a picture out of Sunset magazine. That Maverick went to so much trouble to make her first camping experience special meant a lot to her.
He dismounted first, then helped her down. She moseyed around their cozy campsite while he tied Magnolia to a tree. There was a second sleeping bag rolled up tight, a couple of flashlights, and a pair of binoculars. He’d thought of everything.
Without a word, he lit a match and started a fire, stoking the twigs and wood until it blazed brightly.
Kennedy sat in one of the chairs to watch him. The final wisps of daylight painted the sky a dark orange, the shapes of the trees around them fading into darkness. “Have you always camped?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He took the chair beside her. “Par for the course when you live on a ranch. Mother Nature has a way of capturing your attention and keeping it, especially when you have the chance to unwind from the daily grind.”
“I never realized how much I’m indoors until this week. I’d work at the hospital, go home to my apartment to sleep, eat, and read, then go back to the hospital.”
“Well, hopefully when you’re in Boston, you’ll take a little more time to enjoy the outdoors.”
“I’m definitely going to make a point of doing that.” She brought one knee up, wrapped her arms around her leg.
“You know, you fit in here, just like you do in the city.”
“Don’t let what I’m about to say go to your head, but I think you’re right.”
He smiled. “Usually am.”
She rolled her eyes. “You got along well in the city, too. I may have bugged you relentlessly about being a country boy, but you had more friends than I ever did, and you took everything in stride.”
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes zeroed in on her. “I didn’t know you paid that close attention to me.”
“I pay close attention to everything,” she launched back, lest he think himself special or something.
His smirk told her he knew she thought highly of him. And okay, fine—she did. But he didn’t need to have confirmation.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“I could eat.” She’d snuck in a doughnut an hour ago, needing to get her fill of the best glazed doughnuts ever before going home. She’d splurged way too much this week, but that’s what vacations were for.
They sat on the blanket, close but not too close. Maverick pulled large ready-made turkey sandwiches loaded with everything out of the picnic basket. She took hers and unwrapped the cellophane. “Thank you.”
Next came napkins, cans of soda, and bags of chips. Barbecue potato chips—her favorite. They chatted about the ranch while they ate.
“Wow, so George is named after George Washington?” she asked. “I had no idea our first president bred mules.”
“It started when he received a gift of large Spanish jack from King Carlos the third of Spain in 1775, then a couple others from French General Lafayette in 1786. From there he started breeding mares and created America’s first quality mules, prized for their mixed breed.”
“Is there special meaning behind Magnolia’s name?”
“I guess you could say so. My mom named her after one of her favorite flowers on the property.”
“Your whole family rides?”
“Yes.” He took a sip of his drink.
“It’s nice that you work together and have fun together. That’s what Reed and I have—or had. I miss it.” She took a bite of her sandwich. “Have you given any more thought to going to the wedding with me?”
“Not yet.” Maverick’s profile gleamed in the firelight.
“I hope you say yes,” she whispered. Time was running out for them, and she didn’t want any regrets.
He turned his head to look at her. His handsome face and undivided attention did pleasurable things to certain parts of her body. “I am glad you crashed it and landed here.”
“Me too. I feel like if I hadn’t, Elle and Reed might not be walking down the aisle.” She held Maverick’s gaze, the crackle of the fire and the hoot of an owl the only sounds.
Kennedy’s phone rang, disrupting the pleasant vibe they had going on. “Sorry,” she said, pulling it from her pocket and looking at the screen. “It’s Ava, so I need to answer.”
“Go ahead,” he said easily, focusing back on his sandwich.
“Hey,” Kennedy said into the phone, the device at her ear.
“Hi! You are never going to guess what happened. That guy from school I mentioned to you? Derek? He asked me out for coffee! For tomorrow. Tomorrow, Ned. And you’re not here to help me decide what to wear!”
“Your pale yellow sundress you bought at that vintage store on Melrose with a pair of sandals,” rolled off Kennedy’s tongue.
“You think?”
“I know. And yay, by the way.”
“I’m so excited. I really like him.”
“Call or text me after, okay?”
“I will. How’s it goi
ng there? Any more kisses with Maverick McDreamy?”
Kennedy cut a glance to Maverick, hoping he couldn’t hear Ava through the phone. Her sister tended to have one volume: loud. But thankfully he didn’t appear to be listening.
“Could you lower your voice a little?” Kennedy whispered.
“Oh! Is he there with you? What are you guys doing?”
Turning so the back of her head was to Maverick, Kennedy said quietly, “We’re camping.”
“What?”
That one little word could no doubt be heard through the trees a mile away. Kennedy shut her eyes and took a calming breath. “We’ll talk tomorrow and catch up.”
“I can’t believe you are camping. Are you in a tent?”
“Ava. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”
“Okay, but don’t get eaten by a bear or anything.”
Kennedy chuckled. Ava’s city-girl blood rivaled her own. “I won’t.”
“Oh, and will you please take a picture of him and text it to me? Pretty please? I’m dying to see what he looks like.”
“No, I can’t do that.”
“Pleeeease? Just ask him. I bet he’ll say yes. And besides, you owe me for taking care of Mrs. White’s fish. Her apartment smells like something died in it. I’m not equipped for that sort of thing, Ned.”
Kennedy feared if she didn’t at least ask Maverick, Ava would text annoying emojis all night, so she turned and said, “Would it be okay if I took a picture of you for my sister? She’d like to see you.”
“You could take a selfie with both of you!” Ava shouted through the phone.
Maverick heard it, his smile growing larger. “If she’s half as tenacious as you are, Shortcake, we’d better take the picture.”
“Shortcake! Oh my God. He has a nickname for you!”
“Please stop shouting,” Kennedy said firmly into the phone, pressing it to her ear in hopes of muffling any further comments.
“Will do,” Ava said, calming down in order to get what she wanted.
“You don’t mind?” Kennedy asked Maverick.
“Not at all.” He spread his arm wide, indicating she should come on over.
She moved to kneel beside him, tucking herself under his arm. Holding the phone in front of their faces, she snapped a photo.
“Take two just in case someone closed their eyes!” came through the phone loud and clear.
“Don’t blink,” Kennedy said before taking a second shot. She scooted back to her spot to look at them. Both were good, and to her surprise, Maverick’s wide grin matched hers.
“How do I look?” he asked, his eyes twinkling in the firelight.
“Eh,” she said with a shrug while her mind shouted, Amazing! Hot AF! Dimples to die for! She concentrated on her phone in case her face gave away the truth. Then, bringing the phone back to her ear, she said, “Picture sent. I’m hanging up now.”
“Love you. Thank you!” Ava said. “Holy—”
Kennedy hung up before she could hear the rest of whatever Ava wanted to say. Two seconds later, though, a text came through with a string of smiley faces with heart-shaped eyes emojis. She put her phone on the blanket, facedown.
“Thanks for indulging her.” She picked up the last bit of her sandwich.
“No problem. I know how younger sisters can be. Once Nova decides she wants something from me, there is no wrangling out of it.”
They finished eating and returned to their chairs. The fire kept Kennedy toasty warm. So did the simple act of looking at her cowboy. The cowboy. Sheesh. He wasn’t hers. “You were right. The stars are so much brighter out here.”
“Yeah, without any commercial lights, you get a crystal clear view. Want a closer look?” He handed her the binoculars.
“Thanks.” She held them up to her eyes. “Is this the part of the evening where you spout your knowledge of astronomy to impress me?”
“Afraid not. I don’t know anything about the stars. Only that they’re nice to look at.”
Kennedy lowered the binoculars. Mav’s eyes weren’t on the stars; they were on her. She gulped at the intensity she saw shining back at her.
“Have you ever seen a shooting star?” she asked, putting the binoculars on the ground and tucking her hands inside the pockets of Maverick’s denim jacket.
“Many. You?”
“Once, I think. A long time ago. I’ve never looked for them, but I imagine out here, people like to stargaze and without really trying, you see a shooting star or two.”
He stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing one ankle over the other. Rested his hands behind his head and looked up. “I suppose.”
“Do you ever—”
“Kennedy,” he interrupted.
“Yes?”
“This is the part of the evening where you just take it all in. Without speaking. Listen, look if you want to, and feel everything around you.”
He closed his eyes. His chest rose then slowly fell.
She followed suit. Let in the smell of pine, the fresh air, the sound of peace. She’d tried meditating. Tried yoga. Tried listening to music to clear her mind. None had worked. Maybe because she hadn’t devoted enough time to reap the benefits.
But this? Being surrounded by nature, sitting beside a man she trusted implicitly. In a small town she never in a million years thought she’d enjoy. This got through to her. She lost herself to this exact time and place. Her pulse slowed. Her muscles loosened. She heard the slight rustling of leaves, the occasional crackle of the fire. When she opened her eyes and stared up at the sky again, the stars shined even brighter.
Time passed.
Maverick’s hand coaxed hers out of her pocket. He laced their fingers together. His touch warmed her from the inside out.
She rolled her head to the side at the same time he did. Their gazes connected, blazed. She didn’t consider herself an expert on men, but she knew an invitation when she saw one. Keeping hold of his hand, she got to her feet, stood in front of his chair. He tugged her down at the same time she moved to straddle his lap.
Wiggling her bottom, she got comfortable as he wrapped his arms around her waist beneath the jacket. She shrugged out of the denim, letting it fall to the ground behind her—she certainly wasn’t cold anymore. Then she placed her hands on his shoulders.
“I have no words,” she said softly. None to do the evening justice.
A sigh slipped between his lips. Or maybe it was a catch of his breath. She couldn’t tell for sure, but whatever it was, it rang with admiration. He understood that being here in the middle of nature took her breath away. “That’s good,” he whispered back.
And then he kissed her.
Lightly at first. Softly. Sweetly.
The gentle touch told her he enjoyed having her here with him. She wound her arms around his neck and melted against him, hoping he got the message she enjoyed being here, too. Under the stars. Just the two of them.
He escalated the kiss after that, fusing their lips together until finally, he slid his tongue inside her mouth, cupped the back of her head with one hand, and deepened the kiss, moving to a level she’d never experienced before. “Possession” was the best word she could come up with to describe it. Deep, caring ownership, like he wanted to erase every other kiss she’d ever had before.
She was on board with that.
Drop the paddle and float around forever on board with that.
Kissing him triggered all sorts of feel-good chemicals, like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, to go hog wild inside her. Euphoria took over—all the pleasure centers in her brain stimulated at the same time.
Maverick moaned, the sound amazing, and just what she needed to get out of her head and the doctor analysis and back to the pure physical pleasure of kissing him. She didn’t want to miss anything by analyzing it.
His mouth took over hers with skill and affection. The hand on her waist tightened. The hand behind her head held her right where he wanted her. Their lips molded together in perfect harmony.
He delved inside her mouth, pulled back to drag her bottom lip down before he dove right back in. Her entire body went liquid pressed against his, her arms wove around his neck, her fingers playing with the soft strands of hair at his nape.
“Maverick,” she murmured against his lips.
He smiled in return, the feel of his upturned lips against hers a victory she’d treasure forever. She got to him. It made her feel powerful and humble at the same time. He pulled so many welcome emotions out of her. And in a matter of days, he’d made her feel capable of more than she’d thought.
She cupped his face, looked into his eyes. They took a much-needed breath, a moment to say everything without a word spoken before kissing again. And again. The kiss went on and on, his tongue stroking hers. She’d enjoyed kissing in the past, but no other kiss compared to this. No other kiss tunneled under her skin and straight to her heart and head.
She was falling hard and fast for Maverick Owens. And the timing sucked.
They kissed until the moon hit the highest point in the dazzling night sky and then he tucked her inside her sleeping bag. Kissed her forehead in good night. She didn’t take her eyes off him as he spread his sleeping bag beside her and climbed inside. He lay on his back, hands laced behind his head. She lay on her side, hands under her pillow, on the edge of the mattress so they could enjoy a few more minutes of gazing at each other.
She’d never consistently spent so much time with a guy before. A dinner date, a movie, an occasional museum, but never hours camping out, or on a horse, or in a canoe, or birthing puppies and crashing on the couch. She didn’t regret her total focus on work and her career, but this prompted a turning point. She could be a doctor and have more. She just needed to own it.
And right now, she wanted to throw all caution and reservation aside and climb in Maverick’s sleeping bag with him.
The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy Page 20
