Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys

by D'Ann Lindun

  She placed two fingers over his lips. “Shh. Don’t talk. Just feel.”

  Taking her with him, he rolled onto his back, Noelle sprawled across his chest. He brushed her hair back and looked into her eyes for a moment, searching, seeking. Apparently satisfied by what he found there, he closed his eyes and kissed her.

  Unlike his previous kiss, this one was hot, hungry and demanding. It left no doubt in her mind he desired her. If his mouth ravaging hers hadn’t clued her in, the hard length of his erection pressing against her left thigh wedged between his legs would have.

  Any last minute doubts flew out of her head.

  She wanted him, too.

  Now.

  With her gaze locked on his, she reached between her breasts and unfastened her satin demi-bra. With it hanging loose over her breasts, she pushed to her feet and slipped her thumbs under the edges of her panties. Before she could remove the scrap of white lace, Nick reached up and tore it from her hips.

  His admiring gaze roamed her body as she stood over him. Her nipples peaked and her center dampened in response.

  She had to see him—immediately.

  She bent forward, and with eager hands ripped open his shirt, helping to slip it from his broad shoulders. His skin felt smooth and hot under her palms. She wanted to touch every inch. She especially wanted to explore the enticing bulge under his zipper.

  He kicked off his boots, then reached for his top button. Her mouth went dry as he pushed his jeans past his hips and kicked them off his feet.

  Dear God.

  His impressive cock stood at full attention.

  She swallowed.

  Kneeling again, this time beside him, she bent and kissed him. One hand rested on his pounding heart, the other on the covers. As their lips and tongues melded together, she slid her hand from his chest, over his abs, toward his erection.

  When she circled him, he moaned. A shudder wracked his body.

  She flicked her thumb over the slick head, and found moisture had already formed there. He moved his hand to grab her hip in a fierce grip. The message was clear—I want you now!

  He’d waited long enough.

  Breaking the kiss, she straddled him.

  Holding his hot gaze, she slid onto his erection, one agonizing inch at a time until he was fully encased in her body. His hands grabbed hold of her hips so hard it was almost painful. “Noelle—”

  “Just stay still.” With her palms on his chest, she rocked forward.

  Then back.

  Under her palms, his chest heaved as if he had run a race.

  He wouldn’t last.

  It didn’t matter.

  Her pleasure came from pleasing him.

  She dug her nails into his skin and increased her pace until he moaned. Her vagina convulsed, tightening around him. His breath came in harsh, sharp pants. His hips rose, driving into her. He made a guttural, unintelligible sound as his hot seed filled her body.

  With a cry of her own, Noelle slumped over him, her hair shrouding them. His arms wrapped around her waist. Gradually, she realized he was shaking. “You okay?”

  “Uh-huh.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “That was amazing.”

  “I’m glad.” She slid off of his still semi-erect penis and lay beside him, her head on his heaving chest.

  In a few moments, he rose on his elbow and slid his hand down her arm and over the curve of her waist. “You’re so soft,” he murmured.

  Already, his cock had begun to harden against her thigh. “You’re not,” she teased.

  “I want to be inside you again.”

  His simple statement sent a flash of heat zinging through her. She rolled to her back and pulled him over on top of her. She guided him into her waiting body. “Yes.”

  “God, that’s incredible. You’re amazing.” He dipped his head so that their foreheads touched. “I never want this to end. Stay with me.”

  Her eyes flew open.

  His gaze met hers. In his eyes she saw undisguised desire and love.

  Love?

  She forced back tears. “You know I can’t.”

  What had she done? Falling in love had not been an option for either of them. Her idea to make lasting memories had been a good one. She just hadn’t counted on breaking both their hearts in the process.

  She took his hand and slipped it between them to her clit. “Touch a woman here and she’s going to come for you.”

  His work roughened fingers slid over her sensitive nub. “I’d rather figure out a way to make one stay.”

  Tears leaked from her eyes as her heart shattered into jagged pieces.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Noelle swiped her hands down her short, gold dress. It was one of her favorites, and perfect for New Year’s Eve. She should be dancing on air. All of her holiday parties had been wildly successful—and thanks to her top-notch team—she already had numerous bookings for next year.

  The event tonight was her crown jewel—the Parker-Smith’s New Year’s Eve bash at their Cherry Hills mansion.

  She’d been home a week, but it felt more like a month. She’d left Black Mountain on Christmas afternoon. Nick hadn’t tried to convince her to stay with words, but they’d made love so many times she lost count. Their goodbye kiss had been bittersweet.

  She’d been tempted to tell him she’d see him in the spring when she came back to visit Amity, but hadn’t. It seemed like she would be leading him on and she wasn’t willing to do that. Making a clean break was best—for both of them.

  They’d had a fun holiday affair, but it was over now.

  There’d be dozens of handsome men at the party tonight. Maybe even one who had his own sleigh and would throw snowballs with kids in the street… Perhaps one who would make her forget all that. No, nothing could make her forget Nick.

  With a sigh, she patted her sleek up-do and forced a smile, although inside she felt anything but joy. She was alone and miserable. “Happy New Year, Noelle.”

  As she left the powder room, a regal lady with snow white hair approached and gave her an air kiss on both cheeks. “Hello, dear.”

  “Happy New Year, Mrs. Parker-Smith. The place looks great.” Her assistant, Mary, had taken charge while she was gone and done a fabulous job. She had done fantastic with all the events Noelle had dropped in her lap. No reason she shouldn’t; she’d been Noelle’s right hand woman for years.

  “Thank you, dear.” The lady pressed an envelope in her hand, which Noelle knew was a generous tip. She would give it to Mary and the others. She hadn’t earned it, they had.

  “Darling, before I get too busy and forget, my dear friend Bunny Wellesley inquired about you putting on a birthday party for her granddaughter’s sixteenth birthday.” Mrs. Parker-Smith pointed to the envelope. “Her card is in there, although you may not want to accept the job because she lives in Telluride.”

  Noelle’s heart jumped. That town was only an hour away from Black Mountain. “Telluride?”

  “Yes. Do you know it? Small ski town on the other side of the mountain? Bunny says she cannot find a decent party planner to save her life. I recommended you, although I know the distance may be prohibitive.”

  “I know it.” Noelle fought the lump in her throat. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, dear. Now, I must go freshen up.”

  After she left, Noelle turned the envelope in her hands as an idea began to form. Shiloh had approached her at Amity’s wedding and asked her to plan both Sunny and Clancy’s wedding, at her expense, because both women were so busy. Noelle had told her she would do what she could, but couldn’t commit to helping because she would be in Denver.

  If she took those jobs, along with the one with the one Mrs. Parker-Smith mentioned, it would be a good start at launching her business in a new place. She had enough savings to tide her over until she took off.

  Doubt washed over her.

  What about her company here? She’d worked since college to make it successful.

 
; But, somehow, it no longer mattered as much.

  Without Nick all the achievements in the world didn’t feel as good as they once did. She went to find Mary. They had a lot of things to iron out—like how fast the other woman could take over Noelle’s company.

  If she hurried, she could go home, throw a suitcase together and be in Black Mountain by midnight.

  ~*~

  Nick drank his beer without tasting it. He’d only come to The Waterfall because his dad insisted he get out of the house. He’d moped around long enough the elder Hadley had declared. Time to cowboy up and get on with it.

  A young redheaded girl and the house band took the stage. Was she the next superstar to come out of Black Mountain? Like Shiloh and Maura had? For the first time since he’d been about twelve years old, Nick wasn’t longing for the songstress.

  All those years he’d wanted Maura were finally over, but the woman he desired was just as out of reach. He couldn’t figure out why he kept falling in love with the wrong woman—those he couldn’t have—but it seemed to be his destiny.

  A waitress approached with a tray of champagne in plastic glasses and handed him one. “To toast the New Year.”

  He took one, although he’d just as soon not. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, sunshine.” She smiled and moved away.

  The singer spoke into the mic. “Everyone have their champagne ready? Only about ten minutes before we ring in the New Year.”

  He turned toward the bar, hunched over it and stared into his beer. How had the best Christmas of his life turned into the worst New Year ever? He should have known better. A small-town man and a big city woman weren’t meant to be together.

  Someone tapped him on the shoulder.

  With a glare, he looked up ready to tell whoever it was the hell off.

  Noelle stood there, smiling like a Christmas tree angel come to life. “Miss me, cowboy?”

  He blinked. He hadn’t drank that much. “Noelle?”

  “It’s me.”

  He shook his head. “What are you doing here?”

  “Living here.” She smiled tremulously. “As of tonight.”

  Hope began to build in his heart. “I don’t understand…your career…”

  “I just sold my business to my assistant.” She looked into his eyes. “I’m going to live here and build something brand new.”

  He stood as joy exploded in him. “You mean it?”

  She nodded, tears filling her eyes. “Yes.”

  The singer on stage interrupted them. “Ten…nine…eight…”

  Nick bent his head to kiss her. “God, I love you.”

  “Five…four…three…”

  “I love you, too,” she whispered just before his mouth claimed hers.

  “Two…one…Happy New Year!”

  ~The End~

  If you enjoyed this Black Mountain book, there are more:

  Promise Me Eden

  Adam Pelletier is at the end of his rope. He can’t figure a way to help his wife recover from the tragic stillbirth of their son. He hasn’t forgotten their boy, but Adam has pushed his grief down deep and is coping the only way he knows how—by refusing to focus on his loss and burying himself in work.

  Eden Pelletier is lost in grief. The pain for her is unbearable. So much so she’s in a deep hole of depression she can’t climb out of. Unable to do anything but think about her dead son, she can’t understand why Adam is able to put him aside and carry on. She’s so heartbroken she’s lost her job. When Adam pushes her to get up and move on, she lashes out—asking for a divorce she doesn’t want.

  Can Adam win his wife back before it’s too late?

  Ladies Love Cowboys: the daughters of Clem Jamieson

  Shiloh’s Song

  All Shiloh Jamieson dreams of is a chance to make it in the country music business. Unfortunately, her mother—a bitter failure in the biz—stands in Shiloh’s way. Shiloh’s determined not to repeat her mother’s actions—sleeping her way into the Nashville music scene. Not even when sexy superstar Dillon Travers moves to Black Mountain.

  Dreamcatcher

  As half Native American, Clancy Jamieson knows the pain of being bullied. Growing up fatherless hasn’t helped, either. She trusts no one but herself and her horses. When her prize gelding is injured, she is forced to depend upon Veterinarian Braden VanDerrCarr.

  Smoldering Hearts

  Runaway bride Amity Levore heads to Black Mountain to regroup after she flees her own wedding. She’s been running away from commitment her entire life. Her father’s absence in her life has made her leery of love. Can R.J. Hadley, the hottest volunteer fireman around, make her rethink her stand?

  Mending Fences

  Starla Jamieson has never wanted a child of her own because between helping raise her younger brothers and a dozen half-sisters, she’s parented plenty. To avoid the motherhood trap, she walked away from Trevor Lee—the only man she ever wanted.

  Sunny Days Ahead

  Sunny Jamieson craves a normal family so much she has gotten pregnant by the wrong man—twice. Neither was the man she thought he was, and she is alone and about to give birth in an ice storm. Bull rider Garret Pike is the last person she expects to be her angel in Wranglers.

  What A Man Is

  Mariah Kline uproots her entire life for a chance to get to know her absentee father. When she arrives in Black Mountain, everything she believed turns out to be a lie. With no money and nowhere to go, she reluctantly accepts help from Jesse Rafferty, a sexy cowboy.

  Ladies Love A Rodeo Man

  Cowboy Wrecked

  There’s nothing Rayanne Whitfield wants more than a family to call her own. Top bull rider Luke Greer is badly injured in a riding accident, leaving him unable to sire children. Can these two find a way to build a life together?

  A Cowboy’s Code

  After her mother’s sudden death, Daisy Zamora is determined to find her infant sister’s daddy to make him take responsibility for the baby. Because she remembers all-too-well what it’s like to grow up without one, Daisy’s going to be sure her sister knows her own father.

  Nothing and nobody ties down bull rider Clay Norwood—and that’s the way he likes it. When a woman he’s never met, shows up claiming he’s fathered a child, he does the only thing he can—take responsibility.

  Cowboy Two-Step

  Injured ballerina Olivia DeMille reluctantly agrees to accompany her brother to his bull riding school, even though she has no interest in boot scootin’ cowboys. The only dancing she wants to do is ballet, but a ruined knee has sidelined her for good.

  As a professional bull fighter, it’s Tucker Wallace’s job to make sure rodeo cowboys don’t get hurt. Outside the arena, he’s a crackup, never taking anything too seriously, especially girls. Can a ballerina twirl her way into his heart?

  Roped By A Cowboy

  Nora Reed will do anything to save her son. Even if it means taking him to the man he’s never met. Because she realized the man she fell in love with sixteen years ago wasn’t in a place to be tied down she let him go.

  Tie-down Roper Bellamy Bowie never forgot the woman he spent a week with at the National Finals Rodeo more than a decade ago. When she shows up with their drug-addicted son, he knows he must try to help.

  What Nora and Bellamy don’t count on is getting roped back into love.

  Heeling Her Cowboy

  Rodeo doctor Fallon Mulvaney has just been dumped by a cowboy. The last thing she wants is another rodeo Romeo. Can she keep her heart safe from sexy team roper Gabe Bowie?

  Watching his parents break up and reconcile dozens of times made Gabe Bowie leery of commitment. When he’s in an accident that puts him under the care of Dr. Mulvaney can Gabe overcome his urge to bolt?

  I Do, Cowboy

  Scarred by domestic abuse, Beck Bowie is scared to trust men again. A chance encounter with a stranger in a Las Vegas bar tests her ability to love again.

  Left standing at the altar by a rodeo queen
, Sean Brogan is willing to take on a woman carrying another man’s baby to protect her.

  PLUS, ROCK STARS:

  Ladies Love Rock Stars

  Call Me Cowboy

  Rock and Roll’s bad boy Johnny Cortez —AKA Cowboy—has a vengeful ex-wife stalking him. His manager suggests an elk hunt in the Colorado Rockies until she cools down.

  Although badly burned by a celebrity in the past, big game outfitter Montana Weaver reluctantly agrees to guide a rock star on a hunting trip. It’s either take him, or lose the land her grandfather homesteaded.

  When danger threatens, Cowboy and Montana must rely on each other to survive as they cross the Colorado Rockies in a desperate race from a killer.

  Rock Steady

  Can rock and country blend to make beautiful music?

  Black Mountain, Colorado, is the last place country music newcomer Maura Whittaker expects to fall in love with a sexy rock guitarist. The last man she gave her heart to smashed it like an old guitar.

  Dalton Stone isn’t looking for more than a drink when he walks into a small-town bar. A hookup with a groupie made him a single father. But when a beautiful country music singer catches his eye, Stoney has to trust his heart not to betray him again.

  Melting Steele

  Journalist Kennedy Donovan is hired to write a rock star’s biography, but is conflicted by her feelings for the musician’s friend.

  After a bitter breakup, Liam Steele seeks refuge in Colorado to escape the relentless press. The last thing he wants is another relationship, and especially not with a member of the media.

  Will Kennedy get over her love for the wrong man? Can Liam see past the reporter to the woman underneath?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Falling in love with romance novels the summer before sixth grade, D’Ann Lindun never thought about writing one until many years later when she took a how-to class at her local college. She was hooked! She began writing and never looked back. Thirty-two manuscripts and numerous awards later, she is an Amazon bestseller! Romance appeals to D’Ann because there's just something so satisfying about writing a book guaranteed to have a happy ending. Her particular favorites usually feature cowboys and the women who love them.