The Cowboy's Rebel Heart: An Enemies to Lovers Second Chance Romance (Wild Texas Hearts Book 4)

by Deborah Garland

  And they both looked happy that we were all together.

  Delsey and I sat on the couch and watching her bring a spoon of ice cream to her mouth, I grew hard knowing what that mouth could do. This was our last night and I planned to take advantage. I was taking the chance.

  Sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, Maddie dug into her dish of ice cream, looking like she’d gone to heaven. Delsey popped a kiss in her mouth here and there and with Maddie engrossed in the movie, I stole kisses of my own, loving how salted caramel tasted on her tongue.

  Then delicate snoring on the floor caught my attention and I checked my watch.

  “It knocks you out, too,” Delsey whispered.

  I’d had no idea how a woman’s time of the month took over her life like this. I had a whole new respect for the opposite sex. The cramps, the untimely bleeding, the cravings, and then the exhaustion.

  “Be right back.” I squeezed Delsey’s knee and unfolded myself from the sofa. Next, I scooped Maddie into my arms.

  She lifted her head for a moment, her eyes sleepy. “I can walk.”

  “Nah, I got you, Mads.”

  “Are we going to church tomorrow?” she asked as I strolled to the stairs.

  “You can sleep in. We’ll catch it next week.”

  “Mmmm.” She moaned and snuggled into my shoulder. “Can Delsey come with us?”

  There it was. She was clawing at every last bit, just like I was. “I’ll ask her, you get some rest.”

  “I wanna walk,” she said when we reached the top of the stairs.

  Ever since she’d been able to get around with her prosthesis, she’d been incredibly independent. Now, I just felt in the way standing outside her bedroom. She reached up and gave me another hug. “I’m sorry about what happened. I bet you thought all that was gross.”

  “Nope. Not one bit. It’s natural.” I considered telling her how a few too many beers wrecked my system and caused gross stuff to happen, but the kid had a hard-enough day. “I love you, Mads. Get some rest.”

  “’Night, Uncle Logan.” She kissed me on the cheek and slipped behind her door.

  As it clicked shut, so much tension drained from my body and everything I’d been holding in just let go. I’d done my parenting duty for the day and felt I earned an A-plus. Now it was time to be an adult and a man. This man wanted Delsey.

  I found her in the kitchen rinsing Maddie’s ice cream bowl and I pressed into her from behind. Finding the tender skin on the back of her neck under her hair, I breathed, “Lady, I have to have you. I can be quiet. Can you?”

  She turned in my arms and I kissed her instead of letting an answer come out of her beautiful mouth, especially if it were an answer I wouldn’t like.

  “Please say yes.”

  She licked her lips and stepped away, the moonlight catching her face. That scar on her cheek reminded me of the shimmery surface of the moon. Fascinating and beautiful with its contours and how it gave her face its unique shape. “Did I hear something about church tomorrow?”

  “I’ll see how Maddie feels when she wakes up.” I held her. “Please stay.”

  And just like that, I didn’t feel single anymore. Single usually got followed by free. And sometimes wild. Those days were over and I was fine with it. This responsibility brought out the best of who I was.

  The man I wished my parents could have seen.

  Delsey

  LOGAN KISSED ME FOR what felt like forever in the kitchen. Sweet gentle sweeps of his tongue, his mouth so wet and his eyes open, watching me. Watching me react to him.

  Pressing our foreheads together, he said, “Maddie’s been sleeping really good lately. In fact...” He leaned back. “I’m betting she’s far off in never-never land right now. We can go upstairs.”

  I’d told Maddie I’d be back more often. Maybe this was the start of something with Logan. We didn’t need to see the finish line right away? It’d only been a week. Not even!

  God, I was easy, wasn’t I?

  I chuckled and nodded. Logan’s eyes turned devilish and he took my hand.

  We reached the bedroom where the kissing grew intense. Bedroom kissing now. Hot and anxious.

  Our tongues swirled together as his strong hands moved down my back. He cupped my ass and ground into me. His lips then slid down my neck and he said, “I want you naked, lady.”

  “Okay,” I said with a shrug and started undressing.

  Part of me was tired mostly from not getting much sleep the night before. Because... Because of Logan, and now we were repeating last night. His kisses gave me a burst of energy. I removed my bra last and I swore I’d never wanted a man like this before in my life. Logan’s mouth ignited passions inside me I’d never felt before. A settled passion, though, something real, something secure.

  We met in the middle of the bed, both on our knees. Logan ripped off his plaid shirt, and I took advantage to ogle and smooth my fingers down the rippled muscles of his torso.

  “You are truly so beautiful, Logan.” I ran my hands over the curves in his Texas sun-kissed arms, bulging biceps from years of hard work.

  The next several seconds passed in a blur and next, I was on my back, Logan inside me. He’d stopped to roll on a condom, but licked me first. I fiercely clutched at his hips rocking him harder into me. The emotion felt raw. I arched my back and held one of my boobs for Logan to touch me, to put his mouth on me, which he did.

  With low grunts, Logan whispered in my ear, “God, I missed you today.”

  “I kept thinking how you felt inside me.”

  “Your body looks so amazing. I love fucking you.” Logan sat up, all while thrusting. Pulling my butt closer, lifting me, using me. “This is just too good.”

  “Don’t stop, I’m close,” I whined. “I lose control with you, Logan.”

  “This is too incredible. I’m taking my time with you. I want this all night with you.” He buried his head in my shoulder. “You’re leaving. Leaving me.”

  “I don’t want to,” I panted. “Don’t want to.”

  “Don’t want you to, either.”

  I wrapped my legs around him and my body exploded. I groaned and it was all I could do to not cry out. But we had to be quiet, and I was fine with that. We had to get us settled and then let Maddie know who we were.

  Logan

  SLIPPING. I’M SLIPPING. I can’t hold on.

  When I felt Delsey’s surge of heat, her rush of wetness, her tightening, her clenching, I put my head on her chest, quickened my pace, and softly yelped her name as I came. My entire body shuddered and my goddamn cock danced the two-step inside Delsey.

  Even under a rubber. Couples eventually had unprotected sex. I’d make sure we were smart with our choices, but I was looking forward to feeling her bare again.

  “Please stay here with me, tonight,” I said, still high from my climax.

  “You make it hard for a girl to say no.” She squeezed me. “I should leave early before Maddie wakes up. We’re not... She’s not.”

  “I get it,” I said, kissing her.

  I pulled out and rolled over to toss the condom, eyeing the box.

  I had every intention of finishing them up...

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Delsey

  Small towns loved sizzling gossip and me showing up to Sunday mass with Logan Grady after the dance on Friday night was sure to light Wild Heart on fire. He had picked me up from Nickel Song. I’d slipped out of his bed, quite reluctantly, early in the morning light to go home and changed my clothes.

  During the sermon, I shamefully let my mind wander. Every thought about getting back on my jet later felt like a slow-moving tragedy. An accident to be played out in slow motion. It didn’t feel real.

  Tonight, I’d sleep in my own bed, in my penthouse apartment overlooking Downtown Houston. So many nights I’d stared at all the lights with a glass of wine and despite still feeling like that scarred little girl, I was proud of myself and often felt like a million dollar
s.

  God, I’d walk through that apartment door later, inhale the stale air, and hate the sight of the place because Logan wasn’t there. But screw the risks, if he wanted to give us a chance, so did I. I owned a jet for crying out loud.

  I just had to get through the rough week ahead of me. Face the scandal that hopefully died down like Tess promised, then deal with Truitt’s firing and install a new COO in place. All of this meant burning candles on both ends to get my overdue research work done.

  All with no Logan. And no Maddie.

  God, I’d gotten so attached to them.

  When the priest finished and gave the peace offering, I thought Logan would play it cool. I was so wrong. He firmly planted his lips on mine, smiling at the same time. I kissed him back, and together we hugged Maddie, who sat between us.

  After communion we said the final prayer.

  Go in peace and serve the Lord...

  Logan’s hand stayed on my back as he steered me down the aisle and it felt so damn good and real. I didn’t stand out as much anymore in Wild Heart. I wasn’t a unicorn walking around. In just a week, the town’s fascination with me had died down and I felt normal. What a relief.

  The doors opened up and I waited for the wonderful bath of morning sunshine to hit my face.

  Lights flashed in my eyes instead, followed by snapping sounds. And next, a gush of water hit my face. Only, not water. It burned.

  “Delsey, why are you torturing bunnies?”

  “Do you like how it feels, bitch?”

  Then something else wet hit me in the chest. The top of my pink dress turned scarlet.

  Someone had thrown blood at me.

  What. The. Fuck?

  “Get the hell away from her,” Logan screeched, pulling me under his arm. “Maddie, get over here.”

  Maddie!

  Next, my feet were moving so fast, but I couldn’t see. I felt trapped in chaos.

  “Delsey, why did you kill those kittens?”

  Kittens? Kittens now?

  Was this a joke?

  More screams. More insults. More water being thrown on me. Oh good grief, it wasn’t water. It smelled like frickin’ lighter fluid.

  I tripped and went down, hard, my ankle exploding in pain.

  “Delsey?” Maddie cried out. “Stop it. Don’t hurt her.”

  I was getting attacked by a mob, and poor Maddie had to watch.

  Sirens. Lights. Police. Dark blue uniforms rushed toward me. My blurred and stinging vision could only process so much. Great, I was being arrested on top of all of this.

  “Cade, help us out, here,” Logan shouted to the officer.

  Everyone in Wild Heart knew everyone.

  “No, I want to stay with Delsey,” Maddie said, crying. “She needs me.”

  “Go with Christina’s mom. Now, Maddie,” Logan shouted back.

  Save the kid. Right. Maddie came first. God knows I didn’t want Maddie’s eyes to be scarred with the vision of me lying on the ground being lit on frickin’ fire.

  “Okay, folks, step back,” Cade said and a wall of blue surrounded me.

  No, they weren’t arresting me. They were protecting me.

  “Delsey, what did you do?” a voice said.

  “How could you, Delsey? Little animals?”

  “You shut your mouth,” Logan said, lifting me up. “All of you. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Delsey hasn’t done anything. She’s helped all of you. Don’t you dare turn on her.”

  “What’s happening?” I said, my voice cracking. “What’s on me?”

  “Smells like paint thinner. It’s on me, too. Don’t worry, I got you. The cops are making a path to my truck.”

  “Maddie, where is she?”

  “Christina’s mom took her. I don’t want her to see this.”

  “I’m so sorry.” My eyes stung and I barely felt the ground beneath me, but I did feel Logan’s arms around me. And I smelled that awful odor on my skin.

  “Nothing for you to be sorry about.”

  At his truck, Logan went to the tailgate and lifted me up. Cops had us surrounded with horrified onlookers peeking over their broad shoulders, phones pointed at me. Great.

  The haters had been shuffled away by the other officers.

  “Take your coat off,” Logan said and dropped it to the ground when it slid off my shoulders.

  “Toss it. It’s ruined. I have more.”

  “I bet you do. Let me wipe your face, Delsey. This is just water.”

  My face. My scars.

  “My eyes.”

  “Yes, darlin’.”

  “Just pour the water in my hands.” I whacked cool splashes of water on my face and slowly, the stinging stopped.

  “Here.” He handed me a drenched white hand towel.

  I wiped my eyes and then the rest of my face. When I took the hand towel away for more water, the beige tint left behind meant all my makeup was gone. I was bare. Exposed. A monster in name and face now.

  “I need my phone.” And not for a selfie.

  “You need more water.” Logan held up the jug. “Darlin’, put your head down, it’s in your hair.”

  Next, a waterfall hit the back of my head. Logan squeezed away the excess, the pink faded and the smell lessened.

  “I need a shower,” Delsey said.

  “Me, too,” he said, tugging my shoulder. “I got you, darlin’.”

  Sitting on the tailgate, I pulled my hair away from my face. From the purse dangling on my elbow, I reached into the front pocket and took out a plastic jaw clip I usually kept for late nights in the lab when most people went home.

  I didn’t want to put my messed-up face on display anymore, but I figured Logan was so dumping me after this anyway.

  I put my hair up and wiped at my face some more.

  “Toss this, Cade.” Logan handed him my coat.

  Now I started to shiver as the immediate fever died down.

  “Are the roads clear to Nickel Song?” Cade said into this shoulder radio.

  “Ten-four,” the crackling voice answered. “We’ve shut down the roads.”

  Hell’s bells. As if I needed another reason for the town folk to hate me. I was disrupting the traffic! “We don’t need all that.”

  “Not your call, darlin’. Someone attacked you.”

  At the passenger door, I tripped on the running board and sloppily fell into the seat. “My bag?”

  “Here.” Logan handed it to me. “We’ll have you home in a few minutes.”

  “Maddie?”

  “I’ll check in with her later. She’s safe now. You’re not. Right now, you’re my priority.”

  I kept my head down, but felt Logan’s hand on my chin. I pressed away, not wanting him to see me in such a messy state. Let alone gawk at my skin so red and raw.

  “It’s okay, Delsey. I just want to see your eyes.”

  “They’re fine, I can see. Almost.”

  “Please look at me.”

  I forced my head up. “See!” I snapped. “See what all of this is about? The kind of makeup I create to hide this!” I poked my cheek.

  “We’ll get it sorted out. None of that matters to me, darlin’.”

  I turned away. “Well, it matters to me.”

  “I get it. Can I take you home now?”

  “Yes, please.”

  My phone rang and I was surprised it took that long for Tess to call me. “It’s me.”

  “Are you all right?” My publicist sounded exasperated. “What the hell am I seeing online here? Did someone throw blood at you?”

  “And lighter fluid.” I turned to Logan. “It’s online already.”

  “I cannot believe the people in this town,” Logan angrily bit out.

  “I need you back in Houston, Mac,” Tess said firmly.

  My stomach flipped. “I’ll be home in a few hours.” I peeked at Logan and when he stared back, it was like his eyes couldn’t help but find my scars. I yanked my hair down from the clip.

 
“This is a bad time for Truitt to be gone,” Tess crowed. “Want to fill me in on what happened there?”

  “Truitt...” My heart started pounding. “Do you think he planted this rumor?”

  “I don’t know. I have a war room set up outside your office. Get home, Mac. We need you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Delsey

  Cops had taken over Hope Springs Lane in front of Nickel Song. If I were going to be there any longer than a few hours, I would have hired personal security. I didn’t want Wild Heart patrol cars parked out front. I didn’t need the extra scandal of preferential treatment by the local police.

  I called Hayden my pilot, who stood at the ready with my plane with its brand-new landing gear. The flight plan had been filed for Houston, the jet was fueled up, and all it needed was me and my behind on it.

  To bolt out of Wild Heart with the scandal whistling behind me was not how I envisioned leaving Logan. Heck, I’d stopped envisioning it altogether.

  I’d thought maybe, maybe my offer about the house would be met with an open mind from a lover. This attack was a game-changer. If my reputation was permanently damaged, I wouldn’t bring that shame on him. Or Maddie.

  Even if it meant, I’d lose him forever. He was a man of pride and let’s face it, no man wanted to be bailed out by a woman. I loved his honor and how he wanted to be the hero.

  I was a hero to so many women around the world. Saving Logan would be the icing on my cake. And that meant Maddie was saved too, I hoped.

  No matter what, I wasn’t letting Maddie go. I hoped Logan wouldn’t stand in the way of the relationship I wanted to have with that amazing little girl. I had so much to offer her. I knew because I had none of it growing up. Feeling like a nerdy dork no one understood.

  I understood Maddie and planned to be in her corner.

  For...life. Wow, that hit me hard. If...if that fantasy came true, I’d watch Logan marry someone else. Or at least hear about it. Think about it. Now that I’d had the man and knew how lethal he was in bed, it would destroy me even more.