by Box Set
“What are you doing?” she asked as her breath quickened along with her heartbeat.
“I’m loving you one more time, darlin’. Take off your clothes.” His hands trembled as he undid his buckle. “One more time,” he whispered as they slid to the floor.
Chapter 25
If You’re Not Here With Me
Holly wandered around her big empty house feeling alone and unhappy. She’d been home for almost six months now and just couldn’t get herself settled. April was upset at first that she wouldn’t share the details of her time with Preston. She finally apologized, saying she understood why Holly didn’t want to spill details about her fling. Holly remembered how she’d burst into tears, and April had rushed over to make sure she was all right. April and Larry were her best friends, and she didn’t want anything to change it.
Glancing at the clock, she felt her heart skip a beat; he would be calling her in about fifteen minutes. He was very precise with the calls and she loved it. Just hearing his deep, gravelly voice sent shivers down her spine. She would close her eyes and imagine his hands roaming her body. Damn that cowboy could drive her mad from thousands of miles away. She giggled at the thought before grabbing herself a glass of wine and making her way upstairs to her bedroom. She lit her candles and turned down the covers on her bed. Slipping out of her clothes, she took a sip of wine before she slid under the covers, waiting for his call.
Her computer’s Skype rang right on time. As she hit answer, her breath caught.
“Hello darlin’. Did you miss me today?” His face came into focus, and she saw that beautiful smile turning his lips up.
“Of course I did, cowboy. Did you miss me?” She took another sip of wine and placed the glass back on her side table.
“You know I did,” he whispered. “You look beautiful tonight, although, I can’t see enough of you. Why are you under the covers?” She watched as he set his computer down and turned to walk to his bed giving her a perfect view of his fine ass.
“You are such a tease.” She giggled as she tossed off her covers and watched as he took a long, slow look down her body and back up again. “I wish I could feel your arms around me,” she said with longing in her voice.
“Yeah, but this is better than nothing, right?” he asked. “Can you do me a favor tonight?”
“What?” She brought her eyes back to his face.
“Don’t close your eyes, stay right here focused on me tonight. I know we’re still getting used to this, but I feel closer to you when you keep your eyes open.”
“I’ll try. Are you going to stay with me for my bath again?” She winked as he grinned from ear to ear.
“You bet. That is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of our calls.” He chuckled. “Let’s make love slowly tonight.”
“Whatever you want, cowboy.”
Later, when their breathing evened out and their heartbeats slowed, Holly looked at the screen, at the man that had stolen her heart. “I love you, Preston.”
“I love you, too. You ready for that bath now?” He stood up and walked to his computer, setting her into a fit of giggles. “What?” he asked as he lifted it up to his face.
“You are such a voyeur.”
“Only for you. Are you using bubbles tonight?” He set his computer down, and it jiggled the picture for a moment.
“No,” she said as she placed hers facing the tub. She turned on the faucets and placed her hand under the water to adjust it to the perfect temperature.
“Now who’s the voyeur?” He chuckled as he did the same. “I honestly never dreamed I’d be having...” He stopped and scratched his head. “Computer sex? That sounds weird, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah it does, but anything that makes me feel closer to you isn’t weird to me.” She stood and turned to face him. “You make everything seem normal.” She stepped carefully over the edge of the tub and slowly slid down into the water, adjusting the screen on her computer so it pointed down into the tub, giving him a full view as she lay back against the cool surface. Smiling, she picked up her soap, lathered her hands, and watched his face as she slowly lathered her arms before moving down to her breasts. She heard his breath catch as she moved lower down her stomach, taking her time, taunting him before she moved her hand to where she knew he wanted it.
“Damn woman. Do you know how absolutely sexy you are?” His eyes focused on her hand as he slowly stroked his erection, following her slow movements.
“Almost as sexy as you, cowboy.” She dropped her eyes to watch him. “Preston?” She heard her voice catch as she felt herself climbing.
“What, darlin’?” His voice was husky with desire.
“Eyes up.” She watched as his eyes met hers. “Please,” she whispered. As she felt her release, she watched his nostrils flare and his jaw clench as he called out her name. They both lay back against their tubs, eyes never leaving each other. She felt the smile spread over her lips. “I don’t know if I can move now.”
“Move? Who has to move?” He smiled back at her. “One of us has to plan a trip to visit the other. I want to touch you and hold you again. It’s been too long.”
“I know.” She sighed as she leaned up and pulled the plug before standing to dry off. Glancing at the screen, she saw him doing the same. “But until then, thank heaven for this, right?”
“It will have to do until we’re together, I suppose.”
“What are your plans for this week?” she asked as she slipped on her robe before picking up the computer to head back to her bed and her glass of wine.
“Not much.” He glanced down and mumbled something she couldn’t make out.
“What was that?” She dropped her robe and slipped on a small nightgown. “I didn’t hear you.”
“I’m riding in the rodeo this weekend.” He slid into his bed, pulling a sheet up over his body.
“What? Why are you riding again? I thought your mom didn’t want you to do it.” She felt her heart almost stop. “It’s dangerous, Preston.”
“We need the money, you know that. It’s one rodeo.” He shrugged. “Please, don’t fight with me about it. Not tonight.” His eyes softened. She saw the need in them for her to understand and not make a big deal out of it.
“Just promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t think I could bear it if anything happened to you.”
“I promise. Are you getting sleepy yet?”
“I am. It’s late here. Will you call me again tomorrow?” She yawned and stretched, sliding a little further down onto her mattress as her eyes grew heavier.
“I will, but can I call you a couple hours earlier tomorrow night?”
“Sure, why?”
“Because I want tomorrow to be like a date. Would that be all right?” He ran a hand through his hair as he yawned.
“That would be fine. Goodnight, cowboy.”
“Night, darlin’. I love you.”
Holly smiled as she clicked off the program and shut down her computer before rolling over and drifting off to sleep.
Preston lay thinking about her in bed alone, just like him. This, whatever it was they were doing, was nice but it wasn’t good enough for him. He’d been working damn hard at saving up enough money to keep things going for a week and get himself a ticket to go visit her. He wanted to surprise her. He wanted to take her out to dinner, come back to her house, and spend hours in bed with her. He wanted to climb into that damn big tub of hers, and he wanted his hands to be the hands that lathered her and took her over the edge. Yeah, that was what he was working toward.
He’d never gone anywhere, except when he was running the rodeo circuit. He’d told Holly he was going to ride just to feel her out. She took it pretty calmly. He could get his tickets for the end of the month and surprise Holly.
He would go to Holly and spend a week with her. His Ma and he had talked about his feelings, and she had encouraged him to go after her. Ma had even gone as far as telling him he should move to her home if she wasn’t ready
to come there. Preston knew he wouldn’t be able to leave Colorado. He wasn’t a city person, but he loved her and maybe he could get her to see reason and move home with him. He smiled as he tugged the sheet over his chest and closed his eyes. In just a couple of short weeks, he would be holding her in his arms again. As he drifted off, his last thoughts were of holding her in his arms again.
Chapter 26
His Eyes, How They Twinkled
Preston slapped his hat back onto his head and raised his fist high. He’d just finished eight seconds on one of the toughest damn bulls in Colorado, and he wasn’t wiping the grin off his face any time soon. As he walked off the field, his heart soared. With the winnings from today, they’d be set for a bit, and he could buy that ticket to Maryland. His dream of being with Holly was going to come true. He made his way to the bathroom to freshen up before accepting his money for the win. He’d be sore as shit tomorrow, but it would be worth it.
He turned off the paved road onto the dirt road leading to their ranch. After parking his truck, he went into the barn to bring the horses in for the evening before heading into the house. “Something smells good,” Preston called as he pulled off his boots and hung his hat on its peg.
“How did it go? Are you in one piece?” Ma dried her hands on a towel and hurried over to look him over. “You look okay. I hate when you ride the bulls.” She opened her arms for him to hug her.
“I took first, so it gives us a little cushion until we get some of the cattle sold. I’m going out of town sometime in the next two weeks.”
“For what?” Her hand fluttered to her chest.
“I’m just taking a trip, I’m not running away.” He pulled her into another hug; his heart skipped a beat from the look on her face. “I’m going to take a quick shower.”
He took the steps two at a time, hurried down the hall to his room, closed the door, and grabbed his phone out of his pocket. He searched the Internet for flights to Aberdeen, Maryland and found a cheap flight into Hagerstown, which would put him at Holly’s house around dinner Thursday night. Yeah, that would be perfect. Once his tickets were purchased and the rental car booked, he took his shower and headed downstairs for dinner.
“I’m going Thursday, I got a cheap flight out. I’ll be back the following week on Wednesday. I’ll ask Trip to take me and pick me up. Will you and Clare be okay while I’m gone?”
“Where are you going?” Clare asked as she hurried into the kitchen like the small whirlwind she always was.
“Going on a business trip. I just want to make sure you two are going to be okay while I’m gone.” He didn’t want to get Ma or Clare’s hopes up by telling them he was going to see Holly.
“We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about anything. You deserve a break, Preston.” Tamra smiled as she stabbed a pork chop and placed it on her plate.
“How long are you going to be gone?” Clare’s eyes were wide, and her mouth turned down.
“I’ll be back next Wednesday. I’m not going forever.” He winked, hating how she and Ma were both worried that he was going to follow in Cameron’s footsteps.
Later that evening, he called Holly and let her know he was going out of town Thursday for a week on business and due to his flight time, he wouldn’t be able to call her until Friday. She sounded sad but understanding. They talked for almost an hour when she informed him April was at her door. They said their goodbyes and he smiled, knowing it wouldn’t be long before he would be holding her again.
Holly paced the floors while she waited for the phone call from Preston. Her nerves were so jumpy, knowing he was riding a bull today in one of the largest rodeos in Colorado. She’d looked up bull riders and wished she hadn’t when she saw all the injuries and some deaths related to it. Why men got off doing dangerous things would never cease to amaze her. She called April and invited her over after dinner for some wine. Thank heaven, she’d said yes.
Just when her nerves were almost shot, her phone rang. “Preston?”
“Hey, darlin’.”
“Are you all right? God, I never thought you’d call. I expected you to call me a long time ago.” Calm down woman, you sound pathetic.
“I’m fine. I would have called you earlier, but Ma had dinner made, and I had to arrange my plans for my trip. I’ll be leaving on Thursday, so I won’t be able to touch base with you until Friday, unless you don’t mind talking to me late Thursday evening.”
Holly found herself wishing his trip was to visit her. She wanted to ask where he was going, but she’d vowed never to be one of those women. “Whatever works for you.” Rolling her eyes, she wanted to slap herself when she heard the tone of her voice. Her doorbell rang. “Hey, April is here. I’ve got to run. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure. I’ll call you at our usual time. Good night, darlin’.”
“Night, cowboy.” She hung up her phone and ran to the door. “How are you?” She hurried April through the door and closed it quickly, not wanting to let the heat in. “I’m so tired of the heat.” She hugged her friend.
“I’m good. So where are these sketches you wanted me to see? I can’t wait. You don’t know how excited I am that you’re finally designing again.” She air kissed Holly’s cheeks.
“I told you about the daughter of the family I stayed with over Christmas. She’s been writing me, asking when I’m going to design more clothes. She loves them, so do her friends. It seems like my sweaters and pullovers transcend a few generations. Actually, if you remember, I told you while I was there her mother and she both loved them. I got them a couple for Christmas gifts. Clare’s friends are so jealous. They’re begging her to help them get some as well. Her mother wants to try to get one of their local shops to carry them. I figured why not.” She shrugged her shoulders as they made their way to the cozy living room.
“Good, I think you deserve this. Where’s Hurley?” April asked as she slid into a chair and kicked off her shoes.
“He’s in bed for the night. Would you like some wine?” Holly picked up the bottle and poured two glasses, knowing April would want one. She could always count on her to help polish off the bottle.
“Of course.” She sat forward, motioning for Holly to hurry up and give one to her. Taking a sip, she sat back and tucked her feet on the chair. “So, what’s new with your cowboy?” She waggled her eyebrows.
Holly rolled her eyes and giggled. “Nothing new. He’s going on a business trip Thursday.”
April raised a brow. “And you don’t know where he’s going or for what, right? It bothers you, doesn’t it?”
“Why would it bother me? I didn’t ask and you rang the bell, so we cut our call short tonight.” She tucked her hair behind one ear.
“Um, because I can tell it bothers you and you just about snapped my head off just then. You invited me over, remember?”
“Sorry.” Holly laid her head back against the cushion. “April, I don’t know what to do. I love him a lot but we are over 1,800 miles apart, not to mention the age difference. I feel so alone here.” She swiped the tears starting down her cheeks.
“Aw honey, you have Larry and me.”
“I know but look at me. I feel stuck and I’m so lonely. The kids act like I don’t even exist anymore.” Sitting up, she grabbed the wine and filled her glass again. “I hate this. I never felt as alive as I did when I was with him. Look at what a mess I am.” She took a big gulp of wine.
“You’re not a mess, honey. You got married very young, and you never experienced a relationship with anyone but your husband. You’ll probably realize this guy was just a fling once you’ve had time to settle in and get back to work. Hell, who wouldn’t want a fling with a hot ass young cowboy? I’m jealous, but don’t you dare tell Larry I said that.” She giggled.
“I don’t think it was a fling.” She hung her head. “Even if it was, it made me realize that what I had with Dan wasn’t as good as I thought it was. He never made me feel like Preston did.”
“Preston? Oh, now I
have a name to put with my fantasy of what your cowboy looks like, since you won’t show me a picture. You’re so mean.” April smiled and winked.
“You are such an ass, April. He’s my cowboy, after all. How would you like me drooling over Larry like that?”
April’s eyes widened as her hand flew to her mouth. Laughter bubbled out and she doubled over.
“What?” Holly started laughing as well.
“I can’t imagine anyone ever drooling over Larry.”
“You are so bad. He’s a nice-looking man.” Holly giggled.
“Sure, if you can get past the belly and the ass that can’t fill out his jeans.” April rolled her eyes. “He was hot once.”
“You’re so mean.” I’m so never showing you the pictures of Preston. She knew she would never hear the end of it. Poor Larry.
Chapter 27
Love and Joy Comes to You
Holly looked at the clock and figured she’d better start dinner soon. She’d thought about inviting April and Larry over, but April had called and said he was taking her to dinner and a movie. She’d hesitated before asking if she wanted to go along, which Holly had declined. She just wasn’t in the mood.
Hurley whined and nudged her hand.
“What’s wrong boy? Do you want to go out?”
Hurley bounced and ran in circles doing his need to pee dance.
“All right, come on. You were just out a little bit ago.” She slid the door open and watched him bound off the porch, heading to his favorite tree. She wondered how the pup she had bought for Preston was doing as she watched Hurley sniff and wander in circles until he found the perfect spot. He was such a good dog. “Come on boy, it’s hot out here,” she called, urging him to hurry up.
