Second Burn Cowboy (Second Chance Series Book 6)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  Depositing her in the passenger seat, he hurried around the front and slid into the driver’s side, his naked ass chilled against the leather. Turning on the engine, he adjusted the vents toward her as the heat kicked in.

  “We forgot our clothes.” Her teeth had stopped rattling.

  “Yes, we did. I’ll grab them when I dry some. In the meantime,” he reached behind her seat, “I have a blanket.” He unfolded it and spread it over her. “Better?”

  She gave him a ragged nod. “I can’t believe we did that. But I’m glad we did.”

  Once the cab was warm and his body parts were no longer shriveled, he relaxed some. “Well, here we are, naked in my truck. This doesn’t happen often, I assure you.”

  “Ahhh, but as a teenager I bet you were the target of many young girls’ desires.”

  He leaned against the door, moving his gaze to where the edge of the blanket grazed the tops of her breasts. “I had too many other things on my mind…football, college, helping at the ranch.”

  “If I’d known you back when we were teens, I’d have lusted after you.” Her voice danced over his skin like the whispers of a cherub.

  “How about now?” His voice was thick and constricted.

  “Can I be brazen enough to say that if my panties weren’t already wet, they’d certainly be moist?” Her gaze tumbled down his body and stopped on his groin. “I see you’re warming up everywhere.”

  “Thankfully being shriveled isn’t a permanent condition. He’ll be back to proper order in no time.” He shifted, easing the ache in his loin as his parts proved his statement. She leaned in and he got a slight hint of odor of the outdoors.

  He was past the stage of horny teenager, but Elsa certainly made him feel like one. Draping his arm along the back of the seat, the tips of his fingers grazed her bare shoulder, sending sparks rippling through his body. When she moved, his hand slipped lower and settled on her back. His cock twitched and jerked alive.

  She had a sweetness and sex appeal that was a perfect combination. He’d always been famous for having iron control, but at the moment, he felt his reserve slip like a sinking ship. He wanted to tear the blanket away from her naked body and do ravishing things to her. But a part of him remembered that she had no idea what she wanted. Hell, maybe she didn’t want him for anything more than the bit between his legs.

  Damn!

  The way she looked at him, eyes glistening in the neon green of the dashboard and the full-pout of her bottom lip told him she was hungry and he was the main course.

  Don’t step into the minefield. His mind raced as his body ached. I can’t do this again. And yet, she dragged him in, pulling him into her sweet web of warmth. There were things that a man had no power over, and he couldn’t fight the intense heat enveloping them, pulling them like magnets to desire’s embrace.

  Clearing his throat, he forced the next words through tight lips. “I better grab our clothes before I throw every bit of caution to the wind.”

  His hand was on the door when he felt her fingers on his arm. He turned just as she slipped across the seat. Their lips connected in a flaming kiss, tongues dueling, suckling, tasting. She purred and it tickled his throat. Palming her face, he gently pulled her back so that their gazes met. An unspoken invitation slipped between them, and he wasted no time. He pressed his hands against her bare bottom and tugged her up and over his lap, her knees on either side of his thighs. Her pussy radiated moist heat, and he couldn’t wait to touch. Slipping the barrier of thong to the side, he rolled his fingers over satin sheath, then slid his middle finger into her opening. She buried her face into his shoulder as her nails dug into his flesh.

  Rolling her hips around his digit, she rode his palm, thrusting and lowering her body onto his hand. He used his thumb as a tickler, each time her moist lips came down, he smoothed the pad over her clit until her coiled muscles throbbed in release.

  He slipped his finger out and she situated herself on her knees above him, grabbing his cock with her hand and pumping him. She rolled her finger over his head and electric shards splashed through him. He jerked against her palm, and she tightened her fingers around his girth.

  “I want you, baby.” The words tore from his mouth.

  She guided him to the pink cleft, circled him around the sheath, moistening his head and slowly dipped her body over his aching cock. He moaned as her tight body fit around him like a glove. He couldn’t move, not yet, as he held his breath. Once the force of release eased some, he grasped her hips and pushed himself deep inside of her.

  Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she lifted and plunged over him. Again and again until he thought his head would burst from the blissful affliction. He didn’t want the spiral of feeling to ever end, and yet his body ached to spill himself inside of her.

  “I have an idea.” She lifted herself and moved to the passenger side. Bracing her hands on the door, she lifted her heart-shaped ass high and rolled her hips. “Can you manage this?”

  “I’d die trying.” He lifted himself on one knee, stretching his other leg across the floorboard and pressed himself against her moist folds. Easing himself within her, her husky groan filled the cab.

  “That feels so good.” Her words came on a sigh.

  “Can you take me all the way?” he said next to her ear.

  “Y-Yes. I want you deep and fast,” she moaned.

  He gave her what she wanted. Pounding her with deep thrusts, she brought her hands up to the window and pressed them against the glass, supporting herself. He dug his fingers deep into the flesh of her bottom, pulling her hard against him as he sank into her narrow passage. Her groans became more urgent and her pussy turned wetter. Her desire saturated him in thick, warm juices.

  Letting his dick slip from her nether lips, he bent until his face was between her legs and he licked the nectar from her blossomed pussy. Swirling his tongue around the silky flesh, he dipped the tip inside of her, feeling the tight muscle quiver.

  He couldn’t wait another second. Lifting himself, he thrust inside of her and the tight spasms of her body drove him over the edge.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ELSA RETURNED TO Brooke Creek Ranch after meeting with an insurance adjuster. Instead of going straight to the house, she pulled alongside the grass by the barn and spotted Deckland sitting on the rail.

  Getting out of her car, she walked toward him. He lifted his chin as she gained distance across the grass.

  She approached him with a small wave. “You got a second?” They hadn’t said more than two words to each over the last two days since Starkey’s. He’d spent more than a usual amount of time out on the land, and she guessed he was avoiding her. She couldn’t blame him. Every time sparks heated, she doused them in cold water.

  “Sure.” He jumped down from the fence and wiped his hand down his jean-covered thighs. Her stomach did a funny loop and she forced her mind to stay on track, not on how sexy he looked in his black T-shirt and Wranglers. “You took off pretty quick this morning.”

  So he’d noticed? “Sorry. I had a meeting with someone from the insurance company.” The sun beat down on her shoulders and sweat trickled between her breasts. She’d been on edge since she’d left town.

  “You look frustrated.” Concern etched the corners of his eyes.

  She shrugged. “Why didn’t you tell me you saw someone the night of the fire? You told the police you almost hit someone because they ran out in front of you.”

  He blinked. “Hell, I didn’t know it was important. I explained I had stopped because someone darted in front of me. That’s when I noticed the fire.”

  “The agent vaguely mentioned it. They can’t write a check until the investigation is finalized with the police. Therefore, I can’t proceed with anything on the business.” Her attempt at a steady voice failed.

  “Do they think someone started the fire?” He rubbed his jaw.

  Sighing, she leaned against the wooden fence and propped her foot on the bottom rung.
“A few fires were started in several businesses across several counties and they have to rule out any similarities.”

  “I thought they said the fire was started because of bad wiring?”

  She nodded. “I thought so too. But I wanted to speak to you because I don’t want to become a burden.”

  He blinked. “To who?”

  “You, of course. You’ve been kind, but a welcome door only stays open for a short period of time.”

  “Look, I realize we exchanged some heated words the other night but—”

  She pushed off the fence and shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. “Things just seem to spiral out of control when we’re together.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “I don’t need the complication.” And you can do better.

  “Complication?”

  “What we’ve shared, it’s been great—better than great. Our lovemaking was wonderful. But I can’t be in a relationship because I have no clue what my future holds. I have to keep my goals in sight, not my emotions. I didn’t come here to get caught up.”

  His jaw tightened. “We had sex. We didn’t get married.”

  His words sliced through her. She guessed she deserved his cold wall. But there were things he’d never understand and she couldn’t explain them. If she did she’d take the risk that he’d look at her with a skeptical eye. She’d rather have him cold than see her secrets. “I should leave.” She started to walk away, but he caught her wrist.

  His gaze narrowed. “You’re free to go anytime, sweetheart. But if you’re leaving because you don’t want me touching you, well, I won’t again. I promise that. I’m tired of the cold wall being thrown up in my face.”

  Her breath caught. “Your touch isn’t the problem.” The problem is, I want it every second of every day.

  “It’s your past, isn’t it? It’s a broken record.”

  His touch on her skin made it difficult to think. She pulled away, averting her gaze to a group of horses grazing in the distance. “Deckland, I—”

  “I finished the feed, Deckland.” Tucker turned the corner, lifting his chin and stopping in his booted tracks. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you weren’t alone.”

  “Thanks, Tucker,” Deckland said.

  “Hello, ma’am.” Tucker dipped his hat.

  Elsa smiled, a little embarrassed that he’d called Deckland to come to Starkey’s. “Hi.”

  “What would you like me to do next?” Tucker asked.

  “Sounds like you men are busy so I’ll let you get back to business.” Elsa was already backing up. The quicker she was away from Deckland the sooner she could manage her nerves.

  ****

  Deckland stripped from his dirty clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot spray did his tight muscles a world of good.

  Since Elsa had left a few days ago, he’d been dealing with frustration. He couldn’t quite shake the feeling.

  Watching her pack up her things and drive away had left an ache in his gut. He’d wanted to stop her, but how? She’d had her mind made up and he couldn’t do anything to change it. In fact, maybe this was for the best.

  His muscles tightened. Hell, no, it wasn’t.

  Shutting off the water, he stepped out, dried off and tossed the wet towel to the side. Walking down the hall, he laughed. He could do anything he wanted in his house. He was alone. Why didn’t it feel good?

  Once he crossed the threshold into his bedroom, he was met with a trace of perfume, and it didn’t belong to Elsa.

  Aspen was in his bed, naked, and lying in a sexy pose. His breath swooshed from his lungs. She was a beautiful woman, he couldn’t deny it. “Uhh…Aspen?”

  “Hello, cowboy. I heard we have the place all to ourselves. I hope you don’t mind a little company.” Her sweet voice tickled every nerve ending on his body.

  “I’m a little shocked—no, I’m a helluva lot shocked.” He skimmed his gaze over big, firm breasts, flat stomach to the groomed patch of hair between her inner thighs. As if in silent invitation, she slightly parted her legs and slick pink lips opened. He was a red-blooded man and his cock shot straight up.

  “In a good way, I hope.”

  “You’re a beautiful woman.” He was fully aware that his words came out in a squeak.

  A smile curved her lips and she slid from the bed, sashaying toward him. Her tits bounced and her nipples bunched into hard crimson nubs. When she reached him, she lifted her arms around his neck and their nude bodies pressed together. “And you are the sexiest cowboy I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’ve wondered for a long time if you ride as good as you look.” She slipped a finger down his chest and stomach, then touched the head of his cock, smearing the wetness from his tip.

  “I’m flattered, but…”

  Before he finished his sentence, her lips were against his, licking and suckling. When she pulled away, she was breathless. “Wow…you’re not kissing me back.”

  “My mind is in another place.”

  “I’m getting a feeling your body contradicts what’s going through your mind.” She wriggled her brows.

  “What man wouldn’t get a hard on seeing you like this, but I don’t think it’d be right to follow through.”

  That’s not quite the welcome I was hoping for,” she cooed.

  Deckland could make love to her and find the release he ached for. He wasn’t committed to anyone, but why did Elsa’s pale face and bright eyes erupt in his head?

  “I’m sorry, Aspen. It’s not you.”

  “If it’s not me, then who is it?” One thin brow curved. “Or do I need to ask? I had a feeling when you said you were letting Elsa stay there was more to it than necessity. I should have known when you didn’t make a move the night I came to town you already belonged to someone else.”

  “I’m sure I’m the biggest fool this side of Texas, but making love wouldn’t be fair to you,” he explained.

  She grinned and picked up her clothes from the end of the bed. “Man, I knew I should have snagged you long ago. I made a huge mistake. Elsa’s a lucky woman.” She pulled on her bra then dragged on her shirt.

  “Elsa wants nothing to do with me. That’s the insanity of this.” He tugged on his jeans. “How could a woman who wants nothing to do with me have a hold over me?” He grabbed a shirt and hauled it on. When he turned back, Aspen was already completely dressed.

  “I think that’s called love, cowboy.” She winked, finger-combing her hair.

  “Love? I thought it could be, but I barely know her.”

  “Sometimes love knows before we do. And I don’t know Elsa, but I saw something in her eyes when she looked at you that a woman only feels when she’s interested.” She stood on tiptoe, kissed him on the cheek and took a step back. “I’ll see you around, cowboy.”

  Deckland stood there for the longest time, absorbing Aspen’s words. He wanted to be with Elsa, but apparently, that wasn’t going to happen. She lived in a bubble with layers of ice and he didn’t have the tool to break through.

  Going downstairs, he found April with her head stuck in the refrigerator.

  “Lose something?” he said.

  She jumped and popped out, eyeing him with disappointment. “I can tell Elsa isn’t here anymore. No variety of sweets. Unless we count the chick that just left.”

  “You know there’s nothing between Aspen and me.” He brushed past his sister-in-law and grabbed a bottled water.

  April waddled over to the table, pulled out a chair and took a seat. She palmed her large belly. “I hope you don’t mind, but I had to get away from the farm for a while. Dante is scraping the bottom of my patience barrel.”

  He sat across from her. “What happened?”

  “He’s becoming too sweet. He is catering to my every need, he rubs my feet and back and he even offers to carry me wherever I go. Don’t you have any work over here for him to do?”

  Deckland laughed. “Most wives would find his kindness a praiseworthy value. But, you can�
��t get any song writing done, huh?”

  “I love him, I do. To the moon and back, but when he’s near I can’t think of anything but seeing him naked. I should be beyond this, right?” She rubbed her forehead.

  “And that’s probably why he’s not leaving your side.” Deckland uncapped his bottle and drank. “Is your mother coming to town as planned?”

  April’s nose wrinkled. “Let’s hope she can manage to keep her opinions to herself this time.”

  “I’m sure a visit with his mother-in-law will douse his desire.”

  “No kidding.” With a toss of her long hair, a brow curved. “Okay, Deck, how are you? I’m not talking how’s the weather stuff. I want to know the deep stuff.”

  April never did mince her words. He liked that quality. “Besides being as uptight as a broomstick and as confused as a sea lion looking at a seal, I’m peachy.” He winked.

  “Women trouble. Never good. By the way, Peyton and I are going over to Elsa’s new place later.”

  He controlled his expression. “Yeah? Have fun.” He was proud that his tone was smooth and without any sign of his inner turmoil.

  “Wanna come?”

  His brow snapped up. “I’d rather dress up in high heels.”

  “Didn’t think so.” She pushed herself up. “I’m going home. I miss my husband.”

  “I’m sure he misses you too.”

  She smiled. “You’re coming to Dante’s birthday party tomorrow evening, right?

  “You know I’ll be there.”

  Once April was gone, he reminded himself that Elsa made the decision to leave. He had no reason to feel guilty.

  ****

  “You’re making me dizzy, Elsa,” April said.

  “Me, too.” Peyton laughed.

  Elsa hit stop on the treadmill and stepped off, giving her friends an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but if it’s here at my fingertips I’m going to use it.”

  “Who is subletting you this place?” April spun a hand through the air.