9781631051289TemptedbytheCowboySullivan

by Sandy Sullivan

“What’s the frown for?”

  “Something Mandy told me before she went inside is bugging me.”

  “Something you want to talk about?”

  “Not with you.”

  “Is it about me?”

  “Yeah. She’s wrong, but you know, it’s kind of stuck in my brain and I need to work it out.”

  “I miss you, you know.”

  “Please don’t.”

  “Why? It’s the truth. I still think about your body pressed up against mine, the warmth of your pussy around my cock when we were making love.”

  “Fucking, Jason. We were fucking.”

  “Whatever you want to call it to justify everything in your mind, you go right ahead, darlin’, but to me, we were making love.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jason scuffed the toe of his boot at a rock, dislodging the stone as he sent it across the grass. “I know I sent you into a tailspin with the marriage thing.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah, I know so, but listen. I’m sorry. I was kind of thinking weird the day Joel got hurt and realizing how fast things can change. Not that I didn’t mean it.”

  She put up her hand. “Don’t, Jason. I’m not marrying you.”

  “I’m not asking you to. I just want us to date again.”

  “Why?”

  He skimmed a finger down her cheek. “I miss you. I said that already, but it’s true.”

  Her body broke out in goose bumps from her head to her toes as a shiver rolled through her.

  “And I think you miss me too.”

  “Whatever gave you that idea?”

  “Your reaction right now. Don’t tell me my touch doesn’t affect you because I know it does, just like yours affects me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

  “Liar,” he whispered, his mouth near her ear. “Are you wet? I’m hard as a damned brick just thinking about you all warm around me.”

  “Jason, please.”

  “Please what? Please make love to you? Please, kiss you? Please, touch you where you burn for me?”

  Joshua popped his head out the door. “Hey, Jase. The babies are here.”

  “I’ll be right there.” He stepped back, taking his heat with him. “This isn’t over.”

  With her hand in his, he led her inside to find out about the babies Paige just gave birth to. Peyton’s mind whirled with emotions, sensations and confusion. She didn’t know how she felt about Jason these days, but she would have to figure things out soon or go mad trying.

  When they made it inside, the way Nina’s eyebrow shot up over her eye seeing Peyton’s hand clasped tightly in Jason’s left her nervous. Nina smiled as she nodded so she figured it would be okay to leave it there…for now.

  “It’s a boy and a girl!” Jacob shouted as he came out of the obstetrics ward where they’d all moved after Jason and Peyton joined them. “They are healthy and screaming their lungs out. Paige is tired, but fine.”

  “My first granddaughter!” Nina asked, tears rolling down her cheeks as she hugged Jacob to her. “Names?”

  “We haven’t decided yet, but you’ll be the first to know, Mom.”

  “Congratulations, son.” James slapped him on the back. “Go be with your wife and children. We’ll take it from here.”

  Peyton felt tears welling up in her own eyes as she thought about how far Paige and Jacob had come in such a short time. They hadn’t been married long after Paige found out about her pregnancy, but they seemed happy together and very much in love.

  How do I feel about finding someone to love for the rest of my life?

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” She fanned her hands in front of her face, trying desperately to dry the tears. “Just a little teary thinking about those babies’ parents. Theirs is such a great love story.”

  “It sure is. Did you see the first time they met?”

  “Yes. I was working the bar that night. Dan tried to get her to stay out of it, but she couldn’t. Not Paige. She is always one for the underdog.”

  “And now they are a happy family with two little ones.”

  “She’s going to make a great mom.”

  “Jacob will make a great dad too. He’s always loved kids.”

  “What about you? Do you want kids someday?”

  “Maybe, but not for quite a while. I’d like to be just a couple for a few years to spend time with my woman.” He dropped his arm around her shoulders.

  Jacob came back out the doors. “Two can go in at a time to see Paige. The babies are in the nursery getting cleaned up, weighed and measured right at the moment.”

  “Peyton, why don’t you and Jason go in first? I know you all want to get home soon.”

  “Thanks, Nina.”

  Peyton walked up and kissed Jacob on the cheek. “Congrats, Daddy.”

  He grinned so wide, she thought maybe his face would crack as he puffed up his chest and repeated, “Daddy. I like the sound of that.”

  When the two of them followed him back, they went by the nursery first to take a peek at the babies. Both were wrapped really tightly in a little blue blanket and a little pink blanket with matching knit hats.

  “Aren’t they gorgeous?” Jacob asked, tapping on the window as the nurse brought the little boy closer. “I haven’t any idea what we are going to name them.”

  “You two didn’t discuss names?”

  “Oh, we did, but we couldn’t agree. I think I want to name them after Paige’s parents though since they aren’t here to see their grandchildren.”

  “How sweet of you, Jacob. I’m sure she’d love it.”

  “We’ll see. She’s pretty emotional right now.”

  “Well, duh. She just gave birth. She’s going to be emotional for a while.”

  “Shit. Really? She’s been such a mess for so long during this pregnancy, I was hoping it would all magically go away when the babies were born.”

  “Don’t count on it for about six weeks. It’ll take that long for her body to get back to some semblance of normal.”

  “What about sex?”

  “Six weeks, buddy,” Jason said, grinning.

  “I hate you.”

  “Don’t blame me, blame the doctor. Maybe she won’t make you wait that long.”

  “God, I hope not.”

  Peyton laughed as they walked down the corridor to the room Paige was in. When they pushed open the door and peeked inside, she was lying on the bed dressed in her pretty pajamas she’d packed in her bag, resting.

  “Is she asleep?”

  “No, she’s not asleep,” Paige answered, opening her eyes. “Hey. Come in. Did you see the babies?”

  “They were taking the little girl for a bath so we didn’t get a close look at her, but we saw your son. What a handsome devil he’s going to be.”

  “I know, right?”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been hit by a bus, but thanks for asking.”

  “I’m sorry things go so screwed up.”

  Paige squeezed her hand. “We made it. That’s all that matters, although we might not have had Jason not found us and changed the tire.”

  “You look ravishing, Paige.” He leaned over to kiss her forehead.

  “Oh stop with you and the flattery, brother-in-law. I look like shit dried up in the summer Texas sun, rolled and boiled to a crisp.”

  They all laughed. “We won’t stay long. There is a ton of people out there waiting to see you and those gorgeous babies. I just wanted to say congratulations. I’ll come by to visit tomorrow when things calm down. I want my cuddle time with the twins.”

  “There will be plenty of that to go around although with having the first granddaughter, I think you might be fighting Nina for cuddle time.”

  “Well, I have to give her first dibs since she is their grandmother, but as their godmother, I get them second.” Peyton smiled as she patted Paige’s hand. “Rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

>   “Okay. Thanks again for everything.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Oh, and I’ll expect the gossip when you come tomorrow.”

  “Gossip?”

  Paige tilted her head noting Jason standing close to Peyton.

  “Nothing to tell.”

  “Uh-uh.” Paige shook her head. “You can’t fool me.”

  Peyton stepped back. “We’ll be going now.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  Jason took her hand as they walked out of the room. She glanced back at Paige, noticing how her eyes twinkled when she caught the gesture. There would be no living with her come tomorrow when she visited. She better think of something fast or Paige would have her and Jason married off in the next couple of weeks.

  * * * *

  Jason walked Peyton out to her car after Mandy had a chance to visit briefly with Paige as well. He knew he couldn’t let her go. If he did, he might never see her again and that wasn’t acceptable to him. The need for her drove him to distraction. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t eat. He was a mess all the way around without her and he would just have to convince her she belonged with him until he could come to terms with this need he harbored for her. He stopped with her next to the car.

  “Come home with me.”

  “You can’t be serious,” she whispered, trying not to let Mandy know what he said. “I’m not going home with you.”

  “Why not?”

  “We aren’t seeing each other at the moment.”

  “But I want you.”

  “This is crazy, Jason. You can’t just take me home.”

  “I don’t understand what the problem is. When we were having sex before, you didn’t have a problem with just coming home with me at the bonfire.”

  “I know, but that was different.”

  “Different how?”

  She exhaled sharply as she rolled her eyes. “Just different. Besides, I have Mandy with me. We were having a girl’s night when Paige went into labor.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh. I can’t just dump her off, tell her to go home, and then come over to your place.”

  “How about tomorrow?”

  “I think I need to do some serious deliberating before I decide to sleep with you again. I’m not sure us getting involved is a good idea.”

  “We need to talk about it.”

  “You don’t talk. You touch, kiss, nibble, bite…”

  “I know. It’s amazing, huh?”

  “You’re lack of communication on this matter is increasingly disturbing.” She sighed as he brushed his lips over the curve of her neck.

  “I’m trying to communicate my need.”

  “Your need is very apparent against my abdomen.”

  “See. I’m communicating.”

  “You are, too much.”

  They both jumped as Mandy honked the horn on the car. “Get it on or let’s go. I’m tired of waitin’.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow since you’ve been ignoring my text messages.”

  “I wasn’t interested.”

  “Are you now?”

  “Maybe, but I need a couple of days to think things through, Jason.”

  He brushed his knuckled over the protruding tip of her breast, stopping her breath in her throat. “No thinking. Just feel.”

  “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with you right now.”

  A deep sigh escaped his lips as he stepped back. “All right. I’ll leave you alone. But don’t think you can ignore me.”

  “I won’t. You’re a pretty persistent guy.”

  He grinned as he noticed how the flood light from the parking lot of the hospital shone on her face. Her eyes sparkled with interest. Her body called to him to throw her up on the hood of her car and fuck the daylights out of her, but not here. He wanted their reunion to be special, soft, inviting, with candles and soft music playing in the background. Maybe a bubble bath for two. He could be romantic when the need arose.

  “Let me call you when I’ve had time to think.”

  “Two days, Peyton. I’m giving you two days. If I don’t hear from you by then, I’m coming after you.” He crushed his mouth against hers, tasting her like he’d die if he did get enough of her soon. The last two weeks had been hell on him, wishing for her to be near, wanting her, dreaming of her, and all the while not wanting to rush her. Well to hell with that, he was done giving her space.

  Her hands went up around his neck as she pushed her breasts against his chest. Their kiss lasted a lifetime, but wasn’t long enough when he finally lifted his head to look deep into her eyes. Yes, she wanted him, but fear mixed with confusion reflected in her gaze.

  “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Okay. Be safe going home.”

  “I will. You too.”

  She slipped inside her car and shut the door before he watched her back up. Red taillights reflected the slow drizzle beginning to wet the pavement. Summer rain. It would wash the dirt, grime and evil out of the air, leaving things fresh and clean. He dipped his head as he headed back inside to say goodbye to his family before heading home.

  His parents were inside visiting Paige and the babies so he talked to the brothers standing nearby, told them he’d see them at home and then headed out to his truck. He needed time to plan the re-seduction of Peyton Matthews.

  * * * *

  Two days had passed and she still wasn’t any closer to coming to a conclusion about Jason. She liked him, liked him a lot, but did she want to try some relationship with him? She still didn’t know. What about the emotional scars of Charles’ reign?

  “So how are you feeling these days?” her therapist asked as she sat down in the chair in her office.

  “Good. Physically, anyway. Emotionally, I’m not so sure.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  “There’s this guy.”

  “Isn’t there always a guy who is a bane of our problems?”

  She laughed, the sound coming from her mouth hollow and without emotion. “Seems so.”

  “So tell me about this guy.”

  “He’s sweet, gorgeous, about six-four, muscular and a cowboy.”

  “Not your typical man from what you’ve told me.”

  “No, Charles was a suit. Business man. Lawyer. He was always in control, twenty-four seven about everything from his business to his personal life. I think that’s part of the reason I let him control me so much. I’m not a strong soul.”

  “Yes you are, Peyton. You are one of the strongest women I know. You have to believe that about yourself. Charles broke you down with manipulation.”

  She blew out a long breath. “I know, but I don’t trust myself where men are concerned. What if Jason turns out to be like Charles?”

  “Do you really think that’s true?”

  “No, but what if my perception is so skewed that I can’t see it?”

  “You’ll have to learn to trust your perception. Tell me about how Jason treats you.”

  Peyton glanced out the window to watch a bird flit from tree to tree. “He’s kind, considerate, passionate, and he handles me with kid gloves sometimes. Other times he’s in my face forcing me to meet my feelings for him head on.”

  “And what are your feelings for him?”

  “I’m not sure.” She got to her feet to wander near the doctor’s bookcase to look through the volumes on behaviors in adults and children. Recognizing a few of them, she picked one up and flipped through it. Someday, she would be the one on the other side of this conversation, she vowed silently. She wanted that more than anything.

  “Are you in love with him?”

  “I’m not sure what love feels like. I loved Charles or thought I did and see where that got me?”

  “We all are afraid to let another person become our everything, Peyton.”

  “He’s important to me, yes.”

  “That’s a start.” The doctor wrote down something on her notepad as Peyton took th
e seat she’d vacated only moments before. “Do you see your future with him in or out?”

  “I’d like to think he’d be in it.”

  “As what? Partner, lover, husband?”

  “Whoa. I’m nowhere near ready for a husband.”

  “I didn’t say you were. I asked how you saw him in your future.”

  “For now, lover. I’m good with that.”

  The doctor tapped her pen to her lips. “Somehow I don’t think you are. I think you want more from him, but you’re afraid to ask for it thinking he’ll deny you the way Charles did.”

  “Jason doesn’t want anything permanent, but he did ask me to marry him a couple of weeks ago.”

  “You didn’t tell me this in our last session.”

  “Sorry. It was spur of the moment. He didn’t mean it. I think he was feeling a little old at the time. His brother had been hurt in an auto accident and he realized he might want to think about settling down. He rescinded the offer the other night.”

  “It all comes down to what you want from him.”

  “I like having him in my life.”

  “Then you are wanting something more permanent than you are wanting to admit.”

  “Maybe.” She picked at the fingernail on her right hand. Did she really want more? Something permanent like marriage? Did she love him?

  “Our time is up for today. Think about what you want and what he’s willing to give. He sounds like the type of guy you could do well with. Someone patient, understanding and willing to be the strong one in the relationship when it’s needed, but also willing to let you be yourself. You didn’t have that with Charles.”

  “Thanks, Doc. You’ve been very helpful.”

  “Of course. See you next week?”

  “Same time, same place. I’ll be here.”

  “Oh, how is school signups coming along?”

  “Perfect. I’m all registered to take classes in a few months. It’s going to be a long haul, but I need to feel like I’m helping. Being a therapist is important to me.”

  “I know it is.” The doctor hugged her and then stepped back. “You have my complete support.”

  “Thanks again, Doc. You’re the best.”

  “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will.”