My Favorite Cowboy

by Donna Grant

  She lowered her eyes to the floor and moved her head back and forth. “No. Really seeing me.” Then her gaze lifted to him.

  “I want to see you.”

  He held out his hand and waited for her to link her fingers with his. When she did, he brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.

  “What are your plans?” he asked. “Do you intend to work for the two horse farms forever?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so. They’ve both kept me busy, and it’s been easy to focus on the horses at each place. Maybe that’s why I’ve not thought ahead.”

  “And?” Caleb pressed.

  “I was late getting to Bremer’s the day before, and he wasn’t at all pleased. He’s livid that I didn’t come by today. Worse, I didn’t show up at Hopkins’ yesterday. I did call them. Do you think they’ll fire me?”

  Caleb laughed and shot her a look. “You can’t be serious. They’re not going to fire you. They’ll give you hell, for sure, but they won’t release you.”

  “You certainly sound sure of it.”

  “Because I am. As I told you before, good equine vets are hard to come by. Ones like you are even rarer.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  He shrugged and sat straight, still keeping their hands joined. “Go see both tomorrow. You can explain that there was an emergency.”

  Her eyes widened. “I won’t tell them who or what, and that’s exactly what they’ll want to know. It’s why I told them I had an emergency.”

  “What do you like about working for them?”

  “Both trust me fully and rarely question anything I tell them is needed for the horses. I like Ted Hopkins the best. He’s a decent fellow and good to his other employees. Robert?” She shrugged, twisting her lips. “I already told you how he keeps the vet clinic at the stables well equipped with all the latest and greatest. He spends hundreds of thousands on purchasing horses and maintaining them.”

  “But?”

  She tried to hide her smile. “He’s a bit of a douche.”

  Caleb threw back his head and laughed. “I could’ve told you that. I’ve known Robert for some time. We often show up at the same sells. He likes to throw his money around. He has a big ego.”

  “You’ve interacted with him?”

  “Let’s just say that when we’re in a bidding war over a horse, he only wins when I allow him to.”

  Her smile widened. “I’ll never be able to look at him the same.”

  “Then don’t. You know you’ll find another job quickly. Hell, I’d hire you on the spot.”

  Caleb hadn’t meant to say that, but the words just flew from his mouth as if his mind had no control over things. Which, obviously, when it came to Audrey, was true. His mind was mush.

  She studied him for a long moment. “If we hadn’t already talked about this, I’d think you were offering me that because we slept together.”

  “I’m offering you the position because I wanted you to begin with, but you were taken. If you’re considering other options, I’m throwing my hat into the ring first.” He shot her a grin. “And I’m hoping the fact we slept together gives me a slight advantage.”

  Her gaze dropped to their hands. “I’ve already said I’d work with you.”

  His smile died. Somehow, he’d said the wrong thing. If he’d been looking for an out with Audrey, he’d just found it. It was there, waiting for him to grab it and run. But he didn’t.

  He couldn’t.

  Caleb went over his words again, trying to determine which had been the culprits to remedy the situation, because somehow, it was very important that he did. But he couldn’t figure out what it was.

  “Audrey, I’m sorry if I said something that offended you.”

  She jerked her head up and quickly said, “No, no. It’s fine. I’m just thinking.”

  His heart thumped in what he could only imagine was fear. He wanted Audrey smiling and laughing again, not contemplative and quiet.

  She suddenly rose to her feet and pulled her hand from his. After briefly meeting his gaze, she turned and walked toward his room. She took three steps before pulling her shirt over her head.

  Caleb stood in the next heartbeat. He walked to the shirt and picked it up. Looking down the hall, he saw another item of clothing on the floor. He went to it and picked up the sweatpants.

  His gaze slid to his bedroom where he found the lacy, dark green bra that he hadn’t paid attention to earlier. When he reached it, his attention was diverted by the sound of the shower turning on.

  Caleb’s fingers went numb, and the clothes he held tumbled from his hand when he caught a glimpse of Audrey stepping into the shower with her hair piled atop her head.

  His eyes locked on her gorgeous body through the clear doors as she stood beneath the spray of water. He’d never undressed so quickly in his life. Then he was in the stall with her.

  He came up behind her, sliding his hands around her waist. She leaned back against him and sighed, tilting her head to the side. The sight of her slim neck was too good to pass up. Caleb kissed down the column of her throat as his hands came up to knead her breasts.

  His eyes were locked on the water that ran over her hard nipples before falling to the shower floor. He pinched one of the peaks and heard Audrey’s audible moan.

  Before he could begin anything, she pulled out of his arms and reached for the soap. She lathered it in her hands and then turned to him. There was a smile on her face as she began soaping up his body.

  Caleb was so surprised that he just stood there watching her bathe him. She began at his shoulders before working her way down his arms and then back up again. Her hands smoothed over his chest and stomach before she shifted behind him and scrubbed his back.

  He closed his eyes at the sensation of her touching him. It was innocent but sexual at the same time. And he couldn’t wait until it was his turn to wash her.

  His eyes snapped open when her hands moved over his butt and then to his legs. Once she reached his ankles, she shoved at him to get him to turn around. Caleb did as commanded to find her on her knees before him. She kept her eyes on his legs as she meticulously bathed the front of his limbs.

  The closer she came to his aching cock, the more it strained, yearning for her touch. And then her hands were on him.

  Caleb ground his teeth together as she pumped her soapy fists up and down his length. She then ran her fingers around the sensitive head of his rod several times, bringing him such pleasure that he was about to lift her and take her right then.

  Just as he was about to reach for her, Audrey stood and turned him toward the water to rinse. But Caleb grinned as he reached behind him and dragged her toward the spray.

  He took the soap from her hands. “My turn.”

  It was his first time giving someone a bath, but if he had his way, this was the only way he’d take a shower with Audrey from now on.

  He noted that her chest was rising and falling quickly—even before he’d touched her. Finally, he’d soaped up his hands, but he kept the bar in one palm. Then, he took one of her hands in his. Finger by finger, he washed her, moving up to her wrist then her elbow and finally her shoulder. Only to switch to the other arm.

  With both of her arms washed, he moved to her neck and down to her chest. His mouth watered at the sight of her breasts. He took his time washing each globe, paying special attention to her nipples.

  He made himself move to her stomach then to her hips and farther down her legs. Caleb then shifted behind her and washed her back. He repositioned her just enough so the water was already rinsing her.

  Her head was back against him, her lips parted. He put aside the soap and rinsed his hand before he slid it to her sex. Slowly, he stroked her, dipping his finger inside.

  Their passion had swept through them swiftly the first time. This time, he planned to go slower and give Audrey the pleasure she deserved.

  Without a word, he shut off the water. Audre
y blinked as he opened the shower door. When she turned to him, he took her hand and led her out. There, he quickly dried her off before doing the same to himself. Then he led her to the bed.

  She released her hair, letting the damp ends tumble down her back. Caleb slid his fingers into the thick length and wound the strands around his digits, tugging her head back to expose her neck.

  Their gazes met, held.

  He didn’t understand his hunger for her, but it didn’t matter. Not now, at least. Not when he had her in his arms. He kissed her, letting their tongues slide against each other. He could kiss her for eternity, but there were other parts of her he wanted to taste and touch.

  Releasing her hair, he gave her a little push to sit. She lay back. Caleb spread her legs and knelt between them. His fingers slid over her sex to find her clit. Then he could deny himself no longer.

  He lay between her thighs and ran his tongue over her gradually, softly. Then he concentrated on her sensitive bundle of nerves, swirling around the tiny, swollen nub.

  Her hips rose slightly as she fisted the covers and moaned. That only spurred him on. Caleb licked and laved, ruthlessly enveloping her in pleasure. Soon, her moans turned to cries, and the louder she became, the more he gave her.

  Audrey’s head thrashed from side to side, her body trembling as he brought her to the verge of release. Then he pulled back. Her breathing was harsh in the silence of the room, but he gave her little time to compose herself as he pushed a finger inside her.

  Her head lifted to look at him. He slowly moved his finger in and out of her. Then he added a second. She moaned, her head falling back onto the mattress.

  Once she was focused on his fingers, he returned his tongue to her clit. Her back arched off the bed as she called out his name. A moment later, her body stiffened as the climax swept through her.

  Caleb didn’t relent until her body stopped moving. Only then did he flip her onto her stomach and raise her up to her knees.

  Their night was just getting started. There were so many things he wanted to do to her body, and he wasn’t going to waste another second.

  Chapter 25

  Her body still pulsed from the astonishing, incredible orgasm Caleb had given her. Audrey blinked, only belatedly realizing that she was on her hands and knees.

  The French said that an orgasm was a little death, and she could attest to that. All she’d known was bliss so intense, so deep that she had lost consciousness. For a few seconds, or minutes, she didn’t know.

  She looked over her shoulder to see Caleb on his knees behind her. He gave her a questioning look, and she moved back, rubbing her butt against him.

  His smile was sexy, but it was the promise of pleasure in his gaze that made her sex clench. He put his hands on her hips and entered her in one smooth motion.

  Audrey bit her lip and looked forward as he began to push and pull her along his length. She moaned as he thrust harder, deeper inside her until she couldn’t tell where she ended and he began.

  To her surprise, she found herself on the verge of another climax. Caleb quickened his pace, giving her no option but to tumble over the edge into pleasure once more.

  “Audrey,” he said. “I feel you.”

  She couldn’t answer as her body spasmed from another intense orgasm. Her arms buckled as he continued to pound into her. Then he buried himself deep and stilled, his fingers digging into her hips.

  After a moment, he pulled out of her and fell to his back. Audrey slid her legs out from under her and lay on her stomach, thoroughly worn out.

  He slapped her lightly on the ass and kissed her cheek. She smiled at him because she wouldn’t have been able to form words if she tried.

  Her eyes closed, and she found herself drifting off to sleep. She didn’t know how long she was in that in-between stage of wakefulness and sleep when she heard her name. She raised her lids to find Caleb looking at her.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  She frowned, wondering what he was talking about. He’d been fabulous. What did he have to apologize for?

  “I know better. And this is something I never do. Never. But I got so caught up in you that I forgot. Twice.”

  Now she was really confused. She couldn’t figure out what Caleb was talking about, and she was too tired to even care. She closed her eyes, thinking that they could discuss it when she woke up.

  The crinkling of a wrapper brought her back to the present. It took her a moment to realize what the small square Caleb held up in front of her was. A condom.

  “Oh, shit,” she said as she pushed herself up on her arms. “I never forget.”

  Caleb looked ashamed. “Me either. I have no excuse.”

  Audrey felt a little sick to her stomach as she comprehended what they had done—twice—and the implications. She even carried the prophylactics in her purse in case a guy claimed to not have one. She always made sure that she never had unprotected sex.

  She looked at Caleb to find him watching her. “We’re both to blame. It’s not just on you. I didn’t say anything either.”

  That was because she seemed to forget the entire world when she was with him. It was just the two of them, without any of the normal worries or intrusions. It had been nice.

  But now, reality reared its head.

  “I should regret it, but, oddly enough, I don’t.”

  She’d had unprotected sex twice. She could be carrying his child. Caleb’s baby. As she evaluated the situation, she found that she felt the same as he did. There was no panic or fear or even anger. “I don’t either.”

  They smiled at each other.

  She might feel differently if she came up pregnant. No sooner did she think that than an image of a little boy who looked like Caleb flashed in her mind. Her heart swelled at the thought.

  For someone who never thought about children, talking about them twice in one day was out of the ordinary.

  “Come here,” Caleb urged as he moved to his back.

  She shifted and rested her head on his chest. The moment his arm came around her, everything felt right. As if this were where she was supposed to be. As if everything had led her right to Caleb so she could find the happiness that currently filled her.

  Maddy would say it was Karma.

  “You’re not going to sleep now, are you?” he asked.

  Audrey grinned. “I’m actually thinking about my sister. She believes in Karma and Fate and all that.”

  “You don’t?”

  “I didn’t.”

  There was a pause. “Meaning, you do now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What changed?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t really know. It’s like, over the past three days, my world has been shaken about, and I didn’t grasp it until just now.”

  “Are you upset by it?”

  “That’s just it,” she said with a little laugh. “I’m not. Which, I’ll be the first to admit, is odd. I’m okay with change, but when I want it. Not when it just happens.”

  Caleb chuckled and kissed her head. “That’s pretty much everyone.”

  “There are some who hate change of any kind.”

  “True,” he relented. “What changed for you?”

  She wasn’t sure she wanted to go into specifics, especially since it involved him, her feelings on relationships, and the hope that this might develop into something more. So, instead, she said, “Everything.”

  “That encompasses a lot of things.”

  “Mm-hmm. I’m reconsidering a lot of things. Who I work for and if I want to continue with either of them. Then there’s my sister.”

  She could hear the frown in Caleb’s voice when he asked, “Maddy?”

  “I think she stays with me because she doesn’t believe I can look out for myself.”

  “Have you ever thought that maybe it’s because she doesn’t want to be alone?”

  Audrey considered that for a moment. “That’s a possibility. I want her to be happy.”
<
br />   “Then tell her that. Give her the option. Don’t just make a decision for her, because you wouldn’t like it if she did that with you.”

  “So true.”

  Caleb kissed the top of her head again. “You said everything. What else is there?”

  “The future,” she finally said after a lengthy pause. She would never know anything if she didn’t put it out there. “I’ve kept myself focused on my career. I did that because it was easy. I didn’t have to think about my father disappearing or what I wanted. I could lose myself in the horses and whatever needs they had at the time. I forgot about myself and what I might want.”

  Caleb’s hand caressed up and down her back. “What do you want?”

  She was beginning to think that she wanted him. But was that exhaustion talking? Was it because of everything she’d been through over the past couple of days and the fact that Caleb had been there to get her through it all?

  Or was it because of something else? Something deeper that she was too afraid to admit, even in her mind? Was it the peace and joy she found in Caleb’s arms—and the future she could see just out of reach?

  If only she had the courage to take it and see where it might lead.

  “Something different than I have now.”

  His chest lifted and expanded as he drew in a deep breath. “Yeah.”

  She shifted her head to see his face. He wore a contemplative look that made her wish she could read his thoughts. “What is it?”

  “Just thinking about what you said.”

  “Which part?” she asked with a grin.

  He put his free hand behind his head. “Wanting something different.”

  “Do you want something different?”

  “Maybe.”

  Audrey got more comfortable and closed her eyes. She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. And she was too tired to think of something to move the conversation along. Her mind drifted as she thought again of a little boy running in front of her and straight into Caleb’s arms.

  She must have drifted off to sleep, but she woke up long enough to roll over as Caleb pulled the covers over them.

  “Go back to sleep, beautiful,” he murmured.

  She sighed as he snuggled against her, looping his arm around her.