Cowboy Creed (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 1)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “I told you. I wanted to dance.”

  “You? Dance? Since when?” she whispered.

  “Since the last two minutes ago. You should feel special.” He grinned. “You know I have two left feet.”

  “Oh, was this a ploy to make me feel special or make me feel like we’re back in high school and you’re scaring away all the competition?” She lifted her gaze and he felt her spine stiffen.

  “Are you kidding?”

  “So you’re going to deny that you scared them away?”

  “No. I’m denying that they were ever any competition,” he said without humiliation.

  “What if I wanted to dance with Hamil again? He’s a great dancer.” The corners of her mouth played with a smile.

  “Hamil? That was his name?” He snorted.

  “Yes. He owns a ranch outside of Cooper’s Hawk. He rode on the rodeo circuit too. Won lots of rewards.”

  “Hamil looked as uptight as his name sounds.”

  “Did you come here to pester me?”

  The growl gurgled up from deep in his chest and rumbled in his throat. He wrapped his arm tighter around her waist, not caring that others were still looking. “Behave yourself.”

  “Or?” Her eyes were challenging.

  “Let’s not play games, Minnow.”

  “Trust me, I’d be the last one who’d play games.”

  “Are you suggesting that I do?”

  “If that’s how you’d like to take it.”

  “I never did like it when you drank tequila,” he rasped.

  “So let me guess. Was it Boone or Hank who called to tell on me? Just like old times,” she huffed. “Can’t those fellows mind their own damn business? I thought we were having a good time talking about the past. Bonding over making fun of you.”

  “Neither told on you.”

  “Really? Then why are you here looking like a bear?”

  “Damn, Mindy. You know why I’m here.”

  She pulled back an inch to look up at him. “No, I don’t.”

  He sucked in a breath. “I can’t let you make a mistake—”

  “You can’t let me make a mistake?” She laughed but it was as cold as an arctic blast. “Let me inform you of something, Creedy Hawke. You don’t control me. It’s not your place to let me do anything. I have the right to move on just as much as anyone else does.”

  He blinked. “What the hell is going on? Did I miss something?”

  “You certainly have.”

  “When will you forgive me?”

  “Maybe never.”

  He growled. “Just so you know, I spoke with Melody earlier. I asked her about the letter and she said she had no clue what I was talking about.”

  Her brows scrunched. “So what are you saying? That I lied about writing you?”

  “Mindy, that’s not what I’m suggesting.”

  “Then what are you saying? Maybe you’re lying. Maybe you knew it was from me and tossed it and you just can’t admit it.”

  Slumping his shoulders, he gave his head a jerky shake. “I’m tired of the arguing. Think whatever makes you happy.”

  The song ended, he dipped his hat, and left her on the dance floor.

  He could have easily stormed back, swept her up into his arms and carried her with him. But he knew he couldn’t force her into anything. If she wanted him, she needed to come to him.

  Passing Hamil’s table, Creed bent and said to the man, “She’s all yours, buddy.”

  Dipping his hat, Creed strolled through the door and didn’t look back.

  Chapter Fifteen

  CREED SAT AT his desk at Hawke Landing, looking over quarterly reports for the chartered flights. He rubbed his tired eyes and leaned back in the chair. Stretching his legs and hooking his boots on the corner of the desk, he couldn’t seem to concentrate. After leaving Pelican Hawke, he had jumped in his truck and came to work. He’d called his ma and let her know he wouldn’t he home tonight and to watch Livvy.

  He glanced at the clock above the door. It read twelve fifteen. Maybe it was time to call it a night. Turning off the light, he left the office and strolled down to the bunker. Removing his boots and his shirt, he laid down on the bottom bed and relaxed his aching muscles.

  Tossing and turning, sleep eluded him although he was dog-tired.

  The rain picked up and pelted the tin roof.

  Any other night he could have slept a few hours, but tonight he had a lot on his mind.

  Images of Mindy filled his cluttered brain.

  A craving unlike any other flowed through his veins, making him feel like a madman. He should never have walked out onto the dance floor looking like a foolish dick. Jealousy never looked good on anyone, especially a man his age.

  Rolling onto his stomach, he punched the pillow twice and laid his head into the center.

  Suddenly the pillow was too soft.

  The bed too lumpy.

  And his body too hard.

  His phone lit up and then dinged from the end of the bed.

  He thought about ignoring it, but responsibility made him grab it and read the screen. His heart almost leapt out of his chest. Why was Mindy texting?

  Where are you?

  He tossed the phone and laid his head back down.

  He needed sleep, not another round with the woman who loved to argue.

  Two minutes slowly crept by.

  Not responding.

  Nope. Not happening.

  But what if she needs me?

  Reaching for the phone he tapped at the keyboard. Where are you?

  You’re not allowed to answer a question with a question. M

  Just did. C

  What’s wrong with you? M

  You. You’re what’s wrong with me C. No sense in lying.

  I see your car. Open the door. M.

  With a growl he pushed off the bed and strolled down the hall to the double glass doors, peering into the darkness. He could see the headlights of a car and a second later the silhouette of someone running toward the doors. Unlocking the door, he held it open for Mindy. By the time she made it inside she was soaked and the car outside had driven away.

  “Your ride is leaving,” he muttered.

  “It was an Uber.” She shivered.

  He almost felt sorry for her until he realized she’d been using his jacket as an umbrella. “Here, you can have this back.” She handed him the dripping coat then he saw the bottle tucked under her shoulder.

  “Gee, thanks. Is that why you came out here? To give me my soaked coat back?” He hung it on a hook next to the door. “By the way, how’d you know I was here?”

  “I had the driver take me out to the farm. When I didn’t see your truck, I figured I could find you here. You’re always here.” Her hair clung to her wet, rosy cheeks and the shirt had become see-through.

  “Why are you here?” he urged.

  “I brought an old favorite. Apple whiskey.” She held up the unopened bottle, giving it a little shake.

  “You think you need more?” He lifted a brow.

  She lowered her eyes to the floor for a brief second. “I guess I was feeling sorry for myself and that’s why I went to Pelican Hawke. I shouldn’t have been so ugly toward you.”

  “I know you don’t trust me,” he said. “I guess I deserve some ugliness, but I’m here now, Mindy. Let me be here for you.” His heart was ripping apart.

  ~~~~~

  Mindy wasn’t sure why she’d come, but she was here now, and she couldn’t turn away.

  His words made her knees weak. Her inner thighs clenched.

  She wanted him. That was honestly why she came.

  When he’d walked out of Pelican Hawke, she felt like a part of her had left with him.

  It was time they had a heart-to-heart.

  “Do you have glasses around here?” First, she needed more liquid therapy.

  He smiled, nodded, and motioned for her to follow him. He took her into the room with the bunk beds and she stepped insi
de. His shoes were sitting by the bed and his shirt was tossed over the end. The door closed with a soft click.

  Mindy watched him stroll over to a cabinet and take down a stack of plastic cups. He took two and turned them over on the desk. She handed him the bottle and he poured a small amount into each cup.

  “Here you go.”

  She took the cup and sipped the mellow whiskey. Rolling her tongue over her lips, she made a throaty moan. “Remember when we snuck a bottle of this stuff out of daddy’s cabinet? First alcohol we tasted and I spat it everywhere. It certainly goes down better with age.”

  “A lot of things get better with age.” His warm gaze spoke volumes.

  He backed up, opened one of the lockers, and took out a T-shirt. “Here. Put this on.”

  She hesitated.

  His laughter made her shiver. “It’s a shirt not a snake. Get out of those wet clothes before you catch your death.” He sat down on the edge of the desk, looking at her over the rim of his glass.

  She was cold and wet, all the way down to her itty-bitty thong.

  Taking the shirt, she placed her glass on a nearby shelf. She looked across the room at Creed.

  “What?” he muttered.

  “Turn around.”

  “I’ve seen everything before. A few times.” His voice was as smooth as the whiskey.

  “Probably so, but I’m not that young girl anymore. My body has changed.”

  He gave an easy shrug, pushed up from the bed and turned his back to her. “Why do women do that?”

  She unbuttoned the wet shirt and dropped it to the side. Then the cami. “Do what?”

  “Think that age is a disgrace to their body. I love your new curves. The new confidence I see in your eyes. It’s sexy as hell.” The divulging of his words made her tremble inside.

  Unhooking her bra, she dragged the damp material away and her nipples budded, from the combination of his words and the cooler air. “I think it’s wonderful that you feel that way, but Branch felt differently.”

  “Fuck your ex-husband. If he couldn’t deal with a smart, sophisticated, beautiful, mature woman that speaks of his low character.”

  She smiled at Creed’s back as she reached for the T-shirt and read the front, “Hawke Landing Search and Rescue.” Pulling the soft cotton down over her shoulders and torso, she hugged it to her skin. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve long gotten over him. Hopefully Sian’s body tightens back into place once she has the baby. He might not feel the same about her then.”

  “Is that the woman he left you for?”

  “Yes. I just found out yesterday that he married her and they’re expecting a child.” Toeing off her boots and socks, she then unbuttoned her damp shorts and slid them down her legs. She started to leave her panties on but decided against it.

  Thankfully, she’d shaven her legs. She smiled at the silly thought.

  “So that’s why you needed the emotional drunk?”

  “I was celebrating my freedom.” Scooping up her clothes, she said, “You can turn around.”

  She hung her damp things over the top bunk to dry. She lifted her chin to find Creed’s simmering gaze on her. “What?” She curled her toes against the cool hardwood floor.

  “You. In my shirt. I’ll never look at it the same way again.” He emptied his whiskey and poured another.

  “Thank you. It does feel better than the wet things.” She picked up her cup and sipped, feeling the warmth pool into her stomach. “How often do you stay here?”

  “Not often. Tonight I worked late and decided to catch some ZZs.”

  “Did I wake you?”

  “No. In fact, I couldn’t get my mind off you. So why did you come?”

  “I-I came to see you, Creed.” She took a step forward, inhaling him into her greedy lungs. How could one man smell so good? Be so powerful. Every part of him was big and strong.

  A deep, reverberating jolt rocketed through her. He watched her with such emotion, such appreciation and desire. She needed to believe she could be herself with him. She could be vulnerable and he’d never hurt her. Holding up her empty cup, she said, “Pour me another, Cowboy?”

  “Good thing you didn’t drive. I’d have to take your keys.” He picked up the bottle and poured a little more into her cup.

  “I’m a smart drunk. Not that I do it often. I just felt I needed a little liquid therapy.” She saluted him with her cup then turned on her feet and examined the room. “By the way, your mom called and said Livvy wants to take lessons with me.” She stopped in front of a row of framed pictures of Creed and his brothers.

  “Really? I didn’t know.”

  “Does it bother you that she wants to take lessons?” She turned to face him, wrapping her fingers around the cup.

  “No. Should it?”

  “No, but I thought I caught a hint of disappointment in your voice.”

  He shrugged and swiped a hand down his whiskered jaw. “I’m grateful that Ma has helped with Livvy, but there are times I feel like my daughter will never listen to me while she has Ma as a sympathy vote.”

  “I don’t think it’s a sympathy vote, Creed. You said yourself you work a lot. Livvy probably depends upon her grandmother. Have you spoken to them about how you feel?” She took a step closer, sipping the whiskey.

  “I do, but I don’t think I get my point across.”

  “Nothing new,” she teased. “Although, I do think you’ve learned a lesson or two in communication since I was last in Cooper’s Hawk.”

  “Let’s just say I’ve watched my brothers a time or two and learned what not to do with the ladies.” He chuckled.

  Swallowing the last bit of whiskey, this time she poured herself more. “Oh, so you think you know women, huh? Let me be the judge of your knowledge. Let’s pretend I’m a stranger. What come on would you use to get my attention?”

  “Mindy…”

  “Creed. Are you shy?” She rolled her tongue over her lips.

  “Fine.” He set his whiskey aside. “Don’t laugh.” He rolled his shoulders and clenched his hands open and shut as if he prepared for a boxing match.

  “I can’t promise there won’t be laughter involved.”

  “Here it goes.” Clearing his throat, he smiled. “Hi, sweetheart. Do I know you? ‘Cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend.” He broke out into a full grin. “How was that?”

  “Terrible.”

  “Terrible? Why?”

  “Because it’s cheesy. Try something else. This time something better.”

  He crossed the short space between them, holding her gaze intently. Her spine tingled and her toes curled. “Most people experience love, but then there are those who don’t just love but they fall mindlessly. I don’t just love you with all my heart. I love you with all my circle. Hearts can break. They can stop beating. But a circle, it’s infinity. It flows on forever and ever and ever, just like the love I have for you.”

  Her breath stilled.

  Her knees quivered.

  “Well?”

  Clearing the butterflies from her stomach, she finally managed to gain her voice, “That’s better. Much better.”

  “Just better? Are you telling me that didn’t do anything for you?”

  Nervous, she gulped down the rest of the whiskey. The sudden rush of dizziness made her slightly wobble. He grabbed her gently and held her close. “Whoa there, sweetheart. I see you’re still a lightweight.”

  She stared up at him, feeling herself wavering between logic and desire. “Honestly, if you use that line on any girl, I think she’d fall for you.”

  “How about you, Minnow? Could you fall?” His whiskey-laced breath brushed her cheek.

  “Creed…”

  “Do you trust me?” He cupped her cheek, sending warmth into her bloodstream.

  “No.” But she did. It was herself that she didn’t trust. What if she got hurt again? “Yes,” she finally admitted. “I’ve always trusted you. That’s why it hurt so much when I came home and you
were no longer my Creedy.”

  He smiled and it rained heaven into her soul. “You know I’d never hurt you on purpose, right?”

  “These feelings feel an awfully lot like pain, Creed.”

  “That’s because you keep fighting them.”

  “Do you still like me?”

  “Like you? Just a little.”

  “I have to tell you that I came here tonight because I didn’t want to be alone.” She watched his expression.

  “You have to be clearer than that, sweetheart. Do you want me, or do you just want to be held tonight? Call me crazy but I’m picking up some confusion. I won’t be a salve, not for you. I can’t risk losing myself again.”

  “Both.” She moistened her lips.

  He took her cup and placed it on the shelf, and with a tangled growl he picked her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. Flipping on the reading lamp clamped to the headboard the dim light cast a golden glow over them. She felt exposed lying on the bunk, feeling like all her weaknesses were laid out for him to see. Her body shivered and she brought her arms up around her body.

  “Don’t hide yourself from me.”

  “Okay.” Placing her arms at her sides, she swallowed hard.

  “I want to see all of you.”

  “You first,” she whispered.

  He chuckled and stood.

  “You’ve always been a beautiful man, Creed.” She lowered her eyes to the waist of his jeans that sat low on his slender hips.

  With a flick of his wrist, he undid the buckle of his belt and pulled the leather from the straps, sending an echo bouncing off the walls. Then came an unsnapping of a button, the familiar scrape of unzipping, and a push of denim down long legs until finally he stood in front of her, wearing only thin boxers. The flap came open revealing dark, crisp hair. He sat back down beside her hip.

  “You’re like a fine wine, Mindy. You’ve gotten better with age. Don’t let a man like your ex dictate how you feel about yourself. Any man with a brain and eyes would agree that you’re beautiful.”

  “I look different,” she admitted shyly.

  “Better than ever.” His husky voice vibrated her nerve endings.

  “I’m older. I’ve had a child. I have some stretch marks and my breasts aren’t as perky as they once were.”

  “So what?” Creed lowered himself and kissed her, teasing her lips. She moaned in delight at the phenomena he tweaked inside of her. He pulled slightly back, their gazes meeting, and she threaded her fingers in his thick hair.