Cowboy 12 Pack
Page 146
“Well, I never,” she sputtered, ready to make mince-meat out of the male chauvinist who looked like a million dollars in his tight black jeans and cowboy boots.
“Not exactly true, Miss Sinclair, if my memory serves me correctly. Something tells me, that if you play your cards right, you might just get the chance to please me again. In fact, I’m counting on it.”
Do it again? She could be persuaded to pleasure him again, that is, if she didn’t murder him first. His swagger was infuriating, his sexual prowess was legendary and her eyes were drawn to the speed bump in his jeans like a bee to pollen.
“See anything you like, Cupcake?”
Folding her arms over her chest, Avery sought to erect a barrier of protection between them. “Don’t be so egotistical, Isaac.” Today wasn’t working out anything like she’d planned. All she wanted to do was get in to the ranch, deliver the fresh flower arrangements, and make it out before anybody saw her or could ask about that blasted newspaper article. “I wasn’t looking at your groin.” She choked the last word out. “You have a cocklebur on your – uh – coc – uh – fly.” Hell, she needed to get out of here before she died from chronic mortification.
With a wicked, sexy grin, he removed the prickly little seedpod from the front of his pants. “I’ve been out playing in the bushes. Shucks, I thought you were checking out my package.” He winked at her, making her blood pressure spike to new levels. “Just for my peace of mind, Precious, explain to me how the microphone got in your mouth in the first place.”
Lord Have Mercy! Would the humiliation ever end? Avery couldn’t think of a believable lie, so she stuck with the unbelievable truth. “Before I came over, Tricia had teased me about how big my mouth was. She said I couldn’t keep my mouth shut to save my life.” What she wouldn’t tell him was the secret Tricia warned her to keep, about her erotic romance writing. Maybe if she didn’t dwell on it, nothing else bad would happen to her. When Isaac’s amusement brought his beautiful dimples into view, she almost lost her train of thought. Now, where was she? “And when I put the flowers on the head table, that microphone was just lying there and I got to wondering…” Her words trailed off. Why wouldn’t the floor open up and swallow her when she needed it to?
Much to Avery’s surprise, Isaac pushed a strand of her hair behind one ear. God, if he started to touch her, she would probably jump him. “Let me guess…” Isaac offered dryly. “…you wondered if your mouth was big enough to manage the handheld?” His fingers traced down her face, caressing her cheek and tugging at her lower lip. Avery trembled. “Did you get those pretty little white teeth hung up behind the guard band?” He picked up the mic and rubbed his finger on the rim. “Do you have any idea how sexy that was, seeing those plump pink lips in that provocative position?”
He was turning her on. It was time to leave before she did something she’d regret later. Enough. “Thanks for making me mad, Isaac. If you hadn’t baited me like that, I might still be wired to the sound system. Excuse me.” She turned to leave.
“Uh, no way.” Isaac grabbed her by the wrist. “Stay. You just saved me a trip. I was about to come looking for you. I want you to be my date for the party.”
Avery stared up at him. If he’d wanted her to be his date, why hadn’t he asked her before? Nope, not gonna happen. She’d made up her mind to leave him alone, and being near him now was just sweet torture. “Thank you, but no. I have some more deliveries to make.” With a small smile, Avery pulled her hand from his and fled like the devil himself was after her.
Well, hell! Isaac watched the adorable doll take off like a ruptured redbug. At least he knew she was still in town. He was sorry to see her go, but he sure enjoyed watching her leave. Damn she had a fine ass! Isaac didn’t do much business in a flower shop, but he guessed he would start. The women he used to keep company with weren’t interested in him for the posies he could purchase. They were more into the pleasure he could provide.
*
“ISAAC!” LANCE MOTIONED him to join a few of the men at the bar. “It’s too early to drink. How about some coffee?”
“I think I’ll pass.” Isaac held up a hand in greeting. “I just got a better offer.” Pushing his hat down on his head, he took off to follow Avery. He remembered the name on the van. Heart Strings. Yep, he knew right where that little shop was located, right across from the Fire Department. And the delivery van had been red, so it should be easy to spot. Isaac kept his eyes out for it as he headed down the road toward town. God, he was relieved to see her.
The drive into Kerrville only took about fifteen minutes. First, he drove past the florist shop, but there were no vans parked there. Hoping to get lucky, he made a few blocks and let out a breath of relief as he saw her pull into the Baptist church parking lot and walk to the back of the van. She was dressed all in pink—pink jeans, a pink camisole top, pink tennis shoes and a pink sparkly ribbon braided into her hair. Avery looked like cotton candy, and he couldn’t wait to have another sweet taste. Pulling in beside her, he arrived at the rear of her vehicle as she pulled out a red and white basket of roses. “Are these for me?” When she turned, he had to catch the basket as she tossed it up in the air with fright.
“Land sakes! Isaac, what are you doing here?” He got transfixed watching her chest rise and fall as she panted. Avery didn’t miss his ogling, and threw his earlier comment back at him. “See something you like, Stud-Muffin?”
Her tart little retort tickled him to death. “Yes, Ma’am, I certainly do.” God, he was going to enjoy being married to her. Just a few days ago, this thought would have shocked him, but now, it seemed to be the most natural thing in the world.
“Why are you following me?” She huffed the sweetest little protest, retrieved the flowers from his grasp and edged around him. “Did you forget to buy flowers for your latest flame? You know, just because we slept together yesterday, doesn’t mean you can’t buy flowers for your girlfriends. Do you want me to run back to the shop and get you a dozen roses?” Not giving him a chance to respond, she set out toward the side door of the sanctuary and slipped into the house of God.
Isaac was right behind her. The church might fall to the ground. He hadn’t made a practice of attending too many worship services. “No, Prissy Pants. Not unless you’re hankering for some roses. I’ll be glad to buy you some. There’s no other girlfriend, single or plural. You and I are practically engaged. Why would I want to buy presents for some other girl?”
At the word engaged, she whirled around. “I don’t want any roses. I’m not your girlfriend and we aren’t practically engaged. We’re in a church, Isaac. Aren’t you afraid of getting struck by lightning for telling a lie?”
Chapter Five
‡
‘ME THINKS THE lady doth protest too much’, or at least that’s what he hoped. His Avery was something. He even liked to watch her fuss. She had the most beautiful face. He didn’t know which feature he liked best—those high cheek bones, soft violet eyes, dark long lashes or plump pink lips. No, he knew, his favorite part was her nose that tilted up the tiniest bit. There were so many places he wanted to trail kisses, beginning with the soft skin on her neck and following the line of her graceful sloping shoulders. Avery was a soft, curvy woman that was shaped the way God intended a woman to be shaped. And he knew several things he wanted to do with that braid. Wrap it around his fist while he took her from behind was the first thing that came to mind.
Avery shuffled her feet. She could almost hear the thoughts in Isaac’s mind as he catalogued her assets, and it unnerved her. She dropped her gaze and turned to straighten the bottom of the lace runner. As she stooped over, he was sorely tempted to run his palms over that heart-shaped rump. God, he would love to hold those cheeks apart and ram home. “No, Baby, the Lord knows I ain’t tellin’ no fibs. If he’s omnipotent, he can hear my every thought, and what I’m thinking right now is what a lovely job he did creating your sweet little tush.”
“We are in a holy place, Isaac
.” She turned and shushed him like they were in a library. “Have some respect!” Her hands on her hips brought his attention to the narrowness of her waist. Yea, he couldn’t wait to tug her close again.
“Yes, we are in a holy place.” Isaac licked his lips. “If I remember my Sunday school lessons correctly, didn’t God tell Moses to take off his shoes on that holy ground? Why don’t we show more respect and take off that little pink top you have on? I swear, you look good enough to eat. I don’t know if I ever told you, but you have the most beautiful body. I can promise you one thing. I’m going to give you a honeymoon you will never forget. And it don’t matter where we go, ’cause I ain’t gonna let you get out of the bed.”
Avery closed her eyes, wishing he would just disappear. “Why are you being this way? Are you determined to break my heart?”
The pain in her voice got his attention, damned quick. His tone totally changed. “Avery, look at me. Now.”
Reluctantly she met his gaze. “Do I need to remind you that just a couple of days ago you couldn’t wait to see the last of me? Do you think I’m stupid?” she huffed incredulously. “It doesn’t take a genius to know the only reason you want to marry me is because you feel guilty.”
Seeing the hurt on her face, he whispered a word that shouldn’t be repeated in church. What a fiasco! Making a grab for her, she frustrated him by stepping quickly out of his clasp. Her lack of self-confidence tore at his heart. Walking to the table in front of the pulpit, he placed his hand on the Bible. “This is just one, but I’d swear on a stack of Bibles that I didn’t lie to you. I’m not ready to give up on us. I want to be with you, more than you’ll ever know, Avery Rose Sinclair. Let me explain. Hear me out, that’s all I ask. Please?”
Avery looked at his face. It was confusing. He sounded so sincere. She dug her fingernails in her palm as a reminder to stay strong. Because he was sincere, sincerely trying to do the right thing. There was no way she could be rude to him. Belonging to Isaac was her fondest dream. Just because it was slipping through her fingers didn’t give her the right to be mean. “Okay, we can talk. I’m not agreeing to anything, but I’ve always enjoyed spending time with you. Now is no different.”
Not exactly the level of enthusiasm he was hoping for, but he’d take any time with her he could get. All he wanted was a chance to change her mind. “Is that your last delivery?”
“Yes, but I rode to work with Tricia. I spent the night at her house last night. So I don’t have my motorcycle.”
“Remind me to speak to you about your ride,” he emphasized the last word. “I know you didn’t go home, or to the motel.”
“How’d you know I didn’t go home?”
“I went looking for you after the ruckus at the bar. I was worried about you.”
Avery’s heart swelled at this revelation, but she stifled a smile for her own good so he wouldn’t see how his concern had affected her. He was staring at her with such heat that she had to look away. “Come on, let’s go.” He took her by the hand. “I’ll follow you to the shop. Then you’re going to spend the rest of the day with me at the ranch. Joseph and Cady’s party is tonight, and I want you to be my date. We have some serious talking to do.”
Avery pulled her hand from Isaac’s grip. This was just too much. “How about if I fix you some lunch at my house and we have a civilized conversation? I don’t think the party is a good place to discuss this.”
“I’ll change your mind.”
“You can try.”
Damn, she was sassy. As she sashayed by him, he reached and grabbed her, pulling her hard against his body for a quick kiss which stole the air from her lungs.
“No fair,” she whimpered. “You know I crave you more than chocolate.” Was there any use pretending?
Chuckling, he let her go. “That’s what I’m counting on. Consider that kiss a down-payment on what I plan to collect later.”
In a daze, she left the church, locking it carefully behind them. He helped her in the van, fastened her seat belt and gave her the most tender, most luscious kiss she’d ever fantasized. Nothing she’d ever written in any of her books even came close. He shut the door and walked off to his truck, starting the engine before she opened her eyes and remembered what planet she was living on. “Wow.” Was all she could say as she drove to the shop and took time to tell Tricia what was going on. “Remind me to tell you the microphone story.”
“The what story?” Her friend was about to ask questions, but when she looked up and saw Isaac standing in the door waiting for Avery, Trisha pushed her toward him. “You can tell me later. Go.” So, she did.
Isaac’s King Ranch had bench seats. He led her to the driver’s side door, opened it and before she could squirm, squeal or skedaddle he picked her and placed her gently in the seat. And when he’d settled behind the wheel, he instructed, “Sit close, I want to snuggle.” She hesitated, but when he curled his big hand around her thigh and pulled her toward him, she followed his instructions. This was going to kill her. So, she’d inched up close, trying to keep a little distance. But he made a game of it, tugging and tickling her till he had her giggling. And when he tucked his fingers underneath her leg, there was no way he could miss how she trembled. “Now, lay your head on my shoulder and let’s talk.” Avery tentatively placed her head on his shoulder and when he turned and kissed her forehead, she couldn’t help it. She wrapped both hands around his muscular arm. Her death must have been quick and painless, because she was in heaven.
“Why don’t you already have a date for the party tonight?” Whoops! She hadn’t intended to ask that question. It just popped out on its own.
Isaac didn’t answer right away. Instead he took off his Stetson and tossed it in the back seat. She didn’t often see him in a cowboy hat. God, this was a whole new level of sexy.
“I can’t do any proper kissing with my hat on. Now, to answer your question, I don’t date much. In case you haven’t heard, my reputation is in sore need of repair.” When he put on his blinker, Avery peeked out of the truck to try and see where they were. They certainly hadn’t made it to her house. As far as she could tell, he had pulled down a side street into somebody’s pasture access road. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you, Avery. Your house is just too damn far away.” Parking, he adjusted his seat until it was pushed all the way back. “Come here, Baby. Straddle me.”
Avery thought about it, but only for a moment. She didn’t understand this. It seemed more like a dream than reality. But she wanted it, God, how she wanted Isaac McCoy. “All right, Isaac. Are you sure I’m not too heavy?” She couldn’t miss the confusion on his face.
“What are you talking about? I am six-five and weigh over two-forty. Next to me, you’re just a little bit of a thing.”
Facing him, she was partially standing with one knee on the seat, when he took her by the waist and pulled her over and on top of him. Her legs fit neatly, one by the door and one folded down beside his hip. The really intriguing part was that her sex settled perfectly over the swell in his jeans.
“Now, doesn’t that feel good?”
“Yes.” She sighed. Her body softened and even though there were two layers of material between their bodies, it seemed like she could feel his heat. Avery had to bite her lip to keep from groaning.
“Now,” Isaac said with a growl. “In case nobody ever told you, it’s not a good idea to go biting your lip around an already overheated male like the one you’re on top of right now.” He bucked his hips off the seat and his throbbing bulge pressed firmly into Avery. Her entire body shuddered with ecstasy and she couldn’t miss the fire blazing behind his blue eyes. “See how good we fit together, like two pieces of a puzzle.” Isaac began rubbing her back and down her arms as if he was gentling a skittish little animal.
She bit down on her lip again and luxuriated in the bliss when Isaac bucked his hips. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to keep from chewing her lips right off if this was the action it elicited from the hunk underneath
her at the moment. “You’re making me crazy,” she admitted with a whimper. Lord, she couldn’t breathe. There was no way she could draw air into her lungs. This was just insane. Isaac was looking at her so intently, she felt trapped in his gaze. It was wild. There was so much heat and hunger in his eyes. Avery tried to reason this all out, but she couldn’t think straight. All she wanted was to feel his lips on hers one more time. She was tempted to lean forward and just take what she wanted. God, she wanted him so much. “Kiss me now, please. Don’t make me wait.”
Damn! She wanted him enough to ask. That was so hot. With shaking hands, he framed her face.
“Look at you,” he whispered. “I don’t know where you came from. Heaven, I guess.” Reverently, he kissed her eyelids and her soft, smooth cheeks. And when she turned her mouth and sought his, he thought he would shout from sheer happiness. She fit her mouth over his and the tip of her tongue played along the seam. “Kiss me, Baby,” he begged and when she opened her mouth to let him in, he thought he would come in his shorts. God, she was like honey. Hot. Velvet. The sweetest thing he’d ever tasted in his life. A little whimper of need came from her throat and he tightened his arms around her, feasting at her lips, making up for the lost years, lonely nights, and the broken dreams of a lifetime of wanting something he never thought he’d be lucky enough to have.
Isaac bit at her lips, licking them, sucking them, loving the fact that she held nothing back. Sliding his mouth to her cheek, he gasped for breath.
“You’re a really good kisser,” she whispered and followed him, seeking to meld their mouths back together.
“I’m glad,” he said between kisses. “Can I touch you?” Asking was new to him, but Isaac didn’t want to do anything to scare his angel. She was breathing so hard, he felt guilty. “Do you feel okay? Do you want to stop?”
“No, please no. Don’t stop. Touch me.” She picked up his hands and put them on her breasts. There was no doubt where she wanted to be touched. Happy to oblige, he cupped her breasts. The first touch was so soft, and she pushed her bounty into his hands, begging for more.