Of The Cowboy's Own Accord (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight #3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “I get that.” He bet she was asked enough times. She was a stunning woman. He stood. “Shall we go?”

  Her gaze darted around the bar and out into the corridor. “A great idea since I have no idea how to get back to the main concourse. I believe I’m all turned around now.”

  When she stood, he pressed his hand to the small of her back to escort her out. “You’d find your way by following the signs.”

  Dane opened his arm for her to take it and she did. It made him proud to walk through the airport with her—stranger or not. “I suppose our baggage will catch up to us at our final destination. It always does, luckily.” Small talk and he knew it.

  “Um hm. This is why I always bring a carry-on, but this is all I brought this trip.” She read the signs as they made left turns, right turns, no turns, then she pointed toward the exit. “Do you call every woman ‘ma’am’?”

  “I guess it’s the cowboy in me, or the way my parents raised me.” He half shrugged. “No one ever asked before.” It was normal to him, usually said without theorizing about it. “I apologize if it offends you.”

  “You don’t look like a cowboy. I’m not offended, but I appreciate that you asked.”

  “Well, I’m a soldier now. You’d think I looked like a cowboy if you saw me at home on the ranch.” He nudged her playfully. “Do I look like a soldier?”

  She ran her gaze up his body as they walked. “Not really… Your stance, confidence, and demeanor kind of says you could be, but isn’t that…what a cowboy is all about, too?”

  Hmm. Quick-witted and he liked that. “They have a certain reputation, if that’s what you mean, or at least that’s what I’ve heard.” He pulled his shoulders back. “If I resemble a soldier then the Army did its job. You don’t like soldiers or the military, do you, Gracelyn?” He directed their way to the shuttle area while taking his time in a leisurely stroll.

  “Ah, I…I’m familiar with military life. My dad and brother were soldiers. My little sister would’ve become a soldier, too, if she hadn’t gotten pregnant in her senior year of high school and…well, she later passed away.” Grace glanced away a moment. “Kind of glad to be away from it now that I’m on my own. I was an Army brat for fifteen years. Military destroyed my family for a time.” She did a quick study of his face. “That doesn’t mean I don’t like soldiers…or cowboys, although I admit to never meeting a cowboy soldier.”

  Nice comeback. “I plan on being a soldier for a long time. It’s who I am—” He felt sorry that she had lost her sister.

  “You mean when you aren’t a cowboy?” A twinkle of mischief played in her eyes when she grinned.

  Her smile had a bit of the devil in it—one he got lost in. No it’s her eyes I get lost in. The smile blew him away, excited him, made him think things he had no business thinking. Holy hell.

  ***

  Dane slid the door when the shuttle pulled up. She scooted into the center row of seats. That woman’s hips could stop a damn stampede of mustangs. Slim and curvy…nice. The way hair fell across her shoulders, too, was sexy. Her hair came nearly to her waist in the back and the bangs just made her cute. The short, black skirt showed off nice legs. Maybe he should’ve left all the beer in that last glass.

  He got in beside her and leaned close so they could converse. “I can’t believe we spent four and a half hours back there.” He snickered. “I’m ready to eat again. Let me get you dessert. They have a little bistro-type place in the hotel.”

  She checked the time. At that second a hiccup slipped out. “Oh, excuse me. I only drank two glasses of wine…maybe three.” She rolled her eyes as she situated herself in the seat.

  “No worries. What about dessert?” He took her hand from her lap and peered into those eyes. The way her lashes fluttered captivated him. Nervousness? She gave him a heated rush. “I’m enjoying your company and I hate to see the night end. I haven’t had dinner with an attractive woman…for a long time. Having a little more time with you might be enough to sustain me through the next deployment.” What a damn cheesy line. “Forgive me. That was in bad taste.”

  Her shoulders curled in a bit, so he released her hand. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

  Nodding, she peered back at him and smiled. “I’d love dessert. Let’s see what they have.”

  He took her hand again since she didn’t complain. Something about her smile invited him to do it. “Thanks.” Sitting back, he relaxed. “So, where are you from? You mentioned going home.”

  “The city by the way…I mean bay. Fan sanfrancisco.” That time a giggle rolled out and she turned away. “I mean San Francisco.” Gracelyn peered downward. “I’m sorry for sounding so silly. This is embarrassing. I can handle drinking wine. It’s that… How do I put this? I’m sitting here with a handsome soldier and I’m a little tense.”

  “Not to worry. I’m harmless in the states.” He gave a subtle laugh. “One day I’d love to hear your story. I mean, why you left a beautiful city to come live in the desert, heat, and dust storms.” Not to mention the raging monsoons.

  Gracelyn leaned back and got comfortable against his shoulder. “I graduated from wine school, and this is where I got hired. I’ll give it a try for a while. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll look elsewhere. I’ll work anywhere. Maybe I’ll end up in Italy one day, or become a cellar manager on a cruise ship.” She shrugged. “Talk about a challenge. Call me crazy!”

  Dane was comfortable with her. Comfortable as if knowing her forever. His heart smiled. “So, you’re a wine expert? Hot dog. But you lived in a city filled with magnificent restaurants. Why Phoenix?”

  “I came here because no one in San Francis-co hired me. Those people will keep their jobs until they die.” She slapped his thigh and her hand remained there. “That sounded mean. Please forgive me, soldier boy.”

  Her smile was so damn sweet, he had a hard time holding one back himself. It was addictive to him. Dane chuckled. Yep, she can handle her wine all right.

  “A better name…my official title now is Guild Wine Master. It must sound like nothing much, but my training took me through rigorous levels of coursework. It was not an easy task.” She stopped to take a breath.

  She had to be sober to get that mouthful out. Dane peered out the window to see where they were. “It sounds strenuous to me. You should be proud of yourself. Seems there’s a lot of wine in the world to learn about.”

  “Oh, there is… I am proud, thank you. After all, I did have the advanced courses.” Once at the hotel they both checked in. Gracelyn turned to him at the desk. “I’m glad you’re here. It’s that I have a thing about being in elevators alone in the middle of the night. The stairway is worse.”

  How does she know she can trust me? His posture straightened and he held his chin high. “No problem. I’ll walk you to your room.” How coincidental when the clerk said he had one on the same floor with an adjoining door. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. If she didn’t mind, he wouldn’t either. A little more excited than he’d been in a long time—his insides did a happy dance.

  After leaving the desk they took the elevator up and they settled into their rooms. Dane held his fist up before knocking on the adjoining door. Should I do this? Maybe let it stop right here? His knock was the answer to his questions. She opened with a big smile. “Are you still up for that dessert?” he asked.

  “Absolutely. But I’ll buy.” She held her palm up. “No further word on the matter. Let me grab my jacket.” She turned, glancing over her shoulder. “I’ll go out my main door and meet you in the hallway.”

  “Yep.” He checked her out as she walked away. Punch me now. Dane pulled the door closed, locked his tablet in the safe, and met her outside her door. In the elevator she stood close. When he straightened his stature, she leaned right against him. Automatically, he slid his arm around her shoulder. “You’re shivering.” He pulled her closer not intending for her to snuggle into the crook of his arm. Holy shit. This was the last thing h
e’d anticipated.

  “You feel good…so warm. I’m not sure I’m trembling because I’m cold.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Now, I apologize for that cheesy line.”

  Great. Not. He about drowned in her sincerity when she peered up at him with her look of innocence. He blew out a slow breath. Dane squeezed her shoulder. “Hey, you know what?” That smile got to him. Crimminy…

  “What?” she asked, her face aglow in the dim elevator lighting.

  Their gaze held—forever. Midnight-blue flecks shimmered deep within her eyes up close. The diamond stud in her nose twinkled. He lifted a finger to barely touch it. I should’ve waited for that damn plane. “I like you, Gracelyn. I’m glad we met back there.” He paused. “Should you be so trusting? You don’t know a thing about me, and we are alone in an elevator.” Again she turned away. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but…”

  “You didn’t.” She spoke while staring at the floor, then after a short pause she brought out a Kubotan from her pocket, holding it in a position where she could jab his eyes out if necessary. “I’m not as trusting as you may think. Besides, the cameras at the airport, and in the hallway would’ve picked it up that I left the airport and my room with you.”

  Hmm, pretty damn smart. A good thing. Dane liked her a lot. A bit flirty but natural and it brought out a side to him he hadn’t recognized. “That Kubotan wouldn’t stop me, and I’d have it from you quicker than a blink…but you don’t have to worry about that. I suggest you ditch it before getting on a plane unless you like getting patted down.”

  “This is my second one since I left San Francisco because I did ditch the other one. And, Mr. Smartass Carlson, I already looked up your name while you were in the bathroom. You’re who you say you are.” She pierced him with a stare. “Now, maybe you shouldn’t be so trusting. My only point a moment ago was I thought back to when I walked into the bar, seeing you first before anyone else in a room so crowded.” She blinked twice. “Now I’m standing here in an elevator with you. It’s all kind of weird.”

  No comment about her looking up his name. In a way, he was glad she thought ahead. He gave her a slight nudge. “I’m not weird unless you’re into something like that.”

  She placed her hand against his chest, but when he reached out to take it, she removed hers abruptly. “No, no, I didn’t mean you were weird, just the fact… I’m not into it.” Gracelyn tilted her head. “You’re teasing me.”

  Didn’t she want him to hold her hand? He took it anyway and held it against his chest where she’d had it, and winked. “Maybe a little tease.” Holy hell, where’s my damn sense tonight?

  “So you are weird?” Her voice lowered and her eyes widened. “A good weird is okay sometimes.” She did that shy glance away and he realized that’s what it was about her. The sexy, yet innocent persona she wore heated his bones.

  Dane’s breathing grew heavier, which caused his heart to race. “I can be weird. Say the word.” Warmth crept over his body like being buried in warm Afghan sand, unsure now what the hell to do about it. The elevator ride seemed to go on and on. Sweat broke out on his forehead. He focused on the floor number above the door and laughed. No wonder. “We missed our floor.” He pulled her tight against him. “Did the door open?” Those desirable lips called out to him. Kissing them would be pleasurable and sweet.

  Gracelyn gave a hardy laugh, and she leaned forward. “I don’t know! That’s so funny. We didn’t see the door open?” Her hand clenched at her chest. “Not possible.”

  Funny? Nah, he saw it as…something else. “Maybe more than funny?”

  “More than funny?” she questioned as she peeked around the elevator. “Like a ghost?”

  Dane snickered. “No, more like…” He stuck his hands into his pockets. “Never mind.”

  “Fate?” She leaned against the elevator wall and folded her arms across her chest. The opening at the top of her blouse stretched to the side, exposing a bit of cleavage. “Let’s go with that.” They eyed each other in a serious way.

  He wasn’t sure he believed in fate. Coincidence maybe. “I do believe our dessert is coming up right about…about…come on door. Now.” They walked into the bistro. “See if you can choose the right wine for a guy like me, who isn’t much of a wine drinker. You know, because I’m a soldier—the kind you don’t like much.”

  “My pleasure, soldier, but I never said I didn’t like a man in the military. Well, there is one jackass soldier I hate. Don’t worry, it isn’t you.”

  A woman had never called him soldier before. At least not one out of uniform. He pulled her chair out, taking in the smell of her hair as she sat. Flowery. He brushed it aside to boldly put a light kiss against the beating pulse in her neck. Taking a seat beside her, he became engrossed in the mellow look on her face, as if accepting the kiss. Her eyes narrowed, yet opened wide immediately after—a look that stirred his insides.

  He laid his palm against the side of her face then lowered his fingers to her chin, and he turned her to face him. Dane eased closer, giving her a chance to turn away. Turn away now. Save us both the heartache. Turn away.

  She didn’t. Instead, she lowered her gaze to his lips—back to his eyes. He placed his other hand against the back of her neck then leaned forward to kiss her, but he hadn’t meant to devour her lips when she eagerly kissed him back. Both their mouths opened wide and connected as if they hadn’t kissed another person since life began. Her lips tasted delicious, like…like sugar coated cherries. He wanted to gingerly roll his tongue into her mouth, but he refrained against his will.

  “Ahem…” The waitress cleared her throat as she stood beside them. “Are you ready to order?”

  Do we look ready to order? He found it difficult to swallow. “Ah, I don’t know,” he said, licking his lips. Observing Gracelyn’s throat tighten, he knew the passion in that kiss wasn’t imagined.

  As if embarrassed, she took her time facing him. “Did you want me to choose a wine for you?” Her chest rose when she asked before exhaling then her finger ran over her bottom lip.

  Baby, my lips were right there. He blew out a breath and damned himself. “I’ll have a cup of coffee. Maybe you can choose wine another time…”

  She ordered decaf coffee for herself. “I guess I had enough wine,” she said after the waitress left. “I hope I haven’t given you the wrong impression by kissing you…like that.”

  “Not at all. My impression of you is…” Muscles relaxed as he leaned in. “Not to worry, okay.” He couldn’t be honest of his impression of her because he wanted to… No, he couldn’t allow those thoughts. The innocence, something he hadn’t seen from a woman in a long time, zapped his nerve endings. She truly was someone he’d like to get to know—deployment or not. The words to his mother came back to him. This one was different. So unfair of me to expect…

  She touched his hand to get his attention. “You’re scaring me.”

  “What? Why?” Laying a hand over his heart, his voice nearly faltered, “That’s the last thing I’d ever want to do to you.”

  Gracelyn folded her hands in her lap then lowered her gaze as if to watch them tremble. “You’re taking a long time to think of your impression of me.”

  “No, no, sweetheart, nothing negative at all.” He pushed hair back from her face. “Trust me. It’s all good. Too good for a guy who’s ready to get on a damn plane and take off for nine months.”

  She gripped his wrists as he held her face. Heartfelt words rang out, “I know what you mean. Too bad we hadn’t met earlier. I wish we would’ve. That you weren’t leaving. That we weren’t a few miles from an airport both flying away in different directions.” Her smile was sincere. “We just met. But…”

  “Shh…” He moved in closer. Their gaze held until he glanced at her lips. He gave her a quick kiss before peering into her eyes again. His insides boiled, which had a big effect on his breathing. “The night isn’t over.” He nodded toward the dance floor. “Do you dance? I don’t. I’m willing to if i
t means I might get a chance to hold you in my arms.” Ranger up. You’re getting on a plane and leaving. Get the hell out of here now. He slid his chair out… I have to get out of here—

  “I’d love to dance.”

  Standing, she reached for his hand before he had a chance to back down—take it back—leave. Now what?

  “Let’s dance.”

  He lowered his head. Sonofabitch. Things had already gone too far and he found himself long gone, but he stood. Once on the dance floor, he held her hand against his chest and brought her close against him with his arm around her waist. “Your smell is subtle like a sexy angel. I’ll remember your fragrance when I’m gone.”

  “You’re not gone yet.” She pulled her hand from his to spin herself around in dance before coming back against his chest, then he took her into a quick dip. When he brought her back up close, she wrapped both arms around his neck.

  Dane slid his arms around her, closed his eyes and rested his cheek atop her head as he remembered how to dance. “You’re a great dancer.” The slow, sexy song playing added to whatever the hell happened. Who you fooling, dude? It happened. His mom said the words to him many times. Now they rang in his ears… ‘When you least expect it, it’ll happen whether you want it to or not.’ Why did she always have to be right? “Gracelyn…”

  She lifted her eyes to him with her beautiful, needy, purple windows to forever. “Dane?”

  “Do you hear the words in this song?” Too freaking weird. Coincidental. She nodded. The song about a special meeting between strangers played to him and her alone on the dance floor. He removed his hand from her waist and lifted her chin. “Gracelyn…I’m speechless.” Leaning forward with a tilt to his head, he kissed her. Not quick this time, but he pressed his lips ever so gently against hers, allowing their mouths to connect in a slow chaos of excitement…of need, letting their lips linger together until the music stopped.

  Gracelyn’s eyes remained closed for a moment after the kiss—savoring it the same as he had. Her heart beat against his chest. The hair on his arms stood at attention. Everything came alive at her touch, scent… God, no, I can’t do this… Yes, you can.