“You know what, I’m going to have to read one of your books.” He leaned back, catching her squinted expression. “I can read.”
“Of course you can read. I…well…you never liked to read before, but people can change.”
“That’s right they can. I had to have something to make the nights seem less lonely,” he said.
Another bewildered look spread over her face. “You? Lonely?”
“Yes.” The breeze picked up and carried tendrils of her hair. He ached to reach out and touch them.
“Let’s see, I counted at least three different women on your arm in those magazines. My idea of loneliness differs from yours.” She sniffed.
“That was a long time ago. Remember, we just agreed people can change.”
“Can they, Dodge? Can they make a complete turnaround?”
The seriousness in her tone made his spine tingle. He’d been a shit, certainly, but he’d like to think he’d paid the devil his due and could have a piece of the cake. “Give me a chance to prove it.”
“I’m not sure a week is long enough.” She turned her cheek and stared at a group of passersby heading for the trails.
She pulled her line from the water and laid the rod aside. “I feel like a swim.” She winked, then slid off her shorts. “Can you still do a cannonball?”
“Honey, you’re talking to the cannonball champ.”
“Outdo this, smartass.” She went to the opposite edge of the dock and ran across the sun-faded wood, tucking her body tight into her chest and landing with a splash into the water. She came back to the top, smiling from ear to ear. “Can you beat that, Dodge? Or you can sit this one out if you must. It’s a bit chilly in here.”
“Baby, I ain’t one to sit back and watch.” He laid his pole to the side, dragged off his shirt and jeans, and jumped in beside her. Shaking water droplets from his hair and face, he laughed because he’d gotten her drenched. “Oops, did I do that?”
She pushed her hand through the water, splashing him. Her chin was shaking and her teeth were chattering. “Cute. Real cute.” She swam away from him, but he caught up to her fast, drawing her into his chest.
He nuzzled his nose against her wet hair, whispering, “Where are you going?”
“It’s cold. I’m getting out.” There was a slight tremble to her voice.
He brought his hands into her hair, gently tugging her head back onto his shoulder.
“I know something that’ll warm you up,” he teased.
“Oh, I bet you do.”
“That bikini is a man’s worst fear.”
“Why is that?”
“Not only is it damn sexy, but I want to tug it from your lovely curves with my teeth.”
She twisted, facing him. “What’s keeping you from it?”
Even neck deep in the water, his dick rose to the occasion. “We’d certainly give them something to talk about.”
“Who?”
“Turn toward the mountain and wave, sweetheart.” He lifted his hand to the group of people who’d stopped along the edge of the water, watching.
Krista pulled away from him, swimming to the dock and climbing the ladder. He watched her pull herself up, the bikini bottoms adhered to her tight bottom as she walked to her shorts and dragged them on. As cool as the water was, he should be as flaccid as a limp noodle, but that wasn’t the case. He made his way out of the water, the evidence of his attraction still stretching his boxers. Her gaze dropped to the part of him that wanted her in the worst possible way. When she looked at him, her cheeks rosy, he grinned. “Great idea, darlin’, but this ain’t nothing like the lake house where we used to make love on the dock to warm each other up.”
“That was years ago. I barely remember.”
He didn’t bother responding. After they packed up the rods, they put their boxes into the back of the Gator and headed toward the kitchen where they dropped off the fish for Deke.
“I totally caught more than you,” she teased.
“Yes you did.” He loved seeing her enthusiasm. He was glad their deep conversation on the dock didn’t ruin the day.
“What time are we eating our catch?”
“Seven okay?”
“Seven is absolutely splendid.”
The rest of the drive to her cabin was quiet, but not inside of his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about her teeny bikini and wanting to pull the string. He slipped his gaze over her body, noticing how red her skin appeared. “Krista, did you put on sunscreen?”
She shifted her chin and looked at both of her shoulders, her nose wrinkling. “I forgot to slather on more.”
“You’re turning redder by the minute. I’ll take you back to my cabin. I have a miracle salve that’ll help. You’re going to hurt like hell come evening.” He wanted to kick himself in the ass. He should have reminded her to apply more sunscreen. Most people who aren’t from around Wyoming, or used to being out on a ranch, don’t realize how quickly skin can burn, even on a cloudy day.
He turned the cart toward staff row and pulled in front of his cabin.
“So, this is the bachelor pad, huh?” she asked as she slid out of the passenger side.
“That’s a little far-fetched. I’ve never had a woman here.”
“I’m the first? I’m flattered.”
“You might not be after you get a sniff of the salve I’m going to use on your skin.”
He wished he would have taken the time to clean up a bit that morning. The bed was unmade. Clothes were strewn over the chair. And a coffee cup sat on the nightstand. Yet, she didn’t seem to mind. She walked in and plopped down onto the bed, appearing to test the mattress. “It’s small, but comfy.”
He swallowed and felt a twitch behind his zipper. Mind out of the gutter, cowboy.
“My cabin is nothing like yours. We have the basics.”
“I think it’s very nice…rustic and charming.”
He laughed. “If you say so.” He was more interested in how she was rubbing her fingers over the fluffy blanket and plucking at it softly. “I’ll get us a water.”
“Apparently, I’m not the only woman you’ve had here.”
He uncapped her water and handed it over, seeing a scrap piece of paper in her hand. “What’s that?”
She patted a neatly folded stack of clothing. “Looks like Moon delivers.”
Dodge took the note and read aloud, “You forgot your clothes. We’re even, cowboy. Moon.” He dropped the paper onto the bed and shook his head. “It’s not what you think.”
“What am I thinking?” She lifted a thin brow.
“That Moon and I are an item. She’s one of the—”
“Hands. Yes, I know. I’ve met her. She’s quite lovely and it’s sweet of her to wash and fold your clothes.”
He cleared his throat and drank half his water. “She didn’t wash my clothes. She was at the laundry room at the same time I was and she probably just thought she’d help out.”
“It’s okay, Dodge. I understand, and even if I didn’t, it’s not my right to give you a hard time.”
“I want you to understand, sweetheart. I want you to stop judging me as a playboy and instead, a decent man.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “The past isn’t so easy to detach from.” Her eyes lit up. “Is that what I think it is?” She stood and crossed the room to the shelf, placing her bottle on the table. “Is that Charlie?” She picked up the old raggedy dog and tapped it’s faded red nose. “I remember the night you won this for me. The carney had no clue who he was dealing with. Fast arm Dodge was on the premises and he was aiming to win his lady a prize.” She wagged her brows.
He shrugged. “Well, I figured since you didn’t take the poor bastard with you when you left, I couldn’t leave him behind. He kinda grew on me as a bed partner back when you first hit the road.”
She blinked. “You slept with Charlie? Are you pulling my chain?”
“Don’t look too closely at his fur or you’ll see the slobber rings.”
Dodge winked. “Now, how about you get undressed and climb into bed, sweetheart.”
Her smile widened and she put Charlie back in his place between the trophies he’d won through the years. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“I think you got the burn on purpose so I’d give you a massage.” He took the stack of clothes and placed them on the dresser and grabbed the blanket off the mattress, giving it a toss over the chair.
“I’m busted.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“Are you going to just stand there watching?”
He scrubbed his chin. Sure, he’d seen her naked a thousand times, even recently, but he’d forgotten they weren’t exactly in a relationship still. “I’ll be in the bathroom gathering the first aid kit. You yell when you’re decent.”
Inside of the bathroom, he took off his hat and laid it on the back of the toilet. “Boy, you’re a mess,” he said to his reflection.
He splashed his face and neck with cold water, but it didn’t help the scorching heat in his groin. The mere thought that his beautiful wife was in the next room, undressing, and climbing into his bed made him as spiky as a porcupine. He couldn’t trust himself to behave.
She called and he stepped back into the room, his breath hitching. She was stretched out on her stomach, all five foot two inches of beautiful woman. The sheet was pulled over her loosely, but her shapely legs and bare shoulders were left exposed. The thin white lines where the bikini straps were looked stark against the red of the sunburn. He needed to get her taken care of fast before she ended up with blisters, then he’d never forgive himself.
Sitting down next to her hip, he opened the first aid box and took out the salve, noticing that his hands were shaking. What the fuck? He’d never been more nervous in his life.
He stared at her shoulders a good five seconds and then decided he needed to stop being a pussy and do what needed done. He dragged the sheet down lower on her waist and swallowed, attempting to ignore her slender back and the swell of her hips. Gathering a small spray bottle of diluted vinegar, he aimed it toward her skin. “This is going to be cold, but necessary.”
“All right.” She looked up at him over her shoulder. “I trust you.”
Damn! She shouldn’t because he didn’t trust himself. If she knew the direction of his thoughts, she’d be grabbing the bottle and spraying him below the belt. He pulled the trigger and beads of vinegar/water wet her skin. She jerked, but she didn’t scream out as he’d expected that she would. “Almost done.”
“I think you’re enjoying this a little.” Her voice was muffled by the pillow.
“I could think of more enjoyable things to do while you have your clothes off,” he teased.
“Oh, I plan to receive a reward for being a compliant patient,” she warned.
His cock twitched and pressed against his zipper. His heart kicked up in speed and he thought it’d knock right out of his chest. “Now for the good stuff.”
“You’re going to kiss me now, are you?”
“I think if anyone is enjoying this a little too much it’s you, sweetheart. We’re going to both be in pain.” He took out the salve, uncapped the lid to the clear jar and dipped two fingers in. The gel had the consistency of Vaseline, but the scent was eucalyptus. It didn’t smell bad, but it was strong and definitely opened up the nasal passages. He easily smoothed the salve over her shoulders, along her ribs, and stopped momentarily at her waist. She didn’t have any redness on her legs that he’d noticed.
Once he was finished, he capped the jar and tossed it into the box. “I laid two aspirin on the table. Take them. They’ll help with the inflammation.”
He took the box back into the bathroom and, by the time he returned, she’d rolled over to her side and the blanket was slung erotically over her front. Smooth skin, the tops of her breasts and toned legs were revealed. Although she belonged on the cover of a magazine with that seductive look, he knew she had no clue what she was doing to him. He was fighting an internal fire and slowly losing to the flames. He enjoyed seeing how comfortable she was with him, with her nudity. She really did trust him and that made his chest puff. He may have hurt her in the past, but he’d never do it again. Could she see that?
“Grab my bottle, cowboy.” She pointed to where she’d left it on the table.
Handing over the water, he watched her pop the pills into her mouth and take a sip. She set the water down next to his coffee cup from that morning and looked at him through the veil of her lashes. “I’m going to get this gooey stuff on your sheets.”
“They’ll wash.”
“Join me?” She slipped off the sheet, flashing him her lovely breasts, swollen nipples, and groomed core.
Did she expect him to say no? He toed off his boots and climbed into the bed beside her. In the twin sized space, they had no choice but to lay close enough that their bodies touched. He wasn’t complaining and by the puffiness of her nipples, she was excited too.
In the distance, the thunder rumbled and rain splattered the windows. “Looks like a storm is brewing.” He realized how thick his voice sounded.
“We used to look for excuses to stay in bed together. A storm was one of those reasons. Even now, I think they’re romantic.”
She snuggled against his side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, making a figure eight with his thumb on her skin. “Am I hurting you?”
“No. The salve has already helped. Should I ask what’s in it?”
“Probably not. The hands use it a lot, from sunburn to cracked skin.”
She lifted his hand in her palm, entwining their fingers. “I thought you had large hands before, but now they’re huge.”
He chuckled. “They’re pretty messed up.”
“I like them. I like who they’re attached to.” She leaned her chin on his shoulder, watching him.
“You have such small hands and so soft,” he murmured. Why was his heart beating so hard?
“I want to ask so many questions, but some answers I’m afraid of hearing.”
“I’m an open book. If something’s bothering you, maybe it’s best to ask.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, then dropped them back onto his stomach.
“Have you thought of me much?”
“Every day.”
She lifted herself on her elbow. “I know a magical cure for ailments myself,” she purred.
“Share?”
“A kiss.”
What was supposed to be a tender touch of their lips ended up with him sinking his tongue deep into her mouth and opening wide for him. Their tongues met, dueling, creating tension between them. A moan escaped her throat, but this wasn’t from pain or discomfort—no, this was the sound she made when she wanted his touch to continue. He knew all of her gentle cries and moans—even after all of these years. He continued with the kiss until she pulled away, question in her gaze. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“Are you holding back on me?”
He tore his hand through his hair. “Since early morning, I’ve been trying to show you that I’m not led by my balls. You’re making it hard on me to prove that sex isn’t the only thing I want.”
“Dodge, I’m totally throwing myself at you right now. If you don’t jump my bones, good and bad, I’ll be highly disappointed, not questioning your motives on which part of your body leads which.” Her eyes pleaded.
He loved her boldness—loved the excitement and eagerness he saw in her expression. She tugged his shirt from his jeans and dragged it off his body, taking her no time at all before she was running her hands over his chest, touching his nipples with the tips of her fingers, then gently scraping them with her short nails. He sucked in a breath and entwined his fingers in her hair, ready to show her exactly how much he wanted her…how much he’s always wanted only her.
****
“Is that a knock?” Krista whispered.
“No.” But just as soon as the word left his lips, the rap came again, this time l
ouder and more urgent. “Fuck!” he grumbled.
“Are you going to answer it?”
He lifted his shoulder, then let it drop in irritation. “Around here, they’ll keep knocking. We don’t have the same privilege of a closed door like the rest of the world.” He stood.
She watched him adjust his hard on, pull on his wrinkled shirt and walk slowly to the door, obviously incapable of hurrying considering his zipper was stretched to the maximum.
Dodge stepped out onto the porch so Krista could only hear mumbled voices, but nothing of what they were talking about. When he came back in, his jaw was tight with frustration. “Sorry, darlin’. Duty calls. We have an emergency that needs a couple of cowboys and I’m one of them. Chase is away at the hospital. Looks like the little one has decided today’s the day.” He sat next to her hip and kissed her quickly on the lips. She wanted to grab him and make it a better one, but she could tell by his concerned expression that whatever he needed to tend to was pressing.
He picked up one boot and dragged it on, then the other.
“I understand, Dodge. I can go back to my cabin and do some writing. I feel the creative juices flowing like mad. There’s something about this place.” The environment mixed with Dodge’s virility was a cocktail for motivation.
“How about we meet at the dining hall later? I don’t think I’ll be finished down at the barn until close to dinner time.” He brushed the back of his knuckles across her cheek, then tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear.
“I’ll be there. I’d like to check in on the baby calf too.”
“Take my Gator. I’ll grab a lift with Maverick.”
“No, I’d like to walk. I enjoy it and it seems like the weather is letting up.”
Dodge was going to wait for her to get dressed, but she urged him to go on without her. Her body was too sore to hurry, but the aspirin and the salve did take away a lot of the heat. And she’d gotten used to the smell. However, now she had a new ache and it was lodged between her inner thighs. They’d been close to taking things to the next step until the knock came.
Cowboy is Mine (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 5) Page 10
