by Piper Stone
Yanking down the robe and jerking the sash tighter, she absently tugged her hair behind her ears before planting her hands on her hips. “Who said you were my daddy?”
“I’m not. I’m your boyfriend, but there are going to be rules.” He could see the look of surprise on her face, the slight smile that turned into a huge grin.
“I didn’t say you were my boyfriend.”
“And I didn’t ask, now did I?”
Cooper rubbed her ass over the robe, huffing.
He walked closer until he was standing over her. “So, do you want to be my girlfriend?” Sure, this was as close to high school crap as he could get, but it seemed to work for them.
She seemed to be debating, her nose wrinkled as her finger tapped her lips.
“That’s fine. I’ll call the other girls standing by, just waiting for me to call them.” He made certain she noticed when he placed the spoon in the middle of the kitchen table and backed away, trying his best to hold in his laughter.
“Fine. I mean yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”
“Well, don’t let me twist your arm or anything.”
“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re incorrigible?”
Rex beamed, his heart skipping. What was wrong with remembering their youth? “All those women I was telling you about.”
Grabbing a kitchen towel, she threw it at him, smacking her bare foot onto the tile floor. “Bastard.”
“That will cost you later, missy.” He held out his finger, wagging it back and forth. Unable to hold back, he took two long strides, gathering her into his arms. “You’re pretty amazing, Miss Dawson.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Sullivan.” She fingered his cheek, moving the tip down to his jawline, rubbing back and forth. “But you had me worried last night, cowboy.”
“Why? Did I not fill you enough, fuck you hard enough?” he teased until he noticed the shadow in her eyes. “What happened? Did I hurt you? Please tell me that I didn’t hurt you.”
“Why would you think that? Making love with you was wonderful. I’m talking about when you were asleep on the couch.”
Stiffening, he pulled back until he noticed the concerned look on her face. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I have bad dreams. We all do.”
“That’s true but given that was after you cut your hand...” Cooper allowed the words to fade away as she pushed his chest, taking his hand into hers and gently touching the jagged cut. “You might need stitches.”
“It’s nothing. I’m a big boy.” His mind was reeling, trying to remember a single detail after washing and wrapping the cut. Almost nothing resonated after grabbing the blanket.
“I know you’re a very. Big. Boy.” Her teasing returned as her gaze drifted toward his crotch. “I’m serious. Are you all right?”
“Just dropped the damn wineglass. My hands were a bit sticky. I wonder why?” He made certain his smile was wide as he twirled her in a circle.
“Uh-huh. You know what happens when you lie.” Bringing his hand to her mouth, she pressed kisses along the injury.
Even then, his cock twitched, the longing returning. “Maybe we should revisit last night.”
“You think, huh? Cowboy of mine?”
“Yeah, I do.” Sliding his hand into her robe, he cupped her breast, inhaling as he donned a goofy grin. “Might have to play a little doctor.” Her giggle was all he needed. As he grabbed her hand, walking toward the doorway, he heard his phone.
“You need to get that?”
“Let me make certain it’s not my father.”
She sighed, letting go of his hand. “Of course. Family comes first before playtime.”
He shook his head as he walked to grab the phone. The number wasn’t one he recognized. “Sullivan.” As soon as he heard the male voice, asking if he was the co-owner of the ranch, he turned his back on her, walking toward the window. Now, the bastards were hassling him on the weekend. He wasn’t paying any attention to the man’s name since he was one of a solid dozen bill collectors who’d called, threatening everything under the sun. Hell, he’d even had a few nagging phone calls while stationed overseas. He’d thought this kind of pestering was now illegal. Guess not. “Look, I don’t have any time to talk right now.”
“I think you need to make that time, Mr. Sullivan, before it’s too late. There may be some ways that we can help you, but you need to take this seriously. Let me give you my number. Please call to make an appointment.”
He waited, trying to capture the number, hissing in frustration as he knew he was running out of time. Ending the call, he clamped his hand around the phone, aching inside. What the fuck was he supposed to do? Yeah, he knew the answer. Find out exactly how bad everything really was.
“You okay?” Cooper asked.
Swallowing hard, he tipped his head, giving her a single nod. “I’m fine. Just some business I need to take care of with my dad. The nurse will be leaving soon. Can we get a raincheck, say dinner tonight? I’ll see if she can come back.”
“I’d love that. I have lunch with Angie anyway. I should get dressed.” Cooper gave him a once-over, narrowing her eyes. “You sure that you’re all right?”
“Positive, little filly,” he said, winking, hoping like hell she couldn’t see right through him.
“I’ll take you to your car and if you give me your number, I might even call you.”
“You better or else.”
He watched her walk away, her shoulders slumped. Whatever he’d said in his sleep had affected her. He knew exactly what he was capable of.
A lump formed in his throat. He’d never be free of worry or fear. Maybe just ending the relationship now before things got any more serious was the best thing to do. His palms were sweaty as he contemplated. No, he refused to give up. His entire life had already been derailed. No more. Damn it! No more.
* * *
Rex drove Cooper back to her car then headed over to his father’s house. Just walking inside filled him with various memories of times when he was a kid. Everything seemed so dark, more because of the drapes that hung in front of every window, creating a musty smell. It was as if his father had no desire to see the world any longer, shutting down every one of his senses.
“Mr. Sullivan.” The attending nurse smiled brightly.
He stood glaring at the front windows, the ugly drapery. “Amanda, you can call me Rex.” She seemed so young to be a medical professional, but the barely five foot girl had a way with his father, taking zero shit from the man. At least his father’s doctor had insisted on a decent nurse since Garland refused to stay in the hospital. He’d liked the girl the first time he met her.
“Why, yes, sir.” Amanda walked closer, following his gaze. “Would do some good to brighten the place up. Might help with your father. He did very well last night, by the way. He asked for you twice. I told him you had a date.”
Chuckling, Rex couldn’t help but smile. “I’m certain that went over well.”
“Your father said, and I quote, ‘about damn time my son had a date. He needs a wife to take care of him.’ I think I laughed for five minutes.”
Sighing, he was glad his father was at least responding. Garland Sullivan had been such a proud man the majority of his life, never taking handouts. He’d worked so hard to make the ranch something special. Rex had his own thoughts about what he would love to turn the ranch into, but that would take money he didn’t have. “At least he was lucid.”
“Mr. Sullivan. I mean Rex, your father isn’t as bad as you think he is. He’s very despondent but the treatment is working, at least to some degree. The last round of chemo just really did him in. Give him some time to gather his strength.”
Time. There certainly wasn’t enough time for anything. He heard what she’d said and instead of answering, he walked toward the heavy set of drapes, eyeing the hooks before half ripping them down.
“Goodness. That’s one way of doing it,” Amanda said, snickering. “I can stay and help if you like.”
“Honestly, I have another infamous date tonight, so I’d prefer to see if you can come back later.” For some reason, heat rushed up his neck to his cheeks.
“I can rearrange my schedule, but he really can be alone and in truth, I think he should start to gain more independence. You should talk to the doctor about that.”
“I guess I worry about him. You know? I wasn’t here for all those years.”
“And he doesn’t hold that against you. He’s talked about you so much. I think he’s very proud of you.”
Rex shrugged. “He has a funny way of showing it.”
She walked to the window, gave him a wink then ripped at the other side, yanking the entire set of drapes down to the floor. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I was hired.”
Bursting into laughter, he realized how much the light seemed to improve his own mood. “I think I know what I’m going to be doing today.”
“Your father will approve. I’ll be back later. Garland has had his breakfast and is reading a book.”
“Thank you for everything. I appreciate your help.” Rex was grinning as he walked to the second set of windows, tugging the drapes to the floor and opening the blinds. Spring cleaning was good for the soul. He rolled up his sleeves and turned in a complete circle. With a little spit and shine, the house could be a prize again.
Over an hour later, he took a break, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and surveying the pile of material. The only room he had left was his dad’s bedroom. Then he could load everything into the truck. Good riddance. He hesitated before walking down the hallway. While his father had welcomed him home with a giant bear hug, they’d had little if any real conversation since he’d arrived. Their relationship seemed unrepairable.
Tapping on the door, he could hear the sound of his father’s radio but nothing else. After walking inside, he was surprised to see dozens of photographs spread out across the bed, his father rummaging in the closet. “Dad. What are you doing?”
“Just looking for a special picture.”
“Which one? Maybe I can help you find it.” Rex moved further into the room, glancing down at the family albums, various photographs taken of the family unit on what few vacations they’d taken and several of the ranch.
“I’m just fine doing this myself, Rex. I’m not an invalid.” Garland didn’t bother to look in his son’s direction.
He could hear the same nasty tone in his father’s voice, as if prepared to berate him for all the horrible things he’d become as a son. “I know you’re not, Dad. You just have to take care of yourself.”
“I’ve been doing just fine all alone for the last few years.” Garland continued to search, pulling various boxes down from the closet shelf. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the bank selling off the ranch, so you can fly away to some fantasy land? Some hero you’ve turned out to be.”
“That’s because I’m not a hero, Dad. I’m the terrible son you always said that I’d turn out to be.”
His father shot him a look, yet his eyes were filled with concern. “Why do you say that?”
“As if you care. Just don’t say it, Dad. Let it be. Just some shit happened over there that I’m not proud of. Fits everything you’ve ever said to me.” The words were biting, creating a combination of sadness and anger. “But I’m doing the best I can, Dad.”
An awkward tension settled between them.
Rex shook his head, kicking his boot against the hardwood floor. “Besides, it’s Sunday. Couldn’t do anything if I wanted to anyway.”
“Yeah. Sunday.”
“Why do you do that? I know you couldn’t give a shit about me and haven’t since the day I left here. I was doing what I thought was best for me and all I ever wanted was for you to be proud of me. That was too much for you, wasn’t it, Dad?” Rex waited, hoping for his father to say anything. Anything at all.
There was only complete silence.
He backed away toward the door. “I should have known better than to think we could develop any kind of relationship. I should have never come back here. You’re right. Best thing to do is to sell the ranch. Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t take a red cent if there’s a single dollar left over. And I’ll make certain that you have care for the rest of your life and you’ll never have to see me again. Never.” He blinked several times, resisting the extreme sadness as well as his usual anger. When Garland resumed searching, tugging down box after box, he shook his head and stormed out of the room.
Glaring at the pile of drapes, he realized he didn’t give a shit.
Maybe about anything.
Chapter Five
“Did you apply for that job you want so badly?” Angie asked, giving her friend an evil glare.
Cooper cringed. After going back to her parents’ house and showering, she’d taken another look at the job description as well as the proposed salary. Everything about the position was perfect and exactly what she wanted, but the thought of living in New York had lost some of its appeal. “I sent in my resume, but there’s some additional questions I can’t seem to answer.” She tried to relax, enjoy the festive lunch but she remained on edge. So many things were up in the air.
“Hmmm... Isn’t there a deadline?”
“I have until Wednesday.” Was the girl goading her?
“And it’s Sunday. Okay. I thought this was your dream job.” Angie had a sly look on her face.
“It was or maybe it is. Yes, everything about the position is perfect for me, tailored to exactly my strengths.” She issued the words with confidence even though she had a swirling pit in her stomach. If she landed the job, she’d be forced with a total upheaval in her life. Moving to New York City had once sounded like every girl’s perfect fantasy. A nice apartment. No need for a car. The finest restaurants. And the sexy men, well... Now? She’d be terrified of her own shadow, let alone the millions of people walking the street every day.
“Uh-huh. Then what’s holding you up?”
Cooper had been asking herself the same question. One big studly cowboy. That’s what. Maybe or perhaps her fear was getting the better of her. Yes, she’d noticed two different jobs on the job boards that were applicable. One was even in town, which would allow her to live in Lubbock, but the salary was less than half and the growth opportunities certainly not what the big firm in New York would offer. “Just thinking I guess. New York is so far away.”
“You mean the nasty city is far away from that hunky man of yours.” Angie giggled.
She scooped a line of salt from the rim of her margarita, eyeing the thick crystals before sliding her finger into her mouth.
“Suck my cock, baby. Go on.”
The man had a way with words.
“You are positively glowing, girlfriend. I think I know the answer. You might have a reason to stay. Besides, I’d miss you terribly. I just got you back home!”
Cooper groaned. “I’m at a loss about what to do.”
“I’ll give you my finest advice. You do what’s best for the woman inside. Try to remember that life isn’t just about money or possessions. Love is very important.”
“Said from the Love Doctor over here.” Love was wonderful, but what if she couldn’t support herself? Was she expecting a man to do that for her? That wasn’t her style.
“You know exactly what I mean. So, do I dare ask what you did last night?” Angie sat back in her seat, kicking out her leg, the shit-eating grin matching her overtly loud voice.
“Listen to you. Did you even know that guy you were with? Blond cowboy stud muffin? I should ask you the same question. Was he good in bed?” Cooper asked, finding it difficult to keep her mind off Rex’s dream as well as the way he’d reacted. As soon as she’d asked him questions, his face had become haunted, as if she’d learned a terrible secret.
“Nice try, girlfriend. Remember little Mikey?”
She tried to concentrate, thinking about the various guys in school. Laughing, she shook her head. “No way.
That hunk was little Mikey?”
“You bet. All six foot three of the man, and you should see what’s downstairs. Whew, baby.”
“I don’t think everyone in the restaurant heard,” Cooper teased, shifting on the seat. As soon as she did, she gasped, shocked how the various rounds of hard spanking had left their mark. Literally. God. Now, she was making stupid jokes.
“Hey. I just tell it like it is and what’s wrong with you? Did that hunky man of yours make you do it on a horse or somethin’? I mean his daddy does own a huge ranch. Huge. My word for the day.”
“I’m fine.” She pressed her hand against her heated face, looking every which way but directly at her bestie. Telling this kind of secret wasn’t in the cards. She hid behind her drink, taking a sip of the margarita.
Angie leaned over the table, smacking her hand on the table. “Honey, did he hurt you, ‘cause if he did, I’ll take a bullwhip to him.”
The entire mouthful spewed past her lips, landing all over the bodice of Angie’s dress.
“Shit!” Angie looked mortified before bursting into laughter. “Well, he must have hurt you, but in a good way?”
Her hand was shaking as she attempted to slide her napkin across the table, acting as nonchalant as humanly possible. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Shit, I’m sorry.”
“That’s three ‘sorrys,’ which is totally unlike you. You know what else? You also seem much calmer today.” Angie chuckled as she absently wiped at the liquid.
The heat continued to rise on her neck, creeping up her face. She’d never been this embarrassed. Well, with the exception of at the bar two nights before.
“Oh, I get it. Yes. I know exactly what’s going on. Rex is really into spanking.”
Cooper choked, coughing hard enough she was wheezing.
“Honey, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You know half the Texas boys are into domestic discipline.”
“Domestic... what?” she managed.
“You heard me. Don’t play dumb with me and drink your margarita. You obviously need it, the punishment I mean,” Angie chastised.
