Every bit of Isabel and his doomed marriage dissolved beneath the heat of Jordana’s lithe, athletic body. Any questions he had about comparing the two of them disappeared forever. Her mouth was wanton, searching and assertive. He liked Jordana’s fierceness as a woman wanting her man. She made him feel as if he were the king of the world as she began to move sinuously against him.
Jordana shuddered as Slade moved his hands down from her damp shoulders, slowly exploring her long back and then covering her hips. He raised his and thrust hard into her, establishing a wild rhythm that made her moan with pleasure. In seconds, he had lifted Jordana so that her thighs straddled him. As he brought her fully against him, she cried out with joy, her back arching, her hands spread across his shoulders. The world tilted and spun into the boiling heat gathering deep within her. As Slade rose up, his lips feathering her taut nipples, she moaned and wanted more of him.
He lavished his attention to each of her throbbing breasts and puckered nipples. Jordana felt the boiling cauldron deep within her explode. She froze, cried out, her fingers digging deeply into the taut flesh of his shoulders. Slade ground his hips, rocking against hers, prolonging the delicious sensation and orgasm. Light-headed, her eyes shut, Jordana whirled in light and heat in those precious moments as Slade guided and deepened the experience for her.
Slade could no longer withhold his own need of Jordana. As she collapsed against him, her lips parted in a whisper of pleasure, he took her fully. He released his love into her. Her hips moved in delicious rhythm with his, designed to pull every bit of energy out of him. Throwing his head back, teeth clenched, Slade sank into the throbbing fire. For molten, wonderful moments, he was spun out into a sensual, black world that enclosed him as her arms wrapped around his neck. As her mouth met his, Slade surrendered to her searing lips. The heat releasing in his lower body surged and melted within her.
Groaning and satiated, Slade relaxed. So did Jordana, resting her head in the crook of his neck. Both breathing raggedly, their hearts in pounding union as they lay against one another, Slade managed a sliver of a weak smile. He moved his fingers in a grazing motion against her damp flesh. Tracing the length of her strong, straight spine, he absorbed every delicious inch of her. Memorizing Jordana’s firm body was easy. His mind had no other thoughts except to absorb her into him in those moments after they’d surrendered to one another. Inhaling her sweetness, the almond scent in her drying hair, Slade murmured, “I’ve died and gone to heaven….”
Barely opening her eyes, Jordana lifted herself just enough to meet Slade’s gaze. She whispered, “We’re heaven for one another, Slade.”
Caressing her shoulders, Slade drowned in her barely opened eyes. They were a deeper blue, he realized, and she looked like a satiated mountain lion. Grazing her lips, he whispered, “I love you, sweetheart. You’re all I want.”
Warming to his nickname for her, Jordana moved off him and snuggled at his side. “You are surely a stallion among men, Slade,” and she smiled into his stormy gray eyes, seeing pride flash in them over her whispered compliment. Leaning upward, Jordana kissed Slade once more, cherishing that strong mouth of his. She wasn’t disappointed as Slade smiled his very male smile and returned her tender kiss.
Slade whispered, “Marry me?”
Jordana sighed and relaxed fully against him. She nestled her head against Slade’s jaw and shoulder, content. “Yes, I want more of what we have, Slade. I want to be your partner and best friend.”
“So do I,” he murmured, nuzzling her soft, nearly dry black hair. “I have an idea….”
Pulling away to look up at him, she said, “Yes?”
“Tomorrow morning when we go back to the meadow to pick up the trophy and money, let’s announce our engagement.” He saw joy leap into her face, her cheeks redden even more.
“I like that idea,” she murmured.
Slade caressed her jaw and placed a light kiss on her smiling mouth. “The town will rock with shock. Gwen Garner will be miffed because we didn’t tell her first so she could tell the whole town. “
Laughing softly against his mouth, Jordana said, “Gwen Garner will have a lot to gossip about anyway.” They laughed together over that thought.
The moments filled with silence, and Slade appreciated the woman he held tenderly in his arms. He was amazed at Jordana’s strength, her fierce love for him and the devotion he’d seen in her eyes for him alone. Moving his hand down across her shoulder to her hip, he rasped, “I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like you, Jordana. I honestly don’t.”
Leaning up on her elbow, her breasts brushing against the wall of his chest, she said, “You wouldn’t, Slade. But I do. You’re a man with incredible morals and values. Your word is your bond. You work hard, long hours…” She slid her hand across his dark haired chest. “You’re humble, Slade, about everything. Maybe it was the way you were raised. I don’t know.” Jordana leaned down and whispered against his lips, “That just makes me love you even more, darling. Pride doesn’t run you like it does a lot of other men. You’re a complex man, Slade.” Jordana placed a nibble on his ear and then lifted her head. Meeting his smiling expression, she added, “And I like a complex man. I want my life to be entwined with yours. We share so much already.”
“We do,” he admitted, liking the way her drying hair curled softly about her flushed features. “You’ve given me so much already.”
“Well,” Jordana said in a wispy voice, “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Slade. We share an equal partnership.”
“That money you won will go to saving our ranch.”
Nodding, Jordana said, “And now, once we get married, my money will be mixed in with yours.” She looked around the large bedroom. “Not only is the ranch saved, but so are we.”
Nodding, Slade drew her back into his arms. Her long leg crossed his. He savored the warmth and womanly strength of her body against his. “I never thought I’d ever fall in love again.” And then Slade amended, “Now, I realize I never really loved Isabel. It was all about sex. Once we’d burned through that phase, there was nothing left to replace it. We were like strangers. What I loved, she hated and vice versa.” His mouth thinned, and he cupped Jordana’s shoulder. “It taught me a good relationship is like a cake recipe. Everything has to be there to make it work for the long-term.”
Laughing softly, Jordana said, “I like your idea about a relationship being like a recipe. You’re right,” she murmured, touching his hard, unyielding jaw. “Something that you want to last forever is a mix of many things. Among them, being friends. You really have been a dear friend to me whether you realized it or not.”
Hearing the sudden choke in her voice, Slade turned his head and dissolved into the tears he saw in her eyes. “I didn’t know what a friend was until I met you,” he admitted in a roughened tone. “I’ve got a lot to learn about a healthy relationship, Jordana.” His mouth lifted a little, “But I’ve got a sense you’re going to help teach me about the rest of that recipe.”
“Not that I’m an expert,” Jordana protested with a breathy laugh. “The key is we both want this to work, Slade. That is the difference. There’s going to be a lot of compromises, but I love you and I’m willing to make them.”
Touched deeply, Slade shook his head. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you, but I’m a grateful man.”
Nodding, Jordana rested her head on his chest. She felt the wiry hair against her cheek and heard the drumlike beat of his powerful heart in his massive chest. There was such strength to Slade. As she closed her eyes and simply absorbed the moment, Jordana promised herself that she would show him over time why he was a man worth loving. “You’re no longer a loner, Slade. You have me….”
THE NEXT MORNING at the awards ceremony, Slade stood with Jordana. They were surrounded by everyone who’d been either a spectator or contestant after the final horse and rider had finished the endurance ride yesterday evening. And after he’d announced their engagement, the enti
re crowd gave a collective gasp. And then cheers and applauding broke out. He stood with his arm around Jordana’s small shoulders, the rope of Thor’s halter in her other hand. The stallion, who stood next to her, his bare back gleaming in the early morning sunlight, tossed and snorted as if to agree with the happy crowd.
“Well,” Judge Amy Talbot said into the microphone with a smile, “I’d say this is a marriage made in heaven, Slade. Now, we’ll have both of you on the pro circuit to watch out for!” Everyone burst into good-natured laughter.
Jordana grinned and looked up at him. Slade looked so ruggedly handsome in his tan Stetson drawn down across his serious features. He wore a black leather vest this morning, gussied up for the ceremony. The red bandanna that was always around his thickly corded neck was in place against the clean, pressed white cowboy shirt. He’d even put on his best pair of Levis and his fancy ostrich hide cowboy boots he wore only for special occasions.
Slade gave the crowd a sheepish grin. Taking the microphone from the judge, he said, “I hadn’t thought of that, Amy.”
The forty-year-old red-haired woman shook her head and took back the mike. “Well, we did, Slade! You two are going to be double-barreled trouble out there on the circuit. It used to be we only had you and Thor to worry about, but now, Jordana has shown she’s got the moxie to win equal to you.” She handed him the microphone.
“That’s true,” Slade said. He handed the mike to Jordana and said, “Tell them about Stormy.”
Jordana told the crowd about her mustang mare who would show up on next year’s circuit. She saw the merry crowd laugh and clap some more.
Amy said, “Well, let’s give Jordana her due, Slade.” She handed over the ten-thousand-dollar check. “Congratulations, Jordana. You earned every cent of this!”
Taking the check, Jordana saw Curt Downing standing nearby. His brows were puckered, and he was clearly still angry about the loss. She held it up in the air, and the group applauded more. Turning, she handed it to Slade. “With this money, Slade’s ranch will be safe from foreclosure,” she told the crowd, her voice growing raspy. “I rode Thor for him to try and save his home. I just want to thank Slade for having faith in me that I could do this,” and her voice cracked. She turned and gave Thor a pat. “And this horse ran his heart out for me. They’re both champions!” The crowd roared with approval as she turned and gave Slade a quick hug. He embraced her, his eyes suspiciously bright.
As Jordana drew away, she saw Griff McPherson hovering on the edge of the crowd. She hadn’t seen him before. He was looking around, as if hunting for someone in particular. That was strange. Her heart went out to the younger twin. Looking up, she saw Slade had spied him, too. Some of the happiness faded from his eyes. He led her off the stage so second-and third-place riders would receive their accolades and checks. As they stood to the right of the stage, they both clapped for Downing, who was not happy. He took the check and stalked off the stage without a word. There were some catcalls and boos from the crowd. Slade shook his head. Downing was always a sore loser.
After the ceremonies, there was hot coffee, hot chocolate and Danish pastries for the crowd of one hundred and fifty people. Slade and Jordana were the focus of the crowd, and well wishes came from everyone. Andy Patterson, who had won third place on his half-Arabian gelding, called out, “Hey! When’s the big day, Slade? When you going to get hitched?”
Jordana laughed and looked up at Slade. “Slade and I have to set a date, Andy,” she said.
“How about you make the date the same as the Tevis Cup ride? That way, someone else gets a chance to win it!”
The crowd rocked with laughter and applause. Slade grinned. “Now, Andy,” he chided, his voice booming over the crowd, “I was thinking that after the Tevis Cup Ride, we’d get hitched.”
Groans collectively rose from the crowd. Andy smiled and called out, “Hey, that’s a great idea, Slade! You’re gonna have to send all of us invites because we’re all gonna be there to try and beat you and your bride!”
Never had Jordana felt so happy or fulfilled as right now. The endurance riders were a small, tight-knit community. Everyone knew everyone else. She saw how happy they were for them. Slade nodded and promised to send the invitations. It was a joyful celebration.
As the party finally broke up around ten that morning, Slade finished shaking hands with the last of the well-wishers. He and Jordana walked toward the truck.
“Slade?”
Turning, he saw his twin coming up. Griff looked nervous. Automatically, Slade put his arm around Jordana and drew her close. “Griff?”
Griff halted in front of them. “I want to just say congratulations to both of you,” he began, his voice sincere.
Jordana knew what it cost the twin to say that. After all, he still legally owned half the ranch. Reaching out, she touched his arm and whispered, “Thank you, Griff. We appreciate your care.” And she did. Glancing at Slade, however, she saw no change in his frozen, dark features. There was still a war going on between the brothers. Her heart ached for both of them.
“Well, I just wanted to let you know I got a job.”
“Really?” Slade growled. “Where? McDonald’s?”
Griff stiffened a little but held on to his anger. “No, brother. I was just hired as a wrangler for the Horse Emporium. I’ll be moving hay and feed for them. And I found a room for rent in town, so I’ll be moving out today.”
“Good,” Slade bit out. He was relieved but wasn’t going to say so. Griff looked like a cowboy to others. But he doubted he had the spine to stay the distance. “Being a wrangler is nothing but hard, constant work.”
Nodding, Griff said, “I’m willing to do it.”
Relieved, Jordana released his arm and said, “That’s great, Griff. Stay in touch with us?”
He gave Jordana a slight smile. How like her to be the peacemaker between them. Tipping his hat, he murmured, “I will. Thank you. And congratulations on your engagement. I’m really happy for both of you.”
Slade stood there tense and unyielding as his twin turned and walked away. He felt Jordana’s warm hand moving slowly up and down his back as if to soothe him. “I’m okay,” he growled, walking to the truck with her.
“I know you are,” Jordana said lightly. “The good news is Griff has a job.”
“The better news is he won’t be at our ranch,” Slade bit out, opening the truck door for her.
Sliding in, Jordana said nothing. As they slowly drove the horse trailer with Thor out of the meadow, she watched as Slade began to relax. There were such untended wounds between the brothers. And they wouldn’t be healed quickly. As they moved out onto the highway that would take them back to the ranch, Jordana slid her hand across Slade’s massive thigh.
“Give yourself time with Griff,” she counseled gently. “He’s hurting like you, Slade. There are a lot of bridges to be rebuilt between you two over time.”
Shrugging, Slade’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “He doesn’t belong out here, Jordana. He never will. And he wants the ranch. I know he does.”
“Don’t be so sure,” she whispered, patting his thigh. “I think he’s going to try to make it out here on his own, Slade. There’s no job for him on Wall Street anymore. The country is in the deepest recession it’s ever seen since the Great Depression. He looked happy to get that job. I feel he’ll make a go of it.”
Mouth tightening, Slade said, “You’re kinder to him than I am.”
“I don’t have the family baggage you two do, that’s why.”
Giving her a quick look, he saw the peaceful look on Jordana’s beautiful face. His anger was snuffed out. Reaching out, he gripped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll cross those bridges as they come. Right now, all I care about is loving you. If I have you, I have everything.”
Nodding, Jordana understood. She returned the squeeze to his large, powerful hand. “Life is never easy, Slade, but it got easier for us because we love one another.” And then she add
ed, “Forever.”
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8159-2
THE LAST COWBOY
Copyright © 2011 by Lindsay McKenna
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