The Cowboy's Promise

by Teresa Southwick

  “Yeah, since then,” he said.

  “Well, my mom said she really liked your mom. And I quote, ‘she’s good people.’ And she invited your mother to join the Bronco Valley Assistance League.”

  “What do you know? It’s only been a year. And all it took to be accepted by the old guard was you having a baby.” He grinned.

  “It’s a miracle, all right. Along with the fact that my mother and I are still getting along. And you should know that she doesn’t seem to object anymore to you being my coach.” In fact, Erica strongly suspected her mother of going in the opposite direction. She’d been doing a little matchmaking tonight. It was a sweet thought but doomed to failure.

  “Speaking of getting along...” He glanced over at her for a second. “I had a talk with my dad.”

  “An actual conversation that consisted of more than yup, nope and livestock feed?”

  He laughed. “This will shock you. But we discussed our feelings.”

  “Gasp.” She pressed a hand to her chest in mock surprise. “I thought I felt a ripple in the fabric of the cosmos.”

  “I know.”

  Erica listened as he told her about his father taking responsibility for his actions, his vow to make it up to his wife and family and especially his promise to Deborah to love her and make her happy.

  “So, you and your dad are really speaking to each other?”

  “Thanks to you, yes.”

  “I don’t understand,” she said. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “You were the one preaching second chances,” he reminded her. “Although I don’t think your brother is willing to give me even a first chance.”

  “Gabe is a good man and normally fair, too.” She sighed. “But something about you pushes his buttons.”

  “Yeah, something. Your brother wants to rip my head off, and I’ve never even touched you.”

  Except for that kiss. He hadn’t done it again, but every innocent touch—helping her into the car. When their arms brushed or he took her hand—it felt like more. And, right or wrong, she wanted this to be more.

  She didn’t quite trust her voice not to give away her yearning and didn’t talk for several moments. After a deep breath she finally said, “Be patient, Morgan. Gabe will come around. I can see you two becoming good friends.”

  “That’s just crazy talk.”

  She laughed. “You’ll see I’m right about this.”

  “Agree to disagree,” he said. “Change of subject. Did you get lots of good stuff at the shower?”

  “I did. All I need now is a crib. And a car seat. Can’t bring the baby home from the hospital without one.”

  “I guess so.”

  He turned the car into the lot at the Women’s Health Center and parked. As they walked to the building, Erica had an almost overwhelming urge to slide her hand into his, but managed to hold back. That’s not what a friend would do.

  When they reached the conference room, only Carla was there. They were the first ones to arrive.

  “Hey, you two.” The nurse/educator smiled. “How are you?”

  “Good.” Erica looked up at Morgan as he nodded.

  “Your due date isn’t too far away,” Carla said. “You both must be getting excited.”

  “I can’t wait to hold this little one.” She rested her hands on her belly, then she glanced up and saw the expression on Morgan’s face, something that looked a lot like longing. Was it possible that he might not want to say good-bye after she had the baby?

  By anyone’s measure, what he was doing fell into going above and beyond the call of duty. She’d been drawn to him the first time they met at DJ’s Deluxe and the feelings had escalated since then. She’d never met anyone like him and had never felt about a man the way she did about Morgan. Before she could take that thought further the other three couples walked into the room.

  “Hi, everyone,” Carla said. “We’re in the pregnancy home stretch now. I hope you’ve all been practicing your breathing at home, but let’s go over it again. So, if you’ll all settle on the floor, we’ll get started.”

  Morgan unrolled the mat and she sat on it with him behind her. She could feel the heat of his body all around her and barely resisted the urge to curl into him. He had her back. He’d always had her back and she loved that he did. Before she could think too much about that, Carla explained what they were doing.

  “Okay. First stage of labor. Organizing breath. Take in a deep breath as the contraction starts, then slowly breathe out releasing tension from your head to your toes. Slowly inhale through your nose. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Every time you do this, focus on relaxing a different body part.”

  Morgan spoke quietly into her ear, reminding her of what the instructor had said. “Okay, now you’re in active labor. Keep breathing as slowly as possible, speeding it up as the intensity of the contraction increases.”

  “Okay.”

  Moments later he gently rubbed her arms. “You’re tensing up. Concentrate on your right leg, relaxing your toes, your foot and ankle, up your calf and thigh.”

  Erica tried her best to follow his directions but the feel of his breath on her cheek and the sound of his deep voice in her ear made her feel as if he was actually touching her everywhere. And she wanted that so much.

  Carla looked at each of them, nodding enthusiastically. “Okay, you’re all doing great. Now transition breathing.”

  “Okay,” Morgan said, “Focus on that picture on the wall. You’re having a contraction. Breathe in and out through your mouth, Carla said it should be at a rate of one to ten breaths every five seconds. Every fourth or fifth breath blow out a longer one.”

  “This is really complicated,” she said. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  Morgan put his big hand at the small of her back and began to gently caress. “Okay. Deep breath.”

  Erica nodded, even though she wasn’t certain she could breathe at all with him touching her. The feel of his warm fingers shorted out her brain and made her want to melt into him. Somehow his deep, steady voice penetrated her mental slide, and she followed his instructions.

  “Doing great,” he said.

  His breath was warm on her cheek and her breathing escalated, but not in any kind of controlled way.

  “Good job, everyone.” Carla smiled at the group. “You’re all here to prepare for a positive birth experience. Relaxation is important. If you tense up, discomfort is magnified. Dads, this is where you can step in. If you feel her tensing, give her a big bear hug.”

  Without hesitation, Morgan wrapped his muscular arms around her and squeezed gently. The embrace was sure and strong and made her feel so safe she could have stayed there forever. His lips were so near her cheek and she felt him hesitate, as if he was going to kiss her but he didn’t. Then Carla started giving them more pointers.

  As instructed, Morgan gently stroked her forehead, jaw and hands. Rhythmically, he kneaded her shoulders and neck, and she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. He used firm pressure with the palm of his hand to rub her from shoulder to hip, then from thigh to knee.

  Erica was fairly certain nothing she’d ever experienced had felt quite so perfect as Morgan’s touch. And she didn’t think there was a breathing technique in the world that could control her reaction to the exquisite sensation of his hands on her body.

  She glanced up at his face and recognized the intensity that turned his eyes a darker shade of blue than normal. At first she thought it was only concentration. Then she saw the pulse throbbing in his neck and knew. He was feeling something for her, too, and it was more than just being her support partner. It was the scariest, most exciting feeling she’d ever had. But where did they go from here?

  * * *

  Holy crap! Morgan couldn’t believe how close he’d com
e to kissing Erica in that class. Her skin was so soft and she was so beautiful. Time after time, he caught himself and stopped, but there was something in her eyes. Something he’d never seen before. But he couldn’t identify it, and she didn’t help. She hadn’t said a word since he started driving them back to Dalton’s Grange.

  It was time to break the silence. “Do you want to stop for something to eat? Are you hungry?”

  “No, thanks.” Her voice was soft and the tone a little unsure, as if she had something on her mind.

  “Okay.”

  He was thinking hard about what to say but could only come up with an apology for wanting her. But he wasn’t really sorry at all. God help him.

  She was pregnant and he most likely was crazy. But she was the most beautiful, sexiest woman he’d ever met. And if he was being honest with himself, it was more than that. She was sweet, caring, friendly, kind and funny. He’d never met a woman who had it all. Not until Erica.

  And now he’d made it weird.

  He turned onto the road where Dalton land started, and Erica still hadn’t said anything besides no thanks. If he didn’t fix this, she was going to let him off, then drive home, and there would be this unspoken, awkward thing between them.

  He pulled up in front of his house, but didn’t turn off the car’s ignition. “You’re awfully quiet. Everything okay?”

  “Yes—” She sighed. “No.”

  “I knew it.” He shook his head. “It’s me, isn’t it? I did something—”

  “Morgan, no.” She released her seat belt and put her hand on his arm. “It’s me. I—”

  “What?” he asked when she hesitated.

  “I haven’t been practicing my breathing, and tonight I guess Carla really got through to me how important it will be.”

  “So, we’ll practice,” he said.

  He nodded toward his house with the light shining in the front window. “In fact, why not now while the class is still fresh in our minds?”

  “Really? Are you sure? I know you get up early—”

  “It’s fine.” He put his hand over hers and tried not to notice the heat that shot through him. “I can see that you’re stressed about this. That’s not good. The best way to deal with it is to practice. What do you say?”

  “Okay.”

  Morgan turned the key and shut off the car. He got out and went around to open Erica’s door, then offered his hand to help her out. When her fingers touched his palm, his whole body went tight with need, and fire licked through him. The heat threatened to consume him.

  Get a grip, Dalton. Don’t be a jerk.

  They walked into the house and she looked around. “This is awfully tidy for a single guy.”

  “If you don’t look in the kitchen, my halo will stay all shiny and bright.” Teasing cut the tension and that was a relief. “Can I get you anything? Water? Iced tea? Beer?” He held up a hand. “Just kidding.”

  “I knew that. Water would be great.”

  “Coming right up.” But he was having a beer. It might take the edge off his wanting her more than his next breath. That thought was ironic considering they were here to practice breathing.

  On his way to the kitchen he said over his shoulder, “Make yourself comfortable.”

  “I guess we should sit on the floor like we do in class,” she called back.

  “Whatever you want.”

  Morgan grabbed the drinks, brought them into the living room and set them on a table beside the leather sofa. Erica was sitting on the floor.

  She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  He was so ready. And, damn it, why couldn’t he stop thinking in double entendres? Focus, he ordered himself. It would be hard to do that since he had to sit behind her. So close. Touching her. Breathing in the scent of her. But this wasn’t about him. For her, he would be the best coach on the planet or die trying.

  He assumed his position and couldn’t help thinking for the hundredth time how good she smelled. How soft and delicate and graceful her neck looked. How much he wanted to see for himself if her skin tasted as sexy as he thought it would.

  “Okay—” He braced himself. “Organizing breath. Slow and deep as the contraction starts, then let it out, releasing all the tension from your shoulders, legs and all the way to your toes.”

  She did as instructed, but he could feel that she wasn’t responding to the technique. He wasn’t sure what to do except continue instructing and counting. So, that’s what they did and went through all the different stages of breathing.

  “Do you want to start over again?” he asked.

  “No.” She said that a little too quickly. Oddly enough, after all that breathing she’d just done, there was a sexy, breathless quality to her voice. “That went okay. I think we work pretty well together.”

  “Yes, we do.” And he could really get used to the nearness of her. The warmth of her burrowing deep inside him, thawing out a place that had been frozen for a long time.

  She glanced over her shoulder and said, “How can I ever thank you?”

  “By not hating me for how much I still want to kiss you.” Morgan wasn’t sure he’d actually said that out loud.

  Her eyes widened and she blinked up at him. A couple of seconds passed before she said, “Does that mean you wanted to kiss me before now?”

  There was no way to dodge this, so he didn’t try. “In class tonight. So many times I came very close to kissing you. It’s official. I’m a jerk. I know it. Right there in front of everyone I wanted to just—”

  “I wasn’t completely sure I didn’t imagine that.” She turned around to face him and smiled softly. “There’s no one here now except you and me.”

  “What?”

  “If you’re a jerk, then so am I. It was so hard to concentrate when all I could think about was you touching me and how good it felt.” Definitely that was a breathless whisper.

  “Erica—”

  Morgan saw that his hand was shaking a little as he traced the curve of her cheek with one finger, then kissed where he’d touched. Her eyes closed, and she shuddered just before the sound of her throaty moan burned through him. She leaned toward him, and this time he didn’t hesitate, but took her mouth with his own. The touch sparked a bone-melting fire that spread through his blood.

  Not here, he thought. Not on the floor.

  Without a word, he stood and held out his hand, helping her to her feet before leading her to his bedroom. Both of them were breathing hard when they sat side by side on the bed.

  He kissed her again and let his mouth wander over her cheekbones, her eyes, her chin. He nuzzled her ear and nipped her neck. Settling his hand on her thigh, he moaned with satisfaction as he remembered how badly he’d been wanting to do this.

  He slid his fingers underneath her sweater, over her soft skin and found her breast, cupping it in his palm. She was perfect, the most beautiful, most sensuous woman he’d ever held in his arms. He brushed his thumb over the tip and heard her gasp of pleasure.

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Oh, Morgan. That feels so good.”

  “I want you, Erica.”

  “Yes, please,” she whispered.

  Mindless with desire, he wanted to touch her everywhere and slid his hand over her belly. There was a rippling movement beneath his palm and he froze. As he hesitated, he felt it again, a rolling motion across her abdomen. If ever there was a cold shower moment, this was it. He pulled his hand away as if he’d touched a hot coal. And maybe he had.

  Erica was having a baby. That made her a package deal and sleeping with her was not a step to be taken lightly.

  “Morgan?” She was frowning at him.

  “I felt the baby move.”

  “I know.” She stared at him and not in a good way. “What’s wrong?”

 
In her eyes he saw the exact moment when she shut down emotionally. “It’s not what you think.”

  “And what do I think?” She slid sideways, a bruised look on her face.

  “It’s just—” He dragged his fingers through his hair, searching for the words to explain. “I don’t want you to think I—”

  “I don’t think anything except—” She stood up and headed for the door. “I need to go.”

  “Erica, wait. Let me explain.”

  She’d stopped in the living room and was looking around. “Where did you put my keys?”

  “Just wait a damn minute. We need to talk about this,” he said.

  “There’s nothing to talk about. You’ve made your feelings crystal clear. So it’s better to stop this before either one of us gets hurt.” She picked up her purse and looked around the room, anywhere but at him. “I’ll go.”

  Morgan wasn’t so sure they weren’t already in territory where one of them could get hurt. And, for crying out loud, he needed to take fifteen seconds to process everything. She was bringing a life into the world and that was huge. If he was going to be a part of that, he needed to be sure. He never wanted her to think he’d used her.

  He’d thought they had a special connection. Was this just an overreaction to his hesitation? Or something else? Maybe he really was just a friend. A rebound guy from Peter and she was still in love with her ex.

  “I need my keys, Morgan.”

  Damn it, were those tears in her eyes? He didn’t think he could take it if she cried. Then he remembered he’d put her keys in his jeans pocket and fished them out. He dropped them into the hand she was holding out and managed to do it without touching her.

  She walked to the door and opened it. “Good night, Morgan.”

  “Erica?”

  She brushed a hand across her cheek before looking at him. “What?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She nodded and without another word walked out the door.

  Morgan really felt like putting his fist through a wall. Before she came inside things were weird, but he could have worked with that. If he’d just kept his hands to himself, everything would have been fine, but he hadn’t. Now he didn’t think there was any coming back from this.